Aegina Island, Greece

Aegina Island, Greece. Aegina Island History. Tourism, Vacation Guide. Maybe you are reading this because you know Aegina already and have joined the fan club. You love to learn anything new about your favorite place in the world which is why you regularly check out Aegina information. Maybe you are thinking about visiting the island and are doing a little research. Congratulations you have come to the right place! A perfect holiday destination. So, what is it about Aegina which attracts so many people to use their precious holiday to return here year after year. Why do others dream about living on Aegina all year long and some actually take the plunge and do it by relocating here permanently? Curious. Once you experience it for yourself you will understand. In the meantime, let us paint a picture of this magical island. Our location in the Argo-Saronic gulf is an immediate attraction. Aegina is close to the port of Pireaus on the mainland. Visitors must arrive by boat but the journey is short (between 40 and 80 minutes depending on which boat) and an enjoyable part of your holiday experience. Enter into the bustling port of Aegina town and drink in the view: a moon crescent harbour with fishing boats, fruit filled caiques, and glamorous yachts jostling for position. Once on Aegina you can enjoy island life but easily leave for day trips to Athens, the Saronic islands Agistri, Poros and Hydra and the Peloponnese. Those visitors who are excited by learning about history will not be disappointed by what Aegina has to offer. Indeed there are many excellent books available and a separate section on this website. The island has a special place in Greek mythology and history. The myth has it that the island tookits name from the most beautiful of the twenty daughters of Asopos, the river god, who eloped with Zeus to the then deserted island. In historical terms, there is evidence that the island was inhabited from as early as 3500 B. C. The island enjoyed strong economic and social growth between around 900 B. C. and 480 B. C., including minting the first coins anywhere in Greece during the 7th. Century B. C. In more modern times, Aegina was briefly the first "capital" of modern Greece from 1827 - 1829.