Aegina, Saronic island in Greece
Aegina is an island in the Saronic Gulf, just a short ride from Athens, with flat plains along the northern coast and a volcanic ridge to the east. The main town sits on the western edge, while villages spread across the slopes and pine forests cover the higher ground.
The island became the seat of the first independent Greek government in 1826 for two years, after centuries of Ottoman rule ended. Before that, it was a powerful city-state in ancient times and the first Greek region to mint its own coins.
The name comes from the nymph Aigina, who according to Greek myth found refuge here and became the mother of a hero. Today many local shops and tavernas carry this connection in their names, while visitors spot motifs of the nymph on pottery and wall paintings throughout the harbor area.
Ferries and fast boats from Piraeus port reach the island several times a day, with the journey taking between 40 minutes and just over an hour depending on the vessel. The island can be explored in a day, but staying longer allows for visits to remote beaches and mountain trails.
The local pistachios have grown here since the 19th century and ripen in a climate that gives them a flavor different from other varieties. In September, residents celebrate the harvest with a festival where freshly roasted kernels are sold straight from the ovens.
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