With around 6,000 islands and islets scattered across its seas, Greece offers seemingly endless possibilities for an island escape. The Cyclades have Santorini and Mykonos, with their instantly recognizable whitewashed villages and lively summer crowds, while Rhodes and Kos in the Dodecanese draw travelers with ancient ruins, medieval towns, and centuries of history.

But you don’t need to travel far from Athens to find an idyllic Greek island. Just off the coast of the capital, the Saronic Gulf is home to a collection of islands that make perfect weekend escapes, particularly when temperatures soar in the city.

Hydra may be the glamorous choice, known for its artistic heritage, handsome stone mansions, and complete absence of cars. But for something a little more laid-back, there’s Aegina.

Just around 40 minutes from Athens by high-speed ferry, Aegina feels surprisingly removed from the bustle of the Greek capital. Popular with Athenians for weekends and day trips, the island combines quiet beaches, ancient history, and wonderfully unpretentious fishing villages.

An Island With Thousands of Years of History

Aegina’s story stretches back thousands of years. Thanks to its strategic position in the Saronic Gulf, the island became an important maritime and commercial power in ancient Greece. It was even among the earliest places in Europe to mint its own coins, recognizable by the image of a sea turtle.

One of the island’s most impressive reminders of its ancient importance is the Temple of Aphaia. Built around 500 BC on a pine-covered hill in northeastern Aegina, the remarkably well-preserved Doric temple looks out across the Saronic Gulf. On a clear day, the elevated site offers sweeping views of the surrounding coastline.

Aegina also played a role in the creation of modern Greece. Following the Greek War of Independence, it briefly served as the country’s first capital from 1827 to 1829, before the seat of government was eventually moved to Athens.

Today, however, life here moves at a decidedly slower pace.

Fishing Villages and Long Lunches By the Sea

While Aegina Town is where most ferries arrive, exploring beyond the main port reveals the island’s quieter side.

On the west coast, Perdika is one of Aegina’s most charming fishing villages. Small boats bob in the harbor, tavernas line the waterfront, and tables spill out toward the sea. It’s the kind of place where lunch can easily stretch into the afternoon: order the catch of the day, chat with the owners and locals, and watch the light slowly change over the Saronic Gulf.

There is little of the see-and-be-seen atmosphere found on Greece’s most famous islands. That’s part of Aegina’s appeal. The pace is slower, the villages feel lived-in, and it’s easy to find somewhere to sit by the water for hours without feeling the need to be anywhere else.

The island is also famous throughout Greece for its pistachios. Aegina’s dry climate and volcanic soil create particularly favorable growing conditions, and pistachio trees cover parts of the landscape. You’ll find them everywhere, from bags of freshly roasted nuts to pistachio ice cream and locally made sweets.

Take a Boat to the Tiny Island of Moni

Aegina has no shortage of beautiful beaches, from stretches of sand with organized beach clubs to quieter coves where the water is astonishingly clear. But one of the most memorable swimming spots actually lies just offshore.

Around a 10-minute boat ride from Perdika is Moni, a tiny, largely undeveloped islet surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise water. There are no villages here and very little infrastructure, giving it an almost deserted-island atmosphere.

Moni is also known for its unusual residents. Peacocks wander between the trees, while deer and wild goats roam freely across the island. Spend the day swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing by the water before catching a boat back to Perdika in the late afternoon.

Aegina may not have Santorini’s caldera views or Mykonos’s famous nightlife, but that’s precisely why it’s worth visiting. Less than an hour from Athens, it offers something increasingly difficult to find on Greece’s best-known islands: beautiful beaches, fascinating history, excellent food, and the feeling that there’s absolutely no need to rush.