Where to swim

You will find Avra, Panagitsa and the renowned Kolona in the town, where you will walk through the archaeological site to get to this beach where the pine trees stop where the sea begins. Just a step outside the town on the road to Perdika, you will find Agios Vassilis, a beach with umbrellas and sunbeds, a beach bar staying till late at night. Further down you can find the first and second Marathonas (well known and equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds). Perdika is one of the islands well known and scenic spots, ideal for those who love diving of rocks, while next to the small fishing port there are quite a few nice fish taverns. There are beaches with umrellas and sunbeds at Agia Marina and Souvala while Klima, Kleidi, Mourioti and Sarpas are classic choices. Vagia and the beach at Tourlos are more secluded – sandy with green waters – while Portes is considered one of the island's best. Aiginitissa is more cosmopolitan – people, dance, music and marvelous cocktails – Kamares Paradise has a beach bar and sunbeds, Prosinemo is family friendly.

Where to eat

In town: Mpampis at Akti Toti Chatzi 7 (+30 23594) is on Panagitsa beach, serving very good Greek cuisine, in a nicely decorated surrounding with impressively lit up palm trees and tables on the beach, open since 9a.m. You must have octopus wrapped in paper and chicken with the famous local pistachios. Bakalogatos (P. Ireioti & Neoptolemou, +30 2297500501) is a tsipouro and meze place with a very pretty decoration, always smiling owners, home cooking, nice prices and a scenic courtyard. At Scholeio (Faneromenis, across the basket court, +30 6984211728), is the pizza place you were looking for true Italian pizzas and perfect pasta. You will enjoy them in the cool terrace under the large poplar tree, at very good prices. In the town alleys you will find Elia (Koumoundourou 4, +30 2297500205) playing relaxed music, jazz, blues and soul. Open since morning, for coffee in the cool yard filled with flowers. The Avli (P. Ireioti 17, +30 26438) bar restaurant is a very well known meeting point during the last 20 years, open till late at night, serving coffee, drinks and food (plus an excellent pistachio liquor) underneath a vine tree, and soon opening a nice little bar. At Souvala, Namaste (+30 54210) is a new entry, an all day coffee bar & cocktail lounge, welcoming, cool, with a great view of the surrounding sea. They serve coffees and other beverages, snacks in the morning and cocktails at night while at the Zaza restaurant you will enjoy the Italian cuisine with pasta, risottos and delicious pizzas.

Tsias on Aegina beach (23529) has a new menu.

Nextdoor the renowned Skotadis (+30 24014), serves excellent fresh fish and the best taramosalata.

At Marathonas: Ostria (+30 27682), serving home cooking, fresh fish, rustique pies, delicious fava and home grown vegetables for 21 years. They also serve a hearty breakfast. The tables are almost in the sea so you can have a swim while your ouzo will be waiting for you on your table. Idyllic sunset. Vatzoulias (+30 22711) on the way to Agios Nektarios is a family run tavern with a renowned mousaka and their own special pasta. At Perdika, Nontas (+30 61233), dated back to 1936, is an expert in traditional cooking and fresh fish.

Nightlife

For desserts (“fistikato”, “fistikini”, marzipan) the island's oldest and all time classic patisserie is Aiakeion (22249) on the beach. At the beach end you will find Inn On the Beach situated on one of the islands prettiest places. It is a cafe beach club with a large wooden deck, beautiful cocktails and large coffees. At the port, the Remvi bar (L. Dimokratias 51, +30 28605) is perfect for breakfast, lunch and music and dance at night. The cocktail bar Vartan (P.Ireioti 16) is the younger crowd's hangout place. In this alley filled with lots of people everybody is dancing to house and even 80s electro music while there are occasional rock parties happening at the same place. You will find the cocktail bar Barrera on the same street, open in the afternoon till late at night. For jazz, funk and soul music you can also go to the island's favourites Perdikiotika (Afaias 38) a stylish bar restaurant with a beautiful “secret” garden. On Akti Toti (Chatzi 10) go to Ellinikon Seaside. On Aegina beach there is also Caps Lock cafe bar, located in a refurbished old town house with a beautiful yard, for coffee and drinks and art events. Finally the cafe bar Nissos at the port and the well known Athens place Pagotomania.

Aiginitissa beach: at the Aiginitissa beach & cocktail bar (+30 61082) they serve the best cocktails, fresh fruit drinks and also burgers and warm dishes in a beautiful and usually crowded place.

Where to stay

At Chora, at Fistikies (23783) there are fully equipped apartments in a beautiful garden with flowers, pistachio trees, hot tub pools and nice service. A few meters away from the town center, you will find Rastoni (Str. Petriti 31, 27039), featuring 12 luxurious theme apartments. One kilometer from the town center the Danae Hotel (+30 22424, www.danehotel.gr), offers 54 rooms with a sea view, a pool, a snack bar and a restaurant. The beach is 50 meters away.

At Perdika: the Perdika Suites (+30 61101) a few meters away from the port, offers large luxury apartments that can accommodate 2-5 persons. Plus Dionysia Rooms (+30 61291) and Marie – Lena (+30 61449).

At Agia Marina the hotel Katerina (+30 32075, www.katerinahotel,gr) stands out, offering 34 rooms, a pool and snack bar, only 300 meters away from the sea. At Souvala: the Hotel Xanthippi (+30 52201, www.xanthippihotel.gr) offers 25 rooms with a view, fully equipped kitchen and a large courtyard for everyone.

At Marathonas: Ostria Rooms (+30 27677). Well taken care of, welcoming, right next to the sea.

What to buy

At the Iliachtina (P. Ireioti34, +30 24255), Tina Kotsoni and Efthimis Stergioulas create their own hand made jewelery. Their work is being distributed around the world. Here you will also find jewelery made by other artists at extraordinary prices. This is where you will also find you weekly ATHENSVOICE copy. At Think Pink (Spirou Rodi 36, +30 2297029085) just five minutes away from the port you will find the Pink Woman and Happenink collections at affordable prices.