Aigina is located 17,5 nautical
miles from Piraeus. It's 83 sq.km (32 sq. miles). It's a rather big island.
Because of the small distance from Piraeus, many people who live in Athens
go to Aigina for their weekend.The narrow paths, the cute little houses
and the small shops, give Aegina its special character.
The isle of Aegina comprises a series of volcanic heights in the center and the south which culminate in mount Zeus (alt. 532 m - 1745 ft.), now known as mount Profitis Ilias; each pyramidal silhouette, formaly crowned by a temple to Zeus, acted as a landmark for sailors. To the north and west the island consists of a coastal plain and low hills covered by plantations of pistachio nuts, almonds and olives and a few vineyards
In the Archaic Era (7 c. - 6 c. BC) Aigina was a powerful maritime state, minting its own coins, marked with a turtoise, exporting its ceramics and bronzes and establishing colonies round the Mediterranean. Its rivalry was Athens, however, proved fatal and in 455 BC the islanders were defeated and had to emigrate.
Restaurants, taverns and night clubs can be found in the city of Aigina and in many other beautiful locations.