Revel in the beauty, the culture, and the cuisine of Greece’s Saronic Gulf
Aegina island, only 1 hour by ferry from Piraeus port, is a wonderful island in the Saronic Gulf. During this short escape, you’ll discover the island on foot, enjoy the splendid views on the mountains of the Peloponnese, and see the surrounding islands of Agistri and Methana.
This tour explores two great walks on Aegina. One walk leads you from the fishing town of Perdika to the summit of Aegina (532m) from where you have a breathtaking 360-degree view on the surrounding islands. You’ll walk through ancient olive groves with olive trees over 500 years old and pass numerous chapels and picturesque churches.
The second walk shows you the incredible cultural heritage of the island: the impressive modern monasteries of Agios Nektarios and Agia Marina, the old Byzantine churches with frescoes in Paleochora, and the Ancient Temple of Aphaia, so proudly built in a strategic location. In the evenings there is ample time to take a stroll through the alleys in Aegina town, nipping a Greek Frappe and live the island life along with the Greeks.
Highlights of the Saronic Gulf Walking Tour
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Saronic Gulf Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival at Aegina
Transfer from Athens center or Athens Airport to Piraeus and ferry to Aegina. On Aegina, your luggage will be picked up from the port and you walk to your accommodation in the town.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Aegina
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk from Perdika to Marathonas Beach
Today’s walk starts from the picturesque fishing village of Perdika. You travel by public bus or by taxi. From Perdika you ascend inland via old trails along with numerous chapels, ruins of old windmills, and old threshing floors. You walk through the village Sfendouri and ascend through a moonlike landscape of limestone. The views of the surrounding islands like Agistri, Moni and Methana and the mountains of the Peloponnese are superb!
You can take an optional loop to the summit of Mt. Ellanio, which at 532m is the highest summit of Aegina. On top is a church, the perfect picnic spot for today’s walk.
After the descent you continue through the bare landscape to the ‘Eleonas’, a plain with huge olive trees, some of which are over 500 years old. The walk ends on the beach of Marathonas.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Aegina
Distance: 3.5 hrs, 10km, 600m ascent, 600m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Walk from Agios Nektarios to Agia Marina
This is one of the highlights of the Saronic Islands. You start at the massive monastery of Agios Nektarios, located in the center of the island. You can travel there by public bus or private taxi. The Monastery was built for the Holy Nektarios who died in 1920. Thousands of religious people come here every year, seeking help from this miracle-working saint.
After your visit, you walk a short distance to the old town of Paleochora, located on the top of a hill. In the Middle Ages, this was a lively town. Now you can admire 38 Byzantine churches, some in good condition, but many are ruined. From Paleochora the walk continues via a ridge along with ruins of windmills to a nice viewpoint. You descend along abandoned olive groves to Mesargos, and from this village, walk on rural roads and dirt tracks to the nunnery Agia Marina. Shortly after, the unique Temple of Aphaia comes into sight. After your visit to this ancient Greek temple, you descend via a wide track to the seaside resort of Agia Marina. From here you return to Aegina town by public bus or by taxi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Aegina
Distance: 4 hours, 11km, 400m ascent, 550m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Departure
After breakfast, you travel on the ferry back to Piraeus. In Piraeus, it’s onto your next adventure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Saronic Gulf Walking TourPrice and Dates
This self-guided walking tour in Aegina Island is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price depends on the types of rooms that you choose and your preferred departure days.
Prices below are per person.
Departure between April 1st and June 28th:
- Price per solo traveller: $575 USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $475 USD
- Price per person sharing a double room: $325 USD
- Price per person sharing triple room: $275 USD
Departure between June 29th and August 31st:
- Price per solo traveller: $625 USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $525 USD
- Price per person sharing a double room: $375 USD
- Price per person sharing triple room: $295 USD
Departure between September 1st and October 29th:
- Price per solo traveller: $575 USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $475 USD
- Price per person sharing a double room: $325 USD
- Price per person sharing triple room: $275 USD
Accommodation on Saronic Gulf Walking Tour
This tour is based in one hotel. This hotel is usually 4-star and offers modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Danae in Aegina ★★★★
Hotel Danae is a romantic hotel that offers free wifi, air conditioning, and attentive concierge. The outdoor pool is perfect for a post-walk splash.
What’s Included in the Saronic Gulf Walking Tour?
Meals
3 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 3 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes pick up from Athens Center or Athens Airport and a ferry ticket from Piraeus to Aegina-Piraeus. It doesn’t include public transport or taxi to and from the walks.
Also Included
- Luggage transfers upon arrival and departure on Aegina
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
Not included
- Flight to and from Athens
- Public transport or taxi to and from the walks
- Travel insurance
- Tourist tax
- Admissions and entrance fees of any kind
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses such as lunches, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers etc.
- Any items that have not been specifically mentioned in the program
Optional Extras
- Transfer back to the airport at additional costs
- Extra night/s can be booked at the standard accommodation
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
Frequently Asked Questions about Saronic Gulf Walking Tour
S-Cape Travel Greece is a Greek outdoor company, established in 1994 and member of the S-Cape Group of companies since 2010.
At S-Cape Greece you find a varied portfolio of active and adventure trips that offer you a hands-on experience of Greece, having time to slowing down and appreciate the details: view the sites and landscapes, savor the specialties, meet and mingle with the locals and learn about the culture.
All our trips and itineraries are developed by our team of professional walkers and cyclists who have a keen eye for great trails, exciting itineraries, breath-taking scenery and good quality accommodation that share our vision on sustainable travel.
If you travel on one of our self-guided trips, you receive a Destination Manual with information on the country and a state-of-the-art Road Book with detailed route description, turn by turn diagrams of each crossing and explanatory text. On top, you can navigate the route in your own smartphone via our excellent S-Cape Travel App.
Welcome to Greece!
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Maria has worked in the Athens office of S-Cape for nearly 4 years. She’s discovered an even deeper love for her country through the process of helping others explore it.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead and why?
- A: My favourite trip is Crete “Coast to Coast” because you discover unspoiled Crete while following walking paths through wildflowers, lush valleys, and gorgeous gorges. You get to know the locals, drink wine with them, and taste the famous Cretan food in local taverns. You meet the locals of this village in the “kafeneion” and drink a “Raki” with them. You get to stay in a beautiful old restored house and enjoy views of the White Mountains whilst having breakfast. Explore the White Mountains and walk at an altitude of 1,300m gazing at the white peaks surrounding you. On the south coast, you walk through beautiful gorges. It’s just wonderful!
- Q: What are guests most surprised about in visiting your country?
- A: You hear how good the food, the sun, and the people are. It’s even better in real life!
- Q: What is one local dish anyone visiting should try?
- A: Greek salad, tzatziki, stuffed tomatoes, fried zucchini, and traditional souvlaki, of course!