AEGINA ISLAND
serene cycling an hour from Athens
Coastline cycling. When you talk to enough Athenians, you come to discover that many have a weekend home in Aegina, or some kind of favorite retreat on the island. This is mostly because Aegina lies so close to Athens — only about an hour by ferry. What you won’t see on Aegina is tons of foreign tourists. So even though Aegina is easily accessible from the mainland, it has the feel of a rural island far from the capital city. That makes Aegina an inviting locale for a one-day bike tour.
Aegina is known as the Pistachio Island. The European Union has designated the Aegina Pistachio as a “protected product” due to its unique flavor and that its production sustains the Aegina people so that they don’t desert the island. When you cycle Aegina’s roads, you will see an abundance of pistachio trees. If you visit Aegina in September, don’t miss the annual Pistachio Festival.
Aegina cycling can be easy or moderate. The easy route entails just biking along the flat coastline. Although there is not a coastal road circling the island, you can bike in two directions to and from the harbor road so that you have a nice workout. The moderate route does have a loop that climbs the big hill up to the ancient archaeology site of Aphaia. Coming down the hill is the impressive Nekatrios church and a detour to the abandoned village of Paleochora where the pathways are sprinkled with chapels.
Details
| Dates | choose your date |
| Duration | 9-10 hours |
| Transfers | Yes, to and from your central Athens hotel or Piraeus for cruise ship travelers |
| Tour Start Point | Piraeus port to Aegina harbor |
| Tour End Point | Aegina harbor to PIraeus port |
| Minimum Age |
8 |
| Minimum Pax |
2 participants |
| Maximum Pax |
8 per group, multiple groups possible |
| Total Mileage | Easy route – from 18.60 km 11.50 to 35 km. Moderate route 36 km, 22 miles |
| Highest Elevation |
Moderate route 157 meters, 515 feet |
| Rating | Easy — Moderate see Rating System |
Itinerary
We transfer you to Gate 8 of Piraeus port which is where the boats depart to Aegina island. Piraeus port is a twenty minute drive from central Athens. The sea transfer Piraeus to Aegina takes about one hour by ferry boat. Don’t miss a glimpse of the Porto Leone lion leaving Piraeus harbor.
There are two riding choices in Aegina. The easy route stays along the flat sea coast leaving the harbor in one direction to Perdika village where there are plenty of sea side cafes and tavernas. It is 18.60 km 11.50 miles round trip. From here you can take a half-hour boat to uninhabited Moni island where there are peacocks, deer, rabbits roaming freely. In the other direction from the harbor, also along the flat coast is a ride to Souvala with the Loutra Beach. This route is 16.60 km 10 miles round trip.
The moderate route makes a loop that starts and ends at Aegina harbor. It is 36 km, 22 miles with and takes about three hours cycling at 11 kph. It has two main ascents, both about 157 meters, 515 feet. The ride takes about three hours. On this loop you can stop to visit ancient Aphaia and the abandoned village of Paleochora with many chapels.
In Aegina town you can spend several hours strolling the harbor and shopping or window shopping at the local stores. Buy a bag of pistachios. Visit an artisanal soap making workshop that uses organic olive oil and intoxicating scents. Photograph the pretty pink Markelo Tower built in 1802. Tour the Historical & Folklore Museum of Aegina or the Archaeology Museum.
Lunch is in Aegina harbor along the seafront.
The tour lasts 9-10 hours Piraeus-Aegina-Piraeus.
Cost
| 2 – 4 riders | 350 euros per person |
| 5 – 8 riders | 310 euros per person |
| 9 or more riders | contact us for cost |
Inclusions
Transfers from your central Athens hotel to Piraeus port, and on return from the port back to your hotel
Ferry ticket roundtrip Piraeus-Aegina-Piraeus
Support vehicle: (“sag wagon”) with bilingual driver who is also a bike mechanic. Vehicle carries spare parts, spare fully pumped wheels, floor pump, ice cooler, water, nutritious snacks, bike tools, first aid kit, day packs, and gives you a lift if you get tired.
Tour Leader / Bike Guide: the Tour Leader handles all the tour logistics and cycles with the group.
Bikes: Specialized Allez road bike with drop handlebars or Trek FX2 with flat handlebars. Electric bike available as an upgrade for 50 euros. Carbon bike available as an upgrade for 70 euros. Regular pedals or toe clips on request. You are welcome to bring your own clip-in pedals and shoes. See Our Bikes and Our Gear
Bike gear: water bottle, helmet, handlebar pouch, odometer
Lunch at seaside taverna in Aegina harbor
Entry fees to Aphaia Temple and all museums
Water
Click to open in Google maps
Most everyone taking an Athens Day Tour does so as an add-on to their multi-day bike tour, before or after the tour. The cost of the selected day tour will be added to the final cost of the multi-day bike tour.
If you are only a day tripper – perhaps you are a cruise traveler – you will need to contact us to arrange the date and time you wish to schedule a day tour and we’ll let you know how to make payment.
See details in the Booking Agreement which you must agree as a condition to participation in a CycleGreece tour. Participants are also required to sign a Waiver & Release of Liability.
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