Things to do in Aegina

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Acropolis of Athens

• Explore one of the world's most important architectural heritage sites • Uncover the history as you walk amongst amazing ruins • See the imposing columns of the Parthenon – the most imitated building in the world △The Acropolis is located southwest of the center of Athens, perched on the top of the Acropolis hill more than 150 meters high. It is a landmark of the city and a symbol of ancient Greece. The Acropolis was built in 580 BC. Acropolis means "high city-state" in Greek. The east, south and north sides of the hill are cliffs, which can be said to be a natural barrier. △[Temple of Erechtheion] Legend has it that it was the place where Athena and Poseidon, the god of the sea, battled wits over being the protector of Athens. This temple is famous for its six caryatids on the south side. △On the top of the Acropolis, there are ruins and cliffs, and you can feel every trace of history.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Greece

Acropolis Museum

The overall scale and form of the Acropolis Museum are largely determined by its own exhibits, particularly its rich collection of architectural sculptures, including large pediments from archaic temples, votive statues, and the diverse sculptural decorations of the Parthenon. To display these sculptures, the museum designed a rectangular gallery of at least 3,200 square meters, whose shape and proportions echo those of the ancient temple itself. On the other hand, the museum's foundation had to be carefully modified to accommodate the ancient architectural remains unearthed through systematic excavations of the building site. Close collaboration between architects and archaeologists ultimately led to a suitable solution, determining the final positions of the museum's foundation pillars without damaging the surrounding artifacts. The ongoing archaeological excavations were conceived as a large-scale exhibition and integrated into the museum. Additionally, a plan was developed to display the most significant unearthed artifacts within the archaeological site. The museum's architectural design boldly employs highly transparent glass curtain walls, aiming to establish direct visual connections between the exhibits, the rock itself, and the Acropolis ruins where the museum's artifacts originated. At the same time, it allows visitors to enjoy panoramic views of Attica's historic hills and mountains, as well as the contemporary urban environment. Similarly, the glass floors inside the museum integrate the archaeological excavation areas below into the exhibition halls. In this way, the museum avoids being disconnected from its surroundings and instead becomes an extension of the environment, reinforcing its intrinsic connection with the ancient Athens view. The museum exhibition areas are divided by terrain and theme. The first floor features large exhibition halls with ramps equipped with glass floors, replicating the slope of the Acropolis hill and displaying archaeological artifacts unearthed here. Ascending to the second floor, visitors are greeted by high ceilings and skylights, where artifacts related to the Athens Acropolis are showcased. The western exhibition area displays sculptures from the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, as well as architectural components of the Propylaea. The second-floor hall is dedicated to the sculptures of the Parthenon. Returning to the north wing of the second floor, visitors find the final exhibition space, featuring artworks from the 5th century BC to the end of the classical period.

Temple of Aphaia

The Temple of Aphaiais located on a pine-covered hilltop in the northeast of Aegina Island,the temple is a Doric peripteral structure with 12 columns along the length and 6 along the width,the entrance is on the east side, where there is a ramp built of carefully hewn stone.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Greece

Parthenon

The Parthenon is located on the Acropolis of Athens, Greece, and is an important structure from the ancient Greek period, built in the 5th century BC. It was constructed in honor of Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, showcasing the advanced skills of the ancient Greeks in architecture and art. The temple features the Doric order style and is made of white marble, surrounded by a series of columns that create a solemn appearance. The Parthenon was not only a center for religious activities but also a significant site for the political and cultural life of Athens. Despite the changes and damages over history, this building remains a symbol of ancient Greek civilization, attracting visitors and scholars from around the world to explore and study.

Holy Church of Saint Nectarios of Aegina

Holy Trinity - Saint Nektarios of Aegina Holy Convent

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Greece

National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum is the largest museum in Greece and one of the most important in the world. Originally destined to receive all the 19th century excavations, mainly from Attica and other parts of the country, it gradually took the form of a central National Archaeological Museum and was enriched with finds from all parts of the Greek world. His rich collections, enumerating more than 11,000 exhibits, offer the visitor a panorama of ancient Greek culture from the beginning of prehistory to the late antiquity. The museum is housed in the imposing neoclassical building, built at the end of the 19th century in designs by L. Lange and eventually formed by Ernst Ziller. Its exhibition grounds, dozens of halls on each floor, cover an area of 8,000 m² and houses the five major permanent collections: • The Collection of Prehistoric Antiquities, including works of the great civilizations that developed in the Aegean from the 6th millennium to 1050 BC. (Neolithic, Cycladic and Mycenaean) and finds from the prehistoric settlement of Thira. • The Sculpture Collection, which presents the evolution of ancient Greek sculpture from the 7th century. B.C. until the 5th c. AD, through unique works of art. • The Vase and Minerals Collection, which includes representative works of ancient Greek ceramics from the 11th century. B.C. up to the Roman era, as well as the Stathatos Collection, a timeless collection of miniature artifacts. • The Metallurgical Works Collection with many unique original works, statues, figurines and miniature works. • Finally, the unique for Greece Collection of Egyptian and Eastern Antiquities with works of art, dating from the pre-emptive period (5000 BC) to the times of the Roman conquest. The museum has a rich photographic archive and a library with many rare editions, which is continuously enriched for the needs of scientific staff. It also has modern workshops for the maintenance of metallic objects, ceramics, stone, casting workshops, organic materials, photographic workshop and chemical laboratory. There are also halls of periodical exhibitions, a lecture theater, as well as one of the largest collections of the Archaeological Resources Fund. The National Archaeological Museum accepts thousands of visitors each year. Along with the exhibition of exhibits, he organizes periodical exhibitions and participates by lending his works to exhibitions both in Greece and abroad. In addition, it serves as a research center for scientists from all over the world and participates in the development of special educational and other programs. Archaeological lectures are organized in the amphitheater, while innovation is also the possibility of guiding people with hearing problems by scientific staff.

Temple of Apollo

Marathonas Beach B

Tower of Markellos