Page 93 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

Must See
2 unlocked, preserve fine
frescoes dating from the
Ómorfo Ekklisía 13th to the 16th centuries.
⌂ 2 km (1 mile) E of Égina
town
Just east of Égina town, in 4
Asómati district, stands the Pérdika and Moní
13th-century Byzantine ⌂ 9 km (6 miles) S
Ómorfo Ekklisiá church of Égina town
(locked; get the key from the
Archaeological Museum). The Heading south from Égina
interior of this church is cov- town, the road hugs the
ered in fine frescoes. Pilgrims shore, passing small beaches
usually continue a little bit at Fáros, Marathónas and
further, to the tomb-shrine of Eginítissa. This scenic route Snorkelling in the crystal-
Ágios Nektários (1846–1920), ends at Pérdika, near the clear waters of Moní, a
briefly a bishop but mostly southwestern tip of Égina. small island just off Égina
a monk, canonized in 1961. This picturesque fishing
village has some excellent
quayside fish tavernas and 5
3 modest accommodation, Angístri
which is usually packed full of
Paleohóra Athenians on weekends.
Just ten minutes by caïque ⌂ 12 km (8 miles) SW
⌂ 5 km (4 miles) E of Égina of Égina town
town from Pérdika looms the islet
of Moní, popular for its crystal The small island of Angístri
On the hillside opposite waters – clearer than any is accessible by caïque from
Ágios Nektários’s tomb sprawl around Égina itself – lapping Égina town. It was originally
the ruins of this deserted its single beach, secluded settled by Arvanítes (medieval
medieval town. Founded coves and hidden caves. There Albanian-speaking Orthodox
during Byzantine times, are two summer-only snack Christians), and is now popular
Paleohóra was raided by the bar-cafés at the beach, at least for “alternative” tourism –
notorious Ottoman pirate- one of them open after dark. Halikiáda is Greece’s oldest
admiral Barbarossa in 1537 Moní has no permanent naturist beach. Mýlos and
but was only abandoned until inhabitants other than a Skála are bustling seaside
three centuries later, in 1826. number of animals such as villages; the hillside settle-
Several churches here, all deer and peacocks. ment of Metóhi is quieter.

0 kilometres 3 N Piraeus
0 miles 3 Souvála Vaïá
Vathý Temple of
Kypséli Aphaia
Livádi
Paleohóra
Égina Town Ómorfo Agía Marína Ocean
Ekklisiá Agios Beach
Nektários
Fáros

Marathónas Pórtes
Anítseo
Mýlos Skála
Eginítissa Óros
530 m (1,750 ft)
Metóhi Halikiáda Pérdika
Beach Sfikári
Moní
Angístri É gina
Limenária
Méthana

092-093_EW_Greek_Islands.indd 93 28/11/2018 10:54