Sightseeing in South Aegina
Leaving the town of Aegina, we take the south coastal road in the direction of Marathonas and Perdika.
First of all, we pass through Pharos. Coastal area 1km south of the town, after the Cape of Paliopyrgos . There is a small harbour here for docking small boats. We can see several manor houses in the area of (Trikoupis, Gkiolman and others).
Right after Pharos and before Agios Vassileos, to our right there stretches a big sandy beach that is organized in one section (the Aqua-Loca). We can see the picturesque, little Church of Saint Vassileos in between the villages of Pharos and Vrocheia (that have small harbours for docking small boats and a Sailing Club).
The next coastal village that we meet is Marathonas with a beautiful sandy beach (on the right and left of the village) and several traditional tavernas, shops and places to stay. In Marathonas and at the location of Kakoperato, there is a hydrosulphide source that have not yet been studied. Due to the volcanic origin of the ground, (hard) millstones for many regions in Greece were quarried and made from here.
Continuing from Marathonas towards Perdika, we can see on our right the entrance to the Hotel Moody complex. Inside the complex the creation of a concrete jetty facilitates access to the sea. Right after, is situated the small, organized, sandy beach of Aeginitissa. The last beach before Perdika. Above the beach, on a hill, is spread out the recently built village of Prophitis Ilias.
An interesting spot, a little before Perdika, is found to the right of the road, the deserted hotel Maris complex. A hotel phantom that attracts such fans. From here on there are no other impediments or stops to make on our way to our main destination of Perdika.
Perdika is the largest village in southwest Aegina. The village has a rich history (inhabited since the Mycenaean epoch) but relatively recently developed as a seaside resort. It has a very lovely and picturesque harbour while opposite is situated the beautiful, small island of Moni. Of special interest is the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in front of the harbour and the Church of Saint Sostis that is its second large church, built in the small park at the tip of the peninsula of the village.
There are two beaches for swimming in Perdika. One is beside the harbour at its entrance, the second that is quieter and more remote, is via the small rocks at the tip of the peninsula to the left of Saint Sostis’s park.
Small excursion boats regularly leave from the harbour to take us to the opposite Moni island (3 nautical miles from Perdika). Lovely small island with rich vegetation where kri-kri goats live freely, as well as small ponies, peacocks and pheasants. There is a wonderful beach with striking blue, clear water and its small bays accommodate many pleasure boats. If you prefer more seclusion, upon arriving at the beautiful organized Moni beach, cross the small wood above the beach and in 5mins you will enjoy, alone, the wonderful Moni sea diving in from rocks.
Around Perdika towards the south, short and rather marshy dirt roads take us to the beaches of Sarpas, Μouriotis και Κlima. Sarpas beach is quiet and sandy but behind the beach is an Electricity Board substation. Mouriotis beach is located in a small bay and has lovely azure water. The beach is accessible by a footpath that is hidden behind a house’s wall. The best of the three beaches is Klima beach in the area of Kleidi . Very lovely sandy beach, with light coloured azure sea, at about 2km SE of Perdika.
The eastward road from Perdika takes us in 3km to the alpine village of Sphentouri (220μ.). Picturesque village quickly developed with many new and elegant houses. Very beautiful view towards the southern extremities of the island (Klima, Sarpas and Perdika). From here, the road does not lead anywhere else and we can return to Perdika on the same road that we came up on.