Agistri

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Aegina
Athens
Agistri
Piraeus

Location: In the Saronic Gulf between Attica and the Peloponnese. 20 miles SW of Athens and its international airport of El Venezelos. 5 miles SW of its neighbouring island of Aegina.

General Description: Despite its proximity to Athens, Agistri (or Angistri or Anghistri), a little island of just 8 square miles, is surprisingly low-key. The population of only 1,000 triples during summer confirming its dependence on tourism. A snaking, partly rocky, coastline rises to low pine-covered hills never exceeding 800 feet. The port of Skala on the NE point of the island has now taken over from Milos (or Megalohori), on the NW point, as the focus for tourism though the latter is still the administrative centre for the island. In Skala low-rise local-style buildings and an icing-white 20th-century domed church line the two parallel main roads with still undeveloped land between. A 1½-ml road connects Skala to hill-top Milos, with its narrow, winding streets, white stone houses and harbour full of fishing boats. Essentially one paved road winds through the interior, connecting with the two other villages of Metohi just S of Skala, and Limenaria in the SE of the island. Apart from tourism, fishing and olive oil production are the main economic activities.

Accommodation: Mainly small, family-run properties in local-style in Skala and Milos. Many have pools which are open to all who use the bar. Plenty of self-catering. Rooms in houses can also be rented.

Shopping: Both Skala and Milos have minimarkets and a few small outlets selling a limited range of local goods. A small number of tourist shops all sell the same selection of beachwear, postcards, snorkelling gear and the odd souvenir.

Entertainments: Daytime: beach activities, including pedalloes and snorkelling. Fishing. Walking. Motorcycle tours of the island.
Nightlife: sunset cruise around island. Low-key bars, some offering cocktails. One disco each in Skala and Milos. Yianna hotel in Skala has weekly Greek dancing with buffet. Weekly night ferry service to island of Aegina for more upbeat nocturnal fun.
 

  Beaches: Plenty of beaches all around the island - mostly of coarse sand, shingle or pebbles dipping into clear shallow water. Skala has a narrow 200-yd curve of beach by the harbour with fishing boats on it and backed by a busy walkway with restaurant, hotel snack bar and some pine trees. This area is crammed with parasols and sun loungers. Further along, a tiny scrub-covered tongue of sand is often much quieter. From here an intermittent strip of beach straggles along parallel to the main road to Milos where some parasols and sun loungers outside a couple of bars are available for patrons. The best option, on the E coast, is Halikada: popular with nudists, this 100-yd stretch is backed by a sheer cliff and pine trees. On the W coast, 250-yd long Dragonera beach is best reached by taxi or bus and a short walk. Small, rocky Aponnissos beach in the SW is popular with yachters.
 
 
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