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. |
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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.
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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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