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Although relatively unknown, the island of Aegina has a very famous history and some wonderful attractions.:-
The temple of Afaia is one of the most beautiful classical temples in all of Greece and is also one of the few surviving from this period. Its stands on the top of a pine-clad hill just outside Aghia Marina.
 The first temple on the site (700 BC) was dedicated to Afaia, a deity from Crete. The Doric temple we see today, was built about 490 BC and dedicated to Athena, whose cult had merged with that of Afaia. It claims to be the only surviving Hellenic temple with a second row of small super-imposed columns in the interior sanctuary.
The temple is built of local (porous) stone, and it served as a model for the construction of the Parthenon and other temples in Greece, Asia and southern Italy.
The panoramic view of the Saronic Gulf, Peloponnese and Attica (Athens) is worth the visit alone!
For the more adventurous, you can walk to the temple from Aghia Marina, through the pine forest and wooded trail. Visiting the temple is a must for all visitors to Aegina.
The Monastery of Aghios Nektarios (a convent) is named after its founder who died in 1920 and who was canonised in 1961. Aghios Nektarios, the most recent Saint of the Orthodox Church, was  himself responsible for the original building, which took place between 1904 and 1910. It is located on the ruins of an older Byzantine church. His relics are still preserved in the original chapel.
The newly erected church, in honour of Aghios Nektarios, is one of the largest in Greece
Aghios Nektarios was born in Thrace in 1846 and came from a poor family. When he was 14 years old, he went to Constantinople (Istanbul) to work in the tobacco-industry. In his free time he learnt how to read and write. Later he worked as a teacher on the island of Chios and in 1875 at the age of 30, he became a monk.
The clerical authorities were very impressed by his abilities, especially the bishop of Alexandria and he was duly nominated as a Deacon and sent to Athens to complete his studies.
After nine years he was called to Cairo. He was promoted to the secretary of the Patriarchate and sent to be the Bishop of Pentapoli in Lybia. Developing his own ideas about God and the religion, he was accused of atheism. After years of fighting he gave up and returned to Aegina. It was then he built the monastery, dedicated to “The Holy Trinity". It was administered by the community and he was the clerical leader.
In 1920 he became ill and was taken to hospital in Piraeus, where he died. In 1961 he was canonised by the Greek-Orthodox Church. The 9th of November is dedicated to him and it’s a time of great celebration for the inhabitants of Aegina. Although mainly known for his work in humanitarian issues, he is one of the most popular patron saints of Greece.
For those who have visited the monastery of Aghios Nektarios (and still have the energy), why not visit the hill of Paliachora. The ruins of this medieval city cover the hill behind the monastery. This is where the islanders used to take refuge from the pirates and many invasions from the 10th century onwards. Its location, being right in the centre of the island, was a perfect place to hide from forces attacking from the sea.
Once a small city of 365 churches, there are some 32 frescoed churches (13th to 17th century) still preserved.
An official can often be found on the site most days and will open chapels usually kept locked.
However, one can visit the hillside anytime. Crowning the summit are the remnants of a medieval castle.
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