Souvala is a traditional fishing village and seaside resort on the north coast of Aegina, and the island’s second port after Aegina Town. Lying about nine kilometres north of the main town, it is known for its relaxed atmosphere, its beaches. Its tavernas and cafes along the waterfront. Above all for its thermal springs, whose warm sulphuric waters have long been valued for their healing properties. With ferries from Piraeus calling at its harbour and easy access to the rest of the island. Souvala makes a pleasant, low-key base or day-trip destination away from the busier parts of Aegina.
This guide covers Souvala on Aegina: where it is, what the village and resort are like, its famous thermal springs. Its beaches, what to see nearby, staying and eating there. How to get to this north-coast harbour.
Where is Souvala on Aegina?
Souvala is on the north coast of Aegina, about nine kilometres north of Aegina Town.
Souvala sits on the northern shore of Aegina, roughly nine kilometres from the main town and port. It can be reached along the coastal road that runs north past beaches. Or through the interior via the village of Kypseli, making it an easy trip from the capital.
Souvala has its own harbour where ferries from Piraeus call. It is possible to arrive here directly from Athens, which is convenient if you are staying on this side of the island.
What is Souvala like?
Souvala is a traditional fishing village that has grown into a relaxed seaside resort.
Souvala keeps the character of a genuine fishing village while also serving as one of Aegina’s main resorts. Its harbour and seafront are lined with fish tavernas, cafes and bars, and there are hotels, rooms and apartments to rent, giving it a pleasant, self-contained feel.
The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, popular with Greek visitors and families looking for a quieter. More traditional side of the island, with the added draw of the thermal springs for which the village is well known.
What are the thermal springs of Souvala?
Souvala is famous for its thermal springs, whose warm sulphuric waters were once called Therma.
The village’s best-known feature is its thermal springs. Souvala, formerly known as Therma, has warm sulphuric waters that emerge near the shore and have been prized since antiquity for their therapeutic qualities.
The mineral-rich, sulphurous waters are traditionally said to help ease rheumatic pains. Skin conditions and other complaints. It is this reputation for healing that has drawn visitors to Souvala over the years, giving the resort a distinctive identity among the island’s coastal villages.
What is Souvala beach like?
Souvala has a pleasant beach along its waterfront, with the shallow, calm water typical of the north coast.
The village has its own beach stretching along the seafront, with generally calm, shallow water that is easy for swimming, and the usual seaside facilities and tavernas close at hand.
Beyond the main beach, the north coast around Souvala has other small beaches and coves within easy reach along the coastal road. There is plenty of choice for a swim in this part of the island.
What is there to see and do near Souvala?
From Souvala it is easy to reach some of Aegina’s main sights.
Souvala makes a handy base for exploring the island’s interior. A road leads inland from the village towards the medieval town of Paleochora and the Monastery of Agios Nektarios, two of Aegina’s most important sights, only kilometres away.
The famous Temple of Aphaia and the beaches of the east coast are also within easy reach. From a quiet base in Souvala you can combine relaxed days by the sea with visits to the island’s monuments and other attractions.
Where can you stay and eat in Souvala?
Souvala has a range of hotels, rooms and apartments to rent, along with fish tavernas, cafes and bars along the harbour. As a traditional fishing village, it is a good place to enjoy fresh seafood in a relaxed, authentic setting.
For accommodation, Souvala offers hotels, studios, rooms and apartments, making it an appealing, quieter place to stay on the island, especially for those seeking a traditional, local atmosphere.
The village’s fishing heritage means fresh seafood features strongly. The harbourfront tavernas, cafes and bars are pleasant places to eat and drink by the water, giving Souvala a genuine, welcoming feel.
How do you get to Souvala?
You can reach Souvala by ferry from Piraeus, as boats call at its harbour, or from Aegina Town by local bus, car, taxi or scooter, about nine kilometres along the north-coast road or through the inland village of Kypseli.
Some ferries from Piraeus dock directly here. You can arrive from Athens without passing through Aegina Town, which is handy if you are based on the north coast.
From Aegina Town the village is an easy nine-kilometre trip by local bus, car, taxi or scooter, either along the coast or through the interior, making Souvala simple to reach whichever way you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the thermal springs of Souvala known for?
The thermal springs of Souvala are known for their warm, sulphur-rich waters, which have long been valued for their supposed healing properties. The village was once called Therma, a name reflecting these hot mineral waters, which emerge near the shore. Traditionally they have been considered beneficial for a range of ailments, including rheumatic pains. Skin conditions and other complaints. This reputation has drawn visitors seeking their therapeutic effects over years. The springs give Souvala a distinctive character among Aegina’s coastal villages and are. Along with its beaches and fishing-village atmosphere, one of the main reasons people come to this part of the island.
They are a reminder of the volcanic geology of Aegina, and add an unusual dimension to a relaxed seaside stay on the north coast.
Is Souvala worth visiting on Aegina?
Yes, Souvala is worth visiting, especially if you want to experience a quieter, more traditional side of Aegina away from the busier town and main resort. As the island’s second port and a genuine fishing village, it offers a relaxed, authentic atmosphere, with a harbour and seafront lined with fish tavernas, cafes and bars, its own beach for easy swimming. The distinctive draw of its healing sulphur thermal springs. Its position on the north coast also makes it a handy base, with the medieval ghost town of Paleochora. The Monastery of Agios Nektarios and the Temple of Aphaia all within easy reach inland and across the island.
Some ferries from Piraeus call directly at Souvala, making it simple to reach from Athens. For travellers seeking a calm, local, seaside base with good seafood and a touch of the unusual in its thermal waters, Souvala is a rewarding choice.
Can you get a ferry directly to Souvala?
Yes, you can get a ferry directly to Souvala, as it is the second port of Aegina and services from Piraeus call at its harbour on the north coast. This means that, depending on the schedule, you can travel straight from Athens to Souvala without going via the main harbour of Aegina Town. Which is convenient if you are staying in or near the village. However, ferries to Souvala are less frequent than those to the main port of Aegina Town. It is important to check the timetables carefully when planning, both for your outbound journey and your return.
Many visitors instead arrive at Aegina Town, where boats are most frequent, and then travel the nine or so kilometres on to Souvala by local bus, taxi, car or scooter. Either way, reaching Souvala is straightforward, and its role as a working port adds to the village’s genuine, seafaring character.