Aegina Pistachio Harvest 2026: Guided Farm and Orchard Tours

Welcome to the Aegina Pistachio Harvest 2026

Aegina, the island in the Saronic Gulf just an hour by ferry from Piraeus, is famous for its Aegina pistachio, a protected designation of origin (PDO) product known for its intensely green kernel and rich, slightly sweet flavor. The harvest takes place every year from mid August through late September, and during this window several family run farms on the island offer guided visits to their orchards, where guests can see the cultivation, harvesting and processing of pistachios up close. The season peaks with the Fistiki Fest in September, which celebrates the end of the harvest with a large festival on the harbor of Aegina Town.

Highlights

• Guided tours of organically farmed pistachio orchards
• Visits to small processing facilities (sorting, cleaning, roasting)
• Tastings of fresh and roasted pistachios plus homemade pistachio treats
• Learning to tell male and female pistachio trees apart
• Buying pistachios and pistachio products directly from the producers
• Timed close to the large Fistiki Fest in September

Program

Most orchard tours start in the morning at the port of Aegina Town, often at the well known art piece "The Gate of Aegina". From there, a small van takes visitors to an organically farmed orchard, where a local guide explains the history of pistachio cultivation on Aegina, which dates back more than a century. This is usually followed by a visit to a small processing facility, where the nuts are sorted, cleaned and roasted. The tour ends with a tasting of several pistachio products. Some individual family farms, for example in the Kypseli area, also offer their own farm tours by prior phone reservation; these usually last about an hour and are given in Greek and English. Visitors who want to see the harvest itself in action should plan their trip for late August or early September, before the main picking season ends.

Tickets

Guided tours through commercial operators typically cost between 50 and 60 euros per person and include transport, a guide and a tasting. Direct farm visits arranged with individual family businesses are often free, but require a phone reservation in advance since spots are limited. Booking is possible either directly through the farms or through common tour platforms.

Visitor Tips

• Reserve farm visits by phone well in advance, as groups are usually kept small.
• Bring comfortable shoes and sun protection, since parts of the tours take place outdoors.
• Getting to Aegina is by ferry from Piraeus; the crossing takes about an hour.
• Combine a visit with the Fistiki Fest in September to experience both the orchards and the big harvest festival.
• Buy pistachios directly from producers, as they tend to be fresher and cheaper than in shops.