Why Should I Visit Ermioni?

Built in the shape of an amphitheatre on a pine-covered headland at the southern tip of the Argolid peninsula, the seaside town of Ermioni captivates visitors with its tranquil island-like atmosphere and refined character.

A favourite holiday resort of celebrities (as well as the less famous), Ermioni is, along with Porto Heli, the jewel of the Peloponnesian Riviera and offers unique opportunities for enjoyment to lovers of idyllic beaches, a cosmopolitan lifestyle and fine seafood.

From its picturesque harbour to its verdant plain and fabulous beaches, lapped by the clear blue waters of the Aegean, Ermioni is a treasure-trove of nature, history and culture.

1. Book a ferry to Ermioni to walk through the beautiful Bisti forest, a pine-covered paradise next to the sea, at the tip of the peninsula. Stop to admire the whitewashed mill, the ruins of the temples of Athena and Poseidon, the remains of the ancient wall, as well as traces of the famous purple dye workshops. Finish your walk by relaxing on a bench with a fantastic view of the sea.
2. To enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Mandrakia, a picturesque neighbourhood with vibrant nightlife whose bars are especially popular among young people, next to luxury yachts and pretty fishing boats in the harbour.
3. To visit the Monastery of the Holy Unmercenaries with its superb frescoes belonging to the Cretan school of the 17^th century, and wonderful Byzantine icons. Built in the 14^th century, on the ruins of the ancient temple of Asclepius, the monastery is famous for its mineral springs and excellent library.
4. To see the Ermioni peninsula from Krothi Hill with the chapel of Saint Gerasimos, built in the “island” style. The view is especially enchanting at night, when the town is illuminated.
5. To wander round the Historical and Folklore Museum, housed in the 18^th century Economou residence, a faithfully restored stone-built neoclassical house where the Third National Assembly of 1827 began. Learn about the town’s contribution to the 1821 War of Independence and stroll through the garden to see the busts of local chieftains who fought for Greece’s emancipation.
6. To explore Katafyki Gorge, a landscape of rare natural beauty with abundant vegetation and caves carved from the rocks by time. Make a stop at St. Nicholas’s Church (1740) before crossing the old stone bridge that leads through pine trees and past streams to the neighbouring village of Fourni. According to legend, the gorge was the entrance to Hades.
7. To take an atmospheric walk through the cobbled streets, admiring the old mansions of the town, to the top of Prona Hill, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the plain of Ermioni, as well as the islands of Hydra and Dokos, where the world’s oldest shipwreck, dating from the third millennium BC, was discovered.

Maderi: A sandy beach with clear blue waters and an idyllic landscape in the town of Ermioni. During the summer it is especially popular with young people.

Kouverta: A beautiful bay with dark sand and gentle blue waters, 8 km south of Ermioni. The beach is extremely popular during the summer and one part of it offers amenities including a beach bar. The sea is ideal for diving and snorkelling.

Petrothalassa: The combination of sand and pebbles, deep, crystal-clear waters, and an idyllic landscape, make this beach, east of Porto Heli, one of the most attractive places to go in Ermioni.

Lepitsa: A beautiful cove with golden sand and shallow blue waters, in the seaside village of Koilada. The beach is ideal for families with children. Amenities include a canteen and a fish taverna.

Dardiza: Situated just 4 km from Ermioni, this sand and shingle beach shelves gradually into clear blue waters. There are good facilities here, including a canteen.

• Discovering the history of children’s games from antiquity to the present day at the wonderful Toy Museum.
• Making a stop at the verdant seaside village of Thermisia, where the remains of a 12^th-century Venetian castle sit imposingly on a hill. The area’s famous lagoon is an important habitat for rare migratory birds.
• Visiting the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. If you are here during the summer, think about booking to see one of the productions at its iconic festival.
• Taking a day trip to the beautiful and historic town of Nafplio or the extraordinary archaeological site of Mycenae.
• Learning the secrets of diving and exploring the enchanting waters of Ermioni Bay. The diving centre on the island of Kappari has all the answers.

• Ermioni is famous for its fish and seafood, caught daily in the local waters. The town’s fish tavernas, ouzo bars and restaurants serve classic seafood mezes such as sun-dried octopus and grilled squid, main dishes including mussels with rice and lobster linguine, as well as the catch of the day, which could be anything from red mullet to sardines or anchovies.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth with local karydopita (walnut cake) and galaktoboureko (milk pie).
• Book a ferry ticket and try traditional hand-made pasta (gogges, dromses or striftades) with local mizithra cheese or butter.
• Don’t miss the opportunity to try the famous pomegranates grown on the plain of Ermioni.
• Make a stop in the village of Trachia to enjoy its famous sourdough bread and internationally renowned cheeses.

In ancient times, Ermioni was famous as a centre for the production and trade of “royal purple”, a beautiful and expensive dye obtained from the sea snails around its shores, which gave the robes of kings and emperors their vivid and distinctive colour. The city’s workshops for dyeing yarn and cloth used highly advanced technology for the time. In the Classical and Hellenistic periods, cloth dyed with the expensive royal purple of Ermioni could be found in the courts of Persia, Alexander the Great, and Roman and Byzantine emperors.​