Ermioni is a small port town on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese peninsula in the Greek region of Argolis. It is known for being the perfect holiday destination for visitors from around Greece and the world, due to its natural beauty, peaceful environment, and convenient location. The traditional tavernas lining the waterfront, the quaint cafes, winding streets, and the beautiful houses, as well as the nightlife and the crystal clear beaches are just some of the reasons this town is a popular summer destination. To get the most out of this alluring town, take a look at our recommended options for how to spend a day in Ermioni, Greece (or several days!)
View over the peninsula of Ermioni, surrounded by the blues of the Mediterranean. Photo by Marco Verch.
How to get there
Before arriving to Ermioni it’s important to consider your options for how to get there. As you probably know, Greece is a country filled with peninsulas and islands making it the perfect opportunity for an boat-based adventure. Though you can reach Ermioni by land from Athens in around four hours, a much more unique and scenic option is to go by sea from Athens. While ferries can take you there in around two hours, if you are on a chartered sailboat you may also have the pleasure of stopping at the beautiful island of Aegina on the way.
The shores of Aegina Island
Aegina is another captivating destination, surrounded with colorful houses, jaw dropping views, and filled with archaeological monuments and historical architecture. Heading to Ermioni by exploring the Mediterranean waters and islands like Aegina as you go is definitely the best way to enjoy a getaway holiday to Greece!
Mediterranean Dip
Enjoying Ermioni is synonymous with relaxing by the sea. For good swimming weather and warm waters be sure to time your visit between June-October. The closest swimming coves to Ermioni’s old town are two pebble beaches, both within walking distance (often referred to as Town beach and Bisti beach). If you prefer a sandy beach near Bisti you will find Maderi. These nearby beaches offer relaxing vibes with crystal clear waters and green forests surrounding you. Possible activities include kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling making them great for a full day under the sun.
Photo credit: Francesco Boggia
Venture a few more minutes outside of Ermioni and there are a plethora of beaches to choose from in the surrounding area. To the south look out for Sedoni beach and Kouverta (‘blanket’) beach - the largest sandy-pebble beach in the area complete with crystal clear waters. Also to the south you’ll find the bay of Godai beach which boasts beautiful sandy-pebble shores which have been transformed into a lively (perhaps too lively) hotspot. For a slightly more tranquil vibe, the golden sands of Petrothalassa beach are often dotted with fishing boats and popular with those who love water sports.
Wander The Town
Sometimes there is no better activity when arriving at a new destination than to simply wander, and Ermioni is no exception. With its island-feel, friendly locals and traditional charm it is well worth getting lost on the winding backstreets. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, you’ll eventually (and often) find yourself meandering along the various waterfronts.
Cafe in Ermioni
Be sure to wander up to the top of Pronos Hill where you’ll reach the beautiful chapel of Agia Ermioni, built in 1754. In addition to admiring its quaint facade, from here you will be rewarded with a beautiful vista of blue waters complimented by rolling hills where you can see olive, citrus and pomegranates trees dotting the land.
When you’re ready to kick back and take a break for a coffee, a refreshing drink, or an appertif before your meal, there are numerous cafes and bars in Ermioni to choose from. Pull up a wooden chair along the waterfront and gaze out to sea watching as the fishermen bring in their catch, or bask in the cool evening breeze while listening to music and sipping your cocktail.
Hike Around
Ermioni offers plenty of options for those looking to hike along scenic paths and be immersed in natural beauty. The town is walking distance to the edge of the peninsula where you’ll be enveloped in the pine forests of the Bisti, which translates to tail. Here, the contrast of the bright green and the crystal blue waters makes trekking around an absolute pleasure, especially in the spring or autumn months.
Bisti’s pine forests at the peninsula tip. Photo: Dan Diffendale
As you explore the footpaths of the Bisti, you can find remnants of the old Frankish and Venetian walls and foundations of ancient temples like a 5th Century BC temple of Athena, giving the area a reputation as ‘an open-air archaeological site.’
Just five kilometers away from Ermioni, you will encounter Katafyki Gorge, with its beautiful and easy hiking trail. Once you get to the gorge you can enjoy water sports like water skiing, snorkeling and sailing. While exploring Katafyki you can also walk to the traditional and serene village of Fourni.
A stroll up to the top of Krothi hill is also highly recommended for the stunning view of Ermioni from the quaint chapel of Agios Gerasimos. The panoramic is breathtaking!
Eat drink and be merry
The food in the Mediterranean, especially along the coasts, will deliver some of the most fresh and authentic dishes you’ve ever enjoyed. Local cuisine in Greece is well known to be one of the healthiest and delicious in the world so no trip is complete without taking every opportunity possible to savor each specialty and dish. Thankfully, Ermioni has plenty of traditional and local restaurants with beautiful seaside views.
In addition to the Bisti, Ermioni has two other sections that make up the town: Limani which borders the northern waterfront and Mandrakia along the southern side of the peninsula.
Mandrakia promenade Photo: Donarreiskoffer
The port of Ermioni where you’ll arrive if traveling by boat is on the Limani side. This area is a lively location for this seaside town, with everything from bakeries to shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. The promenade is lined with tavernas and cafeterias that turn into bars that stay open until late. There is also a weekly farmers market on the Limani side selling local produce, goods, crafts and more.
With most of the shops and business amenities located in the Limani area, Mandrakia boasts an even higher concentration of tavernas, cafes, bars and pubs making it a livelier area of town as day fades to night. Wander the seaside to find the ideal dinner spot, selecting a fresh seafood dish caught by a local fisherman and wash it all down with local wine.
Dive into history
From prehistoric findings all the way to Ottoman remnants, exploring the sites around Ermioni can take you through some of the many fascinating chapters of human history which abound in Greece.
Entrance to the Franchthi Cave.
Near Ermioni you can find the Franchthi Cave, one of the most significant caves in Europe. Some findings from this cave date back to 40,000 BC and even more remarkable is that it was continuously inhabited betwenn 20,000-3,000 BC, making it the longest continually inhabited cave on record. When exploring the stone surrounds also bear in mind that the oldest human skeleton in Europe, from 23,000 BC, was found here.
Another significant site near Ermioni is the Venetian Castle of Thermisia, built around the 12th century at the crest of Lizard rock which rises above the surrounding plains. In addition to the castle visitors can enjoy the lagoon of Thermisia where rare migratory birds can often be spotted.
Of course, simply wandering to the Old Village area of Ermioni will give you an authentic glimpse into the past. For example, in this part of town you can find the historic Byzantine church of Agioi Taxiarches dating back to the 9th century.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing enthusiasts will find great options in the area. In fact, the Argolida region where Ermioni resides has arguably some of the best climbing in all of Greece with an impressive variety of cliffs, a pleasant climate, easy access to sites as well as the most bolt routes on the mainland. Close to Ermioni you can rock climb near many of the significant sites named above like Thermisia Castle (Lizard rock), Katafyki Gorge, Franchthi Cave opposite Kilada as well as the caves at Didyma.
Nearby Places to Visit
The nearby island of Spetses. Photo: Marcho Verch.
If you plan to base yourself in Ermioni and spend more than a day in the area there are certainly plenty more places to visit. From the port you can catch a boat to the nearby islands of Hydra, Spetses or Dokos, each offering its own unique and alluring vibe.
West of Ermioni about 10km you’ll find the town of Kranidi, the capital of this region, where shoppers will find great boutiques to ease their retail therapy. For a calmer atmosphere opt to explore the nearby traditional fishing village of Kilada. The peaceful and picturesque setting in Kilada is a great place to kick back away from it all, and is also the setting off point to explore Franchthi Cave.
A bit further but still easy to access for a day trip, Porto Heli is a modern town that offers plenty to the vacationer from sandy beaches to water sports, and plenty of nightlife.
About an hour’s drive from Ermioni you can visit the renowned and ancient amphitheatre of Epidavros which dates from the 4th century BC. Famous for its perfect acoustics, performances are still held in this grand monument. In Greek mythology Epidavros was the birthplace of Apollo’s son, Asclepius and a sanctuary to Asclepius stands near the ampitheatre. This site was a celebrated center for healing in the Classical world; sick people would travel long distances to visit Epidavros in the hope of being cured.
Houses along the coast in Poros
As you set off from Ermioni, (hopefully on the deck of a chartered catamaran!) perhaps making your way back to Athens, break up the return journey with a visit to the vibrant island of Poros. With its gorgeous harbor, lively streets and picturesque setting, spending a day exploring the highlights like a hike up to the town’s fort is the perfect way to follow your Ermioni adventures.
Filled with culture, amazing weather, a relaxing atmosphere, and a true Greek experience, Ermioni is an amazing destination for your Greece itinerary. Sailing around the Saronic gulf and stopping at many of the nearby islands is certainly a vision for anyone dreaming up the perfect Mediterranean experience!
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