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Tucked away on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese peninsula of southern Greece, the tiny town of Ermioni is best known as the launching point for ferries to Hydra and Spetses.
But there are many other reasons to visit this ancient region of Greece.
Why We Loved Ermioni and the Argolida Region of Greece
Given it’s relatively low profile on most people’s European itineraries, you might wonder if Ermioni is worth visiting. This is a resounding yes!
As part of the TBEX Europe conference in Kalamata, we spent time in the Argolida region of the Peloponnese before taking the ferry to the Greek islands of Santorini and Naxos.
It’s where we danced ’til dawn to bouzouki music, sipped crimson pomegranate juice and peered inside Byzantine churches built into the rocky slopes of deep craters.
Here’s a snapshot of why Ermioni is well worth visiting and why we’d love to go back:
- It’s ancient! Once known as Hermione, it was settled as far back as the 1600 BCE and is mentioned in texts such as Homer’s Iliad.
- Unlike many beach destinations where there’s not much to do beyond the beach, Ermioni is a hub for outdoor adventure such as rock climbing, scuba, hiking and more.
- It brims with Greek charm, combining seaside pleasures with the agricultural bounty of mainland Greece.
- Fabulous regional food with PDO products such as pomegranate, buttery graviera cheese, wildflower honey, shell-shaped pasta, shrimp and unique wine varieties Rokaniaris and Sklavos.
- Lots of geological wonders from craters to caves to limestone cliffs.
- Few crowds! Much like Sparta (another oft-overlooked destination in Greece), it offers an authentic Greek experience away from intensely-visited landmarks overrun with hordes of tourists.
No time to read the whole article?
Our top pick for a one-day experience is to go sailing in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Argolis.
This tour gets fantastic reviews too!
Where is Ermioni, Greece?
Although it’s under-the-radar and most people would be hard pressed to pinpoint Eermioni on a map, It’s an easy 2.5 hour drive from Athens and 3 hours from Kalamata.
We rent our cars on Discovercars.com. It’s an online car rental booking site that compares rates from several companies to find the best deal.
To make things even more convenient, we asked the rental agency to drop the car off at our hotel in Athens. We stayed at the Intercontinental Atheneum a great choice for its views of the Acropolis, outdoor swimming pool and easy access to the highway.
Another fun option would be to hire a motorhome from Goboony, a campervan-sharing platform that’s works like AirBnB on wheels.
Traveling in a campervan offers the freedom to really get out and experience the Argolida region’s still-wild coast.
If you don’t want to drive, it’s also possible to arrange a private taxi transfer from Athens Airport or Piraeus Port to Ermioni.
Top Things to Do in Ermioni, Greece
Here are the top things to do in and around Ermioni, Greece. And why it should be a part of every Greek itinerary!
1. Step Back in Time to the Ancient Ruins of Hermione
The name of Ermioni is drawn from Hermione (Greek Ερμιόνη, Ancient Greek Hermione Ἑρμιόνη), daughter of Menelaus, the King of Sparta and Helen of Troy.
Ancient Hermione, built during the Classical period of Greece, was once surrounded by walls, temples and other sacred sites.
You can still see remains of the ancient town in the area around modern-day Ermioni.
2. Stroll the Alsos Bisti Peninsula
When you arrive in Ermioni, one of the first things to do is to take a short walk to the Bisti peninsula on the eastern edge of town.
At the entrance to the park you’ll see several small hotels and the start of a hiking trail that loops back to the main road.
The walking path is wide and flat flanked by pine trees with vistas sweeping down to crystal-clear waters.
This is one of the most beautiful places in Ermioni and an excellent location for soaking up some history and fresh air.
🌟 Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for ruins on your walk. Bisti is an archaeological site where you can see the foundations of the 5th century BC temple of Athena and remnants of the ancient temple of Poseidon.
3. Enjoy a Delicious Seafood Lunch on the Waterfront
Once you’ve hiked the Bisti pine-scented forest, it’s a short walk to Taverna Kavos, a family-owned traditional Greek tavern.
There’s a good reason why people travel from the surrounding towns and villages to dine here.
From sea breams to grilled sardines, the quality and variety of fresh fish and seafood here is exceptional.
Not only is the seafood sourced fresh from small fishing boats in the local bay, but the Taverna’s delicious food is accompanied by stunning views over the Mandraki dock and the Myrtoan Sea.
With its breezy location and friendly service, Taverna Kavos is also an ideal place to sample classics of Greek cuisine such as stifado as well as grilled seafood.
4. Bask in the Crystal-Clear Waters of Argolida
While average ocean temperatures in Ermioni (17C in May to 26C in August) are chillier than what you’ll find in the Caribbean or Mexico, the waters are crystal clear and calm.
And there are plenty of places to swim. While Ermioni itself is home to two swimming beaches (such as Bisti Beach), there are many other beautiful beaches and swimming platforms in the area.
They range from beaches with fine pebbles and sand, many of them Blue Flag certified.
If you’re a beach lover as we are (we were even judges in the BeachAtlas Golden Beach Awards of 2024!), you’ll want to check out a few of our favourites.
Don’t miss Petrothalassa (the biggest),Kouverta (known for spearfishing), Dardiza, Pigadia-Sambariza and the sheltered waters of Ververonda near Porto Cheli.
🌟 Pro Tip: Bring water shoes as the pebbles and rocks can be slippery.
5. Smash Plates at a Real Greek Party
In my home country of Guatemala, we pride ourselves on throwing big parties for holidays and celebrations.
With roving mariachis, marimba music, tables laden with typical food and lots of traditional drinks, our parties start late and last all night.
But a Greek party — Argolida-style — puts Latin parties to shame!
After all, we don’t smash plates unless it’s by accident. Nor do we have platters groaning with fresh lobster, steamed fish the size of small canoes or troupes of dancers.
There’s really no way to fully describe Greek hospitality. You have to experience it first-hand.
I suggest you do as we did and head to the Makis Inn Resort, set on the seaside 7 km from Ermioni.
This family-owned and operated beach resort, set in a grove of olive and pomegranate trees, offers incredible seafood as well fresh-sourced produce from their own lands. The family’s warm and generous hospitality is unmatched.
If you’re lucky, you might catch owner Yiannis playing the bouzouki and have the opportunity to dance all night and smash a plate or two.
6. Marvel at the Cave Churches of Didyma
For land-based adventure, there’s lots to choose from. A major landmark is located ihe village of Didyma around 22 km (14 miles) north of Ermioni.
It takes its name from the Greek word for twins, a reference to the two mountains that tower over the village.
At the base of one of these mountains, Mount Didymos, are two huge craters known as Megali and Mikri Spilia, the large and small caves of Didyma (Google Map).
Inside the natural amphitheater of the small cave, the church of Agios Georgios and the church of Metamorphosis are carved directly into the rock face.
Visiting this mystic location and hiking the perimeter of the crater is one of the most unforgettable things to do in Ermioni.
Given how convenient and remarkable this site is, it was surprising that we saw no other people during our visit!
Be sure to bring water, a hat and cell phone with an eSIM card.
For mobile data on the go, I recommend using one of the Global eSIMs for travellers such as Airalo. You can stay connected when you travel throughout the world at very affordable rates.
Check rates for local and regional eSIMs at Airalo.com.
7. Explore Prehistoric History at Franchthi Cave
Franchthi Cave (or Frankhthi Cave) is an important archaeological site and landmark near Kiladha Bay (Google Map) around 10 miles west of Ermioni.
Archeological studies have shown that small groups of hunters lived seasonally in the cave in the Paleolithic period as far back as 15,000 BC.
They used basic bone and flint tools, remnants of which were unearthed during excavations in the 1960s and 70s, to hunt red deer, donkeys and other game.
The oldest complete human skeleton in Greece, dating back to 8000 BC, was found here.
Over time, the original Neolithic settlement of farmers, herders and fishers expanded out of the cave and along the seashore.
This open-air settlement (called Paralia and now submerged due to flooding) also produced jewellery made of marine sea shells, for trade with goods such as clay pottery and obsidian from other regions in Greece.
You can reach Franchthi Cave by driving to Franchthi Beach. From there, walk along a coastal pathway to the cave. Plan for one hour to make the walk round-trip.
The trail is a jumble of rocks and loose sand so wear good footwear.
🌟 Pro Tip: Bring your swim suit! The water at Franchthi Beach is quite shallow, calm and clear. It’s the perfect place to cool off after exploring the cave.
8. Go Scuba Diving in the Gulf of Argolis
The sheltered coves of the Argolid Peninsula makes it one of the best places for exciting underwater adventure.
Scuba diving is one of the top things to do in Porto Heli (also known as Porto Cheli), a resort town on the western side of the peninsula (Google Map).
The modern marina and seaside promenade is where you can book a tour or even get PADI diving certification.
We spent an exciting day on the water with the ERGODIVE Loumis Diving Team, a dive and underwater construction company founded by former Navy SEAL Giannis Loumis.
But if you’re not ready for the full PADI course, their Discover Scuba Diving – DSD experience offers a quick introduction to scuba diving.
ERGODIVE’s 4-hour Tour and Underwater Exploration is another exciting option for experiencing the marine wonders in the waters of Porto Heli.
Porto Heli is a 15 minute drive from Ermioni. Or you can overnight at one of the 5-star hotels such as Nikki Beach Resort & Spa.
9. Sail the Mediterranean on a Luxury Yacht or Sailboat
The cosmopolitan coastal town of Porto Heli is home to a glossy new marina lined with upscale restaurants and boutiques.
It makes the ideal launching point for taking a leisurely tour on a luxury yacht or sailing the scenic waters of the Argolis Gulf.
Most boat tours from Porto Heli and Nafplio will include lunch as well as a stop for swimming or snorkelling.
Check rates and availability of a sailing cruise in Nafplio on Viator.com.
10. Sample Regional Food Specialties
The Argolida region is renowned for fresh seafood, olive oil, ruby red pomegranates, and citrus fruits. You can find these taking centre stage in Ermioni’s markets, local restaurants and bars.
When you visit Ermioni, be sure to try ‘spoon sweets’. This is a spoonful of local fruit preserve, often made from citrus fruits such as oranges or figs, offered to visitors along with a drink.
This delicious Greek tradition was originally an Arab hospitality gesture, which the Byzantines adopted in the 14th century.
Groves of citrus trees dot the plains of Argolis providing a bounty of fruit for marmalades and spoon sweets.
11. Go Rock Climbing in the Katafyki Gorge
The wild beauty of Ermioni’s surrounding areas makes it one of the best places in Greece for outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing.
Katafkyi Gorge takes its name from the Greek word for refuge, as the local villagers used to hide within the deep cliffs from pirates.
The gorge is just 3 miles away from Ermioni and is suitable for hikers of all levels, with an easy 2.5 km trail that you can extend to a more challenging 7 km.
Rock climbing in Katafkyi Gorge is also available all year round, and there are over 70 routes covering grades 51 to 7c+.
🌟 Insider Tip: The October rock climbing festival is well worth planning an entire trip around. It’s one of the best free things to do in Ermioni.
12. Sip Unique Regional Wine on a Winery Tour
You’ll have many Greek wines to choose from during your explorations, whether you prefer lefko (white), rose (pink), or kokino (red) wine.
A must-try variety is the PGE wine of Argolida, Rokaniaris (dry white) produced at the Kontovraki Winery in Kranidi.
Most tavernas also serve homemade or local wines to complement their menu. The famous red wines from Nemea and Macedonia are also often available.
If you want to try traditional Retsina wine, you can find it in Ermioni supermarkets.
To learn more about Greek wine and cultivation methods, take a tour and tutoured wine tasting on a Nemea Wine Tour from Nafplio or Athens.
This area has several award-winning wineries famous for the Agiorgitiko grape and its delicious wines.
🌟 Pro Tip: Check out our Guide to Important Wine Terminology before you go.
13. Indulge in Fine Dining
If you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to enjoy a romantic evening in Ermioni, Veranda del Vino is a great option.
This hip and happening restaurant overlooks the bay at the small port town of Porto Heli, around 20 minutes drive from Ermioni.
A highlight of dining here is the rooftop terrace with glittering sea view. It definitely contributes to making Veranda del Vino the ideal place for a memorable meal.
The menu showcases local products with tempting dishes like slow-cooked lamb, sea bass ceviche, and goat’s cheese gratin with fig spoon sweet.
The expertly prepared food is accompanied by a wine list featuring over 180 Greek and international wines. Reserve in advance.
15. Follow in the Footsteps of Hercules at the Ruins of Nemea
If you’re looking for a day trip from Ermioni, a top choice is to take a 113 km (70 mile) drive to Nemea (Google Map).
While this landmark site is further away than other activities on our list, it’s well worth the effort. In Greek mythology, this is where Herakles completed the first of his mythological labours by killing the Lion of Nemea.
The archaeological site of Ancient Nemea is where the Temple of Zeus was built around 330 BC to replace an earlier temple destroyed by fire.
A visit to the Ruins of Nemea allows you to explore the sacred area surrounding the temple, along with several other historical sites, the ancient stadium, and an archaeological museum.
16. Learn about Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a Tutoured Tasting
Olive oil plays a vital role in Greek cuisine and culture, and olive groves full of ancient olive trees can be seen throughout the country.
An in-depth olive oil tasting workshop experience with Systasis, is the ideal way for olive oil enthusiasts to dive deep into the culture of olive oil.
Hosted by KIOUPI, a family-owned grove with trees between 30 to 2300 years old, you’ll learn about the qualities of Greek extra virgin olive oil, how the oil is produced, and how to choose a premium olive oil.
At the end of the workshop, you’ll sample varieties from different Greek islands and mainland Greece, along with traditional food pairings.
17. Marvel at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
No trip to the region would be compete without seeing the landmark of Epidaurus, an amphitheater dating back 2,300 years, known for its fine acoustics.
While there you can explore the Asclepius’ Sanctuary and the impressive Tholos of Epidaurus. Don’t miss the Archaeological Museum and the healing springs.
Check prices and availability of a Tour of Ancient Epidaurus on Viator.com
18. Visit the Monastery of Avgo
The Monastery of Avgo was founded in the 11th century and is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the Ermioni region.
The monastery sits on Mount Avgo, around 32 km (20 miles) north of Ermioni. You’ll find it hidden in the rocks of Pelei at the end of a narrow dirt track.
No monks have lived at the Monastery of Avgo since 1834, and only two services are conducted there each year.
But many stories surround this historic site, making it well worth a visit during your stay in Ermioni.
19. Soak Up the Romance of Old Town Nafplio
Another must-see in Argolida is Nafplio (or Nafplion), the first capital of Greece, located a 40-minute drive from Ermioni.
Once the epicenter of the War of Independence, Nafplio now serves as a glossy weekend retreat for residents of Athens.
It’s also incredibly picturesque and romantic. Much of its allure lies in its impressive stone fortresses, pretty harbour, and atmospheric Old Town.
A guided walking tour of Nafplio will take you through narrow streets lined with pastel-hued boutiques, restaurants and mansions featuring Byzantine, Neoclassical, Venetian, and Ottoman architectural influences.
You’ll also see historic attractions such as the Archaeological and Military Museums, alongside monuments like the equestrian statue honouring General Theodoros Kolokotronis, paying homage to the heroes of the Greek War of Independence.
🌟 Insider Tip: Make time to stop at 3Sixty Grill, a chic restaurant and wine bar located within a restored 1860 neoclassical mansion in Old Town.
The locally-inspired menu features dishes such as seafood risotto with fresh herbs, Greek salad with briny xlnomizithra cheese and meats grilled in a Josper charcoal oven.
This is also a very popular place for yacht charters. You can take a yacht or sailing tour on single or multi-day cruises in the Gulf of Argolis, a calm body of water protected from the strong summer winds.
Check rates and availability of a sailing cruise in Nafplio on Viator.com.
Trip Planning
For more information, maps and special events visit: https://mythicalpeloponnese.gr/
Our Favourite Hotels in Greece 2023
Mythos Villas in Kalogrias Beach, Stoupa, Mani Peninsula
Nikos Apartments and Studios in Agios Prokopios, Naxos Island
Horizon Blu Boutique Hotel in Kalamata, Messinia, Greece
Kafieris Blue Studios in Firostefani, Santorini
Mystras Grand Palace Resort & Spa near Sparta
Athenaeum InterContinental,an IHG Hotel (with Club InterContinental Executive Lounge Access) in Athens
The Port Square Hotel in Pireas Port, near Athens
Kinsterna Hotel in Monemvasia, Greece
Makis Inn Beach Resort in Ermioni, Peloponnese, Greece
Liotrivi Organic Estate and Mansion near Monemvasia,Peloponnese
AKS Hinista Bay an average 3-star hotel with an excellent location near Porto Heli
More Greek Travel and Food Inspiration
Managing editor, Francisco Javier Sanchez is a photographer and content creator who is passionate about the interrelation between food, sustainable tourism and heritage. He studied agriculture at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala and his work has appeared in leading print and online publications. Learn more about Francisco Sanchez.