Ermioni is a popular tourist destination located in the Peloponnese. Like all Greek islands, it played a key role in antiquity, building many of the ships that would become essential in both trade and war, and also producing a unique type of red pigment that was used to color the uniforms of Greek soldiers. The people of Ermioni also played a role in the Trojan war, as described by Homer, and in later centuries the island was conquered by the Romans and other civilizations.
It is a town that thrives on tourism and fishing, which means there is plenty for tourists to see and do here and there is also no shortage of seafood to try. The calm, turquoise waters that surround the island are regularly inundated with yachts, and on the 6th of January you’ll see a few of the locals diving in these waters as part of a tradition that also sees them visit houses in the town and offer well wishes to the locals.
This friendly atmosphere and laid-back culture epitomizes all that island life is all about in Greece, and Ermioni encapsulates the Greek love of life, food and tradition perfectly. It’s a small island with a big heart and a bigger history, and that’s why the island’s population explodes every tourist season.
If you find yourself on the island of Ermioni then be sure to visit he Castle of Thermisia, which was built by the Venetians and played an integral role in defending the island against pirate attacks. The Venetians influenced many islands in this region and they have left their footprints everywhere, which makes this a great place to visit for history students as well as anyone looking for some sun, sea and sand.
It’s also a good spot for aspiring ornithologists as Ermioni plays host to several beautiful species of migrating birds.
