Ferry from Ermioni to Spetses

Ermioni Guide

Located in the Peloponnese region of Greece, Ermioni is a popular tourist resort and small port town which lies to the south east of Argolis. The port is situated on the Aegean Sea coast and faces the islands of Hydra and Dorkos. Rising up on a hillside, the old town has amazing views to nearby islands and a fertile plain rich in pomegranates, citrus fruits and olive groves. Below the old town, the northern bay forms a natural harbour for the busy little port where you can observe fishermen clean their nets and also find some small shops and cafes. If you are looking for a good selection of restaurants, Mandraki lies to the south of Ermioni and has a number of quayside restaurants, bars and traditional tavernas where you can see their octopuses hanging outside to dry in the sun.

The town and its surrounding area can trace its origins back to at least the times of Homer. During the classic era it was well known for its shipbuilders and also for the production of porphyra, a very important red dye which was used for the colouring of the uniforms of many armies including that of Alexander the Great.

Ermioni is connected to Piraeus by ferry.

Spetses Guide

The Greek island of Spetses is part of the Saronic group of islands and is known for its long association with the navy and is famous for the part it played in the 1821 War of Independence. It was on the island that the revolution flag was hoisted in April 1821. The island has managed to retain a degree of its Greek charm and atmosphere visible to all are some lovely example of well preserved grand captain's mansions which bear testament to the island's past.

The island's harbour is at Dapia and is the tourist and commercial hub of the island and it is from here that lovely horse drawn carriage tours around the island can be taken which take in the many examples of mansions that line pretty narrow cobbled streets. September is perhaps the best time to visit the island when "Armata" takes place. This is a re-enactment of a naval battle that has taken place every year since 1931. A popular attraction on the island is the Church of Agios Nikolaos and was the former resting place of Paul Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, who came to Greece to fight to fight alongside the Greeks. It is reported that his body was kept in a barrel of rum for three years.