Ermioni - Porto Cheli, 48 hours on the "Greek Riviera
Fantastic landscapes, unique food and drinks, but also wonderful beaches are definitely waiting for you
Summer is here with temperatures rising and the need to get away from Athens growing. But what if you do not have enough time or money for a classic island vacation? Do not look too far as in two hours, you can be in the enchanting Ermioni and Porto Cheli in the northeastern Peloponnese, where fantastic landscapes, unique food and drinks, but also wonderful beaches are definitely waiting for you!
The innumerable picturesque villas located in the heart of Ermioni with their beautiful aesthetics, the gardens, pools and sea atmosphere, will seduce you without a doubt and take you on a journey filled with a complete relaxation.
You can choose a balcony with sea views or have a refreshing cocktail with your friends at the end of the day on the terrace that most of them have. For guests wishing to stay in Porto Cheli, there are many beautiful apartments that are more affordable options with terrace and balcony and in fact several of them are within 600-700 meters from the beach.
Ermioni is a place where it’s very hard to get bored, with many beaches, picturesque taverns and restaurants as well as places for enchanting nature walks like the one in the Katafyki gorge or in the Bisti forest.
While you will not find a shore in Ermioni, you can swim in the coves that are formed in Bisti such as Dardiza, Kouverta, Lepitsa and Petrothalassa.
Enjoy the clear blue waters and the sand that most coves like Lepitsa have and, if you are bothered by the sand on your feet like we do and prefer the stones, head to Dardiza with its pebbles.
On the first day in the area, after enjoying one (or two, depending on your mood) of the beautiful beaches, stop at one of the traditional taverns to feed your appetite. Following the Greek tradition, the food in the restaurants of Ermioni has been enriched with Mediterranean flavors and various gourmet dishes. Be sure to try lobster spaghetti, the pizzas that are baked in a special wood-fired oven and finish your meal with a wonderful walnut pie accompanied by the smell of the sea air.
If you are a fan of history, then the Historical Folklore Museum and the Metropolitan Church of the Taxiarchs (built in the 17th century) definitely ought to be your next stop of the day. If, on the other hand, you are more interested in the beautiful landscapes, visit Dokos Island which is located opposite Ermioni and has the oldest known shipwreck.
A remarkable sight is the Monastery of Agioi Anargyroi which is famous for its springs with its thermal waters and has been built on the ruins of the temple of Asclepius (9th – 10th century). Finally, the ancient hill "Pronos", that has been inhabited for the last fifty centuries is breathtaking and will offer you a wonderful view to relax. There, on one side, you will find Mandraka with its nightlife to enjoy your drink, while if you climb to the top you can see all the way up to Hydra.
The second day of your trip is beginning and after you have seen plenty of Ermioni, it is time to head to Porto Cheli and the day could not start otherwise than with a swim. Ververonda with its blue waters (and the beach bars to quench your thirst with an ice-cold beer while sunbathing) but also Hinitsa with its golden sand are definitely two options to consider.
Unlike most Cycladic islands, here you will find intense flora with beautiful mountains and forests that make the prefecture of Argolida unique.
Thus, you can combine the beach with a walk in the forest that surrounds Porto Cheli. After this big excursion, it is time to eat in one of the wonderful restaurants in the area. If you love seafood and it reminds you of an escape from everyday life and summer, then sushi by the sea is a must. If you are looking for even more refined flavors, try the urchin salad and the salmon tartare with guacamole that is served by modern restaurants, while if you prefer homemade meals then it is certain you will find the traditional moussaka finger-licking good.
While famous for its villas and luxury resorts, there are many other beautiful attractions worth visiting just a few kilometers from Porto Cheli. A classic one that you should not miss is the settlement of Agios Aimilianos, which was named after its small church located on a hill where the waves break. There, the picturesque landscapes make the settlement heaven on earth with endless greenery and a wonderful sea with peaceful sandy beaches. While you’re enjoying the view of the settlement with its beautiful trees and magnificent houses, be sure to visit the church.
After you finish your trip to nature and one night before you take the road back to work and everyday life, it is time to enjoy a drink.
Porto Cheli has plenty of shops with aesthetics and an environment that makes you want to sit for hours and chit chat with friends (or take a look at the photos you took earlier) while tasting the wine cocktails or one of the wines from Greek and foreign vineyards. And because, if you are like us, there is always room for desert, in the center of the area you will enjoy delicious donuts, waffles, tarts, ice cream and many more.
The only sure thing is that you will leave Ermioni and Porto Cheli rejuvenated and full of experiences. We wish these 48 hours will be as fun and relaxing as you want them to be and if you have more time at your disposal there’s no need to stop there.
Take a trip to Hydra, Spetses and Nafplio which are a few kilometers away. Happy Holidays!
The cosmopolitan side of Argolis
The southern peninsula of Argolis is its playground. The lacey beaches around Porto Cheli and Hermioni have something for everyone: It has a cosmopolitan atmosphere that is imprinted on the impressive and not kitsch at all villas of the rich and famous vacationers, unknown places to satisfy your inner explorer, thousands of years of history (did you know that here was found the skeleton of the most ancient person in Europe?), and unique hiking routes to satisfy our nature lovers too.
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