There are several reasons why a traveler should visit the Port of Ierissos. First of all, it is the availability of numerous pleasure yachts by its decks. Every day, they deliver travelers to the eastern part of the Mount Athos peninsula. Secondly, this location has a large fishing fleet and boasts the most delicious fish in Greece. Thirdly, the residents of Ierissos are engaged in shipbuilding from ancient times. They pass on their skills and knowledge on this craft from one generation to another one. At present, you can see traditional dockyards right by the shore of the port.
The significance of Ierissos Port for Northern Greece results from its location and the crafts of local residents. The inhabitants of Ierissos are mostly involved in fishing, shipbuilding, trading, construction on Mount Athos, and tourism. The size of the harbor makes it a convenient place for a stop of numerous ferries, delivering pilgrims and monks here, the sightseeing boats, the pleasure yachts, numerous fishing boats, etc.
In the summer, the ferries carry out daily trips to the eastern part of Mount Athos at 8:30. You can use this opportunity to visit such holy places as Hilandar Monastery, Esphigmenou Monastery, the Monastery of Vatopedi, the Monastery of Pantocratoros, Stavronikita Monastery, Iviron Monastery, Philotheou Monastery, Karakallou Monastery, the Morphonou Tower, and the Monastery of Megisti Lavra.
If you plan to visit other monasteries, you can take off at the Iviron Monastery (3 hours by boat), and continue a trip on a bus, running to Karyes, the Mount Athos capital.
Ierissos is a resort settlement, standing on the place of the ancient city of Akanthos that was established in the VII century BC. During the time of antiquity, this ancient city already had its currency. Moreover, it was proud of its delicious fish and white Akanthos wine. In the 30s of the last century, the city was destroyed by a strong earthquake. Later, people fully rebuilt it.
These days, the developed infrastructure, proximity to Mount Athos, excellent beaches, and eventful history make Ierissos one of the most popular destinations for family recreation.
There are two supermarkets, numerous shops, taverns, and restaurants in the city. Moreover, it also provides a diverse choice of apartments and hotels. Tuesday is the market day in Ierissos. On this day, you can visit a large market, selling products and clothes.
The “specialty” of Ierissos is a long coast. Its length is about 12 kilometers. For the comfort of visitors, its area was divided into several pebbled and sandy beaches. Each of them was awarded “Blue Flag.” The sea here is calm. The entry is mildly sloping. At the same time, the depth of the sea increases pretty quickly. Ierissos beaches are equipped with sunbeds and beach umbrellas, which can be rented by the beach bars. On the coast, there are attractions for children and water sports facilities.
There are also a lot of things to do in Ierissos. We recommend you to visit the Ancient Akanthos – the ruins of the ancient predecessor of Ierissos. This place underwent the works on its reconstruction. You can find it in a 15-minute walk from the port. Another popular attraction of Ierissos is the aquarium, boasting rich collections of local flora and fauna. The Ierissos cultural center often holds exhibitions of Mount Athos shrines and shows the documentaries, telling about the life of the monastic state. In the evening, you can take a walk along the long promenade and take your kids to the rides. Here, you can also see the way the third-generation of shipbuilders makes new vessels.
Ierissos sits 129 kilometers away from Thessaloniki and 10 kilometers from the borders of Mount Athos. There are several ways to get here:
