Ierissos is the oldest and largest village of the East Coast in Halkidiki with sandy and Blue Flag awarded beaches and a coastal sidewalk that makes it a unique holiday destination.
It is, historically, the continuance of ancient Akanthos, which as stated by historians and highlighted by archaeological research, was, since the 7th century B.C., a colony of the Andrians and a great Macedonian city. Today’s settlement was built from the ground up, since the fatal 1932 earthquake leveled the older one. As proved by excavations, today’s city is built on top of the ancient cemetery of Akanthos.
Modern Ierissos is a beautiful, well structured, coastal city and the administrative center of the municipality of Aristotle. It is an important harbor of north Greece, with a remarkable fishing fleet and famous for the fresh fishs served to all the taverns of the village.
One of the most important sights in the region of Ierissos is the tower of Krouna, located approximately 1km northwest of the town.
The residents were considered to be great shipbuilders, carrying on an ancient craft from generation to generation. The shipyards of Ierissos were some of the most significant in Greece, with famous shipbuilders. You will notice the old "karnagia", as they call the shipyards, when you drive from Ierissos to Nea Roda. It's definitely worth a visit!
Worth to see
The Cultural Centre of Ierissos who hosts a 3D amphitheatre showcasing a high-resolution movie titled "Travelogue in Mount Athos" (translation is provided). Also, it has an exhibition hall that this period hosts the photo exhibition "Mount Athos: 1000 years in 100 photos".
The city of Ancient Akanthos that is being stretched in three hills of the Stratoniko mountain, in an 560 acre area, approximately 600m southeast from the Ierissos settlement. The walled city of Akanthos was named after the many thorns of the region or after the thorn-formed shape of the fortification.
