Koilada

Koilada, one of the most impressive and authentic coastal settlements in Argolida, is a beautiful fishing village within the Municipality of Ermionida. Situated on the shores of the Argolic Gulf at an elevation of 5 meters—and serving as the seaport for Kranidi, located just 3 kilometers away—it rightly attracts global interest thanks to its vibrant maritime tradition and the priceless prehistoric treasures hidden in its vicinity. A key landmark of the area is the world-renowned Franchthi Cave; located on the northern coast of Koilada Bay, it stands as one of the most significant prehistoric sites in Europe. The cave was inhabited continuously for approximately 35,000 years (spanning the Upper Paleolithic to the Neolithic Age, 40,000–3,000 BC), yielding the earliest evidence of seafaring in the Aegean (obsidian from Milos) and the oldest complete human skeleton ever discovered in Greece. Furthermore, the settlement is built upon the remains of the ancient city of Massita, which served as the seaport of Hermione during Classical times. Today, Koilada captivates visitors with its low, whitewashed houses, its large fishing harbor filled with colorful *trehantiria* (traditional wooden boats), and its traditional fish tavernas serving ultra-fresh fish and the region's famous red shrimp. Defined by its historic, traditional *tarsanades* (wooden boatyards)—which remain active, keeping the ancient art of wooden shipbuilding alive—as well as the lush green private islet of Koronida at the bay's entrance and the beautiful, sheltered sandy beach of Lepitsa with its shallow turquoise waters, the settlement is a premier destination for enthusiasts of archaeology, authentic seafood gastronomy, and alternative tourism.