Itanos is also known as "Eremoupolis" by the locals on account of the deserted ruins of the ancient city which, at various times, dominated the east coast.

The site has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The name Itanos was probably taken Phoenician Itanos when it was a Phoenician colony.

The city was an important port, which had trading contacts with the Middle East. Itanos was often involved in disputes with neighboring cities, in particular Praisos, which was why it sought assistance from the Egyptian King Ptolemy. After the fall of Praisos, conflicts continued with the city of Hierapytna well into Roman times.

Itanos continued to mint its own coinage as an autonomous city under the Romans and even in early Byzantine times it was at its zenith. After that time nothing is known of it and it is supposed to have been destroyed by an earthquake in 795 AD.

Itanos' history is known from the treaties and alliances mentioned in inscriptions. As one wanders through its silent ruins, one can see the remnants of the garrison on the acropolis, the cemetery that was used for some 1500 years and early Christian Basilicae.