The Greek island of Poros is lush and low-key despite being a quick ferry ride from Athens. It boasts sandy beaches, pine forests, and a charming harbour town.
This verdant isle (not to be confused with the towns of the same name on Kefalonia and Lefkada) is located in the Saronic Gulf and is part of the Argo-Saronic island group.
Here are the essentials.
- What’s the vibe like?
- Poros Town
- Where to Stay on Poros
- Food and Drink
- Best Beaches on Poros
- What to Do and See on Poros
- Getting There and Around
Poros – What’s It Like?
Poros is a small island which is separated from the Greek mainland by a narrow channel.
Actually, it’s technically two islands joined together by an isthmus. The smaller one, Sferia, used to be a volcano and on its slopes you will now find Poros Town.
This is the capital of the island and by far its main settlement. This will be your first glimpse of Poros as its where the boats dock (and you can only reach Poros by boat). It’s a likeable harbour town with a neoclassical heritage and feels similar in spirit to the Peloponnese which sits across the water.
There are a few small beach villages within walking distance of Poros Town. The rest of the island is densely forested, rugged, and quiet. The north coast is undeveloped.
As with many attractive harbour towns close to Athens, in the summer months it becomes a favourite haunt of the beautiful yachting crowd. The harbour and its bars are well-used by the many boats which frequent the region in the summer. July and August weekends are particularly lively.
Like most Greek islands, outside these months it reverts to its simple charms.
The waters on the south coast are sheltered and suitable for families and watersports like water-skiing and wakeboarding. There are plenty of traditional family-run hotels and domatia close to the beaches.
Poros is a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. It’s small and easy to get around (not requiring a car), and there are frequent ferries from Piraeus making it an easy escape from the capital for a quick dose of island life.
Poros is also easily combined with neighbouring islands Hydra, Spetses, Aegina, and Agistri as part of an island-hopping itinerary, or with nearby sights on the mainland like Epidaurus.
The ever-popular 3-island cruise also calls at Poros Town nearly every day throughout the year.
Pine forests lend the sea deep shades of turquoise and emerald green, and the air the rich scent of resin.
Lawrence Durrell captures the essences in The Greek Islands:
“It may well be the pines which make Poros so memorable. The woods seem resin-drenched, everything smells like a new ship; and riding into the harbour in summer you are enveloped by gusts of sharp pine scent wafted on the still water of the harbour. The whole island smells and shines like a newly varnished canvas – the green of olives and the yellow of lemons; and stealing softly across the waters, come the steady drizzle of bouzouki music and the higher, more febrile drizzle of sun-drunk cicadas.”
The island is an appealing mix of authentic Greek working town with good tourist facilities. It has a nautical edge (and plenty of megayachts) but isn’t quite as upmarket as neighbouring Spetses, Hydra, Porto Heli, or Ermioni.
Poros also attracts Greek families, weekenders from the city, a few expats and second-homers, and a small amount of package tourism in traditional beach hotels.
How much time do you need on Poros?
You can see Poros Town plus a few of its beach villages in one day (or even less). It’s only around 31km². A long leisurely weekend is ideal.
It has a relaxing pace though and many visitors return for a more leisurely visit, to stay in one of the beach villages – which are all within strolling distance of Poros Town for evening entertainment.
Poros Town
Poros Town is a handsome place with a unique geography. Occupying its own little island, neoclassical buildings built around its curved harbour and up the hillside, watched over by an iconic clock tower.
It sits on one side of the narrow channel between Poros and the mainland. On the other side – just 250 metres away – is Galatas, which feels spiritually like a continuation of Poros Town.
The roofs are tiled with terracotta, providing a marvelling contrast with the sea and the vegetation. It feels reminiscent of the Sporades or the Ionian, or even Croatia. But the whitewashed backstreets are thoroughly Greek.
There are several vantage points for a great view over the town and across the channel to Galatas. And at night the reflection of the lights sparkle in the water.
There are a few landmarks and cultural sites in Poros Town but its main appeal is the views and people watching from its many harbourfront cafes.
For more information read: A Quick Guide to Poros Town.
Where to Stay on Poros
Accommodation on Poros is split between rooms in the town and hotels/studios in the beach villages. There isn’t anything at the luxury end but there are a few hotels with a comfortable modern vibe and amenities.
Hotels in Poros Town:
By the beach:
- Xenia Poros Image Hotel
- Sirene Blue Resort
- New Aegli Resort Hotel
- Nikis Village
- Cascade Holiday Resort
- Saga Aparthotel
Best Beaches on Poros
Most of the main beaches are on the south coast of Poros, in a string either side of Poros Town. The beaches are sandy, seas are languid, and coves are picturesque and flanked by pine, eucalyptus, and olive.
The main beaches are:
- Mikro Neorio
- Megalo Neorio
- Love Bay
- Russian Bay
- Askeli
- Monastiri
- Vagionia
All of the above beaches are organised in the summer, with sun loungers and beach bars on hand.
If you only have time to visit one beach then head to gorgeous Love Bay with the small islet of Daskalio.
Askeli, Kanali, and Neorion are the main resort areas and where you’ll find tavernas and accommodation.
Russian Bay is very photogenic and sports the remains of a Russian Naval Base.
For more information read: 8 Beautiful Beaches to Visit on Poros
Best Things to See and Do on Poros
The main landmarks on Poros are:
- Poros Town clocktower
- Dana Lighthouse
- Zoodohou Pigis monastery
- Temple of Poseidon
- Russian Naval Base
- Chapel of Panagitsa
Activities available on Poros are:
- Sailing
- Water-skiing
- Wakeboarding
- Diving
- Horse-riding
- Cooking lesson and lunch
Back in Poros Town you might want to check out the following:
- Archaeological Museum (open til 3pm, closed Mondays)
- Folklore Museum
- Citronne Gallery
- Rare seashell exhibition at the Municipal Library
- Cine Diana Open Air Cinema
- Poros Arts Festival
- Ergani Weaving Workshop
- Odyssey Cookery School
The water taxi over to Galatas takes 10 minutes. Just outside the town you’ll find the lemon forest , Andreou Winery, and Aliki beach.
If you’re on the island for a while you can also pop over to the mainland to explore some of treasures of the Argolid Peninsula including Epidaurus and Mycenae.
A short distance up the coast is Methana, almost an island but not quite. Slightly larger than Poros, it’s joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Methana is the site of an ancient volcano and has hot springs.
Food and Drink
Poros has a large year-round population and attracts many visiting Greeks so you can expect a decent standard of food in general. There are plenty of traditional tavernas and and restaurants, with a few places serving international dishes.
- Karagianni Bakery
- Primasera and Poseidon for seafood
- The Old Platanus, Karavolos, and Dimitris for traditional taverna dishes
- Casanova for pizza
- Aspros Gatos for pizza by the canal
- Morso for breakfast
- Taverne Paradis, for traditional fare near near the Temple to Poseidon
- Ampelos Wine Bar for local wines and spirits
Outside Poros Town, Askeli has the widest selection of cafes and restaurants.
Getting There and Around
Poros has the advantage of being so close to the mainland that you’re unlikely to ever have your homeward ferry plans thrown into disarray due to weather conditions.
How do you get to Poros?
The most regular ferry link from Pireaus is the Hellenic Seaways fast catamaran. There are several departures a day from gate E8 .
Tickets are available at the gate or you can purchase in advance from Ferryhopper. Journey time is around 1 hour.
The fast ferries also connect with Hydra, Spetses, Porto Heli, and Ermioni.
There is also a cheaper (but longer) car ferry run by Saronic Ferries via Methana and sometimes Aegina/Agistri.
There is a daily bus from Athens to Galatas which takes around 2.5 hours. See KTEL Argolida for timetables.
If you’re bringing a car, the ferry from Galatas to Poros runs frequently throughout the day and doesn’t require booking in advance.
What’s the best way to get around Poros?
Regular buses connect Poros Town to the coastal villages.
Read more:
7 Things I Loved About Poros (And 1 Thing That I Didn’t)
8 Most Beautiful Beaches on Poros
Image credits:
Poros Town from the sea: © sborisov / Adobe Stock
All other images © The Mediterranean Traveller