Poros

Poros (Greek: Πόρος) is a green island situated in the Saronic Gulf, 59 km (32 nautical miles) from the Piraeus harbour of Athens. It has an area of 33 km², a shoreline of 42 km, and a population of about 3,650.

In ancient times it was considered the island of Poseidon, God of the Sea. This is evident from various literary references and from the traces of the temple of Poseidon, which are to be found in the middle of the island. The word “Poros” in ancient Greek means a small sea passage. Nothing could describe better the island of Poros, since the closest distance between the island and Galatas on the coast of the Peloponnese is 200 m.

The island is divided in two. Kalavria is the bigger part and Sfairia, which includes the town of Poros, is the smaller part.

This quiet yet cosmopolitan island features lush pine trees, crystal clear beaches, a lively waterfront adorned with shops, cosy cafes and restaurants, a picturesque capital with grand traditional mansions and cobbled streets that has been declared a protected settlement and a wide selection of entertainment venues.

As you approach the island of Poros by boat, the historic clock dominates the view on the hill’s highest peak, encircled by prickly pear and pine trees. Constructed in 1927, it is clearly visible from all angles and is considered the town's main attraction. From the clock, the view of the port and the coastal areas across the passage is magnificent.

Understand


Poros is a quiet island full of pine trees which reach the shores and sandy beaches. The large homes on the beach have a neoclassical style in contrast to the common duplex houses in Brinia, Milo, Pounta and Kasteli. The first dwellings were built in 1463 around the famous clock.

Many tavernas are sparsely located among the picturesque alleyways and the whitewashed houses of Poros which are surrounded by bougainvillea. Visitors can enjoy souvenir shops, cafeterias, tavernas and clubs playing Greek and English music all along the pier.

Orientation
In the centre of the town you can find the town hall, the archaeological museum, a public library along with a reception hall for exhibitions and other cultural events.

Leaving the centre, you will see the Pregymnasium in the northwest which happens to be Othona's first residence. Today, this area is used for sailors' training and ranking. After passing the field, you will come across a small canal separating Sferia from Kalavria.

After crossing the canal you will encounter Sinikismos, the first community of Asia Minor refugees. Towards the end of Sinikismos, if you follow the spiral road surrounded by enormous pine trees, you will end up at the church of Our Lady Agia Zoni. It's located between a steep cliff with lots of trees and running water where the Temple of Poseidon is also found.

On your way back to the canal's bridge, towards the left and west, you will see an area called Perlia. The road continues along the coast, passes through Villa Galini and Mikro Neorio and, eventually, reaches Megalo Neorio. Further down is the Love Cove, the Russian dockyard along with the islet called Daskalio.

On the right hand side of the canal's road you will pass through Kanali. Heading east leads you to Askeli. As you continue, the road branches out towards the monastery of Zoodohos Pygi. Going north you will reach the temple of Poseidon, Vagionia and passing by Agio Stathi and Profiti Elia it goes back through Sinikismo to the canal.

By boat
As of June 2017 there are two companies serving Poros from Piraeus. Hellenic Seaways operates catamarans four to five times a day. Single tickets cost €24.50. Saronic Ferries has bigger and slower ships that also take vehicles, and single tickets cost just €14.

Galatas on the mainland is just a few hundred metres from Poros, and frequent small ferries also carrying vehicles make the crossing in 5 minutes; tickets are only around €1.

By plane
Poros doesn't have an airport but many visitors come by the way of Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. It has been rebuilt and now offers spacious air-conditioned halls, shopping facilities, several restaurants and internet cafés.

From Venizelos, there is a shuttle bus (Number X95) going straight to the port of Piraeus (Port no. 8). The buses are also top of the line, very comfortable and air-conditioned. It makes absolutely no sense to take a taxi since it's no faster than the bus but will cost you €30 instead of €3 for the bus ticket. Chances are also very high that the driver will overcharge you, so confirm the price before you get in the taxi. The “Karaiskakis Square” bus stop is next to Gate 8, from which the ferry boat as well as the hydrofoil boat leave for Poros. From Piraeus there are ferries to Poros, per By boat above.

Alternatively you can get a limousine driver to meet you at the airport – or any other meeting place of your choice, and drive you to Galatas, next to Poros. The first 100 km are on the motorway, and then you will continue on country roads through beautiful scenery via Epidaurus to the village of Galatas, where you can get over to Poros in a private boat in four minutes time. This trip takes about 2½ hours door to door, and costs about €300 depending on number of passengers, including tolls and boat.



You can also fly to Poros from the airport by helicopter, a service which started in 2004. The price depends on your luggage.

Given that the ferries from Galatas take cars too, getting in by car (e.g. rented at the airport) can possibly also be an option, especially if you plan to explore the Greek countryside further (see Greece).

By bus
There are public bus connections (KTEL, phone service 14505, in Greek) between Piraeus, Isthmos, Nafplio and Galatas. From there you can get to Poros in just a few minutes by ferry, as mentioned in By boat above.

Get around


Poros consists of two smaller islands, connected via a small bridge: Sfairia island with the town of Poros and the pine-clad Kalavria island. Together they cover 31 km² and have a coastline of 42 km. Vigla is the highest peak with an altitude of 358 m.

Bus and taxi terminals are located in the centre of the beach area. Access to boats that go along the shores of Galata is also available there. In general public transport around the island runs smoothly all day. Buses leave every hour while boats depart every ten minutes. On the beach you can find scooter and bike rentals whereas cars are rented just opposite the island, in Galata.

By boat
Small boats connect Poros with Galata (every 10 minutes), the charming Alike beach, underneath the Lemon Groves, and – upon demand – Askeli beach. The ferry boat to Galata connects the island with the mainland once an hour, from 07:10 to 22:10 daily (€1 per passenger). In the summer it runs every 30 minutes. Taxi service includes cars and boats, both working 24 hours a day, with an emergency service for the late night hours only.

On foot
Poros is a fairly small island, perfect for hiking, jogging, and lazy strolls through the town’s picturesque alleyways or along the cosmopolitan harbor promenade. A moderately fit person can walk from the town centre to the monastery in approximately an hour.

By bus
Public transport offers two bus lines, both starting from the central square on the harbor promenade. With “Neorion Line” you can explore the southwest coastline with the beaches of Cochylia, Neorion, Love Bay and the Russian Bay. The “Monastery Line” drives along the southeastern coast with the beaches of Askeli, Panagitsa, and picturesque Monastery Beach. The fares are moderate. They do not, however, tend to run very late into the evening as demand is fairly low at that time. Their timing is fairly predictable except at lunchtime when the schoolchildren break up and buses can occasionally be kept waiting to pick them up.

By taxi
There are also a number of grey taxis on the island – reasonably cheap to use. Expect to pay about €6 plus tip from the town centre (that is, the port) to the monastery. The island is too small to support a population of rogue taxis.

By car
In case you travel with your own car or motor bike, a ferry boat will bring you over from Galata every hour between 08:00 and 22:00 daily. In the summer schedules are every 30 minutes. Ticket reservation is not necessary.

Driving one's own car within the town itself is not recommended as the seafront road is narrow and one-way only except for mopeds and motorcycles. It is frequently constricted by pick-ups and vans delivering to tavernas and shops (unavoidable) and the thoughtless people who will park their car anywhere to avoid walking a few extra yards (eminently avoidable).



Notice that you can't take rental motorbikes out of the island.

See




Do




Sleep
Hotel rates are given as for the low season. They skyrocket during the high season (defined as July to September); in some cases rates may more than double.

Connect
Poros town has 4G from all Greek carriers, but most of the island has no signal. As of Aug 2022, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next


Poros is connected with the island of Aegina and the Methana peninsula by ferry boat, and with Hydra and Spetses island and the ports of Ermioni and Porto Heli by hydrofoil boat.


 * Aegina — was a rival of ancient Athens and it was the first capital of modern Greece after the War of Independence; visit the Temple of Aphaea.
 * Corinth Canal — travelling by car you will cross this famous canal, 6.4 km long and built in 1881.
 * Epidaurus — the 15,000-seat theatre located up hill from Epidaurus port is marveled at for its exceptional acoustics, and as is usual for Greek theatres, the view of the lush landscape behind the skênê is an integral part of the theatre.
 * Methana — visit the volcano and the city's sulfurous spa.
 * Troezen — visit the ancient Trizina and the "Vasiliki Tafi" (the royal cemetery), among other great archaeological finds of the Mycenaean period.
 * Hydra (Hidra) — the car-free capital of the island was constructed on the slopes of a hill around a port that impresses visitors with its elegant stone mansions
 * Spetses — an island of elegant medieval mansions and beautiful beaches that is ideal for long promenades
 * Porto Heli — a small seaside town with a large port, which is a frequent mooring place for fishing boats and yachts in the summer and a favourite of Athenians who have holiday homes there. Well-known in the region for the Amanzo'e Aman Resort and beach facilities.
 * Nafplio — near the archaeological site of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
 * Galatas across the narrow straight.