Poros in Greece: 17 Amazing Things to Do
Poros in Greece, one of the handiest Greek Islands, is only 200 metres away from the Peloponnese on its south shore, whether you’re traveling from the city by car or boat. On its peaceful south bank, a pine-decked paradise with pebbles and sand beaches awaits travelers.
The remnants of a Poseidon sanctuary may be seen commanding the north shore from a hill, where the island was once thought to be Poseidon’s home. The island’s capital, Poros in Greece, has a stylish harbor with a seaside promenade & yachts bobbing in the water. The lush island of Poros in Greece, which is close to Athens and the Peloponnese, is perfect for a weekend vacation. It is situated in the Saronic Gulf’s southern region.
Despite its tiny size, it has a variety of locations to see and offers more than just swimming.
1. About Poros in Greece
Poros in Greece is 33 km2 in area and has a population of about 3,650. If you’re worried about the cost of either a trip to Greece, this really is definitely a budget option and far less expensive than other islands. It is a simple ferry voyage from Athens.
The islands are called Kalaureia and Sphairia. Much of the island’s northern and extreme east/west edges are quite arid, whereas the south and center are covered with lush vegetation and old pine woods.
2. Things to Do at Poros in Greece
If you need a getaway and have more than two days in Athens, this is unquestionably an excellent trip to take! The nicest part of Poros in Greece, though, was that because there were year-round residents, it simply felt like a diversified island where you could stay for a few days and would have no trouble remaining occupied with all the interesting Poros attractions.
However, it is obvious that summertime hotel rates at Poros in Greece will rise. Book ahead of time.
2.1. Poros City
Poros in Greece, which is situated on an extinct volcano, is an island itself because a narrow canal divides it from the rest of Poros in Greece. A promenade surrounds the coastline and offers spectacular views of the strait & the Peloponnese’s coastal mountains.
The row of private yachts and the neoclassical homes across the street, where the next café and taverna is really only a few metres away, lend a touch of sophistication.
You may spend some time watching from the flowerbeds along the promenade. Following that, turn toward the waterfront, and you’ll be in a cool maze of winding lanes with neighborhood stores and eateries that aren’t well-known to most tourists.
2.2. Archaeological Museum of Poros in Greece
The affluent Koryzis family, descendants of Alexandros Koryzis, who served as Prime Minister for a brief period in 1941, donated a block of land for the construction of an archaeological museum at Poros in Greece. Artefacts found primarily on Poros just at the sanctuary of Poseidon, along with those from the channel there at the sanctuary of Aphrodite Akraia in Troezena, are housed in the museum.
These artefacts are from the Bronze Age’s Mycenaean Era and range up to Roman times. A beautiful clay sculpture of a horseman going back to the Mycenaean period is among the artefacts found in Galata graves, along with figurines and pottery.
2.3. Holiness of Zoodochos Pigi Monastery
A monastery was built in 1720 a little distance east of Askeli beach in memory of the metropolitan of Athens, Iakovos II, who is credited with curing his lithiasis by drinking from a local spring.The monastery’s main church (katholikon), which overlooks the water from a slope covered in pine trees, is abundant with 17th- and 18th-century works of art.
The Panagia of Zoodochos Pigi, a beautiful icon of the Madonna painted circa 1650, is situated to its right of the iconostasis, which is made of gilded lime wood and was made in Central Anatolia.
A superb Christ Pantocrator, created circa 1780, may be found on the church’s western wall. The monuments of Nikolis Apostolis & Manolis Tombazis, two famous naval leaders from the Greek War of Independence, are on either side of the entry way before you see all of this (1821-1829).
The Monastery at Zoodochos Pigi is located 200 metres below a tiny sandy beach. Although it’s only a 15-minute drive or taxi ride from Poros in Greece, this location has the advantage that not many tourists are inclined to travel this far.
Even in the middle of the summer, the beach is rather uncrowded, and because it faces south, it offers opulent views of the Peloponnese. A day’s use of a sun lounger & umbrella cost €5, and there is a small beachside store where you may buy refreshments. About two kilometers to the west are Askeli’s tavernas for a more filling dinner.
2.4. Clock Tower in Poros Town
An elegant clock tower standing on a rocky pedestal is one of the island’s emblems, rising beyond the ferry dock. The tower was just built in 1927, despite the appearance of its Neo-Renaissance lines. Even if the stairs are partially covered by fig trees, climbing them to get to them requires effort in the midday sun.
As you reach the summit of this rock and get a view of the entire strait as well as the Aderes ridge on the Peloponnese and the picturesque views of the setting sun, you will understand why you put in the effort.
2.5. Vagionia Bay
The beautiful Vagionia Bay is located on the north shore at the foot of a lengthy inlet with steep sides. Sand and stones make up the beach, which slopes down to waters that are startlingly clear.
If you have snorkeling equipment, you can see the foundations & cobblestone streets of an ancient village on the ocean floor. A solitary taverna on the shore offers sun loungers for a modest price and serves tried-and-true Greek dishes, including souvlaki, tzatziki, and tirokafteri. With no traces of habitation among the pine, scrub, and cypress trees, the remaining portion of the cove is essentially abandoned.
2.6. Beach Askeli
Askeli beach is a large, sandy bay on a slight curve on the coastline east of Poros in Greece. It is bordered by eucalyptus trees. You need to get to the beach early in the day because, in the summer, sun loungers & palm sun shades take up the majority of the beach space.
The hotels own private chaise lounges, but many of the beach cafes and tavernas lining the bay also own them and include them in the cost of a drink or snack.
There is a large area on the west side where you can unwind and set up your own parasol. Askeli beach has welcoming water. However, the abrupt drop-off of the shore may not be suitable for young children.
2.7. Liebe Bay
The pine trees descend to the beach and nearly touch the ocean in this cove of coarse sand, which is located about 3 kilometers west of Poros in Greece.
The water is as clear and shallow as it gets on the island, and the beach also has a fairly gentle incline. Love Bay, which caters to younger sunbathers, has a party atmosphere as well as a volleyball net in the water.
Only one beach bar rents out lounge chairs, and at the height of summer, it’s even worthwhile to call ahead to book a spot. You will need to pay €6.50 because it is one of the island’s most sought-after beaches.Nonetheless, if you want to mingle with a lively crowd in a memorable atmosphere, it’s a terrific value.
2.8. Beach Soviet Naval Station
After Greece gained its independence, the Greek navy took control of the first Russian naval post on Poros in Greece, and a new location was made available on this bay on the island’s west coast.
The second base was considerably bigger, and Poros had a Russian school because there were so many Russians living there in the 19th century.
By the 20th century, the base had completely crumbled, and it is now just a shell behind a tiny gravel beach with shallow waves and views of Daskalio, a small island inside the strait with a church.
2.9. Mellisa Neorio
From Poros in Greece, a little sandy beach with a row of unassuming hotels & apartment buildings is only a short taxi ride away or a 30-minute walk away.
The Aderes ridge’s entire grandeur may be seen south and west of the modest stone jetty in the middle of the beach. Yet there is another beach on which you can relax under the pine trees and a huge eucalyptus tree that is growing out of the sand.
2.10. Outdoor Recreation
- Poros is an island that is best explored on foot, provided that you are well-prepared.
- When hiking through the fragrant pine-covered hills, you’ll pass through olive and citrus fields, old presses, and peaks like Vigla, which rises 358 metres.
- One path leads from Sinikismos to the ancient Poseidon Sanctuary, which we’ll discuss below, passing by the Virgin Mary fountains, Profitis Elias, and Agios Atathis churches.
- “Dontas Horses” is a riding establishment that can be found close to Vagionia Bay and arranges guided hikes along the rocky north coast.
2.11. Aquatic Sports
- Poros in Greece has become a popular water sports location for a few reasons.
- Secondly, because Poros, as well as the Peloponnese, are almost landlocked, the sea off of the south of the island, notably west of Poros town, features mild, lagoon-like waters.
- The ferocious Meltemi north wind is well known throughout the Greek islands, but Poros is well outside of its course.
- There are water sports facilities in Neorio and Askeli where you can do tubing, banana boating, wakeboarding, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding in this serene setting.
2.12. Temple of Poseidon
- The ruins of an old Poseidon temple can be seen in a location that has been occupied since the Bronze Age, with views to the north over Vagionia Bay.
- One of those historical locations where you’ll need to exercise some care is the Shrine of Poseidon. But while you’re visiting the island, it’s worth stopping at.
- Four stoae (covered walks with columns), as well as the ruins of an impressive propylon, are also present at the location(gate).
2.13. Citrus Forest
You can wander through colorful plots of lemon & orange groves on Peloponnese, which is located across the confined strait from the town of Poros in Greece. It all took place in the region surrounding the port of Galetas and was also captured in a beloved book by Kosma Politis.
It’s not difficult to identify which plots remain being tended to & which have been left to the weeds since numerous of the trees are no longer grown for their fruit. It will take you about an hour to stroll through the forest, which is thought to have 25,000 trees, entering amid the citrus trees into olive, cypress, and pomegranate orchards.
2.14. Citronne Gallery
Poros in Greece served as an escape for a few prominent Greek cultural personalities in the 20th century, including the novelist Georgios Theotokas and the poet as well as Nobel laureate Giorgos Seferis, in part because of its proximity to Athens.
Therefore it only makes sense to fit in some culture in between trips to the beach. At Poros in Greece, next to the promenade from the ferry port, the Citronne Gallery is located in a mansion from the 18th century.
The citical pragmatist painter Yiannis Psychopedis, the sculptor Costas Varotsos, and the photographer Robert McCabe are just a few of the well-known artists who have had work displayed at the Citronne gallery over the years.
2.15. The Russian Bay
Russian participation during the Greek Revolution in the 1820s came from other nations. This implied that different nations controlled different regions of Greece, and Poros in Greece used to have a Russian foothold there.
After the Greeks eventually acquired the base, it was refurbished and given the name Russian Bay.
Only ruins are visible today, yet it has developed into a well-liked spot to unwind and take in the gorgeous Poros countryside and the lake.
The broken components of the edifice will be visible, which adds to the area’s allure. Nowadays, Russian bay has a snack bar, restrooms, & a few other relaxing areas. From the major city, there is an occasional bus that costs about one euro per person that travels there. There are just two daily runs.
2.16. Visit the Poseidon Sanctuary
The Sanctuary of Poseidon, a set of ancient temple ruins on Poros in Greece, is a must-see for history buffs.
Sadly, not much can be seen there now because it essentially just appears like a lot of stones, but if you are familiar with Greek history, you will enjoy going to Poros in Greece to discover more about this old temple.
Some believe that the temple originated as far back as the sixth century BC, but nothing is certain at this time, and several investigations and studies are still being carried out.
2.17. Go Swimming at Kanali Beach
Kanali Beach, a gorgeous stretch not too far from the old town as well as the ferry dock, is another really well-liked Poros beach. If you’re not paying close attention, it can be a little difficult to see from the road once you get over the narrow bridge.
You should stop at Kanali Beach Bar & Restaurant, a wonderful beachside restaurant, for a cool cocktail on this beach, which has loungers.
3.Final Note
A “Flying Dolphin” ferry takes an hour to travel from the Port of Piraeus to the isolated island of Poros in the Saronic Gulf.
Poros in Greece is one of the easiest Greek islands to reach while travelling by road or ferry from the capital because it is only 200 metres away from the Peloponnese on its south side. There are many things to do in Poros Greece, like visiting Poros beaches, the picturesque Poros town, the Russian naval base, the Poros clock tower and many more things.
On its serene south coast, which is peppered with pebbles and sand beaches, travelers will find a pine-decked paradise. Ancient Greeks believed the island to be Poseidon’s birthplace, and the ruins of a Poseidon temple may still be seen dominating the north coast from a cliff.