The Best Things to Do in Poros Island in Greece

• Poros Population: 3261 (2021)
• Where to stay in Poros: Dimitra Boutique Hotel.
• Are you going to Poros from Athens by ferry? You can easily book your tickets through FerryHopper or FerryScanner—both are super easy to use!
• Poros is actually made up of two islands, connected by a narrow canal—how cool is that?

Best Things to Do in Poros Island

Wander the Charming Poros Port

As the ferry—or your sailboat—approaches Poros Port, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the main town, built amphitheatrically on the hillside.

Look out for the iconic Clock Tower from 1927—it stands above the town and can be seen from afar.

One of the most enjoyable things to do on Poros Island is to walk along the well-kept seafront promenade.

You’ll pass by yachts, little fishing boats, stone mansions, cozy cafés, and traditional fish taverns. Poros is also a popular sailing destination in Greece, and the port is always full of life.

The port is the perfect place to take a break—whether you’re grabbing a coffee, enjoying a sweet like baklava, sitting down for lunch, sipping ouzo, or just hanging out with the locals.

I loved sitting by the sea, especially in the evening, when the lights reflect on the water and birds glide low over the surface at sunset.

Poros has always inspired creative souls. Writers like Henry Miller and Nobel Prize–winner George Seferis spent time here, drawn in by its quiet charm and natural beauty.

Tip: In one of the many small squares (Korisi Sq.) along the seafront, don’t miss the chance to visit the small archaeological museum—it’s easy to overlook but definitely worth a quick stop. The entrance ticket is €5. It is open between 8:00-15:30, Tuesday: closed.

Explore Poros Main Town

Leave the port behind and start exploring the town, built on the smaller, volcanic part of Poros called Spheria. Just pick any alley and wander into the charming labyrinth of traditional houses.

Walking through the narrow alleyways of the main town—with its tile-roofed neoclassical houses, colorful windows, and bougainvillea everywhere—feels more like the old part of Athens (Plaka)or like Hydra island.

I loved walking along the seafront in Poros—it’s full of life, with people strolling, chatting at cafés, and boats coming and going. But once you step into the alleys of Poros Town, the vibe completely changes.

It’s quieter, more authentic, and full of local charm. You’ll find hidden tavernas where the locals actually eat.

Two of my favorites are Palios Platanos (Old Plane Tree) on 25th of March Street, with its tables set under a big plane tree next to the old aqueduct, and The Garden, both serving delicious traditional Greek dishes.

Besides the two tavernas, the area is mostly residential. You’ll come across the impressive Metropolitan Church of Saint George, a few small chapels, and houses with charming little gardens.

Cats roam around lazily, and there’s a peaceful atmosphere that I really enjoyed.

As you stroll through the alleys, you’ll notice small signs pointing uphill that say “Clock Tower,” which stands at the top of one of the two hills, Kalavria Hill.

I was lucky—I stayed at Manessi City Boutique Hotel, which is located right beneath the clock tower, so I didn’t have to search for the alley.

However, I had to walk up quite a few steps—passing prickly pears and pine trees—to reach the Clock Tower, which was built in 1927.

But the climb is totally worth it! I was rewarded with amazing views over the whole island and the Peloponnese coast just across the water—especially beautiful at sunset.

If you walk out of town heading northwest, toward the canal, you’ll come across the historic building of the Nautical Center of Poros. This impressive neoclassical structure, built in 1828, once served as the home of Greece’s first king, Otto.

It’s a lovely seaside walk, and along the way, you’ll often see fishermen cleaning their nets and getting ready for the next day’s catch.

My Favorite Poros Island Beaches (and How to Get There)

Poros Island has plenty of beaches, close to each other, making it easy to discover them all and dive into their sometimes azure, sometimes emerald waters.

Most organized beaches are in the southern part of the island and stretch on both sides of the town. However, there are also free beaches where you will feel secluded, enjoying absolute tranquility interrupted only by the sound of cicadas.

I was driving around in my own car, but other people used the free municipal minibus to reach the beaches—some even biked or walked to them! Here is also a list of taxis you can use to move around the island.

To Limanaki tis Agapis – Love Bay

Limanaki tis Agapis (Love Bay) is a stunningly beautiful beach, but it’s also quite small, so it can get crowded fast.

When I arrived, there was a party going on, and the whole place had more of a Mykonos vibe—loud music and lots of very young people.

To be honest, I didn’t stay long. I just snapped a few photos of the gorgeous scenery and moved on. At the end of the beach, there’s the beautiful little stone church of Agia Sophia. Unfortunately, it’s private property, so it’s not open to visitors. It is on the west side of the island, a 10-minute drive from the town.

Russian Dockyard

Russian Dockyard, a well-protected bay with fine golden sand, is 4,5 km west of Poros town. This is the bay the Russian ships used to dock while helping the Greeks in their Independence war against the Ottomans in 1821.

It is an organized beach with a canteen, changing rooms, and a shower. It is about a 2-minute drive from Love Bay.

Askeli beach

Askeli is one of the most popular and busiest beaches, 2 km north of Poros Port.

It is an organized beach with beach bars and numerous eucalyptus trees, providing shade for those who prefer not to spend too much time in the sun. The beach has small pebbles, but when you get into the water, it becomes sandy.

There is a good selection of hotels, taverns, bike rentals, and small shops to keep you happy if you decide to stay here. A fantastic property in Askeli is Kostis Villas (budget, family-friendly with a swimming pool).

Monastiri Beach

Traveling to the south, you will get to Monastiri Beach, 4 km east of Poros town. The beach is surrounded by a pine forest and is one of the prettiest beaches on Poros island.

Part of it is an organized beach with sunbeds and umbrellas, water sports facilities, accommodation choices, and some taverns around the beach.

Sirene Blue Luxury Beach Resort is a fantastic seafront, family-friendly accommodation in Monastiri.

The beach was named after the nearby Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi.

It was founded in 1720, has a typical island architecture, and has played an enormous historical role in Greece’s War of Independence against the Ottomans.

You can visit the Monastery every day between 7.30 am – 1 pm and 4 pm – sunset. Tel: +30 22980-22926.

After you visit the monastery and 200 meters from the Monastery’s entrance, where a yellow church stands, a fantastic little shop awaits you for unique breakfast ideas: the Melistakto Cafe.

It’s a traditional kafenio (Greek-style café), offering fresh Greek sweets like baklava, orange pie, galaktoboureko, along with coffee and freshly squeezed lemonade—Galatas, the area where I took the ferry from, is known for its lemon production.

I had a huge Greek salad for just €5 and a cheese pie with peppers for €3. Sitting right next to the forest made it such an amazing experience!

Vagonia Beach

Vagonia Beach is the most beautiful and well-known beach in the northern part of the island, with a view extending to Aegina and the Attica coastline.

It is only 7 km from the island’s port and will take you about 20′ to reach. The road there is very narrow with uphills and downhills and you need to drive slowly and carefully.

However, the drive is worth it not only for the seclusion and tranquility that await you.

If you love diving on Vagonia’s seabed, you will discover traces of an ancient settlement in the area, including remnants of houses and streets.

Read my dedicated post on the best beaches on Poros island.

Discover Ancient Poros

If you love ancient history, then you should visit the remains of the Temple of Poseidon, built in 520 BC in the north of Poros Island. The sanctuary was built near the ancient city of Kalavria (Poros’ ancient name).

There is a plaque on the site devoted to the late Berit Wells, a significant archaeologist who spent 12 years excavating the ancient site and offered invaluable work on Poros’ Ancient History conservation.

The Poros Archaeological Site is open daily between 8.30 am – 3.30 pm., with free entrance. There is no canteen for water or an information booth. There are, though, a few signs with some information about the Sanctuary.

History Tip: Demosthenes, an Athenian statesman, immediately after the death of Great Alexander in 323 BCE, urged the Athenians to seek independence from the Macedonians.

When the Athenians, who were compelled by the Macedonians, reluctantly passed a decree condemning him to death, Demosthenes went to the sanctuary of Poseidon, where he committed suicide by drinking poison.

Hike to Lighthouse Dana

If you’re up for a little adventure, take a 15-minute drive northwest of Poros Town to find the beautiful Dana Lighthouse.

Built in 1870 by the French Company of Ottoman Lighthouses, it’s one of the rare square-shaped ones!

The views over the Poros hills and the open Aegean Sea are absolutely breathtaking — and honestly, there’s no better spot for catching a sunset or sharing a romantic moment.

Kayak to Bourtzi Islet

The tiny Bourtzi islet is located at the east entrance of Poros port so close to the land that the bravest ones swim to the island. It is an uninhabited islet, surrounded by a rugged landscape and housing an abandoned castle. The current castle was built in 1826 by the Bavarian Carl Wilhelm von Heideck.

The best way to get to Bourtzi is by booking a Sea Kayak Adventure that will allow you to swim easily to the islet. There is no water or any facilities in Bourtzi.

Name Tip: Bourtzi is also called the much bigger castle in the beautiful town of Nafplion in the nearby Peloponnese.

FAQs for Poros

Useful Info for Poros Island

The nearest large hospitals are in Argos and Nafplio. Poros has a health center for any emergency: +30 22980-22600. There are about 7-8 ATMs on Poros, most of them scattered around the main port.

Final Thoughts on Poros Island

Poros may be small, but it knows how to steal your heart! Between the beaches, the cute town, and the lazy island vibes, you’ll wonder why you didn’t visit sooner.

Stay a day, stay a week—either way, you’re in for sunshine, good food, and plenty of unforgettable moments. See you on the island!

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Until then, happy and safe travels, Evgenia.

How to get to Piraeus Port from Athens Airport

• Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7.
• Metro: (€9) is easily found across airport arrivals (blue line – M3) going directly to Piraeus port. The average trip to Piraeus lasts 1 hour.
• Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €45 to Athens, €55 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
• Rent a car with Discover Cars for reliable, new cars at affordable prices
• You don’t like driving but love hassle-free solutions? Book a Private transfer with an English-speaking driver from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Ferries, or anywhere else in Greece.

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