Poros island belongs to the Argo-Saronic group, along with Aegina, Spetses, and Hydra islands. Poros is a beautiful pine forest island perfect to visit if you are traveling along the eastern Peloponnese. As it is also close to Athens, it is often included as a stop on an island-hopping trip from Athens. However, Poros is an island that is truly worth a few days of exploration.
Poros Island with the yacht marinas, neoclassical buildings, an impressive clocktower symbol, tiny alleys laden with flowers and quaint shops, and fantastic beaches with pine forests reaching into the waters will charm you!
What is so amazing about Poros is that it is made up of 2 islands (Volcanic Spheria and Sedimentary Kalavria) divided by a narrow canal, an island hopping in itself! So, let’s not waste any more time and get straight into the best things to do on Poros Island!
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Best Things to Do on Poros Island
Poros Greece Quick Reference
- Where to stay in Poros: Dimitra Boutique Hotel.
- Are you going to Poros from Athens? Book your ferry tickets in advance with no-hidden-fee FerryScanner.
Walk around Poros Port
As the ferry (or your sailing boat) approaches the Poros port, you will be delighted by the lovely views of the amphitheatrically built main Poros town. The 1927 Clock Tower is visible from afar, try to spot it.
One of the most entertaining things to do on Poros Island is to walk by the well-kept seafront boulevard and see the yachts, the small fishing boats, the stone mansions, the cafes, and the fish taverns. Poros is a popular sailing destination in Greece.
The port is a great place to have a break for coffee, baklava, lunch, or ouzo break, and enjoy the beautiful sea view. It is even more beautiful if you sit in a bar in the evening, watching the lights reflecting on the seawater, or look at the birds flying low over the water around sunset time.
Poros has attracted many eminent artists, writers, and poets. Two of them were Henry Miller and Greek George Seferis, a Nobel Prize winner of Literature in 1963.
Explore Poros Main Town
Leave the port behind you and start exploring the Poros town, built on the smaller and volcanic island of Poros, Spheria. Walking through the narrow alleyways of the main town, among neoclassic buildings with tile roofs and colorful window panes, often wrapped in bougainvillea, reminds me more of the old part of Athens (Plaka) rather than an Argosaronic island.
Inside the Poros town, you will find the atmosphere less touristic and some of the most authentic taverns frequented by the locals can be found here. A good example is the Palios Platanos (Old Plane Tree) tavern on the 25th of March 4 St.
As you stroll the picturesque alleys you will pass by the Archaeological Museum of Poros ( €2. Open between 8:00-15:30 – Tuesday: closed.). Nearby you can also visit the Public Library with the permanent exhibition “Seashells and Sea”, with a wealth of volcanic and geological information and photographs from the Poros seabed.
Walk up the road with the prickly pears and pines path to get to the Clock Tower built in 1927. The Clock is visible everywhere in Poros town built on top of one of the 2 hills, Kalavria hill. You will be compensated by the fantastic views of the whole of Poros island and the seaside of the Peloponnese right across, especially during the sunset.
Walking out of the town towards the northwest and close to the canal find the historical building of the Nautical Center of Poros. The impressive neoclassical building of 1828 was Greece’s first king Otto’s house.
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.
Dive into Poros Island Beaches
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 located 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.
To Limanaki tis Agapis – Love Bay
The Limanaki tis Agapis (The Love Bay) is a stunningly beautiful beach alas a bit small so it can get easily crowded.
Set on a protected bay with pine trees hanging over the sea, and crystal clear blue-green waters is a fantastic beach. Don’t miss visiting the small Byzantine church at the end of the beach.
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 min-waterpark for the children.
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 lots of eucalyptus trees to hide under if you are not fond of too much 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. 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. The Monastery was founded in 1720, has a typical island architecture, and has played an enormous historical role in Greece’s Independence War 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, a fantastic little shop awaits you for unique breakfast ideas: the Melistakto Cafe.
It is a traditional Kafenio (Greek word for cafe), offering fresh Greek sweets like baklava and galaktoboureko, coffees, and freshly squeezed lemonade (Nearby Galatas is big in lemon production).
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 half an hour to reach. However, the drive is worth it not only for the seclusion and tranquility that await you. If you love diving in Vagonia’s seabed you will discover traces of an ancient settlement in the area, including remnants of houses and streets.
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.
Visit Lighthouse Dana
The beautiful and rare square-built lighthouse, Dana, constructed in 1870 by the Frech Company of Ottoman Lighthouses can be found within 15 minutes drive northwest of Poros town. The surrounding view of Poros hills and the open Aegean Sea from Dana Lighthouse are magnificent and like all lighthouses, they are great to watch the sunset and have romantic moments!
How much time do you need in Poros Greece?
You can visit Poros as a day trip from Athens, or you can stay for a weekend, which is what a lot of Athenians do. In my opinion, it is such a pretty island that you could spend easily 4-5 days without getting bored and if you would like some scenery change you can always travel to the Peloponnese.
Where to Stay in Poros Greece?
Euphoria House (mid-range, family-friendly with kids over 3 years old) has a perfect and peaceful location, away from the hustle and bustle but only one minute from restaurants. The view from the terrace is wonderful!
Dimitra Boutique Hotel (mid-range, family-friendly, buffet breakfast) is surrounded by a garden and its well-decorated rooms offer an amazing sea view. With super clean rooms and friendly hosts, 5 minutes away from Poros town, you will enjoy a great hospitality experience.
Is Paros the Same as Poros?
You can easily confuse them and think it is the same island and you just see a typo but it is not the same.
- Paros is in the Cyclades island group, like Mykonos and Santorini, and the ferry takes 3 to 5 hours to get there from Athens. Poros is in the Argo-Saronic group.
- Paros has the whitewashed cubic houses of the Cycladic charm and architecture, it is relatively flat and is almost 10 times larger than Poros. Paros’ area covers 75.79 mi² and Poros just 8.842 mi².
How to get around Poros Island
Poros is a small island, with a limited road network. During the summer, cars are not allowed inside the small Poros town so everyone parks their cars at the municipal parking at the port.
So the best way to move around Poros town is to walk. If you would like to further explore the island, there are some options you can choose from:
- the free-of-charge municipal small bus that goes around the town between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm; you can get it at the Poros main square, tel: +30 22980 23003
- small traditional boats can take you to beaches around the island from Poros port
- a private company bus to Monastery Beach and other areas. You can find the bus at the new western port (ticket 1 euro)
- and of course, you can rent a car either from Athens or from Poros town
How to Get to Poros Greece (Can you fly to Poros?)
There is no airport on Poros but there are two other ways of transportation to get on the island:
My favorite is by rental car through Corinth Canal, take the road to Epidaurus, and at some point, you will find a sign indicating to go towards Spetses, Poros, and Galatas.
Why do I prefer this route? On my way to Poros, I can also visit the Corinth Canal, Acrocorinth, Ancient Corinth, UNESCO Theater of Epidaurus, volcanic Methana, and everything else in between.
Or, you can take the Ferries: The other and probably the easiest way is to take the ferry from Piraeus port, at the E8 gate. Hydrofoil boats do the trip in 1 hour (flying dolphins) and the slow boats need about 2,5 hours. Check timetables at FerryScanner.
What Island Hopping Can I Do from Poros?
From Poros, you can get the ferries and go to
- Aegina Island in 1 hour and 15′
- Spetses Island in 1 hour – 1 hour 45′ depending on the ferry
- Hydra Island in 30′
- Porto Heli 1h 20′ – 2 h depending on the ferry
- Ermioni in 1 h
Book your ferry transfer with FerryScanner and get the best prices in the market with no hidden fees.
When is Best to Go to Poros Greece?
Every season in Greece has its unique charm, colors, herb aroma, and different shades of the light of the sun.
If this is your first time in Greece, then come over to Poros between May and October. If you have been to Greece before, then try to come during Easter, to enjoy a Greek Orthodox Religious feast (May 5th for 2024).
What to Wear on Poros Island
This depends on the season you are visiting but anytime between May and October, essential things to have in Greece are:
- comfortable walking shoes as Greece is mountainous and archaeological sites with their marble floors can be slippery
- organic sunscreen to apply as often as possible
- UPF sun hat for all day out
- white linen shirt to cover up if you get very easily sunburned. I wear a linen shirt when I hike in Greece during the summer
- a CUPSHE Bikini for impressive beach appearances
- cotton beach towel
- and a beautiful dress for dining out
Useful Info for Poros Island
The nearest large hospitals are in Argos and Nafplio town. 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.
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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 €40 to Athens, €55-60 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
- Are you looking for domestic flights in Greece? Check out the official Aegean Airlines Website.
Where is your dream summer destination? Would you go to Poros?
I’d love to hear about where you’re spending your vacation this year, especially if you have any exciting travel plans! There are so many things to do on Poros island. I hope that you get the chance to try as many as possible. Till next time, Evgenia❤️
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Another island I need to see sometime. There are so many!
Yes, I know, there are too many!! I am sure you are going to love Poros, it is such a lovely island and great for low-key vacation.
We are thinking about visiting Poros in the winter. We know that it will be way to cold for the beaches but will there be restaurants open at that time of year? We would plan to walk and maybe visit other islands such as Hydra. Will ferries run at that time?
Thanks,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, there will be a few restaurants open, serving the locals and the tourists. Poros as it is close to Athens is never dead-quiet so there will be people around 🙂 And yes, the ferries never stop to run because all the islands have permanent residents living. In winter there are less routes but most of the times, there are at least 2 routes per day (the fast – no cars and the slow bigger ferry). I am sure you will have a great time on Poros. Regards, Evgenia