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Poros

Poros is a small island and is 35,5 nautical miles from Piraeus. Being one of the most beautiful islands of the Saronic, Poros attracts many tourists every summer. Beautiful beaches, nice little houses and mountains with pine-trees present a brief description of the island. A volcanic island, which was created from the joining of Kalavria and Sveria. It is located very close to Argolida in the Peloponesse, separated only by a very narrow channel.

Poros lies just off the east coast of the Argolid peninsula across a narrow strait, which opens out at its western and into Neorion Bay enclosed by splendid wooded hills. A canal divides the island into 2 parts, the major part called Kalavria, which is a limestone ridge rising to 390 m - 1279 ft., and the minor is a volcanic islet called Sferia where Poros town, the main port, is reflected in the calm waters of the strait opposite Galatas on the Argolic shore. Its homely character and its verdant countryside (pine, olive and lemon groves) make it an agreeable place to stay or from which to make excursions to the Argolin peninsula, which include the lemon groves at Lemonodassos and the ruins of Trizinia, Epidauros, Tiryns and Mycenae.

A stroll along the quay opens up a picturesque view of Galatas, the strait and the roadstead where in 1831 Miaoulis' fire ships set fire to the frigate Hellas which Kapodistrias wanted to lend to the Russian fleet to punish his rivals from Hydra.

In the typical fishermen's district the cafes and taverns serving fish specialties, are decorated with naive paintings. The old arsenal now houses a naval school. The coastal road (turn left after crossing the canal) runs westwards to Russian bay, a 19 C. Russian naval station on a lonely site.

From Poros island one can make daily excursions to the Poseidon Temple (6 C. BC) and Monastery of Zoodohos Pigi. Visitors to this island are deposited at its bustling harbour full of cafes, bars and restaurants. The island has 2 lovely beaches at Askeli and Neorio. At Neorio, one of the best sunsets can be viewed, where the visitor has the chance to see the "Kimomeni" or the "sleeping woman" which is the silhouette of the hills outlined by the setting sun, and is in the form of a woman lying down.

Swimmers will find charming little sandy bays all along the way to Neorio, rimmed with pine trees down to the sea. The approach to Poros by ferry is especially picturesque. Crossing to the mainland is made easy by dozens of little boats constantly transporting people from coast to coast. A visit to the Lemon Forest (Lemonodassos) is a favourite excursion from Galatas.

The town of Poros is exactly what one imagines when thinking of the beauty and uniqueness of Greek island life. Its colourful quay, fishing skiffs, water-taxis that ferry you around the island and to the mainland, delightful shops and galleries, all combine to provide a spectacular setting for an adventure of learning, fellowship, exploration and, most importantly, just having a wonderful time.
 

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