Top Things to Do on Greece’s Poros Island

View of Poros (CC0 Creative Commons).

Just a few hundred meters from the Peloponnese, two islands connected by a rather modern road give life to Poros. The southern island is called Spharia and is much smaller than the northern Kalaureia. Spharia, however, is the place where most locals live.

The northern island of Kalaureia, on the contrary, boasts a natural and relaxed atmosphere, mostly rural and with just a few inhabitants.

This small island of the Saronic Gulf is a quiet place, ideal for holidays with the family and one of Athenians’ favorite destinations for a weekend away.

Aerial view of Poros and its short distance from the Peloponnese.

Askeli is the most popular beach on the island; it is well organized and has clear waters. The so-called Love Bay is also another favorite place for visitors due to the characteristic pine trees that are to be found in the area.

The rather large beach of Megalo Neorio is a comfortable sandy beach with greenish water and a center for water sports. Hotels and tavernas populate the surrounding area, making it a great destination for a day at the beach.

The town of Poros is a vibrant city with interesting Neoclassical architecture. The most remarkable building is the Clock Tower, dating back to 1927. The tower stands at the highest point of the city and very much resembles a lighthouse.

The Clock Tower in the distance.

The Archaeological Museum of Poros showcases the most important moments of the history of the island. It also has exhibits from the Temple of Poseidon located in Kalavureia. Unfortunately, there is not much to be seen on the site, so a visit to the museum is quite a good idea for those interested in the past of Poros.

On the west coast of Poros, the Holy Monastery of Zoodochu Pigis offers stunning views of the sea. The old monastery is an integral part of the story of the island. It was founded by Ioakovos the II, Archbishop of Athens, after a healing miracle he experienced after drinking water from a spring in the area. The monastery also home to church with impressive paintings and a magnificent wooden icon from Cappadocia (Turkey).

Yachts in Poros, a popular destination for water sports.

It is possible to reach Poros from Piraeus in about an hour, but also from the nearby town of Galatas, in the Peloponnese, about 400 meters from the island. This little town, ideal for a day visit, is surrounded by an ancient lemon forest, known as lemondassos, home to over 30,000 fragrant old trees and traditional water mills.

Greek reporter.