POROS: THE ISLAND 4 MINUTES BY FERRY FROM THE MAINLAND

I feel lucky to be Greek. Do you know one of the reasons? The Greek islands and the convenience to visit them.

As a Greek, I have so many options to choose for my holidays! I have mentioned it before but isn’t it incredible that you can bget to an island in 30 minutes by plane or one hour by ferry from Piraeus or other ports? One of them is POROS island. A beautiful unknown island which I admit does not have extraordinary beaches or magical waters but it is a lovely option for relaxing holidays with good food and cheap tickets, like other islands close to Athens!

IDEAL SEASON: Spring, Summer and early Autumn

ACCESS: There is no airport in the island, but you can get there either by ferry from Piraeus port or by car till the mainland in Galatas town and then a boat/small ferry for a few minutes to Poros island which is just opposite.You can book your tickets here: Ferryscanner.com

COST: You have 3 options from Athens area in order to reach the island.

• First one is the ferry from Piraeus port, 2,5 hours sailing time which costs 14€ per person & 32€ for the car (one way).
• Second one is the “Flying Dolphin” (no cars allowed) which costs 25€ per person with duration 1 hour (one way).
• The third option is to drive for 2,5-3hrs till the mainland in Galatas port and then take the ferry or a boat 1€ pp and 5,5-6,5€ for the car with duration 4-5 minutes (one way).

Some sites that you can book the ferry ticket are here : ferryscanner, ferryhopper, ferries.gr.

HOW MANY DAYS: 2-3 days are enough to get an idea of the island, since it is rather small. Many people visit it as a day trip with their private boat or yacht.

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS: the island has plenty of options and restaurants with delicious food; some of my personal recommendations follow below.

• “Poseidon restaurant” for modern seafood cuisine in Poros port.
• “Apagio restaurant” for seafood in Poros port.
• “Olgas Tavern” close to Askeli beach with generous portions and cheap home made Greek dishes.
• “Dimitris family tavern” for excellent meat, amazing view from above and big portions.
• “Aspros Gatos” for pizza.

Angel’s tip: Don’t forget to taste the amazing handmade ice cream or sweets in “Vessala” pastry shop in town.

BEACHES: As previously mentioned, the island does not have so impressive beaches like other islands in Greece but waters are crystal clear with relaxing beach bars and beautiful forest view.

1. “Love bay” is the most famous in the island, a picturesque and organized small beach. Prices are reasonable and 1 set for 2 sunbeds & one umbrella costs 8-10 euros. Angel’s tip: A reservation is recommended.
2. “Askeli” beach is pebbly and organized (in front of the New Aegli hotel) Angel’s tip: free sunbeds if you are a resident of the hotel, watersports facitilies close by as well. 
3. The private beach of the “Sirene Blue Resort” which is considered the most luxurious in the island. Sand and stones with a great set up! Angel’s tip: if it’s too crowded they don’t accept external guests but when I visited I didn’t face any issues & had breakfast on their relaxing sunbeds.
4. “Megalo Neorio” in Anasa beach with a lovely beach bar and sand.
5. “Mikro neorio” which is organized  with stunning views of the island.
6. “Monastery beach” which is fully organized and the cost is usually 10€ for 2 sunbeds and umbrella all-day.
7. “Russian Naval Bay” where you can swim in front of the impressive dockyard which stands as historical symbol of the greek-Russian military cooperation during the 18th and 19th century.

Angel’s tip: In “Vagionia beach” waters are usually not so clean and there are jellyfish from time to time so Ι would not recommend it.

DON’T MISS:

• Stroll around the Poros town/port , especially in the evening, cars are not permitted and you can enjoy relaxing walks with nice souvenir shops, restaurants and bars around!
• Walk till the jewel of the island, the famous “Clock Tower” built in 1927 and enjoy the view from above. Angel’s tip: during daylight is better.
• If you like history, don’t miss a visit to the archeological museum . Angel’s tip: I didn’t have time to visit the Poseidon temple, but many people advise it’s not worth it.
• If you have a boat you can visit the 2 small islets close to Poros, “Daskaleio” with the beautiful church and “Bourtzi” with the castle. You can swim to Bourtzi as well.
• If you are in Poros during spring, don’t miss a visit to the lemon forest opposite Poros island, in Galatas. Thousands of lemon trees with incredible citrus scent.
• A visit to the little pretty white-blue church called Panagitsa (Virgin Mary) with the  pretty seaview as per picture below at the end of Askeli beach in conjunction with the Monastery of Zoodohos Pigi.
  

  Panagitsa church

TRANSPORT ON THE ISLAND:

My personal recommendation is to have a car/motorbike on the island since not everything is within walking distance. There are 3-4 rental companies that you can have a look in case you arrive in Poros by ferry, like “Auto Moto Kostas” (Tel +30 6947681640) or Attica rent a car (Tel +30 2298029309). Some other options below, in case driving on the island is not your thing:

• There are free buses in Poros island but you need to check the timetables, since when I visited access to everyone was from 10:00-15:00 and after 19:00 till midnight only for people with disabilities.
• There are taxis in Poros island , tel : +30 2298 023003 with max charge 10 euros since distances are not big. For example from Poros port to Love bay cost is 5-6 euros.
• There are taxi-boats as well for the beaches Askeli and Monastiri from the port or possibility for daily trip/mini cruises in nearby islands of Agkistri and Ydra. More info here.  Tel: +30 6932 645 364.
• You can rent at the port tricycles per hour or 3o minutes to stroll around town if you don’t want to walk.

 

*For more pictures and info for Poros island don’t forget to check relevant highlight called “Poros” and my posts on Instagram*