The Argo-Saronikos group of the Greek islands

The Greek islands
Some general info

Windsurfing in Paros
Driving & cycling in Naxos
One day cruise to Poros
Relaxing holidays - Paxos
Zakynthos and its turtles

Poros, an Island in the Argo-Saronikos Gulf Poros, a beautiful small island covered with pine and lemon trees, only just qualifies as an island, separated as it is by a 350m strait (the ford) from the mainland. It is in fact two islands, Kalauria and Sefria that shelters Poros town. As we sail towards the dock, Poros is on the left and the Peloponnese on the right.

The Poros town

The harbour and town are picturesque from the sea and the front bustles with tavernas, restaurants and bars. At the far end there are a number a disco bars for dancing the night away but if you prefer, you may make your way up the hill through the narrow streets for the quieter parts of the town. Belonging to the Argo-Saronikos island group, thus located near Athens, Poros is regularly chosen by tour operators for one day cruises across the Argo-Saronic Gulf and the other four islands of this group. They give visitors about an hour and a half to see it, hence you'll have to choose among the following: the Panagia Monastery; the ruins of Poseidon's Temple (the climb up takes an hour, then you have to hurry down); a hike through the pine trees; and secluded tree-shaded beaches (take shoes—the shores can be rocky). Cruises that also include Hydra and Aegina usually arrive in Poros last (at about 4:30 pm—they depart around 5:50 pm). However, we recommend staying two or three nights. If you have more time, cross the channel to the mainland; the two best things to see are the ruins of Troezene (next to a ravine with a natural rock bridge) or the miles of lemon groves (lemonodasos in Greek) near the town of Galatas (35 mi/55 km southwest of Athens). You can go for a great walk along the very clean harbor up the road past the naval academy and up more into the country side of the island. Get to the top of the hill where you may meet local old women picking wild greens and flowers or even donkeys and goats fencing in. It is always more exciting to see the countryside of the island and watch how the locals are living. Then meander your way down the hill through the small streets of the town - some are no wider than three feet or so. Next, go visit the church and the surrounding shops, then head back down the hill to the waterfront.

 

You may also hire a cab to take you up into the mountains of the island (which are quite high) along twisty turny roads lining the edges of the mountains up to the monastery and to some great look out points. After making your way down the mountains, walk around town a little more to select the perfect place to end your day, perhaps at a local taverna, and order some fresh fish which will probably be served as a whole fish in the typically Greek fashion. Map of Poros

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