Poros island

General info:
The picturesque and verdant island of Poros lies off in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf, opposite to the shores of the Peloponnese peninsula and close to the island of Methana. Covering an area of some 25 square km and with a population of 4.500 residents approximately, the island is a favourite destination for weekenders both for its proximity with Attica (approximately two hours by boat from the Piraeus port) and its enchanting beauty.
Forested at a great extend, with smooth hills, dotted with  traditional villages and quaint yet cosmopolitan resorts in which qualitative tourist services are provided, dentelated beached and numerous sheltered coves, Poros  offers  almost everything one could expect from one’s holidays  since it combines  the romantic atmosphere with a  quite lively nightlife; peacefulness with a variety  of choices for outgoing activities such as trekking, kayaking, water skiing and fishing; tradition with modern amenities.  
Poros, in fact consists by two island; the green  Kalavria and small Spheria  (Sphairia) -in which the capital is located-  which are connected by a narrow isthmus.

Historical profile:
According to mythology, Poros was the birthplace of Theseus, the ancient hero who killed the mythical Minotaur of Crete.
Excavation finds testify that the island has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. In antiquity it was  named  “ Kalavria”  (Kalauvria/ Calauvria )   and it  was consisted  by two islands;   Kalavria,  that  was dedicated to the god  Poseidon  and a temple was erected in his honour- the relics of which can still be seen today-  and the smaller volcanic  one  of Spheria (Sphairia).
During the Archaic Period, when Poros was under the domination of Troizina (Trizina) it became the seat of the Amphictyony of Kalavria that was  consisted of  seven  city-states, among them Athens and Aegina. The amphictyony though primarily  of a religious nature, it  exercised also political  and economical  influence.
Around the 4th century BC the island was dominated by the Macedonians. It was at that time that the Athenian  orator Demosthenes found a refugee in Poros and committed suicide when he was pursued  by Macedonian soldiers.
During the  Greek War of independence in 1821,  Poros  has a significant contribution and it was on this island  that the meeting  bettwen the ambassadors of England, France and Russia and the Greek governor Ioannis Kapodistrias took place in order to define the borders of the newly-established Greek State. 

Villages:
Poros is the island’s capital and main port. Amphitheatrically built on a hill, the capital is an enchanting mixture of colourful neoclassical mansion, white-washed traditional house and quaint narrow alleys that lead to delightful blooming neighbourhoods. The beautiful port adds a cosmopolitan touch to the capital ‘s atmosphere as  luxurious yachts and fishing boats are gentling rocking to its dock. Its  waterfront is always bustling with life since here are gathered many taverns, cosy coffee-bars  and clubs.
Strolling around the maze of the town’s lanes can be a wonderful experience, for the capital has many interesting sights to be seen.
The Clock Tower, that was built in 1927 and dominates the top of a  hill, offering a magnificent view, the church of Agios Georgios (St. George)  with wall paintings made by the famous painter Parthenis; the  Hatzopoulios  Public Library; the ruins of the Russian Dockyard; the exquisitely beautiful  Villa Galini ,  which has accommodated famous personas of Art and Letters such as  the Nobel-Prize winning Greek poet Georgios Seferis and the American novelist  Henry Miller and  also the Lemon Tree Forest, a site of great natural beauty, are only few of the capital’s sight-seings.  
The Doric Temple of Poseidon that was  constructed with limestone around the 6th century BC and is considered the most important archaeological site in Poros and the Archaeological Museum, in which important finds are exhibited are also worth-visiting.

The capital offers plenty of accommodation option for all budgets and it is an ideal spot for starting your exploration to the rest of the island.

Askeli is an attractive seaside resort, located some 3 km northeast to the capital. Built amphitheatrically on the slopes of a densely forested hill and offering one of the best and most organized beaches of the island, Askeli is a pole of attraction for plenty of visitors. The resort is ideal both for families since it  offers and peaceful nature and many accommodation amenities, taverns and restaurants, and also for those who enjoy a varied and interesting nightlife since the clubs and bars of the resort are famed for their liveliness.
The monastery of Zoodochos Pigi, with its remarkable wooden temple is worth-visiting for its beauty and also for the amazing verdant scenery that surrounded it.

Galatas is a picturesque town located on the shores of the Argolida Prefecture and
opposite to Poros harbour, (just 5 minutes distance) with which is connected via small boats and ferries . Its wonderful verdant nature, the splendid sandy beach and the famed Lemon Tree forest that consists of thousands of trees are reasons why  you should visit this lovely town. Furthermore here lie the relics of the ancient city of Trizina (Troiizina), the birthplace of the legendary hero Theseus. Galatas offers a variety of accommodation facilities and choices for entertainment.

Neorio is a delightful resort located in the western part of the island, that  has become a major pole of attraction nowadays, since it  is amazingly combines a densely  forested scenery made of pine –trees that reach down to its several  wonderful sandy beaches.  Hotels and water sports facilities, taverns and coffee-bars and bars promise a comfortable and exciting staying for those who decide to visit the resort.
  
Beaches:
Poros offers a variety of wonderful beaches, most of  which are well- organized and located in sites of great natural beauty, while the hidden tranquil coves will surely satisfy those who look for peacefulness and more privacy.

Some of  most popular  beaches are the  Askeli  beach, a long-stretched sandy one with crystalline waters which offers tree-shade and water sport facilities; the Megalo Neorio beach with fine sand and  crystalline deep blue waters, surrounded by a  remarkably pine-tree covered hill and the Russian Bay beach, situated in the arms of a quaint bay ands famed to be the best of the island for its golden sand and the amazing crystal-clear waters. The enchanting scenery is complemented by the remains of the Russian Naval Station. The Love Bay beach is indisputably the most romantic of all beaches; embraced by  a lovely bay and surrounded by pine-trees, the beach is a mixture of fine sand and pebbles while the green-blue colour of its crystalline waters add an exotic touch to the whole picture.

Access:
Poros    is connected by scheduled trips via ferry boat or hydrofoil with Piraeus Port, and also with the islands of Aegina, Spetses,Hydra and with the Prefecture of Argolida (Porto Heli, HermionI).  

 

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