Poros Island information

Two islands for the price of one

Poros Island is in fact made up from two islands, joined by a small bridge over a canal where they meet. The largest is called Kalavria and the smaller is called Sphairia.

The main shopping area of Poros Island is located on the smaller island Sphairia which is 3 km away. Here you will find many tavernas overlooking the small channel which separates Poros from the mainland town of Galatas. Small shops line narrow alleys climbing up into the residential areas. In town you will also find the banks, post office and a small local museum.

Askeli is located on the larger Island Kalavria which is separated by a small canal. It offers one of the best beaches on Poros Island with water sports, beach volley ball court and the seafront is lined with many tavernas ready to offer you a cool drink or a complete feast. There is a well stocked supermarket, gymnasium and a toddlers cart track. You can hire bicycles, mopeds and quad bikes to explore the rest of the Island.

Monastery situated 2 km from Askeli is the home of the Zoodochou Pigis Monastery, well worth a trip to see this place of worship. Please note out of respect that smart clothes must be worn, and women must cover themselves if you wish to enter the complex. Here there is also a rather nice beach.

The interior of the island has ancient ruins the Poseidon Temple many of it's artifacts are on display in the local museum although you have to have quite a good imagination to make sense of the site. All the surrounding area is protected native pine forests and offers stunning views across to the mainland.

Vagionias Bay nestles in the north of the island and offers a sheltered bay ideal for snorkeling. On a clear day to the north of the island it is easy to see the coastline of Attica.

All around Poros are places where you can stop and rest with fine refreshments, small bays and beaches give you access to the calm safe waters, where you can enjoy a swim or paddle.

Our neighbour the village of Galatas

Nestled at the foot of the Anderes Mountain

A short crossing from Poros takes you to the mainland village of Galatas, a car ferry leaves every half hour and from the seafront in town several water taxis wait to take passengers, the crossing takes little over 3 minutes. Here in Galatas you will find a very different atmosphere than that of Poros, Galatas is a small traditional working village where tourism has yet to make an impact. Many tavernas are available all along the seafront. Along the coast takes you to Lemonadasos an area where lemon trees were first introduced into Greece, a walk through this area climbing slowly up the mountain is rewarded by a traditional taverna with beautiful views over the Saronic Gulf, here visitors are given a glass of local lemonade for making the trip.

Behind Galatas the Anderes Mountain climbs to offer stunning views, on a clear day you can see the coast of Attica, the island's of Poros, Original and Hydra. You will need to organise transport to make it up to the top.
The city of Trizinia is a 20 minute drive from Galatas. There are ancient ruins here worth visiting, also a picturesque gorge where you can take a dip in the fresh cool spring waters. Several centuries ago Trizinia was the second largest city in Greece, there is little evidence of this nowadays. It has a small civic square where two tavernas offer local food and drink. A small cathedral is also worth seeing. A large Monastary overlooks Trizinia, this order has a strict code on women visiting the site, please check before entering the grounds.

Methana is the origin of Poros Island, it is an extinct volcano that created the Island you visit today. Here the town has a sulphur pool as you enter it, perhaps this is where it gets its name from. You can climb the volcano and see the lava tunnels, however the climb is arduous.

Further information available on our maps page

Get an idea of the area

For detailed maps of the area and to give you an idea of what is where! visit our maps page here or use the link on the left.