This beautiful pine-covered island in the Saronic Gulf, just 32 nautical miles from Piraeus and easily accessible by land (via Galatas), offers both short and longer getaways. It harmoniously combines the sea, nature, tranquility, and old and new Greek history with modern life and entertainment.

‘Poros has something of Venice: a canal, communication between houses with boats, opulence, nonchalance, sensual temptation, a place for distinguished international heroes,’ wrote Giorgos Seferis, who often stayed in Dragoumis’s beautiful Villa Galini here; it was where he wrote the poetry collection Kichli (The Thrush) in 1946.

Henry Miller, who was also fascinated by the island, also stayed at Galini in 1939, when he wrote, ‘To sail slowly through the streets of Poros is to recapture the joy of passing through the neck of the womb. It is a joy too deep almost to be remembered.’

To get to know Poros better, see also the EG guide.

Sources

The links mentioned in the articles and generally the key texts of sources about the Saronic Gulf area of Exploring Greece

How to Get There by Boat

The ferryboats of Saronic Ferries head to Poros from the port of Piraeus, transporting cars and motorbikes as well as passengers. The journey takes about 2 ½ hours, including stopovers. The ferry first docks at the port of Aegina, then the port of Methana, and finally in Poros. The average price is 14€/person and 32€/car.

With Hellenic Seaways flying dolphins (hydrofoils), the trip takes just one (1) hour; an average price is 24.50 € / person.

From the harbor of Galatas, the ferryboat to Poros departs daily at a frequency that varies according to the season. The cost for the 5 minute trip is 6 € for a person with a car.

For more information about timetables and reservations, see www.digitickets.gr

How to Get There By Car

If you have your own car or a rental car, you can reach Poros from Athens in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Following the Athens-Corinth National Road, turn left after the Isthmus, toward Epidaurus (Corinth Exit B – Epidaurus). Drive for about 40 minutes, and you will reach the junction for Epidaurus. Just before that, you will see signs for Poros and Spetses. At the intersection, turn right, and immediately after going under the bridge, turn left.

Then follow the new road, watching for the sign for Poros. At this point you will make an oblique left turn, following the route to Poros, and the coastal road will take you to Galatas in about 25 minutes. From Galatas, you can take your car across to Poros in a small ferryboat.

In Galatas and Poros, there are free municipal parking lots where you can leave your car, if you prefer to cross the water without it.

Useful Phone Numbers

City Hall +30 22983 20512

Citizens’ Service Center +30 22983 20900

Police +30 22980 22462

Port Authority +30 22980 22274

Archaeological Museum +30 22980 23276