Poros Island Greece

Poros Island Greece, is a small island-pair in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf, about 58 km south from Athens and separated from Galatas town at Peloponnese by a 200 meters wide sea channel. Its surface area is about 31 square kilometres and it has 3,780 inhabitants. Poros consists of two islands: Sphaeria where today’s city is located, and Kalavria the northern and largest part. A bridge connects the two islands. The largest part of the island is covered by pine forest and bushes.

The ancient name of Poros was Pogon. During the period of Mycenaean dominance (1400-1100 BC) Kalavria was quite powerful. During the 5th century, the Persian Empire annexed the Greek cities of western Anatolia. After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, the Ptolemies of Egypt occupied Kalavria. Around the same time, the Athenian orator Demosthenes came to the island, where some report his suicide. In 273 BC, the last explosion of the Methana volcano dramatically changed the morphology of Poros and the wider region.

The Sanctuary of Poseidon has been excavated by Swedish archaeologists. The 1894 field season is considered to be the first Swedish archaeological campaign in Greece. Swedes have continued excavations from 1997 in collaboration with the Greek National Heritage Board.

During the Roman period (86 BC to 395 AD) Poros island was part of the Roman Empire along with Trizina. In Byzantine times, Poros and other islands were often raided by the pirates that dominated the Aegean Sea. In 1484 the Venetians occupied Poros and used it as a strategic port in their sea battles with the Ottomans. During that time, the island had about 15,000 inhabitants, making it one of the largest cities in Greece. Venetian rule ended in 1715. The Ottoman period began in 1715, much later in Poros than in the rest of Greece. Shipping and commerce were the main activities of the inhabitants. During the Greek Revolution in 1821, Poros island had an important role due to its strategic position.

Poros Island Greece is covered by pine trees which reach the shores and the sandy beaches. The residents of Poros like the other Greek islanders offer their hospitality to all the visitors of the island. The large homes on the beach have a neoclassical style in contrast to the common duplex houses in Brinia, Milo, Pounta and Kasteli. The first dwellings were built in 1463 and located around the famous Clock. In the center of the city you can find the Town Hall, the archaeological museum, a public library along with a reception hall for exhibitions and other cultural events. Many taverns are located among the picturesque alleyways and the whitewashed houses of Poros which are surrounded by bougainvillea . Visitors can enjoy souvenir shops, cafeterias, taverns and clubs playing Greek and English music all along the pier. Along the coast going towards the training center, we come across the open air movie theater “Diana” which has premiers of the best films shown this past winter. Public transportation around the island runs pretty smoothly all day. Buses leave every hour while boats depart every ten minutes. On the beach you can find scooter and bike rentals whereas cars are rented right across the island, in Galata. The best beaches of Poros island are the following :

•      Askeli beach.
•     Kanali beach.
•     Monastiri beach.
•     Love Bay beach.
•     Mikro Neorio beach.
•     Russian bay beach.
•     Plaka beach.
•     Vagionia beach.
•     Artimos beach.
•     Karapoliti beach.

Poros Island Greece is the ideal vacation spot due to its traditional shades, beautiful beaches,  cosmopolitan lifestyle and its contemporary facilities. The best way to visit the beautiful island of Poros is to book our  One Day Cruise to 3 islands Hydra-Poros-Aegina.