Narrow alleys with whitewashed stairways with hidden treasures around every corner. Colorful flowers and stray cats. Turquoise seas. Yachts. Just perfect.
“On the birthday of Aphrodite, there was a feast of the gods, at which the god Poros or Plenty, who is the son of Metis or Discretion, was one of the guests.
When the feast was over, Penia or Poverty, as the manner is on such occasions, came about the doors to beg. Now Plenty who was the worse for nectar (there was no wine in those days), went into the garden of Zeus and fell into a heavy sleep and Poverty considering her own straitened circumstances plotted to have a child by him and accordingly she lay down at his side and conceived Love”
Poros is located in the southwest of the Saronic Gulf, opposite the Peloponnese, and comprises two islands connected by a bridge over a narrow strait: Sphairia and Kalavria (meaning ‘Gentle Breeze’), of which the former is a volcanic rock and the latter is much larger and planted all over with pine trees. Our favourite thing about the Greek island of Poros, as well as its lush greenery, is that it is ‘livable’. We are huge fans of all of the Greek isles but some of them are decided ‘holiday hotspots’.
The great thing about choosing Poros on your trip to Greece is that the more time you put in, the more you get out.
Poros Town is where everything is centered. There are no ATMs on the island except for the one at the main port. Narrow alleys with whitewashed stairways with hidden treasures around every corner. Colorful flowers and stray cats. Turquoise seas. Yachts. Just perfect.
When it comes to beaches in Poros, its main asset is definitely quality over quantity! Nestled in tiny sandy coves and surrounded by lush vegetation, Poros’ beaches are best accessed by boats and yachts, as you can get to stunning hidden gems that offer exclusive privacy.
As if Poros couldn’t get any more picturesque, the clock tower proves otherwise. Built in 1927, the Poros Clock Tower is certainly an imposing feature. It is a bit of a climb from the waterfront being the highest point of the island, but when you reach it, the view is breathtaking and worth every effort, making it an attraction for photographers.
Love Bay is definitely on top of many traveler’s lists when visiting the beautiful Greek Island of Poros. This magical bay is blessed with crystal clear and calm waters and thick, green pine trees hanging above the turquoise water. The small, picturesque chapel at one end of the beach is a great place to visit as well.
Limanaki Agapis is called ‘Love Bay’ for a reason: you will LOVE it! It’s a gorgeous beach with plenty of shade under the pine trees and glittering pellucid emerald waters. Rumour has it that the name ‘Love Bay’ was created in the 1950s. The pine trees were denser then than they are now and Love Bay was the perfect place for ‘forbidden couples’ to meet and spend romantic time together (we’ll leave the details up to your imagination!)
Our favourite thing to do on Poros is to rent a bicycle and cycle. There’s an epic 20km route around the island which takes in the ruins of Poseidon’s Temple (built in 520 BC) in the north part of the island and the Monastery of Zoodochos Pygi with its epic views across the pine forest slopes. While here, our top tip is that 200m down from the Monastery is a small sandy beach (that we have nicknamed ‘Secret Monastery Beach’) that remains quiet even in the peak of summer and, as it faces south, there are sensational views of the Pelepponese.
Apagia Taverna by the port is our number one restaurant on Poros because, not only is the food traditional hearty Greek fare, but Spiros and Liz are truly fantastic hosts who will make you feel like old friends. Sit out on the waterfront, eat delicious food and watch the sun setting over the boats.
The Russian Dockyard Poros Island is a paradise for travelers on day trips. Soak up the sun on sunbeds, play beach volleyball and enjoy live music and cocktails right by the sea.
Founded in 1960, the Archaeological Museum of Poros is located in the main town displays artifacts excavated on the island, in the neighboring coasts of Peloponnese, in Methana and Troezen. The majority of the artifacts date from the Mycenaean to Roman times.
The weather in Paros is typically Mediterranean where it gets hot during the summers and the winters are mild. The best time to visit Paros is between the months of April and October as the weather is good to enjoy beach activities. While peak summers can get quite hot, it is also most favorable for swimming.
Would you like to find out more about this destination or speak with one of our Epicureans about the best options in Greece? Reach out to one of our experts who can tailor an unforgettable experience that will be the envy of your friends.