Places We Visit

One Day Cruise To Aegina, Poros and Hydra Islands.

Poros is a small, volcanic little island of great beauty with rich vegetation. Much of the northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy. Contrarily, large areas of old pine forest sprout in the south and center of the island. It is very close to Athens, and is a popular summer resort for both Greeks and foreigners. Many Athenians have summerhouses here, which can be noticed in the weekends, since the island livens up a lot then.

Poros island’s name means narrow street. A 370-meter-long canal separates the Peloponnese and the picturesque town of Galatas. People consider it a very romantic place, but is also a great destination for families or backpackers.

Poros Island is a very green island. As the ferry approaches, you can admire the pines that cover the small hills and the beaches. The town of Poros is built on the small peninsula of Sferia mainly on the small hill overlooking the port. Towards Mikro and Megalo Neorio, you will find marinas for yachts and boats.

History and myth

According to recent studies, evidence suggests that since the Bronze Age, inhabitants already claimed this place as their own. Graves on the island date back to the Mycenaean period, and man-made structures have existed on it since at least 1000 BCE.

God Poseidon was especially worshiped on the island that was called Kalavria during the Greek Antiquity. An ancient Myth tells that Poseidon gave an exchange for Poros island, Delphi to God Apollo because the island first belonged to the God of the Sun. Several excavations show that inhabitants lived here from prehistoric times and also during the Mycenaean times.

Poros Island had many foreign rulers, just like the rest of Greece, throughout history. Because of Hydra’s power in the 18th century, Poros island was quite outshone, but the island contributed to the War of Independence that started in 1821. In Poros island, the first borders of Greece were confirmed in a meeting between the first Greek Governor Kapodistrias and the ambassadors of Great Britain, France, and Russia in 1828.

The first naval base and shipyards of Greece, after the Greek Independence, were founded in Poros. The same goes for the first school of Naval cadets. The famous Battle Ship Averof was docked in Poros island until recent years. The current location of the ship is Palaio Faliro in Athens.

The ruins of the Temple of Poseidon from the 6th century BC and the Monastery Zoodochos Pigis (“Life-giving Source”) are the two proper sights on Poros island. There are also many old, interesting buildings in Poros town like The Clocktower which offers a breathtaking view.