Poros
The clock tower, Love Bay, the pine forest and the temple of Poseidon.
Poros is separated from the Peloponnese by only 400 metres of water — you can see from the harbour across the strait to the town of Galatas on the mainland. The island is entirely covered in Aleppo pine forest, and its capital is one of the prettiest small ports in the Saronic — a hillside of whitewashed houses topped by the distinctive blue-domed clock tower. The pine-fringed coves on the south side rank among the most beautiful beaches in Greece — turquoise water, soft sand, and shade from the trees running right down to the waterline. The trade-off: word is well and truly out, and in summer these beaches get genuinely crowded with day-trippers from Athens and the surrounding Saronic islands. Arrive early or visit in the shoulder season to enjoy them at their best.
Good for
- Travellers who want a pretty pine-forest island a quick ferry from Athens
- Couples and families after sheltered, shady, turquoise coves
- Anyone who likes being able to see — and visit — the Peloponnese 400 m across the strait
Maybe skip if
- If you want quiet, empty beaches in peak summer — Poros draws day-trippers and gets busy
- If you're after a remote, untouristed feel; this is an easy, popular Saronic stop
Getting there
No airport. Frequent fast ferries from Piraeus, ~1h. Conventional ferries (~2.5h) are cheaper if time isn't critical.
Read full route
Tip: Closest island with a real holiday feel — minutes from the Peloponnese on the other side.
When to Visit
Poros sits 200 metres from the Peloponnesian coast — you can see Galatas across the strait. Pine-covered, lemon-grove inland, sleepy chora. Best May-October; weekends bring Athenians year-round but it's never overwhelming. The lemon forest walk is essential in spring.
1-day itinerary for Poros
Day 1: Poros Town, Love Bay & Temple
- 09:30 · Poros Town
The hillside capital — a cascade of white houses topped by the iconic 1920s blue-domed clock tower. Walk up through the lanes to the summit for the best view in the Saronic. - 10:30 · Clock Tower Viewpoint
The landmark of Poros — a 1920s clock tower at the summit of the town. The view over the straits, the pine forest and the Peloponnese beyond is one of the most beautiful in Greece. - 11:30 · Temple of Poseidon
Modest remains of a 6th-century BC temple — the setting in a pine forest with sea views on both sides is the draw. The orator Demosthenes took poison here rather than surrender to Macedon. - 13:00 · Lunch — Harbour Taverna
The harbour tavernas serve excellent grilled fish watching the boats from Galatas cross the straits. The crossing takes only 5 minutes. - 15:00 · Love Bay
The best beach on Poros — a sheltered sandy cove surrounded by pine forest. Clear, calm water and a romantic setting. 10 minutes from the town. - 18:00 · Poros — Departure
Ferry to Piraeus, Hydra or the other Saronic islands. Frequent connections.
Top beaches of Poros
Love Bay
The finest beach on Poros — a small sheltered sandy cove surrounded entirely by pine forest. The water is calm and clear, the setting is intimate and picturesque. One of the most romantic small beaches in the Saronic.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 150 m
- Depth
- Shallow — calm, clear water
- Wind protection
- North-facing — fully exposed to the meltemi (the dominant summer N/NE wind); often choppy June–September
- Facilities
- Good: sunbeds, beach bar, taverna. Pine trees provide shade.