Poros

37°31′N 23°29′E

June 2021

 

I was so excited about my trip to Poros island, because was the first one after the quarantine from November 2020-May 2021. Poros is a small island of 23km² and really close to Athens. That is why it is also Greek’s way out of the Athenian city. And also a stopover for foreigners’ yachts. We went on 11^th of June just for 3nights. I’ve never saw it as a city break before, but now we have 2021. As a result, we decided to take many city-breaks instead of one long vacation. 

 

Above all, to avoid many transportations with public means (due to covid-19 and those who do not know how to protect aright themselves and the others around them), we decided to try close to Athens destinations this year. Moreover, I decided to take my cutie blue smart with me (to avoid renting), so we went to Galatas of Troizina and took the ferry from there. It is only 5minutes and you can stay inside your own car.

 

On the other hand, you can choose to take the flying dolphin/cat from Peiraeus port which is only takes 1hour. In that way, the trip to Poros will cost around 25euros/ticket. Either you can take the ferry from Peiraeus which is 2 and a half hours until Poros and will cost around 15euros. Consequently, docking over there you can rent a quad, a baggi, a motorcycle, a bicycle or a leisure bike for 4/6 persons. All these, at the port of Poros island.

Forgive me if I won’t give you much information about Poros. I went only for relaxation, so I didn’t see any museum of archaeological site, like the Temple of Poseidon. Just 3nights to “change performances”, as we called it in Greece, meaning just for a small break. I commit myself though to come back again sometime to see the rest of it, in order to transfer to you an integrated atmosphere.

 

Accommodation ¼

Therefore, below I will list you few things to do if you will choose a trip to Poros. Firstly, we will talk about accommodation. There are many hotels and studios inside or outside Poros. From 1-4 stars you can choose whatever is more likable to you.  Moreover, depends on what do you want, you can ask for breakfast or not, take your pet with you, non-smoking room etc..

 

At the time we decided to book a room, not all the hotels were open, so we chose a 3keys graded studio. This studio was 1,4km away from Poros port or 1,8km away from the center of Poros island. That is to say that Christine studios is at Asceli village with the homonymous beach 100meters away from it. The beach has golden sand and offers sea sports and many coffee places and taverns along the road.

 

Most importantly, the apartment was exceptionally clean. In the same vein, it has an extraordinary sea view (we had the apartment No3). Shortly, we enjoyed the view from our balcony every night with a cool beverage on our hands. Additionaly, it was pretty spacious for 2 people with a fully equipped kitchenette. Also, they had on our disposal Guy Laroche linens, A/C, free Wi-Fi and free toiletries. The studio had an outdoor parking for free according to the availability. Above all, the staff of the reception was really kind certainly.

On our arriving they even treated us with fresh lemonade and karidopita (sweet walnuts pie). The next day we surprisingly found kourkoto waiting for us after our swimming. Kourkoto is my favorite zucchini -feta cheese pie with dough (not with phyllo-filo-fyllo). So, thank you to the owners of Christine studios. I really enjoyed it. We booked it from Booking.com, so the price for June was at 45€/night (thankfully). Moreover, remember that they are cleaning every day (if you want). However, they are changing the towels every 3 days. To sum up, I will definitely come back, thanks to their cleanliness.

PS: The staff from Christine studios even provide us with a mosquito repellent device inside the room. Just in case. Fortunately, I had provided and taken with me a repellent candle to enjoy some time on our beautiful balcony to see this exquisite view of the sea.

Continue reading to catch out my Poros’ discoveries about spa, taverns, beaches etc..                                                    

                                                                                                                                             

Beaches 2/4

We saw few beaches in our trip to Poros. On the one hand, we have the fully organized ones (with sunbeds & umbrellas) and on the other hand the free-unorganized beaches. At the 2^nd ones, you have to bring your own umbrella and beach mat or sunbed.

 

Organized beaches                                                                     Unorganized-ish beaches

Monastery beach                                                                        Vagionia bay

Love Bay                                                                                        Askeli beach

Russian bay                                                                                  Megalo Neorio

Kanali

Aliki

To this 3^rd option, there are some sunbeds which belong to taverns and hotels. There are free of charge, but you must purchase something from this particular store to occupy their property.

 

All beaches were clean with crystal waters and nice atmosphere under the olive trees. I stood out one of them. I love-love-loooved the Love Bay for 3 particular reasons. 

1. First of all, they were disinfected the umbrella’s stick, the sunbeds and the table between them after each customer. Similarly, they had extra disinfection gels at the table between the sunbeds and at the trees outside the toilets. Moreover, they were cleaning the toilets regularly.
2. Secondly, they were all actually and genuinely polite and the staff was always trying to help you.
3. And 3^rd, the beach was really quiet (even there was the bar). You could hear the sound of the sea wave or the sea breeze between the leaves of the pine trees. 

Furthermore, they had a large variety of food and drinks. With or without alcohol. Ice cream, fresh juices, tsipouro etc. with a really quick service.

Meanwhile, they offer a volleyball net inside the sea to play with your group and felizol constructions to float your drink inside the sea. But, notice that you should pay 8€ for a set (2sunbeds and one umbrella).

 

***Tip: If you wanna go to one of the organized beaches, but do not want to pay the sunbeds, do not worry. You can definitely go. You just have to take your own beach mat and put it at the end of the sunbeds.                                                                                                                                                   

 

Eateries 3/4

Poros island in particular and province of Trizinia in general is famous about its juicy lemons, its shinny olives and of course about its tasteful marine life. Once you will be in any island, you should try some of the sea’s treasures. Choose between squid or octopus. Anchovy or seabass etc..  

However, if you find yourself in Poros, you should definitely try some meat too from the virgin vegetation of its mountains. I tried everything. Both categories, I mean. Certainly, you can see more photos of food on my local guide profile at Google maps. 

 

• Dimitris family tavern (11th of June 2021)

OMG. So much food. We took a rib steak, a rump steak, tzatziki, tsipouro, pepper sauce and grilled vegetables with haloumi cheese. And we enjoyed every last bite of them.

I totally recommend them, because everything were delicious. Also, the waiter was really kind and the view of the sea magnificent. At the end they treated us with a shot of their own “baked” tsipouro.

 

• Apagio family taverna (12th of June 2021)

Everything was great. Authentic sea flavor in each dish in a cool environment due to the sea breeze. Nice view of the marine.

We had rizoto with cuttlefish ink ? shrimps ? and mussels, savory cheesecake with dried ? and tomatoe ? marmalade, grilled fresh squid ?, grilled octopus ? with celery root puree and vlita greens accompanied with tsipouro Apostolaki (without anise of course).

Really friendly and kind personnel at this family tavern. At the end they treated us with their own production rose liquer.

They even had a small playing table and drawings for the young kids and many baby high chairs.

I understood that this one refers to kalofagades-gourmet Greeks and foreigners who want to eat tasty seafood like Greeks.

 

• Paradisos-Paradise tavern at Fousa (13th of June 2021)

Maybe THE BEST ewe ribs I’ve ever eat (after my dad’s of course. Xixiiii). Thanks to that my trip to Poros island was definitely worth it. 

I believe that this was the absolute ?% Greek experience.

Along with tiropitari (a dough with cheese ?), fresh baked “rustic” bread ? with yeast and Greek salad ? was the best meal ever.

Delicious! Tasteful! Simply Unique!

Vangelis cut the amount of ribs that we want at that moment. Nice quiet environment under the vine leafy surrounding.

At the end, they treated us with their own production liqueur.

PS: There are no menus here. Vangelis will let you know what they have fresh (rooster with wine and freshly done xilopites, rabbit stew or many ribs).

 

• Platanos taverna (14th of June 2021)

 Quick service and nice-ish food.

I gave them 4* just because the piglet and the kontosouvli pork were under-seasoning. Flavorless. They both needed more spices (salt, ?,  oregano or whatever, etc., etc.).                                                                                                                               

 

 

Activities 4/4

Continuing our trip to Poros island to activities, you have to decide what type of explorer you are. You want intensity through snorkeling, canoeing, riding a horse and hiking at the earthy trails? Or you want to explore relaxation by snoring at a sunbed and meeting harmony through a massage therapy, that will help you to release the stress of your work?

 

Poros has many more to offer than only few water sports. You can have many outdoor activities, but also to see the archaeological museum or the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi. Moreover, you can see the citronne gallery and the clock tower or to pick up lemons with your hands with the locals at the lemon forest.

 

Weeeeell, I was needed of a relaxation time. Consequently, as you can understand, I chose the 2^nd type of ‘exploring’. Har, har, har…… I need to relax in order to kick out all the negative-stressful work thoughts. To clarify, I choose to lay down in sunbeds and take a massage therapeutic technique at a massage table of Sirene blue hotel.

I chose my type of relaxation

It was definitely an extraordinary experience. We didn’t stay at the hotel, because we booked our room really early after the quarantine and Sirene Blue wasn’t open yet at Booking platform. But, we decided to take a massage therapy and lay down at the sunbeds as soon as it opened.

 

I believe that it was one of the best massages I’ve ever had. I took the aromatherapy for relaxation. Totally worth it. Sophia at the SBspa is THE BEST. She was so-so-so professional, capable and actually-genuinely polite. I totally reached the harmony that they promised on their leaflet. PS: My husband choose the SB king which is a combination of Swedish and Thai massage-reflexology and scalp massage. OMG, they have so many, like after sun or hammam or olive-raki. I can not wait to go again in Poros island and try another one. I am guilty` it is a holiday pleasure of mine. So, xmm, maybe an herbal massage will be next.

 

Bonus

She (Sophia) took all the necessary measures against covid-19, in order to keep everyone safe.

 

Overall my trip to Poros iland was relaxed and at ease. Buuut, ….. I need to come back again to see the Monastery, the Temple of Poseidon and the museum, so I will keep up.

Until my next trip, I am waiting for you in Athens to explore it your way. Or in my way. Read my articles to discover the hidden gems of our city.

 

Fact: Since in Poros there is a naval academy, please do read my No9 of DON’Ts.

 

Travel tip: useful telephones

a) Archaeological museum’s tel: +30 22980 23276

b) Municipal Health center’s tel: +30 22980 22600

c) Police’s tel: +30 22980 22462, +30 22980 22256

d) Port police’s tel: +22980 22274

e) Taxi’s tel: +30 22980 23003                                                                                                                                                                        

 

PS: You can see more pictures for each day or activity from my trip to Poros to the instagram page or to my local guide’s profile at google maps. If you liked the article or the photos, if it is useful for you and your next trip, please follow me on Instagram. Thank you in advance.