No matter which ship you choose to travel to Poros (the longer it takes the cheaper the fare), your short trip through the Saronic Gulf is a pleasure for the eye to see.
A Virtual Tour of Poros: An Essay
passageway." Aside from the topographical orientation of its name, it is said that Poros owes its name to a similar location that existed near Constantinople --now Istanbul-- the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
Your journey to Poros begins at Peiraias, the port city of Athens. After you go through the havoc that is characteristic of the port in the summertime,
| your
troubles are over.
Poros is connected to Peiraias by a ferry
line, which takes
about two to three hours, with a "Flying Dolphin," (hydrofoil) taking only
fifty-five minutes, and with many other medium-size boats taking
usually about an hour and a half.
No matter which ship you choose to travel to Poros (the longer it takes the cheaper the fare), your short trip through the Saronic Gulf is a pleasure for the eye to see. |
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The Saronic Gulf --a microcosm of the Aegean-- is sprinkled with islands, islets, and rocks, adding a unique color to the southern entrance to Athens. As you leave, Peiraias, your first stop is the island of Aegina. A small church, located at the edge of the promenade, welcomes the visitor to the "whiteness" of the Greek Islands. After a short stop for passengers to disembark, you'll pass through a small chain of rocks called "Petrokaravo" or "Rockboat" in English, because the rock chain resembles a small boat. Soon after that, on your right, you'll see (westward) the island of "Agkistri," meaning "Hook" in plain English.
After Agkistri, and again on your right, you will arrive at or pass "Methana," depending on whether your ship makes a stop. Despite its appearance --a protruberance of the Peloponnese deep into the Saronic Gulf-- Methana is not an island. This mostly mountainous peninsula is a tourist attraction for its "therapeutic hot baths."
After you reach Methana, Poros is only a few kilometers away. As a matter of fact, from the promenade of Methana you can see the back, northern side of Poros. There are two entrances by boat to Poros, one from the East and one from the West.
Regardless of which route you take, both entrances are magnificent. Coming in from the Northwest, you pass a narrow channel where you will
| have Poros on your left side at a distance that is almost touchable. At this time you will not be able to see the TownCenter but as you make a sharp left into the main channel that divides the Peloponnese and Poros, the town center and the famous ClockTower will become visible. | 
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On your left, as soon as you have made the turn, you will see a small bay called "the Russian Naval Base." This is a 19th century naval base, located on a naturally protected bay, that presently serves as one of the less frequented beaches of Poros (since it's the farthest from the residential areas). However, the natural bay where the "base" is located, with its serene waters and with the Peloponnese on the opposite side of the channel as its landscape, makes it an attractive point of anchorage for many yachts that visit Poros.
| Having turned into the main channel, the Peloponnese will be on your right. A steep mountain range (Aderes) extends almost up to the tip of the shore, adding an imposing presence to Poros and creating a myriad of spectacular views from the promenade, especially during sunset. | 
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As soon as you pass the Russian Naval Base, you will see a picture perfect islet, with a small church on it, called "Daskaleio." Sandwiched between Poros and the Peloponnese this little islet is about 50 meters away from Poros and it's only a little bigger than the small Aegean-white church that is built on it. Ironically, during the Turkish occupation of Greece, "Daskaleio" served as an execution place. Presently, however, it serves as a heaven for the romantics who choose "Daskaleio" as a place to wed. You can visit "Daskaleio" by a small boat, canoe, and of course by swimming.
Continuing slowly into the channel, as most ships do when they enter the passageway, you will have a difficult time absorbing the natural beauty that unfolds in front of your eyes. The private, picturesque bays, the sandy beaches of "Neorion Beach," the well- known "Love Bay," and trees that hug the shoreline are breathtaking and facilitate in creating one of the first bonds between the island and its visitor.
As you approach Poros, the ClockTower that stands tall at the center of Poros with its dignified but towering presence welcomes the visitor to Poseidon's island. The town center, built at a southeast and southwest angle, is bathed during the day by direct sunlight, making the little cafes on the promenade one of the first attractions that lure the visitor as soon as he or she arrives at Poros.
| At this point an important distinction is important. Poros, as one can see from the map, is made up of almost two separate islands that are connected by a small bridge. The town center of Poros is built on the smaller of the two islands, called "Sfairia." The other island is called "Kalavria" and both are known as Poros. | 
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The natural "reaction," once you reach Poros ("Sfairia"), might be to wander in the narrow streets and steps that find their way up the ClockTower. And that will be a pleasurable reaction. Going up the little streets will bring you closer to what Poros is all about, to its hospitable people that will invite you onto their verandas for a dessert and to the little tavernas and stores that are...
