Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Monastiríou
The eighteenth-century
monastery of Zoödhóhou Piyís
(daily sunrise-1.30pm &
4.30pm-sunset), next to the island's only spring, is the terminus of Póros's eastward bus.
Steps from the bus stop lead down to the pleasant sandy beach of
Monastiríou
, overlooked
by pine-covered slopes. Perhaps the island's best beach, it is, surprisingly, usually one of the
least crowded - though hardly empty as the two tavernas here will testify.
5
Temple of Poseidon
Daily 8am-2.30pm • Free •
W
kalaureia.org
The remains of the
Temple of Poseidon
overlook the island's northern and western
coasts, with great views towards Égina. The temple lay at the heart of ancient Kalaureia,
whose heyday was in the fourth century BC, and it's an extensive site. Despite plenty of
new signage and an ongoing Swedish excavation there's not a great deal to see above
ground level, however - many of the stones were carted of to be used as building
materials in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries (much of it ended up on Ýdhra),
and some of the more interesting sections are roped of while they are excavated. It was
here that Demosthenes, fleeing from the Macedonians after encouraging the Athenians
to resist their rule, took poison rather than surrender.
Vayioniá
Vayioniá
, just about the only accessible beach on the island's north shore, was the port
of ancient Kalaureia. The bay is beautiful when viewed from above; close up the pebbly
beach is narrow and can be windy, but it's still a very pleasant spot, with a seasonal
beach bar/café, and loungers to rent.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
KALÁVRIA
MEGÁLO NEÓRIO
Ì
Pavlou
T
22980
22734,
W
pavlouhotel.gr.
Family-
run hotel with pool, tennis court and restaurant, right on
one of the island's best beaches (where they also have a
great restaurant). The decor is plain but comfortable, with
big balco
nies,
half of which have great sea views. Breakfast
included.
€50
MONASTIRÍOU
Sirene
T
22980 22741,
W
sireneblueresort.gr.
Large,
modern hotel with pool and tennis courts, spectacularly
sited on a steep slope above the sea, with a small private
beach below. The stunning location ensures fabulous views
from the balconies, thoug
h the
refurbished rooms are
small. Good off-peak deals.
€140
MIKRÓ NEÓRIO
Aspros Gatos
Water front
T
22980
25650.
Friendly
taverna serving good seafood on a waterfront terrace with
views back over Póros Town; try the rice pilaf with mussels
and pine nuts, for example. Only about twenty minutes
walk from town, or they offer free water-taxi service for
groups of five or more.
Daily lunch & dinner.
VAYIONIÁ
Paradisos
T
22980 23419.
Well signed on the main road
just east of the turning down to Vayioniá, this rural taverna
serves plenty of local produce, including rabbit stifado or
spit-roasted pork, plus charcoal-grilled squid or lamb,
washed down with local retsina and home-made bread.
Daily noon-midnight.
Ýdhra
The island of
ÝDHRA
(Hydra)
is one of the most atmospheric destinations in Greece. Its
harbour and main town preserved as a national monument, it feels like a Greek island
should, entirely traffic-free (even bicycles are banned) with a bustling harbour and
narrow stone streets climbing steeply above it. Away from the main settlement the rest
of the island is roadless, rugged and barely inhabited. The charm hasn't gone unnoticed
- Ýdhra became fashionable as early as the 1950s, and in the Sixties characters ranging
from Greek painter Nikos Hatzikyriakos-Ghikas to Canadian songster Leonard Cohen
bought and restored grand old houses here. There's still a sizeable expat community,
which contributes to a relatively sophisticated atmosphere, and also noticeably high
