Poros is a charming little island offering an easy and memorable day trip from Athens. It is in my opinion an underrated gem as Poros offers a bit of everything: a colorful harbor town, historic sites, pine-covered hills, and inviting beaches. In just one day on a Poros day trip from Athens you can tick off almost all of the things to do in Poros from wandering the local iconic Greek streets and exploring beaches along the island’s coast. This guide will walk you through how to get to Poros and how to make the most of your one day on this island.
How to Get to Poros from Athens
Poros lies about 60 km (37 miles) southwest of Athens, and you have a few different options to reach it. The most convenient is from Piraeus but maybe not the cheapest. I would still recommend to catch a ferry to Poros if you are coming for only one day but here are all the ways to get to Poros.
By Ferry from Piraeus:
The most popular way is to take a ferry from Piraeus (Athens’ main port). There are high-speed catamarans which reach Poros in about 1 hour, while regular car ferries take around 2 to 2.5 hours. One-way tickets start at roughly €17 for the fast ferry (economy class) and can go up to around €30 for higher classes. You can check tickets on FerryScanner. Ferries run multiple times a day (with more frequency in summer), so you can choose an early morning departure to maximize your time on the island.
By Car (or Bus) via Galatas:
Poros is unique in that you can almost reach it by car. The island sits just off the Peloponnese, separated by a 300-meter channel. Driving from Athens to the small port of Galatas on the mainland takes about 2.5 hours (around 160 km). From Galatas, car ferries shuttle across to Poros in 5 minutes. The crossing costs only about €1 per person on the little passenger boats (which run continuously) or around €4 if you bring a car on the ferry.
If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can also take a KTEL intercity bus from Athens to Galatas (approx 2h40m ride) for a budget-friendly fare, then hop on the 5-minute ferry shuttle. Buses leave from Athens’ Kifissos station and you can buy a ticket online on the KTEL Argolida site or at the station, and the bus will drop you right at Galatas where you catch the ferry across. This route is a bit longer than the ferry from Piraeus, but at least it’s scenic as you’ll drive along the coast.
By Organized Day Cruise
If you prefer a tour package, there are one-day cruises that include Poros as part of an island-hopping itinerary. For example, a popular full-day cruise from Athens will take you to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina with lunch included. You get a short stop (usually around 1 hour) in Poros, just enough to stroll the town and enjoy the harbor views. It’s a fun, hassle-free option if you want to see multiple islands in one day but the downside is that you’ll have limited time on each.
Getting Around Poros
Once on Poros, you’ll find that the old town is compact and you won’t have a choice but to explore on foot. No cars are allowed in the narrow town streets, which adds to the old-world charm. To reach sites further out (like the monastery or some beaches), you can use the local bus or taxis, or even rent a scooter/ATV for the day if you’re comfortable. Personally I walked everywhere and then made use of a water taxi on the way back. However I didn’t head inland and stayed along the coast.
In summer, a little municipal bus shuttles around the island’s key points (tickets are about €1)and small water-taxis from the port can ferry you to beach spots along the coast. Make sure to take note of the timetable as sometimes they skip an hour and I almost missed my ferry back because of this.
Now let’s focus our attention on how you spend your day on this underrated island of Poros!
Best Things to Do in Poros
Despite not being the biggest island, Poros is filled with charm and varies between old town, history and coastal inlet beaches. Here are the island’s highlights that you should consider visiting.
Wander the Poros Harbor and Old Town:
Once I arrived I immediately wanted to get a sense of the island’s old town and started wandering aimlessly searching for the classic white pastel houses you see on a typical greek island. The town is right next to the ferry’s drop off point. Skip the waterfront and visit after the old town, so you can get away from the crowds. The houses did not disappoint and soon enough Poros’s main attraction caught my eye and I started making my way through the old town’s street towards…
Climb to Poros Clock Tower
Poros’s Clock tower has to be on every list of things to do in Poros. It is about a 10-15 minute uphill walk from the waterfront and in my case a bit longer because I zigzaged my way through alleyways. However it is well worth the climb as I got rewarded with a breathtaking view looking over the harbor and the rooftops. I didn’t experience any sunsets here but I bet it is the must go to spot to experience a sunset on Poros. After taking in the views and snapping photos with the blue-and-white clock tower, you can wander back down via a different route through the backstreets, discovering little chapels and colorful doors along the way.
Get Lost in the Backstreets
While the harbor is lively, stepping into the narrow backstreets of Poros Town will transport you to another era. Take any uphill stairway from the seafront and just explore the labyrinth of alleyways at your own pace. You’ll find hidden gems like tiny churches, old stone houses with flower-filled patios, and maybe a friendly cat or two sunning on a windowsill. Don’t worry about getting lost; all paths eventually slope back down toward the sea. Along the way, you might stumble on lovely viewpoints or an old windmill at the edge of town. This aimless wandering is one of the joys of Poros.
Visit the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi
If you want to venture out or even tick off one of the hikes listed down below, you can visit the monastery of Zoodochos Pigi. This is a great option that ticks off a hike and a visit to nearby beach but I opted for a different one. I go into more details later.
You can visit this monastery by taxi though it is not necessarily a hike only option. It is well worth a visit for the views alone as you can look out over the treetops towards the sea and the Lemon Forest across the see on the mainland. Note that when visiting Greek monasteries, modest dress is required – they may provide wrap skirts/shawls at the entrance if needed). After touring the monastery, you can take a little footpath down the hill (about 15 minutes) to Monastiri Beach, a small pebble beach right below the monastery, for a quick dip or picnic in a uniquely peaceful spot
See the Ancient Temple of Poseidon
Believe it or not, this tiny island was once home to a significant ancient sanctuary. On a hilltop in the north of Poros lie the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon, dating back to around 520 BC. Today, not much remains standing so you will be disappointed if you are expected some great structural ruins like you can see in Athens. You’ll only see the foundation outline and some scattered stones.
Getting to the temple ruins requires a bit of planning: it’s about 8 km from Poros Town, so you’d need to drive, catch a taxi, or be very keen on a long hike (the trek is roughly 2 hours each way from town through forested terrain. On a day trip, I found it tough to fit in unless you have a rental vehicle so instead I opted to…
Take a Coastal Walk or Hike
It was the beginning of September when I visited and this holiday I made it a point to fit in some relaxation time because my hectic planning doesn’t often leave time for that! I opted to combine one of my favourite things to do when abroad, a good old fashioned hike and taking a dip in the sea so I went on a walk along the coast. Beyond the town, Poros’s natural beauty invites exploration. In the section below you will find a list of hikes you can do on the island of Poros
Go for a Swim
I would definitely make it a point that going for a quick dip or staying longer on one of the many beaches will be one of the must things to do in Poros. Try squeezing in at least a quick dip as the sea is crystal clear and that is coming from someone who lives on a Mediterranean island himself (Malta). Either a medium hike or a taxi will get you to one of the many scattered beaches that Poros have. I did a coastal walk and ended up at Russian Bay, I will list all the swimming spots I passed along the way in the best beaches in Poros later on in this guide.
Hiking in Poros: Short Trails and Scenic Walks
While Poros doesn’t have loads of towering mountains, it offers several enjoyable hikes and nature walks. It is a bit difficult to explore these on a day trip so here are some short routes rather than all-day treks.
Clock Tower to Prophet Ilias Loop
This is an easy walk that starts right in Poros Town. After you come down from the Clock Tower, you can extend your stroll by heading toward the southern end of the town (the Sferia islet). There’s a looping path that takes you past the little Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) Church on a hill and an old windmill, eventually circling back to the town center.
It’s not an official “trail” per se, but wandering these outskirts gives you lovely views of the coastline from different angles. The route is mostly along quiet roads and footpaths, with the sea on one side and pine-dotted slopes on the other. It’s suitable for anyone and is only a casual 30-minute walk will yield great photo ops.
Coastal Hike to Dana Lighthouse
This is the hike I actually did on my day trip here. I combined this with picking out a beach and spent some time relaxing there. But more on the beaches later. Reaching the Dana Lighthouse on foot is doable in a few hours round-trip. I just followed the road west out of town and then kept hugging the coast, no maps needed. The lighthouse itself is a picturesque stone tower overlooking the open sea. Many visitors rave about the sunset views from here.
Monastery Forest Walk:
Another option is to hike from Poros Town toward the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery instead of driving. The route is roughly 4 km one-way on a gently winding asphalt road, but you can often find footpath shortcuts through the pine forest. It’s uphill, but not too steep. This walk takes around an hour. Once at the monastery (after you’ve visited inside), you can reward yourself with a refreshing swim at Monastiri Beach below, as mentioned above. If you’re too tired to walk back, there’s a local bus from the monastery area back to town in the summer, or you might be able to flag a taxi.
Best Beaches in Poros
Even on a day trip, you might have time to relax on one of Poros’s inviting beaches. I made it a point to relax on this trip I made to Greece so I wanted to find a nice beach with a relaxing sunbed which does not cost a fortune. Luckily after some walking (or you can get a taxi) I found myself at Russian Bay and it was the perfect spot. Let me take you all the beaches I passed by and are all reachable from the port of Poros
Askéli Beach (Nearest)
This is the most popular beach on Poros, about 2 km east of the main town (roughly a 5-minute taxi or 20-minute walk). Askéli is a long stretch of sand mixed with small pebbles, lined with beach bars and tavernas. I didn’t go to this beach as it was in the opposite direction of my planned coastal stroll. However it is a great choice if you want facilities and the nearest beach to the port which offers sunbeds and even water sports.
Love Bay (Limanaki Agapis):
This is the most popular beach in all of Poros. Every blog writes about a visit to Love Bay. Frankly I did not see the hype surrounding it, I walked up to it entered and saw a small little cove filled with people. I asked for price of a deckchair and an umbrella and got quoted €30. It was too much for me and I kept on walking to my recommended spot. However if you don’t want to walk that far there is another small beach before Love bay where the price for umbrella and deckchair were half price.
Some of the positives around Love Bay is that it is quite cosy in the sense it is a small bay framed by pine trees. The water is very calm and clear but that is pretty much everywhere along this stretch of coast. Unless you’re a honeymooner or planning a romantic getaway I would not recommend to go to Love Bay as your choice of beach.
Russian Bay (My Recommendation):
I continued walking past Love Bay (another 5 minutes further west) and I found Russian Bay. I was praying that this will offer cheaper rates for a deckchair and an umbrella and it did not disappoint. These cost me just €12. There was even a small cabin like changing room for me to change into my swim shorts. It is often hailed as one of Poros’s best beaches but this time I actually see the hype.
This picturesque bay features golden sand and blue-green waters, with the added intrigue of historical ruins on the shore. The name comes from the remains of an old Russian naval station – roofless stone warehouses from the 19th century stand by the water, giving the beach a unique backdrop and a bit of shade. Russian Bay is organized with a beach bar and some loungers, yet it’s not overly developed. If you are up for a bit of a walk then I definitely recommend coming here.
Monastiri Beach
As mentioned earlier, this small beach sits just below the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery on the east side of the island. Monastiri Beach has pebbles and clear calm water, with a backdrop of pine trees and the monastery’s stone walls above. There are no sunbed rentals, so it tends to be quiet. It feels almost like a private cove for those who venture here.
If you visit the monastery, walking down for a quick swim is a great idea to cool off. There’s occasionally a cantina or food truck in summer, but not always, so bring water/snacks if you plan to lounge for a while. The atmosphere is wonderfully tranquil – just you, the gentle waves, and maybe a few other people who made the trek.
Vagionia Beach:
This one is for the truly adventurous who don’t mind going off the beaten path. Vagionia is located on the northern tip of Poros. It’s a remote pebbled bay with crystal clear water and rich marine life – in fact, there are ancient ruins submerged just offshore (ruins of an old settlement, now home to fish).
It’s probably too ambitious for a tight day trip schedule unless you’re on a private boat or really prioritizing a quiet beach. But it’s good to know about if you ever come back for a longer stay. For day-trippers, sticking to the nearer beaches like Askéli or going to Russian Bay is more practical.
Final Tips for a Poros Day Trip
That sums all the things to do in Poros, and I hope that you will have a fantastic day trip here. To make the most out of your day trip make sure to get the first ferries out of Athens in the morning and last one back. Most of the activities mentioned here are free and you can also hang around the beaches without renting out an umbrella, just make sure you wear sun protection.
If you are looking for more islands to visit while visiting Athens, then look no further than Hydra: An Island with no cars! I really enjoyed my time on Hydra and you can read about it in my other post but I would definitely recommend visiting in addition to Poros. Check out my 3 day Athens Itinerary as well for more ideas on your Greek holiday! Thanks for reading and send over any questions that you might have!
