Swimming in Poros

Poros beaches aren't spectacularly good, but we did have some nice swims.

For our first day we went to Kanali.

 

It's next to the canal that separates the two islands that make up the island of Poros.

 

 



 

Some nice views as we were lying on our loungers, but the water was not that clean. We were told that that's the case there, given its proximity to the canal, and that the best times to swim are very early in the morning or early evening.

 

The best swim we had was on our second day, when we went to the Russian Bay. It was spectacular due to the backdrop ruin of a 19th century Russian naval base.

 

 



When Greece was occupied by the Ottoman Empire Russia secured free shipping for its navy and this bay was one of their bases. When Russian activity declined so did the base and the abandoned buildings were left to decay.

 



A wonderful backdrop for a day spent swimming.

 

We had a really good look around before getting down to the serious business of the day.

 

 



 

 

We had a few excellent, long swims

 

 



 

 

the beach was not crowded at all

 

 

 

 



the water was clear and the views were excellent

 

 

 
which included this sweet little island in the middle of the bay, Daskalio,

 

 

On our way back to the hotel we stopped on top of the hill to admire the views

 

 



 

and we could get a better view of the small island and the little church that's in the middle of it

 

A bit further along we came across The White Cat, a taverna jutting out to the sea so we stopped there for a late, very delicious lunch

 

 



 

 

 
Our position afforded great views of the back of Poros town

so picturesque

 

 

and the gorgeous building of the Hellenic Naval Base.

 

looking closer

We fed the fish and then headed for our hotel for a well-deserved siesta.

Monastiri was the third beach we visited. No sand here, but we thoroughly enjoyed swimming to a hotel beach three bays further along - our longest swim so far this summer and swimming back was hard and tiring work but very rewarding

 

 

 

 



Surrounded by pines and olive trees, the Monastery is perched on the hill above the beach 

the paragliding in the photograph provided us with some amusement for a while

 

 

 

The taverna where we stopped for lunch was mediocre to say the least, but this little church was next to it

very cute

 

we had the chance to see the paragliding again, much closer this time

 



 

and by then it was quite late, the sun was very strong and the silver light on the water was enchanting

 

 

 

as we were leaving we had a closer look at the little church

noted the bell on the eucalyptus tree

and popped inside for a quick look.

Poros

 

We had a short five-day break in Poros last week. Last time I visited the island I was ten and all I remembered was how green and lush it is. The town is pretty but in a quiet way, without the drama and flamboyance of some of the other Greek islands. 

 

 

 

The island of Poros is separated from the Peloponnese by a 200m wide sea channel, with the town of Galatas on the mainland across the strait.  The small boats that continually journey to and fro get across in five minutes.

 

Poros consists of two islands: Sphairia, the southern part, which is of volcanic origin and where today's town is located, and Kalaureia, the northern and largest part. A bridge connects the two islands over an extremely narrow strait.

 

We stayed in the main town, Poros, and this is what this post is about.

 

 

 



This is a view of Poros town from the ferry that took us across when we were leaving.

 

It looks very picturesque, the view dominated by the clock tower on top of the hill which is the trademark of the town

 



 

 

 

 

white houses, red tiled roofs, lots of boats

 

a closer view of the clock tower. A tourist boat had just arrived and they all trekked up to the hill to admire the views

 

 

 

 



 

 

in the distance, it seems as if the island and the mainland merge

 



 

 

Dusk was a good time, with excellent sunsets

 

 

and the light from the setting sun gave everything a golden glow.

 

 

 

August is always a very busy time and all the tavernas, bars and cafes were packed at night






with predominantly Greek holidaymakers.

 

 

The islanders seem to have a 'thing' with 'brothers'. This is our hotel that is called Seven Brothers

 

a boat called Two Brothers

 



 

 

 

a fast food place, called ... what else, Brothers. There were more, but I stopped photographing them.

 

 

 



Lots of boats all along the seafront. We noticed that none of them moved, so we asked, and found out that they are homes which are rented out all year round.

For our pre-dinner ouzos we sat here, and watched the life on the boats, which included the public taking of showers.

We had breakfast at the same place, but in the square, rather than the waterfront, as it was cooler

but we still had the same view, even if from a slight distance.

 

The sea front was very busy, while the rest of the town was relatively quiet

 

 



 

 

the fish market

 



 

 

the gallery, which bizarrely, had an exhibition of an artist who had made copies of Edouard Manet paintings

 

 

 

 



the entrance to the Archaeological Museum with antiquities spilling out onto the pavement.

 

Nautis, the Sailor, the tavern we favoured quite a few times as the tables were right by the sea

 

 

 

 



 

this was our view.

The town is built on two hills, so lots of steps to climb

 

 

 

 

a tiny church

with hardly any room to move in

 

 

Poros does not have the charm of other Greek islands but it is full of neo-classical buildings

most of which are in good condition

having been sympathetically restored

 

 

 

 

Athens used to look like this before the developers moved in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

golden glow from the setting sun

 



 

We loved walking to the edge of the town

where things got quieter, the boats smaller,

 

and life became peaceful and calm

 



 

and the views changed depending on what time of day it was.

Pretty reflections of the lights from the mainland at night

a dream-like atmosphere,

in contrast to the busy life of the town on the waterfront.