Editor on vacation: Poros island (Greece) in May

Poros Island

Don't mix up with Paros, these are two different islands! Poros is not far from Athens, and belongs to Saronic islands.

The Poros island itself is very small. The most popular transport here is motorbike, because there are many places where you can't get by car. But the island is very green - hills are covered with pine trees. There are not much historical places (but they are easy to rich if you rent a car in Galatas and go to Napflio, for example). If you love nature, tranquility and clean water Poros island is definitely for you. And if you search an island close to Athens, that could be a really good choice.

Poros Town

View from Poros town to Galatas

It's a tiny and pleasant town on the hill with nice architecture, all the same style and very Greek. It's great for evening walk at waterfront, watching yachts, having a meal in taverna. Somewhere there should be a fish market, but we haven't found it. You can go up to Clock tower (built in 1927) to enjoy a view (it is the highest point in the town) and feel lost in narrow streets. There is also Archeological museum we haven't been to and the church Agios Georgios with frescoes by Konstantinos Parthenis.

But what you don't have in the town is beach. That's why we decided to stay in another place - Askeli. Actually there are 3 places, let's say towns, at Poros island, all of them are very close and all the hotels are situated here: Poros (main town, where the port is), Askeli and Neorio. So as I said before, no beach in Poros, but all night life and tavernas are here. In Askeli there is Askeli beach and also you can get to Monastiri, which is in the end of the island and you can ride or walk there. Staying in Neorio there are several different beaches you can walk to - they include Love bay, Russian bay etc. Neorio is also not as hilly as Askeli is. More detailed description of Poros beaches you could read in my blog post here.

church of Agios Georgios housing the superb frescoes painted by the famous Greek painter Constantine Parthenis and the superb Villa Galini, Source: www.greeka.com

church of Agios Georgios housing the superb frescoes painted by the famous Greek painter Constantine Parthenis Source: www.greeka.com

Our hotel, Panorama Apartments, was in Askeli, where we walked from the port (You can take taxi either). But actually it wasn't a long walk. The hotel has long stairs to climb, and that was the price for the beautiful view from the room on Saronic gulf. Actually, the hotel is built in such way that all rooms have sea view. The hotel itself was great. Big terrace, where you can enjoy you meals or evening drinks, watch the sea, and smell pine-trees in the morning. We also had a small kitchenette which allowed us to decide whether we want to go to restaurant or to stay "home" and cook. It's actually felt like home in some time.

Near the hotel (around 2 min walk) there is a very good sandy beach, called Askeli beach. There are also tavernas and bars. Some of them were only preparing for the season (it was the beginning of May) but many already open, waiting for clients. It was easy to feel that the season is only about to begin - tavernas owners are inviting guests to the restaurants and any time you come to see the menu in a moment somebody from the restaurant appears near you advertising all good food they have. At some point we stopped to check menus and started to check trip advisor:) There are also 2 supermarkets not far away.

Villa Gallini

We walked everywhere in Poros, but most people used motorbikes for traveling the island. As I spend my whole working days sitting (even sometimes I watch and edit beautiful places on my monitor) I was really happy to walk. Walk, walk and again walk. As a film editor you need it and you miss it much.

Visiting Greece in May

Before going to Greece in May (from 6 till 15) I was constantly thinking - isn't too early? Will the water be warm? What about the weather?

It turned out to be that May in Greece is beautiful. It is some mix of summer and spring. You get warm and sunny weather with few clouds (it also changes from island to island, or group of islands). The region of Athens and all islands close to it are really warm and sunny. It was between 21C - 29C, but under the sun was significantly warmer. We had to put some long sleeves in evening, but during the day it was usual summer clothes.

The water was 18 degrees which means you have to have some courage to enter and then at first moments to swim fast to warm up, but then you get used and feel comfortable. The water temperature going up all the time at this period, so in the end of May it was much warmer (around 20 C)

The good place to check weather and water temperature is windyty
here you can also observe which coasts have warmer water while choosing the place to go, especially out of season. Early May is surely out of season time. At the beaches not all tavernas work, you can observe preparation, refreshing, white painting here and there, umbrellas and sun beds are not on every beach... and what is the best about it - is the number of people. You consider the beach crowded if you see 3 or 4 couples. Sometimes it is even possible to find yourself alone at the beach (except taverna owner who is preparing for the coming season). It is so calm and peaceful everywhere.
The one more advantage which is also relevant for June, is that days are long. Sunrise is early in the morning, sun goes down something around 20.30. So you have long and day to enjoy sun!

The nature is beautiful in Greece this time of the year. Everything is fresh green, blossoming, smelling beautiful. Walking you discover a lot beautiful smells and colors everywhere. Lemon trees are full of lemons. As for me, May is the most beautiful time of the year - you will not get this in autumn or summer, even the water will be warmer.

Food
The food is tasty, just great, especially the Greek cuisine is full of eggplants I love and there are also Dolmados - wine leaves stuffed with rice. But it's my special taste. Other things include fresh fish - swordfish, dorada, also some sea food (be aware, seafood and fish could be a frozen option, some menus indicate this). Our first experience wasn't so good, as we were feeling a bit fooled in taverna I don't remember the name. We took some "meal for 2" with a lot of components in it and finally after one plate of grilled vegetables we were waiting for other parts. And they definitely weren't coming. At some point we were hesitating - maybe these vegetables was all? And the strange names on the menu was all these vegetables? But the was Greek salad in the menu, and there were no Greek salad for sure. Then it turned out they brought the wrong "meal for 2", the cheaper one. But in this meal were parts we also haven't get. If we were experts in Greek cuisine it would be easier, but it was our first time and we were confused. We were also confused when we paid. And no more return to this restaurant again. Then we checked Taverna Poseidon, that Trip Advisor said was the #2 to visit in Poros. And my advice - read trip advisor, it works. We had few dinners in Poseidon, and we very happy. The quality of food was very good, especially fresh fish, and the stuff was really nice and responsive. They also were used (we weren't asking) to explain after the order placed what we are going to get and in what order. (and that what would be so useful in previous restaurant!) And after we get the bill, they were explaining all positions in the bill (still, we were not asking for this). Wow. After our first experience that was great.

There was also a new thing for me. In the beginning in every restaurant they bring you bread (sometimes fried, with olive oil and oregano). It's not in your order, but it's always in your bill. It costs 80 cent per person. And if you see ψωμί in your bill it is it. It calls "cover fee" and you can do nothing about it - whether you eat it or not, you still pay.

Attractions
Sea and sea views remain main attractions here. There is Poseidon Temple. Actually there is no temple. Just some stones some long time ago meant to be Temple. But again the place with stones has nice view. If you want to see something special, go by ferry to Galata, rent a car there (there is a car rental just in the front of port and near bus cash desk) and go to Nafplio, then to Theatre, to the lemon forest.. There could be nice one day trip we regretted we haven't made.

In general, Poros island is a great place if you want calm non-touristic place to have a rest, to relax and enjoy the sun. Everything you can reach by foot, it is very green and has enough beaches not to seat at the one whole time. It is good for 4-5 days in the relaxed pace, and if you want to do everything fast you can reserve 3 days for it.