Yiannis Dimitriadis’ family settled in Poros in the middle of the last century and he got to spend all his childhood summers on the island.
“Growing up, I decided to settle here permanently with my family and at the same time I started to deal with environmental issues and inevitably with local government. So, from 2010 onwards I ran for office in all municipal elections, while in the period 2014-2023 I served as Mayor. Today I am the leader of the opposition.” he says.
What is the ideal time to visit Poros?
Certainly, the classic choice is summer, so that you can enjoy the sea and the beaches. However, for those interested in seeing the island without the crowds of the peak season, ideal times are May and the autumn months, during which the weather conditions are even more ideal and the majority of accommodation and catering businesses are open. Poros is also a very good choice for a short winter getaway.
How many days are ideal to be spent on the island?
Depending on what the visitor is looking for, their stay on the island can be from short to very long. The short distance from Athens and the quick and economical access make Poros an ideal destination for two or three days. But the same applies to longer family holidays or even for seasonal vacations of several months. Beyond that, what is important is that most of our visitors repeat their visits to our island and adapt the duration of their stay to their personal criteria.
Where do you recommend we eat?
One of the biggest advantages of the island is the wide variety of dining and accommodation options and the high level of their services in all price ranges. I would not like to mention by name the restaurants that in my opinion are the best on the island, but I can assure you that there are very few that would disappoint the customer, which are easy to avoid given their image and their low occupancy. On the other hand, the vast majority of restaurants in Poros operate at very high standards and among them there are some that in my opinion are top-notch at a national level.
Where do you recommend we drink?
Since there are fewer establishments in this category compared to restaurants, the selection criteria are mainly spatial and temporal. In the town of Poros there are about 10-15 all day cafe options that offer drinks in the evening, while outside the town there are a few good options, mainly in the large hotels and in 2-3 other shops. For nightlife, the bars of the island are concentrated in the port just after the center and a walk through all of them is probably the best advice for those who want to stay up late.
What is your favorite beach and why?
Personally, I prefer the eastern beaches of the island and the northeast tip of the Peloponnese, which are only accessible by sea and are therefore less crowded. In recent years, several small boat and day boat rental businesses have been operating on the island, with which anyone can access these beaches even if they do not have their own boat. Otherwise, in Neorio, Askeli, Monastiri, Kanali and Aliki (in the Peloponnese), there are many options of organized -mainly- beaches with access from the road, which are sure to compensate the visitor, especially if he wants to combine his swimming with the services of the beach restaurants and canteens that operate near them.
Is there a secret spot on the island that the locals know about and can you reveal to us?
A walk inside the settlement is definitely a must for anyone looking for beauties behind the "window". There, at the top of the hill, he will find the Clock, an ideal spot to enjoy the sunset, beautiful spots such as the old tanks and the chapels of the settlement, as well as some cool taverns and drinking spots. Another tip is to dedicate half a day to an excursion to Diavologefyro, a gorge of unique beauty with waterfalls and natural water slides located 15 minutes west of Galatas after the village of Troizina, which can then be combined with a visit to a nearby beach in the Peloponnese for swimming and good food, such as those of Psifta or Aliki in the mainland part of the Municipality of Poros (in addition to the island of Poros, the territory of the Municipality also extends to a similar area in the northeast tip of the Peloponnese).
What can one do on the island besides eating and swimming in the sea in the summer?
The Municipality of Poros has invested in the development of alternative forms of tourism in recent years, so that there is an answer to this very question. The culmination of this effort is the promotion, organization and identification of the hiking and cycling routes of the island, which one can see on the website www.porosrails.gr and enjoy them on site on our island. Other options are visiting the points of cultural interest, such as the Temple of Poseidon and Ancient Kalavria, the Monastery, the Russian Naval Station, the Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Shell Museum and the Folklore Museum, etc. Finally, due to its location, Poros is suitable as a base for day trips to Methana, Epidaurus and Nafplio, where visitors can see cultural monuments and natural beauties of world-class importance (Mycenae, Palamidi, Epidaurus Theater, Methana Volcano, etc.).
What music should we listen to on our trip to Poros? What do you think suits the island?
Very original question, which needs more thought! I would suggest something in the Greek art style for the route, such as Delivoria, Mikroutsiko or even Mitropano, while for the stay there something more summery, such as Bob Marley, Manu Chao, Police, Stan Getz, etc. Anyone who goes out for drinks in the evening in Poros will definitely hear Greek folk and generally more mainstream repertoire.
Finally, how would you describe your own Poros?
For me, Poros is a life choice and is obviously the geographical center of my life. It is at the same time a permanent residence, a vacation spot, a sea, a forest, a natural harbor, a place of professional activity. And all this at a road distance of just 2 hours from Athens. The bet for our island is to continue to benefit from this privileged geographical location without turning into a suburb of Athens. And in this direction I have been trying to contribute with my civic engagement all these years.
Find out about the daily itineraries to Poros with Saronic Ferries here.
