Poros

Where: 50 km (31 nautical miles) southwest of Piraeus

Why: One of the closest of the Greek islands to Athens it offers a quick tranquil escape. It is overgrown with pine trees, lemon groves, olive trees and houses of neoclassical architecture. Close to the Peloponnese, Poros is an ideal base for visiting Epidavros, ancient Troezen (modern Trizina), Nafplion, Mycenae, and Tiryns.

How to get there: By high-speed hydrofoil from Piraeus. Connections are available from neighboring islands Hydra, Aegina, Agistri and Spetses.

For information: Port of Piraeus +302104147800

Approximate travel time from Athens: 1 hour by hydrofoil

Don't miss: Zoodochos Pigi Monastery; Archaeological Museum of Poros; Lemonodassos (the lemon forest); Poseidon's Temple

Beaches: Monastiri, Askeli, Canali, Perlia, Neorio, Alyki

Must try: Poros Lemonade

Did you know? Prominent literati including Giorgos Seferis, Kosmas Politis, Kostis Palamas, Ioulia Dragoumi and Henry Miller have praised the beauty of Poros.

Tip: Visit in the spring when the lemon trees are in bloom.

For more information: http://www.poros.com.gr