PORTO HELI - Distance from Ermioni: 20 kms/20 minutes

Porto Heli is a modern coastal town and a well established resort with natural harbour for both local and international visitors.  Many people have summer homes within the area, as it offers the holiday visitor and local residents a choice of water sports, sandy beaches and nightlife.  Due to the beautiful climate with plenty of sunshine and light winds, the bay and nearby lagoon are ideal for all kinds of water activities.  It is an area of great natural beauty, especially along the coastline with its numerous sheltered coves.  Porto Heli started to develop its tourist industry during the 1980s, as it became popular with package tours, although today it is mostly the rich Athenians that visit.  Being a modern resort, it has plenty of large hotels, shops, tavernas, cafes and bars. There are daily sea crossings from Piraeus and car rental facilities are available in the town centre. 

Porto Heli is located on a beautiful natural harbour, opposite the ruins of Ancient Halieis.  Ancient Halieis, according to Strabo, was founded by refugees from ancient Tiryns, following the destruction of their city by Argos in 468 BC.  Halieis became a large settlement of farmers and fishermen, forming a part of the ancient Ermionis Kingdom, ruled from the city of Hermione.  By 300 BC the ancient city walls were destroyed and Halieis disappeared from historical record.  Ancient Halieis was 'rediscovered' by American archaeologists from 1962 to the 1980s, and artefacts from the site are on display in various museums, including Spetses and Nafplio.  Ancient remains are still visible on land (the Acropolis) and just under the sea (the communal baths) at the opposite end of the town, next to the Nike Beach Hotel.

The modern name of Porto Heli translates to 'Bay of Eels', which was the mainstay of the local fishing industry many years ago.  Today, fishermen still go about their everyday business, with farming and tourism being the other main industries.  There is a good choice of large modern hotels in Porto Heli, which are found along the coastal road leading to Kosta, from where you can catch the traditional ferry, motor boats and water-taxis across the 1.7nm stretch to the very popular Argo-Saronic island of Spetses.

In addition to having the Hellenic Seaways catamaran boats linking Porto Heli with Spetses, Ermioni, Hydra, Poros and Piraeus, there are a number of excursion boats that operate during the Summer season.  You could even visit the Medieval town and fortress of Monemvasia via Hydra and Spetses with Barbayannis - Tel: +30 693 224 3784 or with Kelly Cruise - Tel: +30 27540 51327 for more information.  Porto Heli has many resident and visiting yachts and sailing boats which moor in the large natural bay.  During the Summer months the bay becomes a wonderful mix of colour and floating shapes, with speed boats and water-ski's trying to make their way through the armada of leisure craft.  Water-skiing, windsurfing and assorted watersports are found along the resorts sandy beach coastline.

Porto Heli Scuba Club is highly recommended for scuba diving and snorkeling.  Located in the main port close to the new marina, this club has been operating since 1991 and has many happy repeat customers that continue to experience the underwater world.  Tel: +30 694 475 2971  or email: Johnalexakis@gmail.com to arrange an extremely professional service for your special adventure.

Beyond the main port, towards the peninsula end of Porto Heli, is the majestic Holy Church of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary.  On the way to the church, you will pass a large number of cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, some of them having live singers and bands performing when the owners decide to throw parties.  It is the party side area of Porto Heli, but can become expensive.

Ververonda Lagoon is located on the other side of the town centre, which also offers water sports, sandy beaches and beachfront tavernas and bars.  Ververonda got its name from the Berber pirates who found refuge in the area hundreds of years ago.  The shallow Lagoon was an inland lake until the mid-20th century when two artificial channels were constructed giving access to the open sea.  Today, the Lagoon offers round the year water-skiing with the Ververonda Lake Waterski Centre, Tel: +30 27540 51691, the first water-ski centre based in Greece, and holds an annual water-skiing competition which attracts athletes from around the world.  In addition to other watersports, the local residents like to bathe and swim in the shallow lagoon as it is believed to have healing benefits for numerous bone ailments. 

If visiting Porto Heli in the Spring, it is worth seeing the annual Ermionida regional Spring Carnival.  The Carnival parade is held on the main waterfront strip and attracts children and adults alike from the whole Ermionida region.  It's a wonderful and colourful festival, if a little chaotic, but a great time is had by all.  Children can play on the sandy beaches which have inflatable water-castles and there's a children's play area on the waterfront.  During the Summer, a visiting fun-fair is found alongside the AB supermarket. 

Marina Porto Heli is a new marina complex that was completed in 2022, accommodating up to 149 yachts and located in the very centre of Porto Heli.  The marina is one of the newest, most innovative marinas in Greece, with eco-friendly facilities and support services providing safe boat mooring options for sailing and motor boats up to 55 metres in length.  Offering daily, monthly, winter and annual docking.  Contact: +30 21080 92770   info@marinaportoheli.gr 

There are boat rental companies in Porto Heli, renting small motor boats from 5.5 to 6.5 metres for full day and half day hire.

• AFROS Rent a boat   -    Mobile: +30 694 451 2932    email:  afrosboat@gmail.com
• Artemis Marine Yachts -  Mobile: +30 697 758 0511    email:  artemismarine.gr

Larger yachts, sailing or motor boats and flotilla charters are available by booking directly from the charter companies based in Athens, Piraeus or nearby Poros.   Poros contact: Greek Sails Ltd - Tel: +30 229 802 3147   email: info@greeksails.com 

Aghios Emilianos is a beautiful coastal village located close to Porto Heli, and is named after its picturesque Orthodox church.  The church itself is located on a rock with panoramic views of the sea, making it a perfect setting for special ceremonies for people living in the Ermionida area.  Aghios Emilianos has over the years grown into an exclusive coastal village, full of private luxury villas with stunning sea views.  The village started as a successful businessman's vision to create a paradise-on-earth for his factory employees. Originally a workers holiday retreat, the idea eventually developed into what it has become today, a luxury retreat for wealthy Athenians and Europeans.  The village has retained its private residency feel by allowing only one restaurant/boutique hotel and a unique Hapimag resort complex to be included within its boundries for an exclusive cosmopolitan village feel.

Aghios Emilianos' (also called Aghios Aimilianos) prime coastal location is also central to many places of interest.  It is only 2.5 kms from Kosta, the small port where you can cross by sea to the Island of Spetses, 6 kms from the popular resort and marina at Porto Heli and only 16.5 kms from historic Ermioni.  The beautiful sandy beach at Kounoupi is only 1km away, although there are many sand and pebble beaches, bays and coves along the surrounding coastline, particularly opposite the island of Spetses.

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