Porto Heli
A picturesque village on the Peninsular Peloponnese , located in the Cote d'Azure of Greece, in an area where international politicians, shipping tycoons, business leaders, superstars from the movie/music/sports industry and members of European royal families reside for their summer time, next to two famous Greek islands Spetses and Hydra.
Crystal turquise waters, calm, discrete, perfect weather conditions, light breezes during summer time, plenty of beaches and bays, lots of historical sites, cosmopolitan life - a yachting paradise.
The area of Porto Heli is one of the most upmarket second-home residential areas in Greece. Nearby villages and property areas are Hinitsa, Kosta, Agios Emilianos, Petrothalassa, Ververonda, Ermioni, Kranidi, Kilada, Lakkes, Doroufi, Fourni, Didima, Plepi and Porto Hydra.
Porto Heli is within 2.5 hours driving distance from Athens and offers excellent and safe anchorage for yachts. It has frequent high-speed services for Athens/Piraeus (hydrofoil and catamaran, takes 2.5 hours) and is within 2.5 hours driving distance from the international airport of Athens (about 195 km).
Porto Heli Lifestyle
Porto Heli has a small population (2500) and, while active all year round , it is pleasantly busy whilst never overcrowded during the summer months and manages to maintain its own tranquil identity. The coastal road affords panoramic views with many unspoilt bays and taverns to explore leisure.
Yachting, waterskiing, scuba diving, tennis or just sunbathing are all catered for. If owning your own boat does not appeal, cruises from Porto Heli harbour to the islands of Spetses, Hydra, Poros or to Monemvasia on the Arcadian peninsular run weekly during the summer.
Many cultural and historic attractions are easily accessible by road:
- 5 minutes to Kosta (ferry to Spetses);
- 15 minutes to Ermioni (ferry to Hydra);
- 45 minutes to Epidavros;
- 1 hour to Corinth, Nafplion, Myceni;
- 2.5 hours to Athens.
Porto Heli Weather
Porto Heli AKS Hotel & Conference Center
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Points of interest around Porto Heli
Island of Spetses
Spetses is a pretty island, only a few minutes with boat taxi from Porto Heli away.
It has a mixture of traditional and modern buildings, many villas with flower gardens,
international visitors and high society villas.
Instead of private cars there are horse carriages on the island.
Some beautiful bays and the old harbor are waiting to be explored.
The hydrofoil services have a daily route between Spetses and Porto Heli.
Island of Hydra
Hydra (Idra) island has an international reputation among artists.
In the summertime often too many visitors and too many boats in the harbor.
Many shops with artworks and romantic taverns around the harbor.
The hydrofoil services have a daily route between Hydra and Porto Heli.
Island of Poros
Poros has narrow lanes, gardens and beautiful views on the bay.
Many shops, cafes and cosy port taverns invite to stay for a while.
Excursion tip with a special atmosphere!
Perfect for a visit in the afternoon or evening on the way back from a trip to Epidavros
(1 day excursion: Porto Heli - Didima - Epidavros - Poros - Porto Heli).
You can reach the island with the car from the mainland
(only 600 m with the small ferry boat from the village Galatas).
The hydrofoil services have also a daily route between Poros and Pireaus.
| Ermioni | is 16 km from Porto Heli by road. You'll find some romantic taverns and open air bars along the harbor road at the protected natural harbor of the small fishing village. Just a short walk away is the peninsula Ermionida with some very nice spots, a orthodox chapel and remnants of a Byzantine wall. The view over the entire bay is as spectacular as it is from the other side of the town (the mill on the hill across the harbor). Ermioni has every Thursday a market.
| Epidavros | 2000 years ago there were already health resorts on the Peloponnese, Epidauros was the most famous. Today a walk around the excavations, which are on the UNESCO list of the world cultural heritage of mankind, is a balsam for the soul. The worship of Asklepios, whose most famous sanctuary stood here, was introduced in the 6th century B.C. The most famous building of the precinct is the well-known Theatre, the best-preserved Classical theatre in Greece, which dates from the 4th century B.C. The 55 rows of limestones accomodate 15000 visitors. The circular Orchestra is 20 m in diameter. The foundations of the Skene (Stage) have survived too. In the summer ancient dramas are performed in various languages. The excavations of the temenos started in 1881 and have been continued ever since. Remarkable are the Gymnasion, the Temple of Asklepios, the Tholos and the Abaton, the place of incubation. Epidavros is about 50 km from Porto Heli and a must see for each cultural interested tourist.
| Nafplio | The town was ruled by Frankish barons from 1212 - 1388, then it was bought by Venice, later occupied by the Turks. During the War of Independence it was the seat of the revolutionary government; therefore it was the first capital of modern Greece. The island of Bourzi with it's Venetian fortress is a well-known landmark. In the town itself are some beautiful churches and many shops. The fortresses of Acronafplio and Palamidi, built by the Venetians and enlarged by the Turks, tower above the town. Nafplio is about 90 km from Porto Heli on the road to Mycenae.
| Mycenae | is one of the most important excavation sites of Greece, it's the site of the Tomb of Agamemnon and the famous Lion Gate. The place gave its name to the so-called Mycenean Civilization. The hill was first occupied by man c. 3000 B.C. The settlement started to flourish around 1600 B.C., the important royal tombs of Grave Circle A on the western brink of the acropolis date from this time. Around 1250 B.C. the Cyclopeian enceinte was constructed, the Palace was built about 50 years later. The acropolis is entered by way of the famous "LION GATE". A short round trip takes us past the Treasury of Atreus, Tomb of Aegisthus, Tomb of Klytemnaestra, the Royal Tombs and the foundations of the Palace. There is a path through the ruins to the top of the hill from where you have a fantastic view of the surrounding area. A small but interesting museum is on the site. Mycenae is inseparably connected with Heinrich Schliemann, who saved 1876 from this site some works of art from pure gold with a total weight of 14 kilograms. Some of them can be seen in the archaeological national museum in Athens. Mycenae is about 100 km from Porto Heli by road.
| Athens | 40 to 150 metres above sealevel and more than 2500 years old! The Akropolis and an attendance in the National Museum (world-wide most important archaeology museum) are a must see, if you want to explore Athens. The infrastructure of the olympic city Athens has improved fast. Athens offers very good shopping opportunities and serves as a gateway to the islands in the south. From Athens you reach Porto Heli in about 2.5 hours, either by car, taxi or via hydrofoil from the port of Piraeus.
Peloponnese
Your holiday destination PORTO HELI is southwest of Athens in the district Argolida of the peninsula
Peloponnese, the culturally most important part of Greece.
The landscape of Peloponnese is varying and impressive,
with long sandy beaches, cliffs, fruitful plauns, rugged mountains and hundreds of traditional villages,
which make simply the entire peninsula a culture-bath experience beside innumerable objects of interest.
The peninsula is surrounded on three sides by the open sea, the Gulf of Patra to the north,
the gulf of Corinth to the west and the Saronic Gulf in the east.
An isthmus which is 6 km wide connects the Peloponnese with the Greek mainland in the northeast.
The Peloponnese provides an amazing spectrum of impressive sights, from antique excavations such as Mycenae, Olympia, Epidavros, Arhea Corinthia to the massive venetian forts such as Methoni or Nafplio. Deep blue sea and beautiful islands such as Egina, Poros, Hydra or Spetses are surrounding the peninsula and can be reached in a very short time.
The Peloponnese and islands surrounding it have been spared the negative effects off mass tourism, Individual tourism is till the rule rather than the exception.
TOURIST INFO GREECE
Time for travelling
The Peloponnese enjoys an average of 300 days of sun in the year. The mountains inland region is generally colder than the coastal region. Argolis (Porto Heli) und Corinth are among the driest regions of Greece (10° C in Jan, 28° C in July). One can generally speak of 3 seasons in Greece: a planting and harvesting season from March to May, a dry season from June to October, and a rainy season from November to February. The best time for nature fans to visit is April/May. The swimming season runs from mid of May to Oktober. June and September are the best months for combined hiking/swimming/cultural tours, in August the temperature goes up to 40+ Celsius.
Electricity / Telephone / Internet
In Greece the voltage consists of 220 V, on ships often 110 V. On sail yachts mainly batteries (12 to 14 V) are used in connection with solar modules or 220 V generators. Mobile phones work nearly everywhere very well, foreign mobile phones connect automatically into a Greek mobile net. The area code of Greece from abroad is 0030. Prepaid sim cards for mobile phones and MOBILE WLAN usb-sticks with prepaid cards are available in the local phone shops for tourists and residents. At many towns you'll find internet cafes or WLAN hotspots with prepay or free access. At the Porto Heli harbor area and nearby cafes you'll find some WLAN hotspots with free access.
Opening times of local shops
Shops are open usually from Mon. - Sat. from about 8:00 - 14:00 and from 17:00 - 20:30, Tourist areas may have longer opening times and frequently open on Holidays or Sundays. Banks open from Mon. - Thur. 8:00 - 14:00 and Fr 8:00 - 13:30. Museums and Archaeological sites have irregular hours. Many are closed Monday or Tuesdays and many also close in the afternoon.
Health System in Greece
The health system is generally well developed. Emergency care is available for a small fee in all national Hospitals. The consultation of a doctor requires an International Insurance check, or one should request a receipt upon payment. The costs are usually partially reimbursed from the national health service of ones home country. An additional Travel insurance is advisable as the return flight in event of an emergency is covered. Pharmacies are available in all major tourist centers, and are open during regular business hours. On weekends there is also an emergency service in the bigger towns.
Porto Heli Property Investor Info
The Porto Heli area has attracted large amounts of investment in recent years to improve the infrastructure. This has instilled a confidence within the community, which has seen the opening of new restaurants, shops, hotels and water sport facilities.
The property market is also seeing positive movement with land prices increasing by as much as 20% pa over recent years. The current development of the Porto Heli/Kilada JACK NICKLAUS golf resort will be a huge boost for the area and will continue to push the property prices upwards and enhance the rental market.
With over 300 days of sun a year and only a short trip from Athens this will make Porto Heli a premier property hot spot for wealthy Greeks and international holiday makers.
Porto Heli on Google Maps
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Villa for sale
Auctions
The PortoHeli.gr AUCTION website acts as the window for sellers to conduct auctions and for bidders
to bid on sellers' auctions.
Buy or Sell at www.PortoHeli.gr/auction/
