PORTO HELI
A LE COLLECTIONIST DESTINATION GUIDE

The wealthy and aristocratic have long flocked to this haven along Greece’s coast for its picturesque natural beauty and promises of privacy. A treasure trove of culture, discover our essentials for a blissful holiday in Porto Heli.

Porto Heli’s vineyards deliver both scenic beauty and gustatory delight. Taste Rokaniaris, a rare grape grown almost nowhere but Kranidi, at a family estate a few minutes from Porto Heli, or spend a day among the celebrated vineyards of Nemea, taking in the sloping hills and verdant landscapes that surround you.

Satisfy your intellectual curiosity on a guided tour around the nearby ancient city, Epidavros, an area steeped in culture and intriguing historic ruins such as their ancient theatre. Time your visit for a summer evening: from late June to late August, the Athens Epidaurus Festival stages ancient drama in the 4th-century BC theatre, with acoustics as astonishing as the setting. Then, after a day of sightseeing, unwind in an area of remarkable natural beauty.

Nafplion, just 77 km from Porto Heli, has plenty of stories to tell, as the first capital of Greece. Having well preserved its traditional character and authenticity, it is a pleasure to meander down its stone-paved narrow alleys and admire the colourful balconies adorned with bougainvillaeas. Rest your legs at one of the family-run cafes and tavernas and enjoy a meal or coffee. And of course, climb up the Palamidi Castle overlooking the entire bay!

The island boasts an authentic beauty, untouched by time, with awe-inspiring aristocratic architecture and traditional courtyards. More catered towards tourism, there is an abundance of activities and sites of wonder to keep you entertained for hours, only a boat trip away.

Adrenaline lovers can opt for a canoe or kayak tour to explore the exquisite channels and hidden bays of Porto Heli that dot the coastline or practise the countless watersports offered in some of the area’s coasts.

Villa Mirror

Right on the seafront, Villa Mirror can host 16 guests in absolute comfort. Nested within a lush pine forest, the villa enjoys utter seclusion and serenity while the sea is right at its doorstep.

With an increasingly temperate climate yet without hordes of tourists, spring is an excellent time to explore Porto Heli’s architecture, cultural riches, and beaches. If you are seeking a truly secluded luxury holiday, visiting in these milder months is the perfect time to create this blissful experience. 

At the height of the season, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Porto Heli in summer yet still without the flocks of tourists that head for other Mediterranean hotspots. Often described as a time warp to the likes of St Tropez in the 1970s, enjoy the radiant sunshine without having to fight for a spot along the white, sandy beaches.

As the summer fades and Porto Heli’s tourists return home, it becomes a tranquil haven for those still longing to cling onto summer. Particularly in September, without the crowds and bustling noise of high-season tourism, enjoy the tranquillity of the sweeping landscape and beckoning waters with full reign of the secluded bays and coves that line the coast.

Each September, Spetses celebrates the Armata, honouring the island’s role in the War of Independence and the naval battle of 1822. Weeks of concerts, theatre and traditional dances lead up to the grand finale on the second weekend of September, when a replica Ottoman flagship is set ablaze in the harbour beneath a sky full of fireworks. A historical event not to be missed.

The low hills that are adorned with olive trees, cypresses and vineyards make a perfect adventure trail for all the family. Wander around the lush greenery at your own pace for the perfect day-out. Stop off at a local taverna to enjoy the finest regional produce, where wine, cheese, fish and olives thrive in the temperate climate.

In a nutshell
Hiking / Nature

Porto Heli’s expansive port welcomes yachters from across the globe so what better way to embrace the cosmopolitan lifestyle than by taking to the seas. With so many alluring nearby destinations, the best way to explore is via boat. Why not sail across to Franchthi Cave, which sheltered people for some 35,000 years and whose Neolithic village now lies beneath the waves, look for the sunken walls of ancient Halieis in Porto Heli’s own bay on a calm day, or transport your family in time back to the ancient polis of Epidaurus, where the healing sanctuaries and ancient theatre tell the story of the ancient worlds.

Trekking is the perfect way for all of the family to explore Porto Heli’s untouched wilderness and unparalleled beauty. Walk the pine-shaded Bisti peninsula at the tip of Ermioni, about an hour there and back, past the remains of temples to Athena and Poseidon, for magnificent scenery and expansive views of the azure waters that glimmer under the Mediterranean sun. Just make sure to remember your sunhat and sunscreen!

With over 40 years of expertise in creating and serving mouthwatering Mediterranean dishes, Doroufi Restaurant is rich in local knowledge and wisdom. Located right on the seashore of the Doroufi Ermionidas area, here you will enjoy their fresh catch of the day with unobstructed views of the sea.

Doroufi Restaurant
Doroufi, Ermionida, 21300 · +30 694 881 2063

A Porto Heli favourite, Alexandra serves Greek cooking and fire-grilled dishes over two floors overlooking the harbour, with a wine list worth lingering over.

A seaside wine bistro on the Porto Heli gulf, Veranda del Vino pairs creative Mediterranean dishes with a list of more than 180 Greek and international labels. Owners Sotiris and Tonia are always on hand, and you can even pick a bottle from their Cava del Vino shop.

One of the area’s most beautiful beach bars, Godai Seascape is a brilliant fusion of Japanese and Peloponnesian aesthetics. On the seashore of Petrothalassa beach, it offers a fantastic selection of cocktails and mouth-watering dishes.

Down on the shore below the hilltop resort of Amanzoe, its beach club is the place for a long, lazy day: sunloungers facing the sea, an infinity pool and Mediterranean cooking, with a cocktail in hand as the afternoon turns golden.

A tranquil, unorganised coast at the area of Agios Emilianos, this sandy beach is only 4km from Porto Heli. With clean waters and lots of natural shade as the trees stretch towards the shoreline, Chryssi Akti is the ideal spot to reconnect with nature.

One of the most popular coasts of the area, Kosta is the beach of the homonymous village and is truly deserving of its fame. With a sandy coast, crystal-clear, calm waters and many beach facilities, it makes the perfect location for families wanting to spend a day in the sun, and water taxis to Spetses leave from the jetty next door.

Whitish pebbles and transparent, turquoise waters characterise this tranquil coast and give it an irresistible charm. The cypress trees along the coast create a magical scenery, apart from providing lots of natural shade.

A totally tranquil and secluded coast located near the homonymous Korakia islets, this beach is only accessible by sea or a rough dirt road. Due to its difficult access the coast is calm, uncrowded and untouched. 

This beach comprises two adjacent bays, one with a pebbled coast and sandy seabed and, the other, with golden sand and deep waters. Watersports lovers will adore this place as it offers a plethora of adventures and activities.

Take a private boat trip to Spetses and Hydra

Master Mediterranean flavours in a private cooking class

Taste the region’s wines

Windsurf, wing-foil or sail along the coast