Ferry from Porto Heli to Spetses

Porto Heli Guide

The town of Porto Heli, sometimes called Portocheli or Porto Cheli, is located in the south eastern part of Argolis in Greece. The town lies on the bay of the Argolic Gulf, around 6 km to the south of Kranidi and 40 km to the south east of Nafplio. Located around 6 km off the coast of Porto Heli is the island of Spetses. Visitors to the island's port will see many fishing boats and yachts using the harbour, especially during the summer. The town's beaches are mainly small secluded coves although there are two organised beaches. The town is a popular destination for families and is frequently visited by Athenians, many of whom have holiday homes there. The location is convenient for road trips to Ancient Epidaurus, Poros, Ermioni, Mycenae and Nafplion.

The Argolic Gulf is a gulf of the Aegean Sea off the east coast of the Peloponnese, Greece. It is about 50 km long and 30 km wide with its main port, Nafplio, located at its north western end. At the entrance to the gulf is the island Spetses. This gulf and its islands are sometimes combined with the Saronic Gulf and Saronic Islands, with the result called the Argo-Saronic Gulf and the Argo-Saronic Islands.

There are ferry connections from Portocheli to the islands of Spetses, Hydra and Poros, and to Ermioni and Piraeus.

Spetses Guide

The Greek island of Spetses is part of the Saronic group of islands and is known for its long association with the navy and is famous for the part it played in the 1821 War of Independence. It was on the island that the revolution flag was hoisted in April 1821. The island has managed to retain a degree of its Greek charm and atmosphere visible to all are some lovely example of well preserved grand captain's mansions which bear testament to the island's past.

The island's harbour is at Dapia and is the tourist and commercial hub of the island and it is from here that lovely horse drawn carriage tours around the island can be taken which take in the many examples of mansions that line pretty narrow cobbled streets. September is perhaps the best time to visit the island when "Armata" takes place. This is a re-enactment of a naval battle that has taken place every year since 1931. A popular attraction on the island is the Church of Agios Nikolaos and was the former resting place of Paul Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, who came to Greece to fight to fight alongside the Greeks. It is reported that his body was kept in a barrel of rum for three years.