Poros: Kefalonia's Southeast Ferry Gateway
Poros sits on the southeast coast of Kefalonia at the foot of a dramatic mountain road that descends steeply from the island's interior. It is primarily known as the departure point for ferries to Kyllini on the Peloponnese mainland — the most direct sea crossing from Kefalonia to western Greece.
The Ferry Connection
From Poros, regular ferry services run to Kyllini on the Peloponnese, with crossings taking approximately 1.5 hours. This makes Poros a practical entry point for visitors arriving from Patras or Pyrgos, and a convenient gateway for day trips to the Peloponnese — Ancient Olympia is approximately 1.5 hours from Kyllini by car.
Check current timetables and book ferry tickets at our ferries page.
The Drive to Poros
The road from Argostoli to Poros — approximately 40km — is one of the most dramatic drives on the island. It winds through mountain villages, past ancient olive groves and deep gorges, before descending sharply to the coast. Allow at least an hour for the drive and stop at the viewpoints along the way. The road through the Ainos foothills is particularly striking in the early morning.
The Village
Poros is a small working port, not a resort. There is a narrow harbour, a few kafeneions and tavernas, a small pebbly beach beside the ferry dock, and a quiet authenticity that tourism has not yet altered. The daily rhythm here is tied to the ferry timetable — arrivals and departures give the harbour its structure.
Practical Information
- Distance from Argostoli: 40km (approximately 1 hour)
- Ferry to Kyllini: approximately 1.5 hours crossing time
- Best for: travellers using the ferry crossing; those exploring the southeast coast
- Accommodation: limited — most visitors stay in Skala (14km north) or Argostoli
Day Trips from Poros
- Skala: 14km north — good beaches and restaurants
- Tzanata Valley: 10km northwest — a dramatic valley with Mycenaean tombs
- Markopoulo: 12km away — the Church of the Panagia, famous for the snakes that gather each August around the Feast of the Assumption
Part of our complete guide: Kefalonia Villages
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