Porto Heli Greece is built around a picturesque natural harbor in the prefecture of Argolida, Peloponnese.
Greece » Argosaronic
Why Visit This harbor is very safe and usually has enough space, if you have a boat to moor. Porto Heli attracts many tourists every summer, thanks to its natural beauty, its facilities and the sightseeings of the area. There are some interesting sites to visit near the harbor in the daytime and it is also possible to rent a mountain bike in order to explore the area.
History The history of Porto Heli is mostly related to the ruins of Halieis, placed on the South side of the bay. The ancient city of Halieis was founded by Tirynthian refugees after the Persian Wars and it thrived during the period between 700 and 300 BC. It was enclosed by a wall with several gates -at least 5- and its large size allowed it to have some territorial rights and to be independent. Each house in the area had a courtyard and a well. The town had communal baths and they were all distributed along well organized grids. Some of these grids remain in the surface, while some others are under the water and can be seen in the shallows when the sea is calm. The inhabitants of this city were mainly fishermen and farmers. Many interesting findings in the area, such as coins, decorated pottery, remains of roof tiles, metal objects and terracotta figurines. The actual reasons for the abandonment of this area remain unknown. A possible reason would be the attack of Porto Heli by Sparta and Athens, in order to own its great natural harbor. In spite of its tourism development, the modern still seems to keep its small-fishing-village vibe from the past. Its name actually means the bay of eel, which reflects the importance of fishing in this place. The history of Porto Heli blends with the natural scenery offering visitors a unique experience.
Museums - Archeological There are no museums in Porto Heli and in the villages around it. However, if you are interested in history and archaeology, there are some archaeological sites to visit close by. The archaeological site of Halieis is found in a distance of 5 km from Porto Cheli. This town probably flourished in the 5th and the 4th centuries BC as a naval and trade base. Excavations there started in 1959 and continued till 1968. Archaeologists revealed ancient fortifications and marinas of a port. This town is today submerged and can be seen from the sea surface. About 1 hour drive from Porto Heli, there is also the archaeological site of Epidaurus, one of the most famous ancient sites in Greece. It consists of an Archaeological museum and an ancient theatre, the best preserved ancient theatre in Greece. For museums, you can visit the island of Spetses, only 10 minutes by boat from Porto Heli. There, you will find the Museum of Lascarina Bouboulina, the mansion where the famous heroine of the Greek Revolution lived. This mansion has been preserved today and includes many of her personal items and exhibits of the Revolutionary period.
Beaches Porto Heli, on the eastern side of Peloponnese, is mostly famous for its clean and relaxing beaches. The main beach of Porto Heli is long and sandy, organized with some water sport clubs closeby, while in the area you will also find many other isolate and calm coves.
