Quiet Greek island that locals visit for weekend breaks – with cheap beachfront hotels and very famous celebrity visitor
GREECE is home to thousands of different islands, with some places like Corfu, Santorini, and Mykonos receiving plenty of attention.
But there's one Greek island where locals typically head for a quiet weekend away, and it's unknown to most Brits.
Set in the Saronic Gulf, Poros is a small Greek island just a stone's throw away from Athens.
Because of its proximity to the Greek capital, Poros is a popular weekend destination for Greek locals looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.
And it's easy to see why, not only is the Greek island home to beautiful beaches, but its main town has also been compared to Venice.
The Greek, Nobel Prize-winning, poet, George Seferis, wrote: "It has something of Venice: the canal, communication between the houses being by boats, luxury, idleness, sensual temptation, something lustful."
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Whether you want to relax on the beach or explore an ancient attraction, there's plenty to do to keep holidaymakers entertained.
One of the island's main archaeological sites is the Temple of Poseidon.
Set in the middle of the island, the temple, which is now just ruins, was built in the 5th century BC.
Despite the temple being no more than a few ruins, visitors have praised the spot thanks to its stunning views of the island.
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Poros is home to plenty of other attractions too, including the Clock Tower, which is the highest point of the island.
The island's most famous beach is called Love Bay Beach, which is home to fine white pebbles and emerald waters.
The beach became known as Love Bay in the 1950s because it was where forbidden couples met in secret.
Love Bay Beach is surrounded by pine trees, and it is also home to a bar that serves cocktails and snacks.
At the beach, holidaymakers can rent a sunbed, parasol, and even a canoe.
There are plenty of other beaches on the island too, including Askeli Beach, which is a long beach with golden sand and clear waters.
In addition to the bars and hotels that line the beachfront, there's also a volleyball court there too.
Other beaches include Megalo Neorio Beach, Mikro Neorio Beach, and Monastiri Beach - a small cove.
Holidaymakers can reach Poros on a ferry from Athens, which takes a maximum of two and a half hours.
The ferries run daily, even in the winter season, with ticket prices starting from £16 for a one-way journey.
Both Wizz Air, easyJet, and British Airways operate direct flights to Athens from UK cities like London and Manchester, with fares starting from £24.
Hotels on the island are extremely affordable too.
Sun Online Travel have found, an overnight stay at the Dionysos Hotel a three-star hotel, which is just 500 yards from the beach, for £26 per night per person, based on two people sharing a room.
There are cheaper options too, with some rooms starting from just £15 per night per person at other B&Bs on the Greek island.
In addition to the budget-friendly hotels, Poros also attracts celebrities and their luxury yachts.
According to the local website, , Hollywood actors like Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have holidayed on the island.
While world-famous director Steven Spielberg and footballers John Terry and Ronaldinho are also said to have stayed on the island.
But Paros isn't the only lesser-known Greek island that's flown under the radar in recent years.
The overlooked island of Patmos attracts famous faces like Julia Roberts, David Bowie, Richard Gere, and Tom Hanks, but is yet to become popular with British tourists.
Not only does it see temperatures reach 22C in the winter, but it's also home to colourful beaches.
Whitewashed houses line the coast in Patmos, and the town of Chora is home to tiny restaurants serving local Greek seafood.
The port town Skala has more shops and bars, where the cheapest drink is the local Mythos beer or island-grown wine.
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Meanwhile, the island of Naxos is cheaper the many of the other islands - with more goats than locals.
Don't want to leave the UK? We've found some beautiful British islands that are home to sandy beaches, clear seas, and dolphins.
