The Ultimate Family Guide To Porto Heli With Kids

Thinking about booking a trip to Greece? We can help you find the best destination for your family.

If you are in search of the most exclusive, family-friendly travel destination, Porto Heli will definitely meet your expectations. Often referred to as the Peloponnese Riviera, this is an area of stunning natural beauty sporting some of the best five-star hotels in Greece. It’s also home to some very privé villas owned by wealthy Greek families and international celebrities. 

Everything You Need to Know About Porto Heli

You will find cosmopolitan cafés, trendy resorts, and plush mega yachts lining Porto Heli’s picturesque harbor. A seaside town located in the south of the Argolida region on the first leg of the Peloponnese Peninsula, Porto Heli is about a three-hour drive from Athens and only 30 minutes away from the capital by helicopter.

Porto Heli’s impeccable reputation is well deserved: nowhere else can you enjoy traditional Greek cuisine, pristine scenery, exclusive accommodation, and access to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Forget the hustle and bustle of the more popular Greek destinations and head for Porto Heli, where life flows at a leisurely pace. Secluded beaches and bays offer pleasurable downtime for all the family right on the stunning Saronic Gulf. Of course, if you are looking for excitement, there are plenty of activities to get your adrenaline pumping, from thrilling water sports to hiking & biking tours and jaunts to nearby islands.

From Porto Heli, you can take a private water taxi across to the cosmopolitan island of Spetses, visit the pine-clad island of Poros, and explore picturesque Hydra. Take a private yacht trip around the coastline to discover the exclusive beaches of Agios Emilianos; a hamlet populated by the paparazzi-shy rich and famous. Journey to some of the most important archaeological sites in the Peloponnese on our private tours for families and soak up the magic of Greek myths and legends with your kids.

Let’s create a family trip to Greece together that you will never forget!

What to Do in Porto Heli with Kids

A Day Trip to Hydra

Hydra, the car-free island where donkeys are the main mode of transportation, is a kid-friendly island escape. Explore its picturesque alleyways, visit the impressive Naval Museum, go snorkeling in the crystalline sea, and check out the colorful old houses surrounding the harbor. 

A Day Trip to Spetses

Take a quick trip to Spetses and let the kids play in the grand main square while you sip an iced tea at the elegant Poseidonion Hotel, where royalty and socialites gather. Visit the Laskarina Bouboulina Museum and learn about the heroine of the Greek War of Independence. Walk through the pine-tree forests and look out for the mermaid sculpture before stopping off at a traditional Greek tavern for a delicious home-cooked meal. 

You can be accompanied by a family-friendly guide on all three islands or you can visit on your own.

Day Trip to Athens

If you want to experience more culture, a day trip to Athens can be arranged on a fascinating tour where you will visit famous sites like the Acropolis and its fantastic multi-media museum. 

Day Trips to the Peloponnese for Mythology Fans

Private tours for families are also available at the archaeological sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Ancient Corinth, all of which are very accessible from Porto Heli.

Your personal guide will walk you through the history and myths of Mycenae and Epidaurus, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lead you around Mystras, dominated by Medieval and Byzantine churches.

In addition, if you want to keep both the kids and yourselves entertained, the nearby town of Nemea has it all. Hear about the legendary Herculean feats that took place here long ago with an expert guide and sample the world-renowned wines at a country vineyard before visiting a working farm.

Visit Nafplion for the Day with our Guide

Explore the delightful town of Nafplion and walk up the 913 steps to enjoy the panoramic views from the Palamidi Fortress. Take a bike tour around the island with our guide or explore it on a city train tour. Try your hand at kite surfing on one of the sandy beaches and savor a unique dining experience at one of the town’s many gastro hubs. 

A Day Trip to Poros

The kids will love climbing up to the famous Clock Tower in the town and walking along the busy little seafront promenade. You can take a hike through the natural trails of the island with our family-friendly guide, and discover the Lemon Forest on the adjacent Galatas, as well as the Psifta Wetlands; a temporary home to migrating pink flamingos. 

Contact us and let us plan the perfect family getaway for you. 

Where to Stay in Porto Heli

Thinking about booking a villa in Greece? We can help you find what’s best for you. Porto Heli boasts numerous luxury 5-star hotels and beautifully designed resorts and villas. 

Amanzoe

Stay in one of the beautiful suites or pavilions at a hotel designed to mimic the Parthenon and soak up the aura of the surrounding landscapes. Jump on a speedboat at Amanzoe‘s private beach with the kids and visit one of the alluring nearby islands or relax in the superb spa while they play in the kid’s pool.

Click for more info about: Amanzoe

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa

A swanky resort located right on the waterfront, Nikki Beach is worth visiting if you fancy a day lounging by the pool and trying out some of the best sushi in town. Although geared more towards young party-goers, it’s with visiting the resort just for the experience. 

AKS Hinitsa

This family-friendly hotel sits on Hinitsa Bay and offers wonderful views across to Spetses. Your kids will be well entertained in the hotel’s playground and can enjoy volleyball, tennis, or soccer while you pamper yourself with a relaxing massage.

Where to Eat in Porto Heli

You will find a variety of culinary options inspired by local and international flavors at Porto Heli. After all, eating good food with friends and family is at the heart of the Greek lifestyle. You should try out:

Restaurant Alexandra: Offering local Greek dishes and Mediterranean cuisine with a twist. If you are a wine lover, the local house wine will keep you coming back for more as you take in the superb views.

Salt & Pepe: A family-run operation, this is the ideal place to taste a delicious home-cooked local meal in a warm, welcoming environment. You will also find a wide variety of flavorsome vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes available on the menu. 

Veranda del Vino: Veranda del Vino is a stylish wine bistro overlooking the sparkling Porto Heli gulf. You can savor a tempting wine-pairing menu accompanied by an extensive wine list of over 100 Greek and international labels and relish a fine dining experience at incredibly low prices.

The Drunken Clam: Where freshly-sourced seafood meets locally-brewed beer, this is an eatery loved by locals and visitors alike. The kids will enjoy the surf n’ turf options at this cozy port-side restaurant known for its friendly vibes.

Big Blue: A modern twist on Mediterranean food with an upscale vibe and a great list of cocktails. The perfect place for a sumptuous dinner or a drink while watching those sizzling summer sunsets.

Rozos Restaurant: Part of a hotel, Rozos restaurant has been serving visitors and locals since 1979. At Rozos, you will experience the classic Greek-style taverna offering mouthwatering local dishes and authentic hospitality.

Hippocampus: The white-washed tables and chairs will make you feel as if you are eating dinner on an island in the Cyclades. There’s plenty of fresh fish to try, brought directly from the small fishing boats to the table, along with local delicacies like shrimp and octopus.

Café Da Luz: The most popular café on the waterfront! The kids will love tucking into the delicious waffles and crepes with various toppings as you sip on an espresso-infused iced coffee or Greek frappe. 

Ostria Café: Although labeled as an all-day café, Ostria is the perfect place to watch the sunset due to its superb location. Enjoy a wholesome brunch or mouthwatering dinner on the waterfront and try out their famous cocktails while you are at it.

Drougas Bakery: You can grab your favorite Greek sweet or savory from Drougas Bakery on the way to the beach. The family-run shop offers local and international breakfast treats such as Greek cheese pie and French croissants, all of which are simply delicious! 

Solo Gelato: This Italian Gelateria dates back to 1951 and has been serving its freshly-made gelato and desserts to both young and old for years. A true favorite for all of those who love homemade ice cream. 

Beaches in Porto Heli

Hinitsa Beach: Hinitsa is situated in Hinitsa bay, which is a sheltered area with calm waters and plenty of shade. Spend the day lounging in the sun while the kids play on the sandy beach and have themselves a lot of water fun in the shallow sea. 

Kounoupi Beach: Kounoupi, which means “mosquito” in Greek, is one of the top beaches to visit in the area because of its white, sandy shoreline and turquoise waters.

Blue Beach: If you like to be near amenities while lounging on the beach, Blue Beach provides a nice traditional taverna for you and your family to tuck into some tasty Greek dishes when the kids get hungry.

Ververonda Beach: Ververonda has a lake-like feel to it, with a sweeping shoreline backed by shady pine trees. It’s a lovely place to enjoy the sunset with the small white chapel on the beach adding to the charm.

Paralia Beach: Paralia, which means “beach” in Greek, is Port Heli’s main beach. You can try your hand at a range of water sports here or relax on the sun loungers under an umbrella and enjoy the sea air.

Triantafillou, Petrothalassa, and Paralia Kosta are some other beaches to visit while in Porto Heli if you are looking for quiet spots to enjoy a family picnic away from the main town. 

Outdoor Activities in Porto Heli

Porto Heli’s outdoor activities are endless. Your family can enjoy classic water sports like water skiing, paddle boarding, windsurfing, and scuba diving. We can book lessons for you at a local water ski school while your kids enjoy a sailing lesson. 

Porto Heli is a hub for yachting and sailing enthusiasts, with the annual Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta over on the nearby island of Spetses welcoming celebrities and jet-setters from all over the globe. We can help you create your own private one-day sailing trip to enjoy the warm waters of Spetses with an experienced, qualified skipper.

About 10 km northwest of Porto Heli is the fishing village of Kilada, which continues to maintain its traditional boatbuilding industry. A village full of character, it is definitely the place to go to try the freshest fish you will find in the area. Enjoy it served right on the waterfront while sea turtles swim at your feet. Not to be missed!

Things to do near Porto Heli with KidsLoveGreece:

o   Day trip to Athens for Families

o   Visit Epidaurus and Mycenae

o   Visit Nafplion for the Day with our guide

o   Nemea for Kids

o   Hydra Walking Tour for Families

o   Day Trip to Spetses

Contact us for more information about all the things you can do near Porto Heli with your kids. Let’s organize an unforgettable trip to Greece for your family!