Banks, Internet access, Local authorities, Services, Shop hours, Useful travel info and more in Porto Heli.
Here are a few things you may like to know about. I've put them in alphabetical order & if there is something you would like to ask or like me to add, please e-mail me.
Airport - there was a small craft, privately owned airport in Costa but it is no longer functional. The Athens International Airport website is full of useful information about Eleftherios Venizelos Airport/Athens International Airport.
Banks - there are branches of the National Bank of Greece and Alpha Bank and EuroBank in the village with ATM facilities. ATE Bank, the Commercial Bank of Greece can be found in Kranidi, along with others.
Buses - the Greek Bus Service (KTEL) has a daily scheduled service between Costa, Porto Heli, Kranidi, Epidavros, Nafplion and Athens. For those timetables and fares, please see my Transport page, otherwise see their site.
Churches - most churches in Greece are left unlocked and you are free to visit anytime, even during a service. Two small things: please dress appropriately and leave some loose change if you would like to light a taper. Lots of the churches are very beautiful with carved wood, gold and silver gilt, gorgeous paintings of biblical scenes or saints and you are allowed to photograph / video inside the Evangelistra Church in Porto Heli, but in the monasteries it is best to ask first.
Credit Cards - most of the hotels, shops & tavernas accept Credit Cards. The bars and nightclubs do not. If you're not sure, just ask.
Currency - Since January 1st 2002 the local currency of Greece is the Euro. For more information about the Euro, check out the multi lingual Euro Information Website or use the XE.com Personal Currency Assistant for your currency conversions.
Doctors - the Hotels in the area have a Doctor on call and the Health Centre in Kranidi, about 6km away, is open 24 hours a day to deal with most holiday injuries & illnesses. Nafplion General Hospital or Athens are where more serious cases are referred.
Driving - just remember that we drive on the right hand side of the road here and give way to the right. I've got a page with details of how to get here from Athens and a few local excursions by vehicle.
Ferry Services - for information on times and fares, please call the Porto Heli Port Authorities on: 27540 53333 or for the local ferry service timetable between Costa and Spetses, please see my Transport page.
Internet Access - Some of the hotels in the area offer internet access, there are two Internet Cafes in the village, a couple more in Kranidi and one on the nearby island of Spetses.
Language - most people here speak some English, French, German or Italian but if you know a few words of Greek, give it a try.
Local News - the local newspapers are in Greek and they aren't online. The Athens News is an English language weekly newspaper which reports on the whole of Greece and is well worth reading.
Maps - I've got some maps here: Map of Argolis, a Local area map and the Village map and an excellent site for driving instructions and route maps is ViaMichelin.
Pharmacies - there are two Pharmacies in the village with multi-lingual pharmacists who can diagnose & prescribe for most of your holiday sicknesses. In an emergency there is always at least one pharmacy open in the Porto Heli / Kranidi area.
Police & Port Police - The Port Authorities have an office in Porto Heli (27540 53333) and the nearest Police station is in Kranidi (27540 21210). If you need to deal with either authority your hotel, travel representative or the locals will help you out.
Post Office - the Post Office is about 200m from the village centre and provides all the usual services including money transfers worldwide via Western Union.
Shop Hours - The service providers (banks, post office etc.) are open from about 08.00 to 13.00 daily and closed on weekends. The food shops are usually open from 08.00 to 14.30 and again from 17.30 to 21.00 daily, including Saturdays and on Sunday mornings. Boutiques and so on are open pretty much 24/7, as are some of the bars. Restaurants tend to open about 12.00 and again at 19.00, closing with their last customers although some stay open all day.
Telephones - there are lots of card operated telephones in and around the village (kiosks, post offices & some minimarkets sell phone cards) and the kiosks have metered telephones if you don't have a card. Faxing facilities can be found in most of the Hotels. The area code for Porto Heli and Kranidi is 27540 and you must use the whole area code when dialing from inside or outside Greece, the country code for Greece is 30. Access the Greek Business Directories or Yellow Pages or the Greek Personal Telephone Directories White Pages for more information. Remember, Porto Heli numbers come under the Kranidi area code.
Transport - there is a taxi rank in Porto Heli, a daily bus service, boat hire, bicycle, car and motorbike hire and a daily hydrofoil service. For booking / contact details and schedules, please look on my Transport page.
Quay - Porto Heli is a very safe, natural harbor and there is usually space along the town quay for you to moor your boat. Contact the Port Authorities (27540 53333) or ask the other yachties for advice if you're not sure about anything. Frank's Yacht Station and Porto Heli Marine Service can provide parking, repairs, spare parts and anything else you might need.
Vet - there is a Veterinary Clinic in Porto Heli and Katerina speaks fluent English, German and Greek and she is always available on her mobile phone in case of an emergency.
Vehicle Hire - bicycles, cars, motorbikes and small motorboats are available for hire in the village. It is vital that you have the neccessary licences and buckle up / wear your helmets.
Water - the tap water used to be drinkable in Porto Heli but it's not recommended now. Bottled water is a better option, cooler in the summer and there are plenty of inexpensive, local brands to choose from.
