Porto Heli
Porto Heli is built on the sheltered enclosed oval-shaped bay that creates a natural harbor. It is the most protected harbor of Argolida, due to its external part of entrance and generally because of its continental and undersea terrain. Its name, according to popular belief, is derived from a gradual linguistic corruption of the name ‘’Halieis’’, the ancient city tat is located on the southeastern side of the port. Opposite the settlement there are the ruins of the half-sunken city of Halieis. Parts of the defensive walls have been found in and out of the sea and have been identified as excellent examples of fortification art of the Classical period. A part of the Ancient acropolis of Halieis is estimated to have been built around 436 BC.
Ancient Halieis were among the biggest centers of antiquity manufacturing ‘’porfyra’’. The name Halieis changed to Heli. So as to be distinguished from the village of Heli (which now has been renamed Arachnaio) got its dubbed ‘’Porto’’ because it had a port. Another aspect is that the name (Heli) is one of many Arvanitika names, encountered in south Argolida, which then acquired the prefix Porto, for the aforementioned reason. In recent years it has been called Porto Bizato or El Harbor as reported by the Italians in the 18th century, and it was a safe port used mainly by sailors from Kranidi to Ermioni (Castri). Several residents came from the east coast of the Peloponnese, while fishing played an important role in the economic situation.
It has no particular architectural or traditional features but it is certainly the most picturesque and cosmopolitan area in Ermionida. On the back side there is the lagoon Ververondas the waters of which are thermal, which according to tradition was the favorite hide for Berber pirates. Portoheli today has a large tourist development and anyone can easily find modern hotel facilities, water sports, etc. Near the village there are many of the most beautiful beaches of the municipality of Ermionida, such as Vereveronda, Pefkakia, Korakia, Kosta, Hinitsa, Limanakia, Petrothalassa, Kounoupi, etc. Finally 4km away from Portoheli is the area Kosta. From Kosta you can easily get to the island of Spetses by water taxi, boat, or ferry-boat.