Poros

Poros, the ancient Kalureia, lies south-west of the Methana Peninsula, separated from the north coast of the Argolid by a strait between 250 m and 1000 m wide, 1.5 km long and up to 4 meters deep. Most of the island is covered with thin woodland. The inhabitants, many of whom are of Albanian descent, live by farming the fertile coastal areas on the mainland which belong to Poros and by the tourist trade. There was a settlement in Mycenaean times on the site later occupied by the Sanctuary of Poseidon. The ancient city was abandoned after the Roman period, and the modern town was established only in the late Middle Ages.

Hydra

The Hydra gulf lies between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf and is one of the most popular yacht charter areas in Greece. The island of Hydra (ancient Hydraea) itself is a bare monolithic ridge of limestone, 12 km long by 5 km wide, lying off the south-east coast of the Argolid. Arid and infertile, it lives mainly from the tourist trade and the sale of craft products (jewellery, pottery, embroidery, hand-woven cloth, leather-work). A tempting local specialty is the almond cake called amygdalote.

Aegina

Aegina, lying 17 nm south-west of Piraeus, is a hilly and fertile island of limestone with isolated rounded hills of volcanic origin. For the most part the coast falls steeply down to the sea, with few sheltered bays. The main occupation of the inhabitants is farming, in particular the growing and export of the island's excellent pistachio nuts. Fishing, sponge-diving and pottery manufacture are also of some economic importance. Aegina is noted for the production of its water-coolers (kannatia) - two-handled wide-necked jars in a porous fabric which keep their contents cool by evaporation. With its mild climate and low rainfall, Aegina has long been favoured as a summer resort by the prosperous citizens of Athens. In recent years it has become increasingly popular with foreign visitors.

Spetses

Spetsai or Spetses, the ancient Pityousa (Island of Pines), is a hilly and well-wooded island off the south-west coast of the Argolida. The income of the inhabitants comes from farming and now, to an even greater extent, from the tourist trade, for the island's mild climate attracts large numbers of holiday-makers. This mild climate is described by the Admiralty pilot to be "exceedingly healthy" and is indeed more appealing than Hydra or Dokos. No motor vehicles are allowed on Spetses apart from public service vehicles.

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