Ano Poroia lies on the slopes of Mount Beles. Numerous streams rise above the village and flow through its mahalades. The area also has a distinctive cultural heritage shaped by several groups of origin, chapels with frescoes, and guided horseback rides along old mountain trails. This brings together landscape, culture and a specific active experience.

Slopes and streams

The location on the slopes sets the geographical scene: Ano Poroia is on the slopes of Mount Beles, while streams rise above the village and flow through its mahalades. This brings together two distinct landscape features: the connection to the mountain and the path of the water through the village areas. If you prioritize natural features when choosing a destination, you can take both aspects into account rather than associating the village with just one excursion.

Cultural roots and chapels

Ano Poroia’s cultural heritage traces back to its founders from Epirus, local residents, and refugees from Asia Minor and Pontus. Several groups of origin are therefore central to the village’s history. For culturally minded travelers, this offers a distinct way to explore the village’s development, separate from visiting a single attraction.

A path leads uphill from Ano Poroia to the chapels of Agios Georgios and Agios Dimitrios, known for their frescoes. Here, a path leading uphill from the village connects with a specific cultural feature. This distinguishes the chapels from the village’s history: the frescoes and a named destination take center stage here, while the groups that shaped Ano Poroia culturally are the focus of the village’s history. If you would like to explore a place’s culture beyond its history, the path to the chapels offers another perspective.

Horseback riding and attractions in the municipality

A guided horseback ride from Ano Poroia follows old mountain trails. Unlike the uphill path to the chapels, this is a different kind of activity: the guided tour is the focus of the ride, while the chapels are known for their frescoes. If you are considering a horseback ride for your trip, check in advance whether it is offered on your travel dates.

Attractions in the Municipality of Sintiki include the Byzantine castle in Sidirokastro and the historic fortresses of Roupel and Istibey. The castle is located in Sidirokastro; all three destinations are part of the wider municipal area. This lets you distinguish between attractions directly in Ano Poroia and a broader look at the municipality’s attractions.

Local products and choosing accommodation

In Ano Poroia, the sales stand of the Women’s Agrotourism Association offers handcrafted local products. The stand adds a specific connection to local craftsmanship to the themes of landscape and culture. If you plan to visit, check the current opening hours in advance.

When searching for a hotel in Ano Poroia, you can base your priorities on these different themes: do you want your stay to focus primarily on the village’s landscape and culture, or would you also like to include attractions in the Municipality of Sintiki?

Discover more destinations: Alistráti, Lithotopos Irakleia, Tholos, Ano Vrontou, Megalochori, Draviskos, Kerkini, Kormista

For the broader travel overview: Serres.