Amorgos. Katapola. Egiali. Agia Anna. Mouros. Chora.

Amorgos

Amorgos lies east of Naxos in the Cyclades. This is my favourite of the more than 60 Greek islands I have been to. Off course I am just one of many fans. The real enthusiasts return to Amorgos at least once every year, which says something of the attraction of this amazing island – if you visit Amorgos once, you always long to go back.

Still it is hard to explain for someone who has never been there what it is that makes Amorgos unique. Even we fanatics cannot agree on a reason for our love. Amorgos has an atmosphere I have not experienced anywhere else. There is something about the mountains and sea that affects your mind. I cannot say how or why it happens, but every time I get off the boat I feel an inner peace. I know it sounds woolly, but my advice is to go and see for yourself – maybe you will have the good fortune of experiencing the same thing. And one more thing – if you like hiking Amorgos is the place to be.

GETTING HERE
The is best to fly to Santorini (also known as Thira) and then go on by boat. During high season there is a direct connection to Amorgos. If you come any other time you have to go to Naxos and change boats there. The small car ferry Express Skopelitis operates the route Naxos – Iraklia – Schinoussa – Koufonissi – Amorgos all year round. Amorgos has two harbours, Katapola and Egiali, which is something to consider when you buy tickets.

Egiali.

Profitis Elias.

GETTING AROUND
There is regular bus service on the route Katapola–Chora–Egiali. The trip from Katapola to Egiali takes about one hour. From Chora there are buses to the rock beach Agia Anna and to the monastery Chozoviotissa. Scooters and cars can be rented in Chora, Egiali and Katapola.

VILLAGES
I have good cause to say that all the villages on Amorgos are interesting, this is one of the reasons I like the island so much. Two villages – Katapola and Egiali – are on the coast, and the rest are in the mountains. You can read more about Katapola, Chora and Egiali below. Other villages on Amorgos include Potamos, Langada, Tholaria, Vroutsi and Arkesini.

Katapola
Katapola is in my opinion the most pleasant of all the villages on Amorgos. It is a long narrow village with just a few streets and hardly any alleys – what you see from the boat is all there is. Practically all the houses lie along the water, or just a stone's throw away from it. Along the bay there is a large number of tavernas, cafés and small bars lined in a row. Many of them are quite irresistible. The best beach close to Katapola is Maltezi beach – to which you can go by foot or take the bathing-boat. Right behind Maltezi, across the mountain, there is a lovely rock beach. The bathing-boat to Maltezi also stops here. There is also a nice beach just below Eleni Rooms.

Katapola.

Egiali
Egiali is the largest village on north side of Amorgos and also the second port of the island. The village is concentrated around the bay where the beach begins. The whitewashed houses, many of them pensions, climb up along the mountain towards the village Potamos. The long sandy beach is superb for families with children, light yellow sand on the seabed and shallow water. The beach stretches along the entire bay and it is easy to find a god spot for yourself. The tavernas are also close by, some lie just behind the beach. In the distance above Egiali you can catch a glimpse of the genuine villages Langada, Tholaria and Potamos.

Chora
The capital Chora is free from motoring and lies about five kilometres (3,1 miles) from Katapola. It is one of the absolute finest villages in the Cyclades. It is pretty as a postcard and goes well together with the dream of the perfect Greek island: narrow meandering alleys bordered by whitewashed houses with doors and shutters blue painted. In the alleys there are tavernas where it is easy to get stuck with a good book and a cold beer. The absolute finest part of the village is the square. There is a café where you easily can laze away an afternoon or two. You should definitely also pay a visit to the taverna To Xyma on the narrow main street: good food, perfect location and very cosy.

BEACHES
Amorgos is not a beach paradise, quite the opposite. This is something of a paradox, because popular islands usually have nice beaches to attract visitors. On Amorgos the rock beaches are the main attraction. Off course there are some ordinary beaches, like the long sandy beach in Egiali and the Maltezi beach in Katapola, but most people who go to Amorgos seem to prefer the rock beaches. Perhaps it is because the water that surrounds Amorgos is possibly the clearest in all of the Cyclades.

Agia Anna and Mouros are the most popular bathing places. Agia Anna lies beneath Chora and consists of small strips of shore with shingle, large stones and a projecting rock. The rocks and the legendary blue sea is what bring people here. To take a swim outside the rock beach and turn to gaze upon the white monastery is enough to make anyone religious. There is no taverna, but a cantina is open during high season. Nudism is common.

Mouros lies not far from the village Vroutsi on the southeast side of Amorgos. The view over the beach is beautiful, almost in the same league as the one over Agia Anna. The rather small beach consists of shingle and nice rocks surrounded by crystal clear turquoise water. Behind the rocks there are some small caves that you can swim in to, it is exciting to discover them with a mask and snorkel. There is a taverna above the beach.

Agia Anna.

SIGHTS
To me Amorgos is a sight in itself. The wild nature, the scenic and dramatic mountains, the picturesque villages, the fabulous tracks, the silence and the prevailing stillness is enough. And do not forget the fantastic sea. Above all this Amorgos also offers one of the most spectacular sights in the island world: the monastery Panagia Chozoviotissa, as well as other sights like Ancient Arkesini, Minoa and Agios Theologos.

The monastery Panagia Chozoviotissa
Panagia Chozoviotissa is located right beneath Chora on the way to Agia Anna. From a distance it can appear as a giant sugar cube that has somehow riveted itself on the mountain. The absurd location is not all; the monastery is also very narrow – in some places no more than 4 metres (13 feet) between the outside walls. A trip to Panagia Chozoviotissa is a must when you visit Amorgos, not just because of the monastery itself – the view of the great blue is unparalleled. Remember to dress properly: arms and legs shall be covered and women must wear a long skirt or dress. Open everyday from 8 am – 13 pm and 5–7 pm.

ACCOMMODATION
Finding a good place to stay at Amorgos is easy, with one exception – if you are travelling during the high season (middle of July till the end of August) you should make a reservation and be prepared for high rates. Regardless of when you go, you must always decide which village to stay in: Katapola or Egiali. Certainly, there are pensions in other villages, but usually only the most devoted enthusiasts stay there. I prefer Katapola because of its closeness to Chora, Agia Anna and the monastery. One other advantage is the location on the middle of the island – it is just as far to Egiali in the northeast as to Arkesini in the southwest. If you are looking for peace and quiet you can stay in one of the smaller villages, for example the extremely serene Agios Pavlos near Egiali.

Panagia Chozoviotissa.

MORE ABOUT AMORGOS
Geographical location »
Map of Amorgos »
Easter on Amorgos » Amorgos.se »
Ferry timetable »

OTHER LINKS
Koufonissi - nearest island »
Weather in Greece »

PICTURESFROMGREECE.COM
Maltezi »
The big blue »
Agios Theologos »
Chora »
Katapola »
Langada »
Chora 2 »
Katapola 2 »
Cat »
Easter »
Cistu Albidus »
Katapola 3 »

Home » | About us » | Kalimera » | Picturesfromgreece »