Amorgos

The island of Amorgos isn’t very famous for it’s beaches as the coast is very difficult to access and unless you have a boat. There are some incredible bright blue bays, similar to most of the ones in the Aegean sea. There aren’t many busses that reach the beaches directly so the best alternative is to rent a car/scooter or to get a taxi to visit the different areas of the island. Amorgos is an island where there is often a strong wind, something that you may want to consider before going to the beach and having to go back to your hotel after not very long. The Meltemi (a dry wind that blows on all the Aegean sea) is constant in Amorgos and when it is too strong it could ruin your day at the beach.

Aegiali beach

Aegiali is the nicest beach of the island and with its long golden sandy beaches surrounded by tall trees it is often visited by many tourists. There is more than one beach in the village of Aegiali one of which is dedicated to nudists. The beach can be reached by walking about 20 minutes from the center of the village. The beach is at about 13 kilometers from Amorgos’ Chora on the northern part of the island.

Agia Anna beach

The beach has become famous after the film “Le Grand Bleu” was shot there. It is located at the base of the monastery of Hozoviotissa. There is a small creek covered in pebbles from which you can observe the breath taking sea. From this point the waters have some unique colours. It was here where some of the best scenes from the film “Le Grand Bleu” were taken. When diving in these waters for the first time you will a strong feeling of connection with the island!

Agios Pavlos beach

Agios Pavlos beach is one of Amorgos most representative places. Like Aegiali it is located in the northern part of the island. This beach has mostly pebbles apart from a few sandy areas, it also has crystal clear waters and an excellent tavern just nearby. It can easily be reached by car or by bus (there is a bus-stop very close to the beach). Last but not least from here you will find some boats that organize trips to the nearby island of Nicoura that has some truly amazing beaches.

Agioi Saranta beach

On the northern point of the island, near the village of Katapola where the ferries from Piraeus to Amorgos arrive there is Agioi Saranta beach, a sandy beach similar to those in the northern part of the coast. When you get near the beach you will notice a really long golden beach with a blue sea that makes the landscape incredible. Being a very quiet and peaceful beach here you will have the chance to relax and enjoy a peaceful afternoon in bikini or bermudas

Kalotaritissa beach

Kalotaritissa beach is in the southern part of the island and it has a typical horseshoe shape, it is well protected by the lush vegetation that surrounds it and offers shelter during the really windy or hot days. Here you will find a beach completely covered in sand and a crystal clear sea where to swim in! The siland can be easily reached by car.

Kato Kombos beach

Amorgos is appreciated for its amazing landscapes. Kato Kombos is one of these and thanks to its surroundings it is considered one of the nicest beaches of the island. There is a sandy bay covered by white granite rocks that make this island extra special. There is also an interesting white and blue church. The beach isn’t very equipped so it might be a good idea to bring drinks and food from home if you intend spending the day there. Another important thing to consider is that often this beach is free or anyway not very crowded.

Spiaggia Paradisia

In Amorgos there is one of the nicest coasts in the whole of Greece, these sandy beaches are to consider on the same level as Naxos and Paros which are considered the best islands if you are looking for paradise beaches. 15 km north of the island you will find Paradisia beach. This beach is easy to reach both by car and by scooter, there are plenty of trees near the beach that offer great cover during the hotter months of the year besides many large rocks that are perfect for sunbathing. The beach is equipped with everything a tourist may need like cocktail bars and sun umbrellas.

In Amorgos you will be in close contact with nature, history and Greek traditions. Mosto of the activities on the island are connected to the nature and territory of the island. Here you won’t find any discotheques, waterparks or big structures.

Tour of Amorgos island

The island is worth seeing from a boat just as much than exploring it on foot or with a vehicle. There is an organized boat tour of the island that will give you the chance to see the eastern and southern coasts that aren’t normally accessible because of the tall cliffs surrounding them. On this tour you will also see the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa that is really amazing when seen from the boat.

Snorkeling and diving

The sea bed in the Aegean sea is particularly full of life and for this reason one of the best things to do when visiting this island is to go snorkeling or diving and admiring the natural beauties underwater. There is also an underwater cave that can be visited and is very nice.

Sunset by the Chora

It may seem a bit strange but one of the best and less tiring activities is to go near the island’s Chora and admire the beautiful sunset that is particularly beautiful in this part of Amorgos while sipping a fresh drink and eating some local cheese. The chora is surrounded by lush nature, white churches and a beautiful landscape. If you are planning to visit this part of the island we highly recommend you to visit this wonderful spot, maybe after having spent a day at the beach.

Visit to the small islands in front of Amorgos

Near the island of Amorgos there are some smaller islands that are really beautiful. The main ones are Nikouria and Gramponisi located in front of the beaches of Agios Pavlos and Gramvousa, where besides finding beautiful and solitary beaches you will also have the chance to visit the small and picturesque church nearby.

Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery

Between the many beautiful things to see in Amorgos don’t forget to visit the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, an enchanted place where the man built structures merge completely with the landscape. If you wish to visit it you will have to walk some steep stairways but once you arrive the wonderful panorama and the coloured monks will certainly pay you back! Panagia Hozoviotissa is located near the beach of Agia Anna. Reaching it is very simple and you can choose between taking a bus or renting one of the vehicles you will find on the island.

How to move around Amorgos? Should you rent a vehicle or take one of the many busses spread throughout the island? Amorgos is about 40 kilometers long and you can get from one side of it to the other one in less than one hour. Following the main road that runs the length of Amorgos you will find all the island’s villages. The main ones are: Katapola, the Chora and Aegali which are all located about 25 kilometers from each other. These three main towns are all served by a bus lines that runs until late at night.

Renting a car in Amorgos

Once you reach Amorgos it might be a good idea to rent a vehicle to move around the island. There are many companies that offer this service. The biggest car rentals are located in the island’s chora and in the two ports of Aegiali and Katapola. There are both great companies and small local agencies that rent cars, usually the smaller ones are also cheaper. The average prices for renting a car is about:

• from 22 to 25 euros a day during low season

• from 30 to 35 euros a day during mid season

• from 45 to 50 euros a day during high season

Usually you can ask the owners of your accommodation that you are staying in to recommend you a good car rental as they often offer discounts to people sent by other locals.

Renting a scooter in Amorgos

Renting a scooter is a good option in Amorgos as prices are very low. In fact the prices for renting a scooter for the day are:

•4-5 euros a day during low season

•6-7,5 euros a day during mid season

•9-12 euros per day during high season

We suggest you rent at least a 125 cc scooter as roads can sometimes be very steep making a 50 cc scooter not powerful enough. Another idea could be to rent a quad which will be safer and will also give you the chance to explore some of the island off road. Renting a quad costs between 15 to 20 euros per day. Just like in the case of the cars you can ask for suggestions on where to rent your scooter to the owners of your accommodation that usually have contacts with local people and generally give you the chance to spend a little less. Many structures also offer lifts from and to the island’s port.

Moving around Amorgos by bus

The local bus line is very efficient and connects all the main inhabited centers of the island, including the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa and the most important beaches. The average price of about 2,00 €. The price changes according to which area of the island you are planning to reach. These are the following prices and timetable:

•Busses timetables in Amorgos

•Prices of the tickets

To ensure a complete service during the high season there is also a bus that takes you from Katapola to the Chora going through Aegiali at 1:30 AM. There is also another bus that leaves from Aegiali to Katapola at 2:30 AM

Moving around Amorgos by taxi

The last alternative is to move around the island by taxi, this is the most expensive option but especially if combined with the public transports can result pretty accessible to anyone. To give you an idea of the prices consider that going from Katapola to Aegiali costs about 25 euros, while from Aegiali or Katapola to the Chora the ride costs between 10 and 15 euros.

The island of Amorgos hasn’t got an airport. It can only be reached via sea thanks to a ferry, hydrofoil or private boat. Amorgos is very popular amongst tourists and for this reason there are many ships that reach it on a daily basis.

Reaching Amorgos by ferry from Athens

Every day there are ferries that will get you to Amorgos, the journey lasts about 9 hours by ferry or 6 hours by hydrofoil. The most common route if you choose this option is: reaching Athens airport by plane (there are many low cost airlines that fly all across Europe) and from there reaching the port of Piraeus. From here you will be able to set for Amorgos, there are ferries from Katapola about 4 days a week while the rest of the days most of these set from from Aegiali. The ferry tickets usually cost around 35€ per person, while the hydrofoil costs around 59,00 € per person.

Reaching Amorgos from Mykonos

You will also have the chance to take a hydrofoil for the price of 55,00 € per person, the journey lasts about 2 hours. We recommend you check in advance the timetables of the arrivals in Mykonos airport and organize a lift to the port. The trip lasts about 15 minutes but you should always organize something in advance, especially during high season.

Reaching Amorgos from Santorini

Amorgos can also be reached by travelling from Santorini to Amorgos by hydrofoil for the price of 49,00 € per person. As for Mykonos you should organize in advancer the transport for moving from the airport to the port. From Amorgos you can also reach the Small Cyclades and the island of Naxos, at a low price.
The journey will last a bit longer but it will give you the chance to fully enjoy the Aegean sea. The timetables of the ferries are often updated and not 100% reliable. For this reason you should check the updated timetables constantly.

The island of Amorgos is one of the most beloved Greek islands and is often very crowded, especially during the summer months of July and August. For this reason we suggest you book your stay with plenty of advance. The island gives you the chance to find a place where to stay in both the Amorgos’ coast and central part. The island’s Chora is located near a hill that offers a wonderful view. If you love spending your days relaxing by the beach remember that the two main localities of Katapola and Aegiali have wonderful beaches.

Where to spend the night in Amorgos

The central part of the island is perfect for someone looking for peace and quietness. The cheapest places where to find a place where to spend the night are the villages of Lefkes, Kamari Kalotaritissa or the many houses spread throughout the road that connects the two parts of the island. Near the seaside you will find the typical Greek atmosphere, but the prices are slightly higher.

In the central part of the island you will find:

•The island’s Chora, a typical picturesque Greek village surrounded by white and blue buildings that has fairly high prices.

•Langada and Tholaria are two villages located in the island’s center not far away from the sea. Two great places where to go swimming and exploring the island’s beauties.

•Lefkes and Kamari Kalotaritissa are two small villages made of a few houses and some apartments or strudios that can be rented directly from the local owners. Two very quiet and peaceful villages suited for someone looking for total relaxation.

If you love being in contact with the sea and sleeping surrounded by the sound of waves:

•Aegiali is a mix of white houses with blue roofs that surround the lovely gulf. Here you will also find the biggest resort and SPA of the island besides many hotels, studios and apartments.

•Katapola is the island’s main port and here you will find hotels, studios and apartments located nearby the sea.

Studios in Amorgos

Without any doubts the studios is by far the cheapest option as it will give you the chance to cook and sleep in your own apartment. There are many studios spread throughout the island and they are a great option especially for a couple holiday. As previously said the only thing to remember when staying in your own apartment is that in almost every case you will have to prepare your own food.

Apartments in Amorgos

If you are looking for something a bit more sophisticated an apartment is certainly the best option for you, especially if you are with another group of people. Like for the studios you will have to get your own food ready.

Hotels in Amorgos

There aren’t many hotels in Amorgos also for the presence of many apartments and studios. The few hotels you will find on the island are complete with all the necessary comforts. There are also some all inclusive formulas and in Aegiali you will even find a luxurious resort with SPA.

Dream House Little Villa - Amorgos island

Dream House Little Villa - Amorgos, a structure in Amorgos between classic and luxury. PRENOTA ORA

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