The architecture and landscape of Andros are very different to that of the rest of the Cyclades with green hillsides covered in stone terracing, crystal clear streams and natural springs, unusual dove cots with square towers whose pigeon holes are decorated with geometric designs, rustic stone villages and handsome stone houses.
The main town of the island, known as Hora (Chora), is particularly attractive with an impressive marble promenade where there are some very elegant restaurants, cafes, bars and boutique shops but without the price tag of comparable islands such as Mykonos or Santorini. The coastline has many lovely, sandy beaches and the island offers watersports and sailing.
Pretty Good Beaches
Andros has excellent sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. Here are some of the best that we have found:
Chrisi Amos
Long, sandy beach and one of the most beautiful on the island with sun loungers and coconut palm umbrellas
Pidima tis Grias
‘Old Lady’s Jump’ - Located 2kms from Ormos this is a small beach with an extraordinary landscape. In the water is a strange rock which according to legend depicts the old lady who helped the Turks occupy the Castle of Kohylou. Regretting her act, she climbed onto the rock and jumped into the sea
Ahla
Beautiful, serene beach with marvelous sand and turquoise water. A pretty chapel lies above the beach and a river behind
Fellos
Situated in a large and sheltered bay, this long sandy beach has crystal clear water. There are trees for shade and a nice taverna
Korthi
Long, sandy beach with the village of Korthi just behind
Zoukos
Set between two rocky outcrops, this is a lovely, long sandy beach with one small taverna. This is a stunning and peaceful setting.
Aghios Petros
The longest, sandy beach on Andros and often good for windsurfing
Pretty Cultural
Andros has always been a wealthy island with an interest in the Arts. From the impressive buildings found in Hora, the main town of the island, to the beautifully artistic designs of its dovecots in rural areas, examples of the island’s cultural heritage abound. Below are just a handful of interesting places to explore on the island:
Modern Art Museum
Founded by the Goulandris family and located in Hora, the main town of the island. This is one of the most important modern art galleries in Greece with exhibitions of major figures of Modern and Contemporary Art. Greek artists and sculptors include Moralis and Fasianos. There have been special exhibitions of Picasso, Kandinsky, Rodin, Richier, Cesar, Decas, Paul Klee, Monet, Van Gogh, Henry Moore and Miro. This is a truly impressive art gallery and well worth visiting
For opening times, please call: +30 22820 22444
Archaeological Museum
Situated in Hora and also donated by the Goulandris family. Exhibits from Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Roman and Byzantine periods are on display
Naval Museum
With its strong maritime and ship building heritage, this is an interesting museum dedicated to the Andriots supremacy in these areas
Kairis Library
Situated in Hora, this was the house belonging to the philosopher Theofilos Kairis. Now fully renovated, it houses an important collection of books and manuscripts from all over the world
Ancient Paleopolis
Interesting archaeological site with a museum exhibiting sculpture from the Classical and Roman eras
Ancient Zagora
One of the oldest settlements in Andros. Not much of the ancient site remains but you can still see some retaining walls and other structures
Strofilas
Prehistoric settlement dating back to 6,500 BC located on the western side of Andros
Monastery of Zoodoxhou Pigis
Dedicated to ‘The Life-Giving Source’, this is one of the oldest monasteries in the Cyclades dating back to the 9th Century AD. Byzantine in style with a stunning wooden chapel, the monastery has high walls and towers and one is struck by the number of monks’ cells – at its zenith this monastery is said to have housed 1,000 monks! It still has a small community of nuns living there.
Monastery of Aghios Nikolaos
Some say that this monastery dates back to the 9th Century, but certainly there is evidence that it dates back to the 14th Century. This is a magnificent building that overlooks the Ahla valley. The church has wonderful frescoes and a superb wooden screen. Like all good medieval monasteries, relics are still in place – here we have the icon of St Nicholas made by a nun called Leonida who plucked out her own hair to weave it.
Monastery of the Panochratou
Located in the village of Fallika. This was built like a Byzantine fortress with panoramic views over the countryside.
Byzantine Church of Phaneromeni
Located inside the castle at the village of Kochilou
Monastery of Aghias Marinas
Very pretty and peaceful. Recently renovated by the abbot
Castle of Hora
Built by the Venetians in 1207
Castle at Kochilou
Venetian castle in the village of Kochilou. This was the biggest and most powerful medieval town in Andros during the 13th Century.
Aghios Petros Tower
There are many towers found throughout the island but this is the most famous. It dates back to the 3rd – 4th Century BC and is made of schist rock. Stand there and be impressed!
Fortified Houses
During the 17th and 18th Century, fortified houses were built in defense of marauding pirates. These houses were built on 2-3 floors with small, narrow windows ‘Masaghia’ on the top floor from which to pour scalding oil on the insurgents. Examples of fortified houses are found throughout the island but look out for the ones in Korthi, Kaparia, Messaria and Bisti. The Mastro-Gianoulli house in the village of Ammolochos is an excellent example.
Pretty Greek Festivals
Feast of the Virgin Mary, 15th August
Byzantine Chapel of Panagia Phaneromeni inside the castle at Kochilou village and the Monastery of Panachratou in the village of Fallika have two great festivals well worth catching
Monastery of Panachratou at Fallika has its feast day on 27th July with big celebrations
Peaceful little monastery of Aghias Marinas celebrates on 17th July
Pretty Sporty
Andros is perfect for walking, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, sailing and windsurfing
Windsurfing & Watersports
Windsurfing school at Korthi. Watersports are also found at Batsi and Aghios Petros
Sailing
The Andros Naval Club at Nimborio is the main sailing club of the island. Each summer sailing races are organized around the island
Walking
Andros has a network of footpaths many of them now signposted and mapped for walkers. Follow these ancient ways discovering over 6,000 years of history and tradition with wonderful nature, ancient waterways full of minerals and curative properties, diverse fauna and over 100 species of wild flowers and herbs some of which are indigenous to Andros.
Pretty Delicious! Food and Drink
The pastry shops of Andros are filled with honey-based sweets that scent the air. Especially try those made with a certain type of almonds or ‘kaltsounia’ as they are known.
Transport
From Athens, regular ferries leave from Rafina port to Gavrio port on Andros. A good website to check out the timetable is www.danae.gr
Port Authority in Rafina +30 22940 28888
Hora Port Authority +30 22820 22250
Hora Taxi +30 22820 22171
Hora Buses +30 22820 24288
Gavrio Port +30 22820 71213
Health
Chora Health Center +30 22820 22222, 23333
Gavrio First Aid +30 22820 71210
Batsi First Aid +30 22820 41326
Messaria First Aid +30 22820 22107
Emergency Numbers
Korthi Police Station +30 22820 61211
Gavrio Police Station +30 22820 71220
Chora Police Station +30 22820 22300
Batsi Police Station +30 22820 41204
Batsi Port Station +30 22820 41986
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