Amorgos
The rugged mountain scenery of Amorgos sets it apart from most of the other islands in the Cyclades, and the lack of good beaches means that it has not succumbed to mass tourism. Instead it attracts visitors who want to see the Greek way of life, and find that itself a better way of relaxing than simply lying in the sun for several hours.
Amorgos is a long, thin island, and the mountains are such a dominant feature of the landscape that it was not until the 1990s that a decent road was built making for easier connections between the northeast and the southwest. Until then, it was often more comfortable and just as quick to travel by boat.
Its challenging scenery has been no barrier to cultural development, as it was settled as long ago as 3300 BC and was one of the most influential centres of the Cycladic civilisation when there were three important cities here: Minoa, Arkesini and Egiali. Later the Romans used it as a place of exile, before it fell like the other nearby islands under the Venetians and then the Turks. During the regime of the Colonels it was again used as an island of exile for political prisoners, but received a boost to its image and its tourism figures when it featured in the 1988 film The Big Blue by French director Luc Besson.
The main town is Amorgos Town, or Chora, a wonderful example of a Cycladic town, with white houses gathered underneath a 13th-century Venetian castle, several windmills and over forty churches and chapels. Don’t miss seeing Agios Fanourios, the smallest chapel in Greece with room for just three people inside.
The principal town in the north of the island is Ormos Aigialis, or Egiali, the main port and possessor of the island’s only sandy beach. It is therefore as developed as resorts get on Amorgos, and a good base for exploring the hills of the north of the island with their beautiful hill villages, or walking to deserted coves.
Getting to Amorgos
Flights to Amorgos
Amorgos does not have an airport. The best way to get there would be to try to find a cheap flight from Athens or elsewhere to the nearest airports at Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini, or Paros, and take a ferry or catamaran from there.
Ferries to Amorgos
Amorgos is in the Cyclades and its nearest big neighbor is Naxos, but other islands including Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Ios, and Astypalaia are not too far away either. There are regular ferries or faster catamarans to Amorgos from all those islands as well as Tinos and a few others. There are several sailings a week from the Athens port of Piraeus too, although it will take you several hours to get there. From the port of Rafina there are both regular ferries and faster high-speed ferries.
Ferries in Greece
Ferries in Greece has an excellent and very thorough website where, in addition to checking ferry schedules and times, you can also book tickets and get lots of useful information about travelling by ferry in Greece.
What to Do on Amorgos
Amorgos has never been one of the busiest islands and some guidebooks don't even list it. But in the past few years more and more people have discovered its charms, which include good beaches, dramatic mountain scenery and consequently some good walks to be had.
Panagia Chosoviotissa on Amorgos
The main town on Amorgos, Hora (or Chora), is roughly in the centre of the island, and one walk everyone should make is to the stunningly located Monastery of Panagia Chosoviotissa (see photo, right, by Jan Sundstedt). Apart from its setting, the main appeal for Greek visitors is an icon which dates from the 11th-century, when the monastery was founded. The monastery is still occupied by a few monks, and modest dress is required when visiting. Admission is free but donations are naturally welcomed, and the monastery is open daily in the mornings and again for a couple of hours in the early evening. Check locally for current opening times.
Where to Stay on Amorgos
Other Cyclades pages
Tinos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece
The island of Tinos in the Cyclades has several daily ferry connections from Rafina on the Greek mainland and is most famous for the Feast of the Assumption.
Things to Do on Mykonos
There are plenty of things to do on Mykonos, one of the most popular Greek islands, such as nightlife, beaches, churches and visiting the ancient site of Delos.
Syros
Syros is in the Cyclades islands, with Ermoupoli as its main town and some good beaches, described here on the Greece Travel Secrets website.
Sikinos
Surrounded by bigger and better-known Cyclades islands such as Ios, Naxos and Santorini, Sikinos is a delightfully untouristy island.
Sifnos
Sifnos is one of the smaller islands in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea.
Serifos
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Schinoussa and Iraklia Travel Guide
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Paros in the Cyclades Islands in Greece
The island of Paros in the Cyclades is famous for its marble, and on this page you can also see information about flights and ferries to Paros.
Naxos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece
The island of Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and on this page you can see information about flights and ferries to Naxos.
Mykonos
Mykonos in the Cyclades islands in Greece has cheap and luxury hotel accommodation, car rental, ferries from Athens, Santorini, Crete and other Greek islands.
Milos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece
The island of Milos in the Cyclades in Greece is noted for its museums and beaches, and read about flights and ferries to Milos.
Kimolos
Kimolos is in the Cyclades islands of Greece, close to Milos.
Kythnos
Kythnos is a small island in the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, with easy access from Athens and popular with Athenians on summer weekends.
Kea
Kea is in the Cyclades group of Greek islands and this page from Greece Travel Secrets shows how to get there by ferry and what to do when you've arrived.
Ios in the Cyclades Islands of Greece
The island of Ios in the Cyclades group of islands in Greece is noted for its nightlife in summer, as well as its beaches, churches and the grave of Homer.
How to Get from Mykonos to Santorini
You can get from Mykonos to Santorini, and of course from Santorini to Mykonos, by ferry, by plane (sort-of) or even by helicopter.
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Travel information from Greece Travel Secrets about Folegandros in the southern Cyclades, close to Sikinos, with flight and ferry information.
Delos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece
The island of Delos in the Cyclades islands is a unique archaeological site, taking up the whole island, and a popular day trip from nearby Mykonos.
Cyclades
Travel information about the Cyclades group of Greek islands including Mykonos, Santorini (Thira), Naxos, Paros, Delos, Tinos, Siros, Milos, Amorgos.
Best Time to Visit Mykonos
The best time to visit Mykonos depends on if you want crowds or quiet, heat or cooler temperatures, all of which affect when is the best time to visit Mykonos.
Antiparos
Travel information about Antiparos near Paros in the Cyclades Islands of Greece from the Greece Travel Secrets website.
Andros in the Cyclades Islands of Greece
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Travel advice and information on Anafi in the Greek Cyclades islands with good beaches, walking, accommodation, tavernas.
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