Andros: The 8 most beautiful sights of the Cycladic island

On the edge of the Aegean Sea lies an island, which most people on an island hopping along the Cyclades probably just leave to the left. Hardly anyone knows the second largest island in the archipelago, but Andros has the potential to enchant right away.

“Perhaps Andros is the best-kept secret among the Cyclades islands…”

The Island of Seafarers and Captains is authentic and has remained completely untouched by international tourism. The glorious times of the Greek shipping families can still be felt today on a walk along the marble streets of the Chora.

From the sea, Andros looks like other Cycladic islands, highly rugged and partly barren. However, if you go into the hinterland, you will be surprised by a multifaceted landscape.

Old stone paths meander through wildly romantic gorges and along rugged mountain slopes. The hiking trails are perfectly marked and make it easy to find your way around, even in remote areas of the island.

In the lush green valleys, even in midsummer, it splashes along many streams and geese cavort in the cool water under ancient stone bridges. Golden sandy beaches alternate with coves of white pebbles that make the sea shimmer seductively turquoise blue.

Scattered in the landscape are lonely hamlets and blue-and-white chapels, old dovecotes and monasteries that look like fortresses. Andros is an island that should not be missed on a Cycladic island hopping. Enclosed we show you our 8 Highlights of Andros:

#1 Chora Andros: The picturesque island capital

Almost majestically, the capital of the island sits enthroned on an elongated mountain ridge that digs from a wide valley far into the sea. On the hilly hill white cubes of houses with red roofs, which are complemented by magnificent neoclassical villas and mansions in the centre of Chora. Of the island’s almost 10,000 inhabitants, about 4,000 live in Andros Town and the surrounding area.

Andros city, also called Chora, showed itself to us as a authentic Greek place, still largely untouched by tourism. One reason for this could be the lack of a ferry port. This is located in the village of Gavrio in the west of the island. As a result, usually only a few day trippers get lost on the east coast of Andros.

Walking tour of Andros Town

Be sure to take a morning to wander through the marble-paved streets of the former shipping town. You can start your city tour at the Open Andros Theater, where you can park your vehicle in the free parking lots.

From here you can reach the traffic-calmed pedestrian zone in a few minutes, which leads to the central square, the Platia Kairis. Along the main street you will find numerous shops for daily needs and beautiful boutiques that do not require much tourist knick-knacks.

Arrived at the Platia Kairis with its striking fountain house, numerous cafés invite you to take a short break. With a cool Freddo you can watch the hustle and bustle.

Particularly curious: Standing on the square, you look directly at the sea on both the left and right. A stone archway takes you further into the picturesque old town, which has several highlights in store.

Venetian Kastro and Lighthouse

At the tip of the headland you will come to a large square called Platia Afanous Nautou with the huge bronze Monument of the Unknown Navigator of Andros. From here, you can look out over the remains of a Venetian castle.

Only experienced climbers should dare to cross the old stone arch over to the Kastro. The view of the Chora from the ruins of the castle is magnificent. At the northern end of the former fortress you can see the Tourlitis Lighthouse, the landmark of Andros.

On the way back to the city center, it is worth taking a detour to the small chapel of Agia Thalassini, which is photogenic on a rocky outcrop in the sea.

A visit to the museums of Andros Town is not only recommended in bad weather. Particularly worth seeing are the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

#2 What to see around Andros Town

The stalactite cave Foros

Just a 15-minute drive from Andros Chora, in the hamlet of Aladino, lies the Foros Cave, a small stalactite cave that is the pride of the local population. Especially for cave fans and families with children, the natural wonder is worth a short detour.

From a parking bay above the stone bridge of Aladino, a paved footpath leads about 400 m to the entrance of the stalactite cave. Here you will find a very friendly local guide who will make the tour informative and vivid.

The compact cave with its numerous stalagmites, stalactites and colorful limestones measures about 500 square meters and contains eight rooms in which there are bizarre formations to marvel at.

Sturdy shoes and a jacket for frostbite are recommended, as the temperature inside Foros Cave is a constant 16-17 degrees. Due to the low ceilings and low lighting, hard hats and flashlights are provided free of charge. (01.07.-15.09.: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Wed.+Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., out of season from 16.09.-30.06. only on request, admission: 5 €)

Bridge hike in the Mesaria Valley

This Andros hike takes you along two ancient stone bridges and can be started directly at Foros Cave, for example. Follow route 18a down into the valley until you reach a stream after a few kilometres, which is dominated by the picturesque Stone Bridge »Gefira Aladinou«.

A small group of geese and ducks splash around here in the cool water. Even when we visited at the beginning of September, the stream still had water.

From the first stone bridge, follow Route 1c towards Chora. It goes along unspoilt nature, the paths are well marked. There are always magnificent views of Mesaria, the mountain village of Fallika and later also of Chora. The landscape along the characteristic dry stone walls is simply picturesque.

Occasionally you will encounter wild goats and every now and then abandoned ruins of old stone houses bear witness to the former settlement of the valley. On top of the mountain the mighty Panachrantou Monastery made of dark stone, below are a few snow-white houses and little churches.

After about 45 minutes you will reach the second stone bridge »Stichiomeni«. The almost meditative place in the middle of the valley is embedded in lush green vegetation. A perfect place for an extended rest. In the caves along the washed-out riverbed, centuries-old small hermitages are incorporated, which probably serve as goat dwellings today.

In summer, the stream reaches about as far as here. The huge oleander bushes below the bridge bloomed in full splendor during our visit. If you still want to continue the hike, continue along routes 1 and 17a towards Chora.

On the other side of the bridge, the trail continues along Route 1 towards Mesaria. The whole tour covers about 6 km, you should make sure you have enough water and sturdy shoes.

The springs of Menites

Andros is one of the most water-rich and therefore greenest islands of the South Aegean. Throughout the year there are water-bearing streams, which are fed by the numerous mountain springs. The most famous springs are located in Menites and Apikia (Sariza).

In the centre of Menites, the spring water from Löwenköpfen flows into a canal system. According to legend, wine once flowed out here, hence the name “Springs of Dionysus”, named after the Greek god of wine. In the village itself there are two solid taverns. The idyllic atmosphere under plane trees is worth a detour.

#3 Coastal towns of Batsi and Gavrio

On the west side of the island, you will take the ferry to land for the first time in Gavrio. The unspectacular harbour town, which is located in a sheltered bay, offers a few taverns and cafés, supermarkets and car rental companies. During our stay, Gavrio was only an arrival and departure station.

Those interested in history will find the ancient Agios Petros Tower. It is the most important ancient monument on the island and measures about 20 m in height. Next to the massive round tower with its huge stone blocks, you really feel tiny.

The dilapidated building dates back to the Hellenistic period and once served as a watchtower. Spread all over the island, there are said to have been other pyrgi (Greek towers). The Agios Petros Tower is to be restored in the coming years to protect it from complete collapse.

For a sundowner in Batsi

Probably the most popular place on the west coast is called Batsi. The former fishing village has become a tourist magnet on Andros and in midsummer the atmosphere here is exuberant, especially in the evening.

Batsi is picturesquely nestled in a bay and impresses with its long sandy beach, which is particularly popular with families due to its shallow water.

A visit to the pretty village is particularly worthwhile in the late afternoon and evening. Then you can spend the day in one of the Taverns directly at the harbour pier with a sunset view.

The best view of Batsi is from the cozy Kolona Beach Bar. Here you can unwind with a cool drink and then dive into the crystal clear sea.

#4 Beautiful beaches in Andros

Andros is also wonderful for a beach holiday. From the operated sandy beach with a wide range of water sports to the secluded bay with white pebbles and turquoise blue water, everything is available on the Cycladic island.

Golden Beach

On the west coast between Gavrio and Batsi you will find several beautiful beaches. At Golden Beach, also known as Psili Ammos, the name says it all. A fantastic sandy beach with shallow, clear water provides paradisiacal bathing fun.

Umbrellas and loungers as well as toilets and showers are available. A lifeguard is also on site in midsummer. Due to the shallow entrance, Golden Beach is ideal for families with children.

Right next to the Golden Beach is the lively Paralia Kipri. The sandy beach offers an extensive range of water sports as well as several beach bars.

Agios Kyprianos

A little further south you will reach the small bay of Kyprianos Beach. Especially in the low season, you will find a quiet swimming spot on this sandy beach. The pretty chapel above the beach is often used for weddings.

Batsi Beach

In the coastal town of Batsi lies the sandy beach of the same name, which slopes very gently into the sea. It is particularly popular with families with children. It has sun loungers and umbrellas as well as sanitary facilities. In addition, there are plans to make the beach usable for people with disabilities.

Vitali Beach

The north of Andros in particular is home to several beautiful bays, but most of them can only be reached with an off-road vehicle.

Alternatively, we recommend a private tour guide who will show you the northern beaches on a day trip by jeep (more info: Guided tours in Andros).

A real beach pearl with a light pebble beach and turquoise blue water is Vitali Beach in the northeast of the island. Nestled in a picturesque bay with a blue-and-white chapel, you can refresh yourself here.

On site you will find the Kampos Beach Bar, which serves delicious snacks and drinks in a chilled atmosphere. One of our absolute Andros highlights! The approach is via a 5 km long dilapidated gravel road.

Zorkos Beach

A little further north is the wide bay with its seductive turquoise blue shimmering water. On the pebble beach, umbrellas and sunbeds are available for rent in midsummer. Depending on the wind direction, there are quite high waves at Zorkos Beach and the beach drops quickly deep. The approach is via a bad gravel road.

Fellos Beach

The long bay in the northwest of the island is especially popular with the locals. Since there is no operator, everyone brings their own umbrella or uses the shade of the tamarisk trees. The coarse sandy beach slopes very gently into the crystal clear sea. Through the wind-protected location there are usually hardly any waves.

Tis Grias to Pidima (The Old Lady’s Leap)

Wild beach in the southeast of the island, which is very popular due to its unique setting. In front of the grey sandy beach stands a huge stone pillar in the middle of the sea.

Especially when there is no wind, the rocky bay is wonderful for swimming, even if it is very frequented in midsummer. Above the cliff you can park your vehicle. A steep path for you down to the natural beach.

#5 On the road in the south of Andros

One of the most beautiful panoramic roads leads from Andros town along the southeast coast to Ormos Korthiou. Take a day to explore this magnificent area on Andros.

From Chora, the road first runs to the sleepy village of Sineti, which is impressively enthroned on the slopes of the Dipotamata Gorge. At the foot of the gorge is Sineti Beach, which invites you to refresh yourself in calm wind conditions.

Hiking enthusiasts can take a tour through the imposing Dipotamata Gorge with their 22 (!) historic watermills, some of which are still preserved. The river of the same name makes its way into the sea here and usually still carries water all year round.

Ascent to Kastro Faneromeni

In pretty village of Kochylos a real Andros highlight awaits us. On a striking rock at an altitude of 583 m above the village lie the remains of Kastro Faneromeni.

A well-navigable gravel road leads almost up to the top of the castle ruins, where the white church of Panagia Faneromeni shines. The view from up here of the bay of Ormos Korthiou and the Aegean Sea is simply magnificent!

The Kastro of Faneromeni, also called “Pano Kastro” (Upper Castle), was built for defensive purposes in the 13th century under Venetian rule. In the 16th century, it fell into the hands of the Ottomans, who built residential buildings around the complex, ruins of which can still be seen today.

The atmosphere is particularly atmospheric in the evening, when the setting sun bathes the entire mountain plateau in a warm light and makes the hearts of photography fans beat faster.

Coffee break in Ormos Korthiou

The small coastal town in the south of Andros seems quite unspectacular at first glance. A few fish taverns are lined up on the concrete waterfront and south of the village is the long sandy-pebble Milos Beach, which is mostly deserted.

An idyllic place to linger is the Doloma Bar on the northern outskirts of the village, directly below the church of Agia Ekaterini. Here you can sip a cool Freddo with a view of the bay of Ormos Korthiou or refresh yourself on the small stretch of beach.

#6 Andros Island Tour: From Batsi to Stenies

Another beautiful panoramic route on Andros leads over the mountains from west to east, or optionally the other way around. From the coastal town of Batsi, the road winds through the wild mountain landscape of Andros.

Passing Kato Katokilos, the route leads to the green valley of Remata. Afterwards in several serpentines up to Arni and along the flanks of the highest mountain Kouvara or Profitis Ilias at 997 m.

Behind Arni we can make a detour to the chapel of Profitis Ilias, which is enthroned on a striking rock (see #7 Hiking in Andros). The route leads through almost alpine landscape continue to Vourkoti and then cross the ridge down to Apikia.

From here, especially in spring, it is worthwhile to take a short hike (Route 2a) to the Pithara Waterfalls, which are located in a lush valley. In the village of Apikia itself, mineral water is still commercially extracted from the Sariza spring.

Along the road from Apikia to the picturesque village of Stenies magnificent views of the Chora of Andros await you. Once you arrive in Stenies, you can refresh yourself on one of the beautiful sandy beaches or continue towards the capital.

Everywhere on the island you will encounter the Xirolithies: curious dry stone walls into which large vertical slate slabs were incorporated between small stones stacked on top of each other. This construction is typical for Andros and since there was enough slate, the slabs were simply built into the masonry to save stones. The Xirolithies were used, among other things, to demarcate the property and fence off the cattle.

#7 Hiking on Andros: Panorama from the Rock Chapel

Andros is a still quite unknown hiking paradise in Greece with a network of over 150 km of trails consisting of about 20 routes. Thanks to the association Andros Routes the hiking trails are perfectly marked, making it easy to find your way around the island.

Hiking on Andros is a treat for every nature lover, especially in spring. Between babbling streams, you walk along old watermills, over historic stone bridges and to lonely chapels, always accompanied by lush blossoms.

A particularly attractive route is the Route 12 from Vourkoti to Arni, which leads, among other things, to the Kouvara, the highest mountain ridge of Andros with 997 m. We only walked a short section of this route to the rock chapel of Profitis Ilias.

For the half-day hike you park your car about 2 km east of Arni on the road to Vourkoti. Here a dirt road leads up to the right up to a bizarre rocky outcrop, on which the white chapel is impressively enthroned.

As you hike up the mountain, you will be accompanied by a magnificent view of the village of Arni and colorful slopes covered in lush maquis. Directly below the boulder is another chapel, behind which there are shelters for grazing sheep.

If you walk around the rock, you can climb up a staircase to the upper chapel of Profitis Ilias. The view from the forecourt of the chapel is magnificent and the surrounding mountain landscape of Andros is simply breathtakingly beautiful!

The 2 km climb is quite steep and takes about 45 minutes. Due to the altitude, it is advisable to have long clothes with you, even in summer. Sometimes the temperatures here are about 10 degrees lower than in the coastal towns.

#8 Wine enjoyment at Kourtesis

The viticulture in Andros dates back to ancient times, but most of the vineyards have been abandoned over the centuries or are only operated for their own use. In 2015, the Andriote Makis Kourtesis began to revive the island’s vineyard treasure with a lot of passion and dedication for organic wine.

Rarely have we enjoyed such a great red wine as from Kourtesis! If you visit Andros, please promise to bring us a bottle of “Ypsilon”?!

The location of the Kourtesis Wine Estate above the capital guarantees a fantastic panorama. The vineyards gently slope down the slope and offer a spectacular view of Andros Chora. The tasting room and utility rooms are housed in cavernous vaults, creating a cozy atmosphere during a visit.

Three different varieties are currently offered, which (unfortunately) are only sold on site at the winery. The focus is on cultivation of Cycladic grape varieties such as Mavrotragano, Mandilaria, Assyrtiko, Malagousia and the native variety Potamisi.

One Wine tour incl. tasting is an unforgettable experience for lovers of fine wines in the only official winery on the island of Andros. Tours can be booked by phone by appointment. More information can be found directly on the homepage: Kourtesis Winery

More travel tips for your Andros vacation

Guided tours and activities in Andros

The island of Andros can be wonderfully explored on your own with a Hired car. Guided tours also offer the advantage of benefiting from the know-how of the local guides and learning more about the island and its people.

We have enclosed popular Andro’s activities with good reviews. Click on the link from GetYourGuide* to see more details:

➲ To the guided tours*

Vlm Travel, Batsi

The best way to reach the beautiful northern beaches of Andros is by Savvas and his jeep. The friendly guide runs the travel agency Vlm Travel and offers numerous day and half-day excursions, including a whole Island tour on Andros.

➲ To the organized island tour (via GetYourGuide)*

Particularly popular are the Full-day sightseeing tour across the island and the off-road trips to secluded beaches. In addition, you can also book cooking classes, hiking tours, and diving and snorkeling trips through the agency. Do you have a special request? Savvas makes almost everything possible! 😉

You can find more information here: Vlm Travel Andros

Andros Cooking Class at Votsalo Seaside

For amateur cooks who would like to learn more about the traditional Greek cuisine, we recommend a cooking class in Andros. Our cooking class took place under the guidance of the charismatic Katharina, owner of the Tou Zozef tavern, at Votsalo Seaside Estate.

The environment could hardly be more fitting, chopping and cooking takes place in an outdoor kitchen in the idyllic vegetable garden of the plant. Depending on the season, the ingredients are harvested as fresh as possible from the vegetable patch. All participants are actively involved in the preparation of the food. Chef Katharina is on hand with advice and support.

We rolled Dolmadakia ourselves for the first time in the cooking class. It’s amazing how much work goes into the small vine leaves filled with rice! The Greek cooking class lasts about four hours and the cost is about 65 euros per person, including wine and ouzo. The activity can be booked, for example, via Vlm Travel: Cooking Experience in Andros

Accommodation on Andros

Since Andros is characterized by soft tourism, large hotel bunkers and all-inclusive facilities are completely missing. Instead, you will find beautiful boutique hotels, villas and holiday homes scattered all over the island, which offer a very familiar and private atmosphere:

➲ To beautiful hotels on the island (Booking.com)*

→ About Booking.com* you will find many accommodation on Andros and you can check prices here:

Here we spent the night

Votsalo Sea Side Villas, Stenies

Below the pretty seaside village of Stenies are the three villas of the Votsalo Seaside Estate. The white beach houses are spread over two floors and are very tastefully and modernly furnished.

The extensive equipment of the holiday homes is also ideal for self-catering and there is really everything you need for a relaxing holiday. From the big balcony upstairs, which surprises with a Jacuzzi, you can enjoy a wonderful sea view.

The villas are nestled in an idyllic garden where cooking classes (see Andros cooking class) and yoga classes take place. The on-site lounge-style bistro-café is located directly in front of the villa complex. From there it is only a stone’s throw to Gialia Beach. On Booking.com* you can book the accommodation directly if needed:

➲ Book Votsalo Sea Side Villas*

Yana Studio, Mesaria

Ioanna’s spacious studio is located in a quiet side street in the suburb of Mesaria, just 5 km from Andros Chora. The modern and air-conditioned apartment includes a very well-equipped kitchen, a comfortable double bed and even a washing machine.

Directly in front of the studio there is a small terrace and a parking area for the rental car. Ioanna is a lovely hostess and even provided us with fresh fruit and vegetables from their own garden. The accommodation is great for individualists and is a good starting point to explore the island. You can book the accommodation directly here: Yana Studio

Andros restaurants: Our recommendations

Asēmóleuka, Ipsila

Here you will find a cozy tavern with a terrace and a fantastic view of the capital. Homemade Greek dishes are served, including the Island Specialty Fourtalia, a traditional hearty omelette. You should also try the pickled zucchini slices and the eggplant dip (Melitzanosalata).

dolly’s Restaurant (Micra Anglia Hotel), Chora

The gourmet restaurant at the Micra Anglia Hotel has everything you could wish for for a romantic evening. In a casual atmosphere, you can enjoy an excellent menu here. The Greek and international dishes are served attractively in individual courses. A good selection of wines accompanies the taste experience. The staff is very accommodating and child friendly.

Gevsis me Thea, Livadia

In the hamlet of Livadia above Andros Chora lies this pretty restaurant with stunning views on the Mesaria Valley. Here we ate really delicious at a fair price-performance ratio. We found the chicken in spicy sauce with rice particularly delicious. The staff is a bit reserved but friendly.

Kóssēs, Epano Felos

The rustic farm is located about 15 minutes north of Gavrio by car in a quite lonely stretch of land. Served in a rustic ambience are mainly hearty meat dishes from their own husbandry, as well as traditional Greek home cooking.

One worthwhile excursion destination especially for families with children, as there are some animals to marvel at on the farm. If you want to get a free seat, you should be early, as the tavern is very popular with locals and is often packed, especially on weekends.

Getting around Andros

With a north-south extension of 40 km and 17 km in width, Andros is the third largest island in the South Aegean region. The larger towns of Gavrio, Batsi and Chora are reliably connected by KTEL buses. You can find the current bus timetable at: KTEL Andros

The beaches along the west coast can also be easily reached by public transport. For further explorations of the island, however, it is worth renting a car, so you can also reach remote beaches and hiking areas flexibly.

Local car rental companies are available in Gavrio, Batsi and Chora. We can recommend the following car rental companies on Andros:

• Andros Car Rental
• George’s Rent-a-Car Andros
• CAPTAINS Rent a Car Andros

Getting to Andros Island

The island of Andros does not have an airport and is only by ferry from Rafina (Athens East) or via the neighboring islands Tinos, Mykonos or Syros arrival-able. There are currently no direct connections from the port of Piraeus (Athens South).

From Germany (or A, CH) you can take a direct flight to Athens (Book on Skyscanner*) or to Mykonos. From Athens airport it is to the ferry port Rafina east of Athens only 30 min by taxi. From Mykonos, the fast catamaran takes about 1.5 hours to reach Andros.

From the port of Rafina, car ferries of the companies Golden Star Ferries and Fast Ferries depart several times a day during the season to Andros in just 2 hours and dock at the port of Gavrio in the northwest of the island. We use the portal Ferryhopper* to find suitable ferry connections for the Greek islands:

➲ To the ferry booking with Ferryhopper*

→ All information and travel reports about the Cyclades archipelago can be found at: Cyclades Islands

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