Astypalea travel tips: the most important information for your holiday

Are you planning to spend your vacation on the Greek island of Astypalea? Here we have compiled all the essential information for you on how to get there, getting around the island, accommodation, excursions, and much more.

Astypalea is not a destination for every traveler. Getting there is an experience in itself and can leave some holidaymakers feeling perplexed. Whether you are planning a relaxing beach vacation or an island-hopping adventure: with our Astypalea travel tips, you’ll be perfectly prepared.

#1 Getting to Astypalea

Astypalea is located exactly between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese and can be reached either by plane or ferry. In summer there are more connections, in winter the frequency is significantly reduced. In the high season, flights and ferry tickets should be booked early, as Astypalea is very popular with Greeks who have holidays between the beginning of July and the beginning of September.

If you have little vacation time available, the only thing worth it is flying. If you want to include Astypalea in an island hopping tour through Greece, take the ferry and ideally steer from Kos or Kalymnos or Amorgos to Astypalea.

By plane to Astypalea

There are no international flights to Astypalea, you always have to make a stopover in Athens. During the season, there are usually one or two daily connections with SKY express. Astypalea Airport (JTY) is tiny and has only the most basic standards. You arrive, get your luggage and go out. There is neither a café nor a restaurant, only a toilet.

From Athens (ATH) to Astypalea (JTY), the flight takes only 50 to 60 minutes. Plan at least two hours of transfer time in Athens so that you don’t get stressed if your flight is delayed. By the way, only small propeller planes, of the turboprop type, fly to Astypalea, currently only from the airline SKY express.

On the portal Skyscanner* you can find cheap flights to Astypalea:

➲ To cheap flights to the island*

#2 Ferry connections to Astypalea

From Piraeus will take you Blue Star Ferries to Astypalea, mostly with stops on Paros, Naxos, Donoussa or Amorgos. The journey takes eight to ten hours, depending on the route. If you are travelling with a child and are willing to travel at night, you should book a cabin to wake up in the morning with a view of the Kastro. We would not recommend the long day trip with a toddler.

Astypalea is well connected for island hopping, at least in the high season – e.g. with Naxos, Amorgos, Kos or Kalymnos. From Kos and Kalymnos high-speed catamarans also operate from Dodekanisos Seaways (April to September). From 5 Beaufort, however, it becomes unpleasant with these companions. Flexibility is required, because the summer wind Meltemi can lead to short-term timetable changes.

By the way, since 2024 only the port of Pera Gialos below the Chora. The new port in the north called Agios Andreas is no longer operated because there were problems with the mooring of the large ferries.

From my own experience, it is advisable to plan an extra night in Athens or on a neighboring island to save your vacation in case of doubt. The wind on Astypalea can quickly pick up strongly, so that ferries and flights are cancelled.

In high season, it is worth taking the ferry tickets for Astypalea to book early, as the places, especially for vehicles, can be booked up quickly. The easiest way to do this is through our partner Ferryhopper*:

➲ To the ferry booking with Ferryhopper*

#3 Hotel tips for Astypalea

Astypalea is a very quiet Greek island. Only between the end of July and the end of August can it get a little more crowded. In the low season, the Dodecanese island is a true paradise for individualists. Accommodation of all classes is available, with the highest price level in Chora. If you stay in Livadi or Maltezana, you can save.

Our accommodation on Astypalea

Anatoli Luxury Studios & Suites

We stayed in this small, highly recommended hotel above the windmills (2 minutes walk), directly opposite the Kastro. Since we had the upper apartments, we enjoyed a fantastic view of Chora from the balcony. Our rooms were clean and comfortable, some with kitchenettes and the beds very comfortable, the nights wonderfully quiet.

Every day there was a freshly prepared and varied breakfast from the lovable kitchen fairy Nonna, which left nothing to be desired with its delicious, homemade details. There were Greek classics such as spinach dumplings and orange cake, but also Greek omelette, fresh fruit salad and yoghurt with honey from the island of Astypalea.

We particularly appreciate the warm hotel manager Ioanna: She was always at our side, found a solution for everything and reliably supported excursions and restaurant tips. For a relaxed Astypalea stay, we felt in good hands here – absolute recommendation!

➲ To book Anatoli Luxury Studios & Suites*

Recommended Astypalea Hotels

Enclosed we have recommended for you hotels in Astypalea . Click on the links from Booking.com* to get details of the accommodations:

• Castellano Village* (in Maltezana)
• Nisides Suites* (in Livadi)
• Korali* (in Pera Gialos)

→ Via Booking.com* you can view available accommodations on a map and compare prices directly.

#4 Car rentals for Astypalea

You can easily explore the most important sights of Astypalea in one or two days with a normal rental car. For remote corners, however, it is advisable to use a 4×4 vehicle such as the Suzuki Jimny, which some suppliers have in their range. Recommended are: Aggelidis Rental Services and Delis Rent a Car at the harbor.

But the island can also be explored well by scooter. AstyGo’s e-scooters are located in Chora and Pera Gialos. Electric charging stations are available in the towns of Chora, Pera Gialos, Maltezana and at the airport.

Otherwise, there is only one normal gas station (EKO) on the island, which is located at the exit of Pera Gialos in the direction of the airport. There are no car rental companies at the airport itself, you have to book your car hire for Astypalea so order in advance and it will be delivered to you at the airport or port if necessary.

Take the bus to Astypalea

A traditional community bus is available for locals and tourists. The trips are very cheap and the bus runs several times a day during the season from Maltezana via the airport to Chora and Livadi and back. Alternatively, you can also use the compact electric buses on Astypalea (ASTYBUS). For this you need the AstyMove app and a corresponding account.

Driving a taxi on Astypalea

There are only two taxis on the island. The taxi drivers are reliable, but of course they also reach their limits in summer. We can personally recommend Kiki who drove us from the airport to the accommodation in Chora. The price is a matter of negotiation and is best clarified in advance. Taxi Kiki Tel. +30 6975 706 365 and Taxi Pantelis Tel. +30 6976 256 461

#5 What to see in Astypalea

In addition to the enchanting Chora as the main attraction, Astypalea offers beautiful beaches made of sand or gravel, authentic coastal towns such as Livadi and Maltezana and lonely hiking trails in a wildly romantic landscape. Below is a summary of Astypalea’s main highlights:

• Main town Chora with Kastro
• Windmills of Astypalea
• Livadi waterfront
• Kaminakia Beach
• Kastro of Agios Ioannis
• Maltezana with beach and taverns
• The lonely hamlet of Vathy
• Boat tour to Koutsomiti and Kounoupi

#6 Astypalea Tours & Tours

Most holidaymakers come to Astypalea to relax and unwind. For this reason, there is not as extensive a range of tours locally as on other Greek islands.

Nevertheless, a boat tour to the neighboring, uninhabited islands and along the coast of Astypalea is worthwhile. We can personally recommend you the tour operator Avra Cruises. With the beautiful wooden boat we made an unforgettable trip to Kounoupa and Koutsomiti.

→ Click on the links on GetYourGuide* to see details and availability of guided tours for Astypalea:

➲ To the full-day tour Koutsomiti Kounoupa & Red Rock*

➲ To the day trip to Koutsomitis & Kounoupes*

#7 Astypalea Restaurants: Our Recommendations

Astypalea offers a wide range of restaurants and cafes. Due to the quite demanding international audience (including Italians and French, but also Australians), there is still a very good Greek cuisine here, which partly reminds us of islands such as Tinos and Amorgos. In addition, the prices are very fair almost everywhere.

→ Our recommendations for cafés and restaurants in Astypalea:

Notos Café, Chora

This great café bar is open all year round. The friendly Georgios and his wife offer a wide selection of drinks, snacks and even a really good breakfast. You should definitely try the traditional puggia. The prices are top and the location invites you to linger. A place where you always like to stop for a bite to eat.

Taverna To Rodino, Maltezana

Authentic tavern in Maltezana. The boss Ismini is very nice and has created a place to linger with her husband in a green courtyard. We particularly liked the stuffed vine leaves, the fennel balls and the abundant house salad – the price was reasonable. There was dessert on the house.

• Trapezakia Exo, Livadi
• Antikastro, Pera Gialos

Want more restaurant recommendations for Astypalea?

→ In our Google map you will find all 25 cafés and taverns on the island that we have tested and recommended, as well as our best Astypalea Travel Tips:

#8 Best time to visit Astypalea

The tourism season on Astypalea usually starts relatively late around the beginning of June. You can also visit the island in May, but you have to be prepared for the fact that many cafes and restaurants are still closed and no boat trips are yet offered.

In Mid-June the bars of the island are gradually opening. When we were there in mid-June, most of the taverns and cafes were already open. Nevertheless, there were hardly any holidaymakers on site, although the weather was fantastic. Only the sea was still a bit too cool for swimming, but that didn’t stop our little one from jumping into the cool water almost every day at Steno Beach.

Until mid-July it is usually still pleasantly quiet on Astypalea before the Greeks arrive at the end of July and spend their summer holidays here. So it is only really crowded in Astypalea in August.

Off beginning of September peace returns to the island. Most facilities are still open until mid-September and boat tours are still being conducted. From mid-September, however, the first restaurants slowly begin to close.

Beginning of October the season is then officially over. Those who come at this time have the island almost to themselves and can only visit the few taverns and cafes that are open all year round. The weather is usually still wonderfully sunny until November and the sea is pleasantly warm for swimming.

Finally, a word on the subject of wind: Astypalea is a very windy island. During our eight days there, there was always a good breeze, but we quickly got used to it.

FAQ Astypalea: The most important questions

Where is Astypalea?

Astypalea, with its 1,084 inhabitants (2021 census), is located in the southern Aegean Sea between the islands of Amorgos and Kos. Administratively, it belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago.

How to get to Astypalea?

You can reach Astypalea either by domestic flight from Athens – the airline SKY express flies to the island – or by ferry from the port of Piraeus or from the islands of Kos or Kalymnos.

Is Astypalea very touristy?

No, Astypalea has so far been spared from mass tourism, as the island is difficult to reach. Except for August, you usually only have to share the island with a few other holidaymakers.

How much time do I need for Astypalea?

The length of stay on Astypalea usually depends on the available ferry connections if you want to visit the island as part of an island hopping tour. We spent a week on Astypalea and were able to discover a lot during this time. But 3-4 days are also enough to get a first impression.

What are the best places to stay in Astypalea?

The best (and most expensive) place to stay is in Chora with a view of the Kastro. Many accommodations offer a fantastic view of the sea of houses (tip: Anatoli Suites*). In addition, the location is very central, so you can easily reach the main town on foot. On the other hand, you can stay cheaper in Livadi, Maltezana and Pera Gialos.

Is Astypalea suitable for families?

Absolutely! Our four-year-old daughter really liked it, especially the sandy Steno Beach with its shallow shore area is perfect for small children. There is a playground in every village, and the Astypaliots, like all Greeks, are very fond of children. The boat tour to the neighboring islands (see #6) was also a real highlight for the little one.

Can I combine Astypalea with other islands?

Yes, especially in the high season between June and September, there are reliable ferry connections to the Cyclades (e.g. Amorgos and Naxos) and the Dodecanese (e.g. Kos and Kalymnos). For example, Astypalea can be combined with Kos, Kalymnos, Nisyros, Leros, Patmos or Amorgos, Naxos, Paros and the Lesser Cyclades. More information at: Island hopping Greece

➝ You can get more useful travel tips and inspiration about the Dodecanese archipelago here: Dodecanese Islands Blog

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