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 you need 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, while in winter the frequency is significantly reduced. In high season, flights and ferry tickets should be booked early, as Astypalea is very popular with Greeks, who tend to holiday between the beginning of July and the beginning of September.

If you have little vacation time available, flying is the only worthwhile option. If you want to include Astypalea in an island-hopping tour through Greece, take the ferry and ideally head there from Kos, Kalymnos, or Amorgos.

By plane to Astypalea

There are no international flights to Astypalea, so 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 facilities. You arrive, collect your luggage and head 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 exclusively with 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

Blue Star Ferries will take you from Piraeus to Astypalea, mostly with stops at Paros, Naxos, Donoussa or Amorgos. The journey takes eight to ten hours, depending on the route. If you are travelling with a child and don’t mind an overnight crossing, you should book a cabin so you can wake up in the morning to a view of the Kastro. We would not recommend the long daytime 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 is in operation. The new port in the north called Agios Andreas is no longer used due to problems with mooring the large ferries.

From personal experience, it’s advisable to plan an extra night in Athens or on a neighbouring island, just in case – it could save your holiday. The wind on Astypalea can pick up quickly and strongly, causing ferries and flights to be cancelled.

In high season, it’s worth booking your ferry tickets to Astypalea early, as spots – especially for vehicles – can fill up fast. 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, this Dodecanese island is a true paradise for individualists. Accommodation of all categories is available, with the highest prices in Chora. If you stay in Livadi or Maltezana, you can save some money.

Our accommodation on Astypalea

Anatoli Luxury Studios & Suites

We stayed at 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, the beds very comfortable and the nights wonderfully quiet.

Every day, the lovable kitchen fairy Nonna prepared a fresh and varied breakfast that left nothing to be desired, with delicious homemade touches throughout. There were Greek classics such as spinach dumplings and orange cake, as well as Greek omelettes, fresh fruit salad and yoghurt with honey from the island of Astypalea.

We particularly appreciated the warm hotel manager Ioanna: she was always there for us, found a solution for everything and reliably helped with excursion planning and restaurant tips. For a relaxed stay on Astypalea, we felt in very good hands here – an absolute recommendation!

➲ To book Anatoli Luxury Studios & Suites*

Recommended Astypalea Hotels

Below we have recommended some hotels on Astypalea for you. 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 standard rental car. For more 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 options are: Aggelidis Rental Services and Delis Rent a Car at the harbor.

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

There is only one regular gas station (EKO) on the island, located at the exit of Pera Gialos in the direction of the airport. There are no car rental companies at the airport itself, so you need to book your car hire for Astypalea in advance — it will be delivered to you at the airport or port if needed.

Taking the Bus on 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.

Taking a taxi on Astypalea

There are only two taxis on the island. The taxi drivers are reliable, but of course they can get stretched to their limits in summer. We can personally recommend Kiki, who drove us from the airport to our accommodation in Chora. The price is negotiable and is best agreed 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 sandy and pebble beaches, authentic coastal villages such as Livadi and Maltezana, and secluded hiking trails through a wildly romantic landscape. Below is a summary of Astypalea’s main highlights:

• Main town Chora with the 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 Trips & Tours

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

Nevertheless, a boat tour to the neighboring, uninhabited islands and along the coast of Astypalea is well worth it. We can personally recommend the tour operator Avra Cruises. On their 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. Thanks to its quite discerning international audience — including Italians, French, and Australians — the island still boasts a very good Greek cuisine, which is somewhat reminiscent of islands such as Tinos and Amorgos. On top of that, 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 great and the location invites you to linger — it’s a place where you’ll always be happy to stop for a bite to eat.

Taverna To Rodino, Maltezana

An authentic taverna in Maltezana. The owner Ismini is very welcoming and has created a lovely spot to relax, with her husband, in a green courtyard. We particularly enjoyed the stuffed vine leaves, the fennel balls and the generous house salad — all at a reasonable price. Dessert was 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 tavernas 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 should be prepared for the fact that many cafes and restaurants are still closed and no boat trips are offered yet.

By mid-June the island’s bars are gradually opening up. When we were there in mid-June, most of the taverns and cafes were already open. Nevertheless, there were hardly any holidaymakers around, even though the weather was fantastic. The sea was still a little 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 to spend their summer holidays here. So it only really gets crowded on Astypalea in August.

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

By the beginning of October the season is 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 into 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.

➝ Find more useful travel tips and inspiration about the Dodecanese archipelago here: Dodecanese Islands Blog

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 do you 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 in August, you usually only have to share the island with a few other holidaymakers.

How much time do I need for Astypalea?

How long you 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 that 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 over the sea of houses (tip: Anatoli Suites*). The location is also very central, so you can easily reach the main town on foot. If you’re looking for something cheaper, Livadi, Maltezana and Pera Gialos are all good options.

Is Astypalea suitable for families?

Absolutely! Our four-year-old daughter loved it — especially the sandy Steno Beach, whose shallow waters are 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 neighbouring islands (see #6) was also a real highlight for the little one.

Can I combine Astypalea with other islands?

Yes, especially in 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

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