The
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Andros
island
Andros
An island of a cultural backround, natural beauty and wonderful beaches. It's very close to Athens, just a two-hour boat ride from Rafina(the second biggest port after Pireaus)which is situated on the east coast of Attiki.Its crystal clear waters, wonderful villages, worth visiting museums and good nightlife make it a popular destination for Greeks as foreiners prefer other more touristic destinations.
The island has always been a cultural centre of Greece and the hometown of three of the most important naval families and shipowners in Greece. Many of the old buildings in Chora are of neoclassical style and are considered jewels of the town. But the buildings which characterize the island are the pigeon houses scattered around the island. One can see pigeon houses only on the islands of Andros and nearby Tinos.
August 2014
Andros belongs to the Cyclades,with a very easy access from Rafina Port,just a 2-hour ride with the ferry boat(36euros return ticket). Gavrio is situated at he west coast of the island and it's 32km away from Chora,the capital of the island. There are beaches on the west and east coast of the island.Some of them are organized with easy access from the main road but there are also others more remote ones which you can reach with a little bit of patience and driving carefully on a dirt track. The most famous remoted beach on the island ins Achla beach where you can reach going southwest of the island. The only sigh pointing at Achla is a hard-to-spot little wooden handmade sign.Once you see it, take the way down the dirt path and the quite long way will serve its purpose and offer you the best looks of this natural beach.Going all the way down the beach, you will see just a bar/restaurant which does not seem to spoil this natural beach. And while you expect the beach to be empty, you'll be surprised at the amount of people,some coming with boats, on the beach.If you are
lucky, you'll get the chance to see the swan family floating gracefully along the coast. Worth spending your day at Achla beach and get the best of this wonderful beach.
Andros
chora
The Chora is situated on the east of the island and part of the town is built on a rock peninsula stretching into the sea with sea waves lapping the cliffs on both sides. Take a walk along the whitewashed streets of Chora towards the end of the rock which lead to the Afanis soldier square(Afanis in Greek means not recognised or rewarded) where you can see the statue of a sailor. At the very end of the peninsula, there is a rock connected with a rock bridge and the ruins of a castle on top.
If you don't mind waking up early it's the ideal place to enjoy the sunrise(or alternatively on the top of the hill where Ag.Triada church is)so you can admire the view of the whote town being lighted up by the first sun rays.
There is one main street full of restaurants,cafes and shops and a main square where all people choose for their nights out.
There are two beaches in Chora,both with lovely views to the town.
Grias pidima beach
Not very far from Chora, there's the beautiful beach called Gria's pidima (the Old Lady's leap).
Before you head down to the beach, just take a walk along the cliff and enjoy the beauty of the beach from above and take a guess of what the huge rock standing out of the sea, may look like .....
There are steps and quite a narrow path that leads down the beach but it's definately worth going for a swim. When it gets windy the beach gets narrower because of the waves.
Batsi bay
Batsi is situated on the west side of the island. It's built on two hills overlooking a natural harbour with a splendid beach and crystal clear waters. It used to be a small fishing village and has turned into the island's main resort. During the day, one can swim at Batsi beach or bearby beaches (within walking distance) or explore the rest of the island. On the way back,enjoy the wonderful sunset on the top of the hill at the end of the main road above the marina. At night the bay is buzzing with life,restaurants,cafes and bars full of people strolling up and down the bay of Batsi. There are lots of shops and narrow little streets with wonderful corners to discover. Lots of choices for restaurants, souvlaki take away places and cocktail bars.
Batsi beaches
Ag. Petros / Kypri beach
In Batsi there are two beaches. The first one is on the right side of Batsi bay. A string of taverns lines the road above the beach and the beach itself is one of the best on the island. Excellent choice for a swim combined with some 'meze' at one of the local restaurants.
The other beach is a bit further and one has to walk along the main street and turn left to the sandy path before the big U turn that leads away from the village.The beach is the one you can see on the photo.
There is a beach bar and you can relax on the cushions under the shade enjoying the view of the bay and Batsi village on the other side.
From Gavrio,the port of the island,take the main road towards Chora. You can find two amazing beaches along the way and very close to Gavrio before you take the road and cross the mountain to the other side of the island. The beaches Ag. Petros, Psilli or Chrysi Ammos and Kypri with their organized beaches and usually calm crystal clear waters are amazing places to stop for a swim. There are hotels where you can stay and be close to these beaches.
Leaving behind these beaches, we continue on the main road passing by the village of Palaiopolis until the road splits and the way down leads to Apothikes organized beach and the Chalkolimnionas more remote beach. All these beaches are on the west side of the island.
Other places of interest:
Aladinou Cavern,a must-do visit to the village of Aladinos( 4km from Chora) and the Cavern, one of the first caverns to be discovered in Greece. From 1st July to 31st August Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday 11am-1pm/5pm-8pm
Remaining days/time of year by appointment Mrs Kaladami 0030 6939696835.
Worth a visit is the Sariza sourse,near Apoikia village(and only 4km from Chora). In Apoikia walk upwards from the main square and find the source where fresh water comes out. Refill your bottles! Not far from there and on the main road you can see the Sariza Water bottling Company. Natural springs give rise to lush green valleys and make Andros the only island of the Cyclades with watersprings.
Rafina port:
The port is situated on the east coast of Attiki and around 32km east of Athens. It's the second biggest port after Pireaus.
Buses from Athens airport to Rafina take 30minutes and the fare is 3euros. A taxi would cost around 30euros(with more expensive fares at night). Buses from the centre of Athens depart from Pedion Areos (get off at Victoria station Line 1 if you want to get there by Metro) and it takes 1 hour to get to Rafina port. The fare is 2,40euros.
Port of Andros: 0030 22820 71213
Port of Rafina: 0030 22940 22300 / 22487