Andros

information, regions, beaches, attractions

TOURISM

REGIONS

BEACHES

ATTRACTIONS

YPSILI – ANCIENT SETTLEMENT

Andros lies in the heart of the Aegean Sea and is the northnernmost island of the Cyclades.
You can reach Andros by ferry boat from Rafina, two hours for conventional ferries and one hour for high speed boats. Gavrio is the main port of the island. Also there are daily connections to Tinos (1 hour 50 minutes) and Mykonos (2 hours 30 minutes).
Andros is characterised by its wild natural beauty and Cycladic architecture. Landscapes and views are varying and multiple.
It is an ideal destination for retreats or quiet family vacations, but also offers opportunities for nightlife and outings.

Alternative forms of tourism in Andros

Andros hosts a hiking festival and many organised walks year-round. The island is home to an extensive trail network connecting settlements with agricultural areas, places of worhip, valleys, ports and beaches. Of the total 300 km of trails 160 km are marked and mapped with European certification.
Flora in Andros is rich (oak, walnut, chestnut trees) and trails full of green, streams and small waterfalls await. Old stone paved trails in villages bring the visitor close to nature and make for unforgettable hikes.

Many monasteries, byzantine churches offer opportunities not only for religious visitors but also historical visitors.

World class exhibitions, museums, the yearly Andros festival, archaeological sites such as the geometric era settlements of Ypsili and Zagora. Music and folk dance festivals.

Water sports, sailing and other aquatic activities. Organised yearly foot races, cycling, climbing, basketball tournament, local athletic meet and more.

Regions of Andros

(with distance from Althea in kilometres)

The main port of the island, small plain surrounded by mountains, whitewashed buildings. Waterfront shops, cafes and restaurants.

Quaint sheltered village with beautiful coastline and marina. The top touristic destination of the island with many hotels and rooms. Seafront restaurants and cafes, an organised beach with umbrellas and also trees for natural shade. Picturesque narrow streets to explore with shops, churches, bars, restaurants. Sheltered port with marina for private and fishing vessels.

Historical ancient capital of the island with many archaeological finds and remnants of the old port. The Palaiopoli archaeological museum houses many finds with more at the museum in Chora.
The modern village is built on the steep incline uniting sea and mountains. The mountain offers hiking and climbing and a beautiful quiet beach awaits.

Green hidden village in a mountainside. Running waters, gardens, oak and walnut trees. Take a refreshing stroll on the main pedestrian road with the famous lion marble water foutains.

The capital of the island, built on a narrow peninsula, with beautiful mansions, neoclassical and middle age buildings, in narrow stone paved streets. Chora offers a multitude of museums and hosts art exhibits yearly. The Andros festival is held every summer in the open theater. Walking the streets of Chora you can enjoy the architecture, shops, cafes and restaurants. At the tip of the peninsula you will find the square with the merchant marine sailor statue overlooking the Aegean Sea waves. The beaches of Nimborio and Paraporti lie on either side of Chora.

Korthi is at the south east of Andros, a traditional fishing village with many settlements around the bay. The architecture comprises tower homes, traditional pigeon houses, water mills, byzantine churches and beaches. Shops, restaurants and cafes await the visitor. Korthi bay also has a marina for fishing and sailing vessels.

Attractions in Andros :

Kairi square– statue of merchant marine sailor
Kaireios Library
Archaeological museum of Andros
Archaeological museum of Palaiopoli
Nautical museum of Andros
Goulandris modern art museum (Goulandri permanent collection)
Folklore museum of Andros
Kydonieos foundation
Menites lion water foutains
Sariza spring in Apoikia
Agios Petros tower
Monasteries
Byzantine churches

Beaches of Andros

Andros has many beaches, quiet and secluded, organised with umbrellas, sunbeds and beach bars, water sports.

Within 5 km of Althea you will surely find a beach to your taste.

If you prefer natural shade with trees try Agia Marina, Fellos or Batsi beaches.

For those who prefer organised beaches with beach bars and sunbeds Gold beach, Agios Petros, Kolona, Delavogia, Copper beach, Apothikes and Ateni.

For water sports, windsurf, sup, diving Kypri beach is ideal.

Other secluded beaches are the small Ateni beach, Agios Kyprianos, Agia Eleousa, Palaiopoli, Prasini Ammos, Koutsi, Kourtali and Pisolimionas.

Venture further north and find noteworthy beaches such as Vitali, Zorkos, Vlichada, Peza, Pirgos. To the south are Pidima Grias, Paraporti, Nimborio, Gialia, Piso Gialia, Syneti. Lefka and Achla beaches are also beautiful but further away and can make a day trip getaway.
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Ypsili the ancient settlement

The ancient city of Ypsili is located in Aprovatou and was discovered in the early 1980s. The first excavations brought to light limited but important ancient relics, such as the temple in the center of the citadel, buildings and part of the wall, as well as a variety of artifacts. The excavation yielded very important findings, valuable for the Geometric and Archaic era in the Cyclades and wider in the Aegean. The sanctuary, in the center of the citadel, probably dedicated to the goddess Demeter, was founded in the 8th century BC. and continued its operation at least until the second quarter of the 5th century BC. It is one of the most important fortified settlements of the early Iron Age in the South Aegean. A large part of the urban fabric of the archaic phase of the acropolis has been revealed, as well as the fortifications of the geometric era. Farmhouses of historical times have come to light in the wider area of Ypsili.