ISLAND

Whoever visits the island of Astypalea the first thing that face is the combination of natural beauty of Dodekanisa with the architectural beauty of Cyclades and that because the island is found in the borders of two islander clusters. The island, from the harbour appears that is separated in two parts. However a narrow band of hundred metres links north-eastern with the south-western Astypalaia.

An island, in which you will be enjoying your quiet vacations with clean beaches, walks in graphic narrows of the island, marine sport. As long as for those who seek the islander nightly amusement, various bars of the island are ready to satisfy your musical wish.

Places and worth seeing

Capital of the island is Astypalea or Chora. There is also found the port of the island. It is obvious the influence from the islands of Cyclades, because the white houses with the blue windows, are their main characteristic. However the wooden balconies with the wooden scales give the houses of Country the authentic architecture of Dodekanisa.

Chora is built above the side of the hill, in the top of which is found the Venetian castle of Quirini, one of the more important worth seeing in the island. In this Venetian Castle, you can see some of the houses Quirini, which are saved up to today. Inside the Castle, are found two churches, the one of Virgin Mary of Evaggelistria and the church of Saint George, which is oldest in the island and both of them are all white with elaborate belfries, while under the walls we meet the church of Virgin Mary of Portaitissas or differently Virgin Mary of Castle.

In an all green coastal point of island of westwards of Chora, is built the place named Livadi. This place is famous for the beach. It is one of the more beautiful and more secular beaches of island. Here you can enjoy marine sport making canoes, marine ski and have beautiful moments. Last years, Livadi has been developed in tourist level, while it is considered by the richest places of the island. Moreover in the place, the residents produce honey.

The village of Analipsi or Maltezana is the all green place of the island. As Livadi, and the place of Maltezana was tourist developed the last years. In this place are a lot of taverns in order for you to try the local dishes of the island. For those who want to have intense nightly life, there are suitable bars. It deserves for you visit the Romains Baths of Talara that exist in the place and you can admire the exceptional mosaics. The beach of Maltezana promises you pleasant hours of amusement.

Another near the sea village is Vathy. There you can swim in the clean beach, while you can also enjoy fresh fish in the taverns. In Vathy you can see the relic of a Minoan settlement and the ruins of ancient tower. Moreover, there, exists the cavern of the Dragon or differently Dragon cave, which you can visit with a sail boat. However the distance is dangerous and it is proposed only for experienced climbers.

Other places that you can visit and enjoy the beaches of Dodekanisa are Pera Gialos, Pappous, Saint Konstantinos, Kaminakia, Pahia Ammos, and Saint John.

Apart from the Baths of Talara in the place of Maltezana and the Venetian Castle of Quirini of Chora, you can visit the Castle of Saint John, that is found opposite by the homonym monastery. According to the historical sources of the island, the castle was impregnable. This fortress has also secret entry that leads to the next hill, however the access to this castle is difficult.

Free time and sport

The island has a lot of mountains, caves, caverns and steep parts for which this island is ideal for lovers of walking and mountaineering. In the island exist 20 climbing ways, while the landscapes that you are going to meet, create pictures of wild paradise.

In almost all the beaches of Astypalea you can deal with marine sports. The marine bicycle, the canoe, the serfing and marine ski are some of the sports that they will make you enjoy pleasant moments. As long as for those who are going to try for the first time, the instructors of island are ready to learn you tricks in order for you to impress.

Traditional flavours of the island

You should try the sweets of spoon that are produced in the island, as the quince, fig, bergamot and bitter orange. Double, the honey that is produced in the island, the xerotigana, various goods of cheeses, the kitrinokouloura, astakomakaronada, xtapodokeftedes, fishes and the kid  promise to lead you to a frantic party of islander tasty enjoyment.

How you will get to the island

From the port of Piraeus are realised frequent itineraries for the island of Astypalea, journey which lasts 16 hours. You can also travel by air reaching the island in 1 hour.

Useful telephones

Town hall 22430-61206
Municipal Office of Tourism 22430-61412
Drugstore 22430-61444
Port Authority 22430-61208
Police station 22430-61207
Taxi 22430-61204

Επιμέλεια: Ελπίδα Πολιτσόγλου