You’ve visited the blue domed churches in Santorini, partied in Mykonos and relaxed on a fly and flop holiday to Crete.
But while Greece boasts some of the most popular holiday destinations, one of its islands often gets overlooked.
Amorgos is the Cyclades easternmost island, and perhaps best known for being where French film Le Grand Bleu was filmed, back in 1988. It’s set to take centre stage again, this time in Two Tickets to Greece, starring Kristen Scott Thomas.
Described by the Telegraph as feeling ‘gloriously undiscovered’, remote and ‘dramatic’ Amorgos is said to offer tourists an authentic Greek experience, and is less crowded than many of the other islands.
From watersports and hikes, to architecture and delicious local delicacies, this hidden gem could be perfect for your next summer break.
So, if you want to say you visited Amorgos before it went mainstream, here’s everything you need to know…
While there isn’t a direct flight to Amorgos, there are plenty of options to get you there.
The most popular routes are via Athens or Santorini, and then you can catch the ferry onwards from here.
Popular low budget airlines, Jet 2, Ryanair and Easyjet all fly to Athens, and flights can cost as little as £85 return in June. A single ferry ticket, also in June, will set you back around £75 – although the journey on board is quite a long one, with around six hours at sea.
Alternatively, you could fly to Santorini. Cheapest flights currently available are at a similar cost, of £84.
The advantage with this route is that it’s a much shorter ferry ride. A fast sailing ferry (currently available for around £67) takes just 1 hour, 15 minutes.
Like many of its Greek island coursins, Amorgos has plenty of beaches and bays to relax and unwind in.
Mourous Bay is one of Amorgos most popular, known for its turquoise water and contrasting rock formations. If you fancy some snorkelling, there are some spectacular small caves that you can swim into. Be warned though: it’s a small stretch of sand, and even on Amorgos, it can get a little crowded.
As one of the locations used in the film ‘Le Grand Bleu’, Agia Anna is another popular beach. It’s also fairly small, but known for it’s calm waters – tourists enjoying jumping off the rocks into the sea below. There’s also a small chapel to visit if you want a break from the sun.
Close to Kalotaritissa Beach you’ll find the Olympia Shipwreck, a ship that sank back in 1980 when the captain tried to find shelter from a storm. This is another popular diving spot on the island – most boat trips will stop here.
Away from the beaches, the Monastery of Hozoviotissa is an 11th century, dazzling white structure wedged into a cliff 300 metres above the sea. It’s a climb to get to, but there’s often a custodian on site, offering you a refreshing glass of psimemi raki (a local liqueur) and some sweets.
It’s worth remembering though, that this is a place of worship and the dress code is pretty strict – so pack extra, modest clothes, if you’ve been to the beach.
For quaint Greek streets, head to Chora, the picturesque capital. There’s a 13th Venetian castle to explore, the famous windmills, and winding, cobbled streets. The main town square is a great place to grab an iced coffee.
And if it’s nightlife you want, Amorgos has that too. Known locally as ‘Sunset Boulevard’, there’s a row of restaurants and bars in the village of Aegiali, on the northern side of the island, each of which have stunning views of the sunset.
Embassa Bar Cafe and Mestro are perhaps the most popular, perfect if you’re wanting to dance the night away.
What to eat in Armogos
No one comes away from a Greek holiday without raving about the delicious food they ate there.
Amorgos will certainly satisfy the gourmands among you, with must-try dishes that are local to the island. There’s the local loukoumia (Turkish delight), and the fouskopitta (a pancake with honey and sesame).
For the more adventurous, there is also xydato, which is a soup of goat and offal, traditionally served after weddings to cure hangovers.
Loukaki Ksana in Langada is highly rated on TripAdvisor (5 stars) for its food and service. The reviews consistently remark on the friendly and charming atmosphere while many recommend the sheep burger.
Tranzis ToRaki is another highly lauded restaurant with 4.5 ratings in the main town Chora.
Armogos also a lovely island for hiking, with routes ranging from one to four hours. The Old Strata walk takes in Chora, past the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and onwards to Langada (approximately four to five hours).
For something a little less arduous, the Fotodotis walk starts again in Chora but passes along a ravine towards Millies and ends in Katapola (this takes one hour).
What’s the weather like in Armogos?
As an summer island destination, the weather won’t disappoint. In June and July expect temperatures ranging from 22C to 27C, while in August this can reach up to 28C.
Those looking to travel in the off-shoulder season, September and October is still fairly warm with temperatures reaching 26C and 24C respectively.
How expensive is Armogos?
The most you will probably spend on this island is on snorkelling. Trips with Amorgos Diving Centre start at €35.
Entrance to popular tourist attractions like the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and the botanical gardens are free.
When it comes to food and drink, dinner at Loukaki Ksana – the top rated eatery on the island – is fairly cheap. Reviewers report spending between £5 – £11 per dish here. It’s also a favourite among locals, as well as tourists.
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