The 6 things to do in Amorgos

Visit Amorgos, Grand Blue Island! Between sandy beaches, white lime villages and epic hikes, here are our 6 essentials to make in Amorgos.

It is decided: you are going to explore the Cyclades, including visiting Amorgos, the most eastern of the Greek islands. With breathtaking landscapes, delicious local specialties and authentic small villages, Amorgos seduces tourists without attracting crowds.

Known by filmmakers to be the place of shooting of certain scenes of Grand Blue by Luc Besson, Amorgos has many wonders to offer. And in order not to miss this dream island, here is our top 6 of the must-have things to do in Amorgos.

1. Hiking

If you like hiking or trekking, you will love to visit Amorgos. Indeed, the island is known to be one of the best – if not the best – to hike in the Cyclades. Amorgos offers many trails, mainly ancient paths lined with stone walls that will allow you to discover the city from a more authentic point of view, with breathtaking views of the sea. The advantage is that the paths lead from one village to another, which will give you the opportunity to take a well-deserved break before your next climb.

For your hike, you will only have the embarrassment of choice, but there are 8 marked historical trails: among them, we find Palia Strata (path 1), which goes from Chora to Aegiali in 9h go back, Evangelistria (path 7) that goes from Katapola to Evangelistria in 2h go back or Fotodotis (path 2) that goes from Katapola to Chora in 2h For more information on hiking in Amorgos, visit Cycladen .

After your hike in Amorgos, no doubt you’ll want to discover other Cyclades islands in the same way! We therefore advise you to visit "Explora Project" , the agency that offers you unforgettable escapades. With their stay « Cyclades : sailing and exploration under the eye of Éole » , you will dive into the heart of the mythical islands. Accompanied by a local guide, it is a program for small onions that awaits you: beautiful hiking trails, discovery of islands according to the winds and learning of the veil. Unbelievable!

2. Visit the Monastery of Panaghia Chozoviotissa

Undoubtedly one of the most well-known points of view of the island and a visit not to be missed during your visit to Amorgos. Founded in the 11th century, the Monastery of Panaghia Chozoviotissa is built on cliffside, 300m above the sea. To access it, it will be worth it with an ascent of nearly 300 steps. But once at the top, you will not regret it for a single moment: inside you will find very beautiful Byzantine icons as well as an icon of the Virgin that is said to be magical, while the outside will offer you a sublime view of the sea.

Even today, the Monastery is inhabited by a few monks, who will not miss visiting their estate before offering you some loukoums and a glass of Raki. And remember: at the entrance of a holy place, a correct outfit is required, knees covered for the gentlemen and legs and shoulders for the ladies.

3. Taste of local specialties

What better to visit Amorgos than to go to meet its local gastronomy? As everywhere in Greece, you can quickly fall under the charm of season fruits and vegetables spoiled with sunshine, fish just caught and the omnipresence of olive oil and honey.

But in Amorgos, there are local specialties such as patatato, a dish made of goat and potatoes, xerotiganas, small grass kilns, ladotyri, small goat cheeses marinated in olive oil or the famous pastelli, honey and sesame noggats that it is not uncommon that the premises offer on the street.

And for those who like to discover local alcohol, don’t miss the rakomelo, a hot drink that marries raki – the Greek alcohol par excellence – honey and spices.

4. Try snorkeling and diving

If you don’t know what to do in Amorgos, it may be an opportunity to get to snorkeling, dive with a mask and tuba. To try it, go to the beaches of Lévrossos and Psili Ammos, small wild coves, perfect to go on adventure. Do not hesitate to rent a 4×4 or a scooter to walk along the coast and discover your dream spot.

But Amorgos is also a privileged place for scuba diving, and it is not Luc Besson, the director of the Grand Bleu, who will tell you the opposite! Indeed, the island is known for its excellent visibility in the water – up to 50m – with a depth of 6 to 80m. To initiate you, the wreck Marina is a perfect spot because it is very well preserved and covered with coral.

5. Folding in the streets of Chora

It is difficult to describe Chora as a capital, since it is rather a very quiet village of 500 inhabitants. It is, however, the town of Amorgos, and also one of the most picturesque villages in the Cyclades. Houses bleached with lime, flaps and doors painted in blue, small stairs that lead to taverns to drink iced coffee or a cool beer, Chora has everything to seduce.

The Ioza, the centrake square of the village, overlooks the village with a volcanic rock where the Venetians erected the Kastro and where you can see a plunging view of the island, a perfect place to taste a small pastry at the time of taste. A village in Amorgos, especially since it is spared by mass tourism.

6. Replay the scenes of the Great Blue

If you don't know what to do in Amorgos and you're a big fan of Luc Besson, you'll be able to explore the scenes of his famous film Le Grand Bleu, released in 1988. Moreover, it is from there that comes the nickname of the island, the island of the Great Blue.

At the foot of the Monastery of Panaghia Chozoviotissa is the small beach of Agia Anna, ideal place for a nap after the ascent of the Monastery. Prised by tourists, this beach served as a decor at the very beginning of the film, when the little Jacques Maillol tried to apnea. As for the children’s scenes in a village, Chora was the one who was shot.

Another scene, well known to filmmakers, was shot in Amorgos: the passage where Jacques Maillol saves an American soldier on a wreck. You will see the latter south of the island before reaching Kalotaritissa beach.

How to get to Amorgos?

The island of Amorgos does not have an airport, so it is more complicated to rally, but actually quieter and far from other Greek islands victims of mass tourism. From France, you will have to book a flight to Athens or Santorini. You can compare your plane tickets on Ulysses . Then, to reach Amorgos, you will have to ferry from Athens the Pirée (5h10 route) or from Santorin (1h drive). You can book your ferry crossing online via the site Direct Ferries .

By boat, Amorgos is also accessible from most Cyclades Islands : Koufonissi (25min), Donoussa (40min), Naxos (1h15), Shinoussa (1h25), Heraklia (1h45), Mykonos (2h), Folegandros (2h20), Paros (2h30), Milos (3h25), Sifnos (4h15), Syros (4h35) and Serifos (4h40). From the Dodecanese: Astypalea (1h25), Kos (3h05) and Rhodes (6h05).

Where to sleep in Amorgos?

Amorgos is a stretched island, and the ideal is to stay close to the two ports of the island namely Aegiali and Katapola, because it is in these villages that the accommodation offers where to stay in Amorgos are the most important. Of course, you can quite return to the land and find hotels or houses for rent away from tourists. It also depends on the duration of the vacation you have planned to visit Amorgos. To help you, you can read our article " In which town house in Amorgos? » .

You can find a cheap hotel in Amorgos by doing a search on this Compare hotels .

How to move to Amorgos?

The island has an efficient public bus company that connects the beaches and the main small villages of Amorgos: Katapola, Chora and Egiali to the beaches of Aghia Anna, Aghios Pavlos, Paradisia and Egiali Bay. From Chora, there are also buses for the Monastery of Hosoviotissa. For more autonomy during your stay, you can rent a car or scooter and move you as you like on the island.

You can compare car rental prices in Amorgos on the site Rentalcars .

Main photo credit : Flickr – Dubravka Franz