Located in the easternmost part of the Cyclades, Amorgos is an island of raw natural beauty.
It was relatively unknown before the popular 1988 movie of Luc Besson “The Big Blue” /Le Grand Bleu/.
Even today Amorgos is rarely populated and the number of visitors is much smaller than on the other Greek islands.
At the same time, the island is known for its pristine beaches and is a wonderful place to spend a few days, especially if you need to relieve the stress from work and problems in everyday life.
Here is what not to miss while on the island:
1. Visit the monastery of Hozoviotissa
Hozoviotissa Monastery is definitely the first and most important place to visit while on the island of Amorgos.
Built in 1017, this is one of the oldest monasteries not only on the Cyclades but in Greece.
It is unique mostly because of its outstanding location.
Overhanging the azure waters of the Aegean, it is nestled in a small niche amidst the coastal cliffs.
Looking at the monastery from a distance, it looks like it has been stuck to the rocks.
The 40 meters high building lies over the rocks at about 300 meters above sea level.
Despite its location, the monastery is easily accessible from the village of Chora, which is one of the largest settlements on the island.
2. Enjoy the beautiful Agios Pavlos Beach
Agios Pavlos Beach is a nearly 100 meters long sandy peninsula, located on the northern shore of Amorgos, right opposite the small island of Nikouria.
The beach is considered the most beautiful and interesting on the island because of its specific shape.
It is well-known for its clear blue waters and attracts swimmers and snorkelers. Important is to know that the water gets deep quickly.
Consider also the fact that the beach is covered with pebbles so you better bring a thick towel to sit on.
3. Arkesini – the tombs and the fortress
Arkesini is a small village which lies about 200 meters above sea level in one of the more fertile parts of the otherwise barren island.
The village looks like any other small settlement on the Cyclades but is well-known for its heritage.
The village is established approximately 1000 years BC.
It is known for its tombs and stone walls, parts of which were built from the Venetians.
Today they are very well preserved and could be seen not far from the village.
4. Walk to the shipwreck of Olympia
The shipwreck of Olympia is one of the most interesting landmarks in Amorgos.
The old rusty remains of the sunken vessel are located in the bay of Liverio, not far from the village of Kalotaritisa.
You can see the ship right next to the rocky northern shore of the westernmost part of the island.
Rising over the surface from the shallow waters, the ship lies on the rocky bottom of the bay since February, 1980.
5. Visit the famous Agia Anna Beach
Since the beach appeared in the movie “The Big Blue”, it is definitely the most popular and visited on the island.
Even if Amorgos is less crowded in comparison with other islands in Greece, this place is pretty busy, especially during the height of the summer season.
If you are into snorkeling or scuba diving, you should definitely try it here because you will be able to say you have dived at the place where parts of “Le Grand Bleu” were filmed.
6. Take a long walk from Chora to Katapola
One of the most recommended experiences while on Amorgos is to take a long walk from the village of Chora to Katapola.
This is the best way to see the contrast between the north and the south of the island.
With its white-washed flat-roofed houses with blue windows and doors, Chora is a traditional Cycladic village.
It is situated on the edge of the cliffs, which form the southern shore of Amorgos.
On the other side, Katapola is located on the north where parts of the movie of Luc Besson were filmed.
7. Go to Nikouria Island
Nikouria is a small and barren semi-deserted island which lies just 300 meters off the coast of Amorgos.
It is practically uninhabited and the beaches are really untouched and empty.
It is a great place to relax and find your inner peace.
Nikouria has some really outstanding stripes of sand and the water along the coast is very clean and limpid.
If you are into snorkeling, this is a great place to enjoy the variety of sea creatures.
The good news is that it takes just 5 minutes to get there by boat.
8. Visit the Botanical Park of Katapola
If you need to find a quiet and relaxed place to chill out from stress, the Botanical Park of Amorgos is the perfect place.
It is located in the village of Katapola, on the north shore of the island.
This is a good choice if you want to have a glass of refreshing drink and escape the scorching summer heat under the shade of the subtropical species of trees while enjoying the fragrance of flowers and herbals.
9. Visit the monastery of Saint Valsamitis
Considering the small number of local residents, Amorgos offers an impressive number of churches and monasteries to visit.
One of the most recommended of them is the monastery of Saint Valsamitis.
It is located in the outskirts of the village of Xilokeratidi, not far from the popular beach of Agia Anna.
Here you will be able to see wonderful icons and of course – to spend some time by yourself.
10. Explore the best beach to the south
Mourou Beach is considered the best on the south coast of Amorgos.
It is well known for its limpid sapphire-blue waters and rich biodiversity.
If you love to snorkel, under the water live a number of species of sea creatures to observe in their natural habitat.
You should only consider the fact that the beach is covered with small pebbles and this is why you should wear proper footwear while on the shore.
The beach is located south of Kamari and is difficult to access but the experience really worth it.
