Tip of the day 4/4/2023 – Visit Andros, the first from the 7 Great Islands for Culture and Natural Beauty

• April 4, 2023

According to WanderlustMarriage.com, Andros islands is on the top of the list with the seven great islands for cultural and natural beauty. And the good thing is that it’s only 2h far from Athens by ferry. So you can visit it also as a daily cruise, but we highly recommend to spend 3 or 4 or more days as there are so many things to see and to do in this beautiful Cycladic island. Visit FerryHopper.com, and plan your next vacations in Andros. Or your next island hopping to Andros – Tinos – Mykonos. It is also possible!

Greece is one of the world’s most popular destinations for a wide variety of great reasons. World class history, stunning beauty and a fantastic culinary scene collide in the birthplace of western democracy. While many visitors flock to touristy Santorini and Mykonos, those are not the best Greek destinations for those looking for authentic experiences, while discovering the essence of Greek culture.

Andros is the second largest Greek Cyclades island. It’s just a 2.5 hour ferry from Athens’ port of Rafina to Gavrio, the port town of Andros. Andros can also be reached in as little as 1 hour on the high speed ferry from Mykonos.

Andros is among the most authentic Greek islands we’ve visited. The ruggedly beautiful island features stunning coastal drives to take in magnificent views of the Aegean Sea. Its pristine nature features a bevy of trails making it popular with hikers in the spring and fall.

Andros does not have an airport, which contributes to its authenticity. Today around 85% of visitors to Andros are Greeks. But Andros is well set up for international visitors, with multiple ferries connecting the island, many car rental agencies and a wide variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets. We enjoyed a picturesque seaside stay at Hotel Perrakis, featuring lovely views of Kypri Beach.

When visitors dine out in Andros, they’re likely to be sitting next to Greeks, eating the same authentic dishes they are. Visitors are also more likely to encounter authentic traditional Greek dancing among locals, compared to more touristy islands.

Andros Chora is the capital of the island and a fantastic destination to base yourself. Its neoclassical architecture ranks it among the most charming towns in the Greek islands. Its Pedestrian Street is lined with excellent restaurants, cafes, boutique shops and delicious patisseries. Highlights include

Tourlitis Lighthouse, built in 1897 atop a tiny rock island. Pithara Waterfalls, located a few miles outside Andros Chora, is a lovely spot popular to enjoy on an easy hike.

Batsi is another popular base for tourists. The fishing village is nestled along a round bay, surrounded by lush green mountains and enveloped by a sandy coast. Stamatis Taverna has been operating since 1965, and is a wonderful restaurant for fantastic Greek cuisine overlooking the marina of Batsi.

Culinary highlights include a variety of seafood, meat and traditional Greek dishes. Try their saganaki (fried cheese), which is not flambeed table side for a show like Greek restaurants in the USA, because their recipe is too delicious to be gimmicky. We also enjoyed the best Mediterranean style omelet we’ve ever eaten in Batsi, with farm fresh eggs, fresh vegetables, topped with generous crumbles of wonderfully creamy feta cheese and herbs.

Panachrantou Monastery is perched atop the northern side of Mount Gerakones. It offers sweeping views across Andros, including Andros Chora and the Aegean Sea. The original chapel at Panachrantou Monastery dates to 960 AD. One of the priests informed us that the rounded marble in the entranceway is worn into a curve thanks to over 1,000 years of visitors’ footsteps. One of the most beautiful monasteries in Greece elicits a feeling of a Greek Orthodox Shangri-la.

Plan a visit to Andros while Island Hopping the Cyclades
Santorini and Mykonos are beautiful islands, but especially in summer, cruise ships overwhelm the destinations with visitors. Andros offers a wealth of natural beauty, charming towns and fantastic Greek cuisine without over-tourism clogging roads, towns, restaurants and cafes. It’s among the great islands in Greece for a nature and culture lovers’ getaway. Check ferry schedules to see about including Andros in an island hopping itinerary of Greece.

Check here another article from the same site with more information about Andros, so now you don’t have any questions  about what’s your next greek island for summer 2023!

So, are you ready for your next adventure in greek islands? Book your ticket today!