Andros the “princess of Cyclades” is the northernmost island of the group.
It is a popular destination for unforgettable holidays. The island has numerous natural beauties, running waters, dreamy beaches, graphic coastal settlements, beautiful villages, archaeological sights, churches and museums.
The capital of the island, ANDROS (or Chora), is built on a narrow, rocky peninsula with a steep coastline, projecting between two bays: Paraporti and Nimborio.
During the Venetian period, the medieval fortified city of Kato Kastro was built on the same site. At the end of the peninsula is a small, fortified island, Mesa Kastro, which was the military and administrative center of the first Venetian ruler, Marino Dandolo. The preserved remains of this include parts of the fortification, a section of a tower, and the bridge that connected Mesa and Kato Kastro.
In some of the neighborhoods of the modern town can be seen single and two – storey vernacular houses in which there are strong elements of traditional Cycladic architecture. The town is adorned by many grand buildings, most of them donated by local ship-owners.
In Chora it is worth visiting the churches of the Panagia Palatiani (13th c.), which has a superb wood-carved icon, the Panagia Odigitria and the chapel of Zoodohos Pighi, which has an interesting icon-stand dating from 1717.
The Archaeological Museum in the town (tel. 22820 23664), contains objects from every period of the island’s history. Also of interest are the Nautical Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (tel. 22820 22650).
Near Chora you can swim at the organized beach of Niborio, of Achla which can be reached by small boat, of Paraporti, Gialia and Piso Gialia.
The tourist infrastructure is very good. There are hotels and rooms to let of all categories. In the restaurants and taverns you will taste local specialties. As for your nightlife in the capital options are many: there are a summer cinema, and many bars and clubs.
Proceeding northwards from Chora, we come to the village of APIKIA, well-known thanks to Sariza natural spring with abundant vegetation and waters.
Beautiful villages in the interior of the island include: the verdant Stenies, Mesaria the medieval center of the island, with its notable 12th c. Byzantine church of the Taxiarchis, Menites with plentiful springs and impressive fountains, Strapouries, Lamyra, Melida, Aladino, Fallika, Mesathouri, etc.
Fallika is a small graphic village where is the oldest monastery on the island. It is the monastery of Panachrantos built in the 9th c. by the Byzantine emperor Nikiforos Fokas. In all those villages you will find rooms to let and taverns.
In the north-east part of the island, 24 kilometers from Chora, is KORTHI, a sea-side village with fine sea in the bay of the same name. On a hill above the bay rises Pano Kastro, the second fortified city on Andros, now known as Palaiokastro.
GAVRIO, the main harbor of Andros, is on the west side of the island (31 kilometers from Chora). Besides the port, there are adequate tourist facilities and many entertainment choices.
In Gavrio area there are many choices of beaches. Fellos, Vitali, Zorkos and Ateni are very close to Gavrio.
AGIOS PETROS is a small coastal settlement located in the south part of Gavrio. It attracts many visitors due to its beautiful beach and it is one of the developing tourist resorts of the island. Here, you will find hotels, rooms to let, taverns and cafes. In the area it is worth seeing the circular tower of Hellenistic period, saved in very good condition.
Further to the south is BATSI (27 kilometers from Chora), the most popular tourist resort with fine beaches, beyond which on the coast road, is Paleopolis, the site of the ancient capital of the island. The excavation of this site yielded some important remains, sculptures, pottery and coins. In Paleopolis you can swim at the homonym beach, you will find also some rooms to let.
On Batsi you will find numerous hotel units, apartments and rooms to let of all categories, taverns, coffee houses, bars and clubs.
Golden Beach is a large and fully organized beach. Nearby you will find the beaches of the pebbly Stivari, Agia Marina and Agios Kyprianos.
South of Paleopolis, is Zagora, where excavations have brought to light an important Geometric settlement.
Moving higher up from Batsi the visitor will find Katakilos, Aprovatou, Arni and Ateni on the east coast.
The southern part of the island is dominated by ORMOS a quiet picturesque village with its large beach and the smaller of Agia Ekaterini and Vintzi. It is also worth to swim at the impressive beach “Grias Pidima”. It is one of the finest beaches on Andros, with a large, high rock spurting out of the sea.
TRADITION – EVENTS
Several cultural events are held on the island (the Gavriotika, the Korthiana, celebrations of the Unknown Sailor, etc.) The celebration of the feast of Saint Theoskepasti, the patron saint of Andros, falls two weeks before the Orthodox Easter. The icon is carried in procession, after which there is dancing and torch races.
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