The island of Andros can best be reached if you fly to Athens and than take the ferry from the nearby harbour of Rafina. This journey takes about 1,5 to 2,5 hours depending on what kind of boat you are on. Another option is to fly to the international airport of Mykonos island and from there take the ferry to Andros (1,5 to 2 hours).

The first time I visited Andros it was only for a couple of hours and we were only in the port of the town of Gavrio. I was there at the end of October when almost everything on Andros had closed down. When you spend an hour walking around with a heavy bag looking for a place that is open and where you can have a bite to eat, it gets easy to say you don't like the place. I think we were the only tourists visiting Andros island that day. We decided not to stay and take the next ferry to Rafina. We walked around the village of Gavrion and spend some time on the town beach and that's it. The town promenade could have looked nice, but it was full of old cars, and the local beach had rather hard sand. The only restaurant that we could find that served some kind of food was good though. They had only crepes, but they were awesome. For the people that love to eat we have also made a small restaurant guide.

In 2006 I returned for a couple of days and rented a car in order to see as much from the island as possible. We stayed in the lovely village of Batsi, just a few kilometers from the main Port Gavrio. Allthough it was the end of september it was surprisingly quiet (most visitors were from the UK) in this seaside resort. As a matter of fact it was sort of quiet everywhere on the island and we even managed to find a couple of great beaches that were empty! A rather strange experience when you think that the island of Andros is so easy to reach. From the port of Rafina (Athens) it takes you only a couple of hours to reach this destination. Maybe it's because of the port where the ferries arrive. It doesn't look too inviting and it possibly turns people off. We ended up at Villa Rena, at the top of Batsi, and our balcony overlooked the village, the sea and a couple of small islands in front of Batsi Bay. It was run by two lovely people, Rena and John (who is from England). We had a rather large studio with a double bed and a single bed, and a pretty nice new kitchen. I even cooked a meal there, because I wanted to eat enjoying the view, but also because I love to cook. I think I was the first one to do so, because all the pots and pans looked brandnew, haha...

Andros is mountainous and rough, and it's big. You need time to see it all. Compared to the other Cyclades it's really green, even at the end of september when we were there. There are green valleys and tree-topped hills everywhere, and beautiful bays and nice little villages around every corner. I can only compare it to Crete. If you've been there: it looks like the west of Crete. Andros also comes with a beautiful capital, Andros town, which is much different from most of the other capitals on the Cycladic islands. In Andros Chora you find big mansions, a gorgeous beach, many restaurants, shopping streets and culture. It's a very lively city and obviously the people have money to spend. Some of the mansions are build on the cliffs near the sea, and the lighthouse that stands on a rockpillar is an amazing view. On an islet in front of the town there are also the remains of a Venetian castle. In the southeast of the island you can find the Bay of Korthiou and the village of Korthiou.

One of the other advantages of Andros is that it has so many uncultivated and beautiful beaches without umbrellas and beachchairs, and they are clean. And because there aren't that many tourists visiting the island the majority of those beaches are quiet or even empty. I was really impressed with that. For a large map of Andros click here.

A couple of kilometers south of Batsi you can find the ancient town of Paleopolis. Today Paleopolis is a pretty and small town that is glued to a hill. The nature is lush and green here and there are a few tavernas and kafenions. A little over a thousand steps on the stairs will take you past a church with a blue dome and some waterfalls all the way down to the beach with its ancient harbour. You can see the sunken pier and some other remains (stone benches, a wall, some remains of buildings and pillars) from this town, which florished in antquity until the first Byzantine period. Paleopolis was the capital of the island for twelve centuries. The city was well fortified and not only had a marketplace but also a theatre, altars and temples. If you are going to check out old Paleopolis keep in mind that there are all those steps again climbing back up. Since 2013 there is an Archeological Museum in Paleopolis where finds from the town and from other areas of the island are exhibited. Amongst other things there are vases, tools, inscriptions, statues and coins on display.

On the left side of the road leading from the westcoast to the capitol of Andros Chora, in the cemetery of the village of Pitrofos, you will find the Byzantine church of the Taxiarchis Melidas. It was build in the 11th century and it contains fresco's from the 12th century. A little up the road there is another attractive small white church. Some of the architectural parts with relief decoration from this church can be found in the Archeological Museum of Andros.

I don't have a clue what this church is all about, but it came with signs and a small parking spot, so I suppose it is old and special. It stands on the westcoast of the island and the views from the platform are spectaculair, so I guess even for that reason alone it pays to make a short stop. As you can see on the picture it was not a day with the best kind of weather, but that can occasionally happen at the end of september, and the next day the sun was shining again.

The impressive Monastery of Panachrantos was built in the 10th century by the Byzantine emperor Nikiforos Fokas, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire between 963 and 969. The Byzantine emperor waged a war on Crete and legend has it that two monks on Andros would pray for his victory in exchange for financial help. After the emperor had won the war he fulfilled his promise and built the monastery.

The Monastery of Panachrantosis located high in the mountains (at an altitude of 750 meters) in the south of Andros and it has exceptional views over the landscape, Andros Chora and the sea. It is surrounded by strong walls and it appears like a Byzantine fortress. In the small church of the monastery there are beautiful 18th century wallpaintings.

According to tradition, the monastery was built in a place shown by the icon of the Holy Mother (Panachrantos). The icon is still kept at the monastery on a stand next to the southern door to the altar of the main church of the monastery. This monastery also possesses the relic skull of the martyr Agios Panteleimon. The relic and an icon of Panteleimon stand next the Panachrantos and are the pride of the monastery as well as the island of Andros. On the picture left the relic and the icon of Agios Panteleimon.

The Agios Petros Tower is situated just above Gavrio Town (about 15 minutes by car and then a walk). It can be reached from two sides. Don't stop at the first sign that directs to the tower but drive on to the second one and aproach it from above. The first sign takes you over a path (also down) but a 100 meters before you are about to reach it there is a sign saying it is dangerous and warning you not to pass. A big bunch of beehives is blocking the passage. The 20 meters tall tower is from the Hellenistic period, about the 4th or 3d century BC, and the best preserved ruin on the island of Andros.

The tower overlooks Gavrio and the sea and was built at a time when there wass much copper being mined on Andros. Probably it was meant to protect the miners in the event of a pirate attack, and to control the land and the sea. The base of the tower measures 9.4 meters and is cylindrical in shape. It has a staircase leading up 5 doors.

Andros Chora, about an hour drive from the ferry port of Gavrio on the east side of the island, is a lively and mondain kind of place, bursting with beautiful mansions, shops, tavernas and museums. It is build on a peninsula and originates from the Venetian time when it started as a small settlement that was build around a castle. In Chora you will also find all other amenities like supermarkets, banks, a post office and a police station. It has some long and wide streets, squares with terraces and beautiful churches (the main one was being restored when we were there in 2006). All the shops and the tavernas tell you that life is good here and that people have money. It's a rich city and the people are dressed accordingly, including the jewelry. At the end of the village at the bottom of some stairs you find one of the beautiful beaches of Andros Chora. At twenty minutes further walking distance south of the capital you can find another beach which is called Lidi Beach.

In Andros Chora you can also find the remains of a Venetian castle that dates from 1207 (build by Marino Dandolo) and a lighthouse standing on a pillar/rock in the sea. The venetian castle was build on a small island seperated from the peninsula by a 2 to 3 meter wide piece of sea and it was connected to the mainland by a bridge. The original wooden bridge was later replaced by a stone one. The Venetian castle was in pretty good condition until much of it was destroyed by vandalism in World war II. In Chora there are three museums: the Museum of Modern Art, the Archeological Museum with finds from excavations and the Nautical Museum which shows everything about Andros and its naval history. This last museum is found on the square with the statue of the unknown sailor. In the beginning of the 20th century Andros was an important maritime center and about 25% of the commercial fleet had its base on the island. On both sides of Chora you find a beach (Nemborio and Paraporti). Most of the accommodations you will find at the Nemborio beach.

The town is lively with both narrow streets and wider streets, some of them cobbled or up and down the hills, and there are plenty of shops and tavernas to choose from and fast food restaurants with really cheap prices (and often great food). Chora is also the place for people that are looking for a bit of night life. The main street of this small town is paved with marble. You can have a seat in the shade on a terrace and watch the people walk by. There is a mixture of Byzantine, neoclassical and Venetian buildings set in such a way that they formed a defense against invaders. In between these old houses you find the cycladic and the new buildings. In the old center of the town it is forbidden for cars, so it is a good place for a relaxed walk. There are tourists in Chora but it doesn't really feel like a tourist destination. The town beach is of a good size and it's sandy and also not very busy.

For hotels, apartments and studios on the island of Andros - click here.

Batsi village and Batsi Beach, 7 kilometer from the port of Gavrio, have changed from a former tiny fishing village into a cosmopolitan tourist resort, which offers, besides the great beach off course, a variety in shops, restaurants, nightclubs and cozy bars. In Batsi there is also a bank and a post ofice. It's situated on the top of two hills in a beautiful bay that overlooks the Agean sea, and it lies protected from the wind. Batsi is built amphitheatrically, with whitewashed tiled roof houses with colourful windows and doors, and it has a picturesque little port with fishing boats.

The island of Andros has many beaches that are spread around the island. Personally I think that the beaches on this island were much prettier than on the other Cycladic islands. As you drive the few kilometers from the ferry port Gavrio to the seasideresort of Batsi this immediately becomes clear because around ever corner there is a new beautiful beach, and so you pass many before you arrive in Batsi. The water also is very clear and the beaches are good and clean compared to other islands in this islandgroup. You will not find large amounts of parasols and sunbeds. For much more information about the beaches and the naturist beaches on the island of Andros in Greece take a look at my special beaches page.

Andros, one of the largest and certainly the greenest of the Cyclades islands is not an island that is very much designed with touristic facilities. Here there are no people with signs at the port to offer accommodations when you arrive by ferry (at least I've never seen them). Most beds can be found in the village of Batsi and is in the shape of studios and apartments. In the village lies the largest sandy beach of the island and you will also find most of the amenities here, including a number of restaurants and two small supermarkets. Really super touristy it is not and it remains quiet. A little further you will find the beaches empty, and often they are very nice, clean and unspoiled. We spend most of our time on those kind of wonderful beaches, but Batsi Beach itself is usually also not very busy. Here there are some sun beds and sun parasols for rent. Accommodation in Gavrion I would not recommend, because of the atmosphere in the village and the beach here is not good. It is a place to take a look at, rent your car, and maybe by your ferry tickets.

Below are a number of hotels, apartments and studios that you can book directly on the internet in case you want to reserve. Something that certainly in July and August is not unwise. Since most of the popular accommodations are small they will often fill up quickly, also in other periods. If something looks right and seems it might be a good idea maybe it is a good idea to book. Some hotels have a shuttle service from the port to the accommodation but there are taxis on the island that you can take you to Batsi ten minutes and occasionally there is a bus. Anyway it would be a good idea to rent a car on the island for a couple of days to drive around because the island, because it is pretty big. In the harbor there are several car rental companies. Andros is easily reached. You fly to Athens and here you take a taxi or a bus to the small harbour of Rafina (30 minutes). Andros is the first stop for the ferries and the trip from the harbour to the island takes about 2 hours. There are several ferry connections between Rafina and Andros each day. Most ferries leave in the morning and at the end of the afternoon.

For hotels, apartments and studios on the island of Andros - click here.

Villa Alexandros is situated 100 metres from the seaside, just a 10 minute walk from picturesque Batsi's sandy beach. From our 10 self-catering studios you can enjoy a fantastic sunset of the endless Aegean sea and the Batsi bay. Our aim is that you have an unforgettable holiday.

Check availabilities & prices and book Villa Alexandros on the island of Andros - click here.

Situated on the bay of Batsi, just 60 metres from Kolona Beach, Nora-Norita offers well-equipped studios with beautiful views of the bay and the town. Enjoy a relaxing break in your own comfortable studio at Nora-Norita. Prepare meals using your fully equipped kitchenette. Check your emails with Nora-Noritas free computer access. Sit back and enjoy the stunning views overlooking the nearby beach and the Aegean Sea. The studios are surrounded by the mountainous countryside of Batsi, offering you a peaceful location with excellent hiking opportunities. Nora-Norita Studios can also arrange for you to rent a car, should you wish to further explore this wonderful area. Batsi’s town centre is just a leisurely 15-minute walk away from Nora-Norita, where there are plenty of excellent restaurants and bars. Villa Nora-Norita is right in the front of the Kolona sandy beach of village Batsi, 150m from the sandy beach of Batsi, 150m from restaurants, minimarket and bus station.

There are 14 studios (each sleep 2/3). All the rooms have balconies overlooking the lovely Kolona sandy beach and Batsi Bay. Batsi has many tavernas with local food, restaurants, coffee shops etc. The villas belong to the A’ class of Andros Batsi hotels and operate all year round, offering ideal accommodation at amazing prices! All Villas Nora-Norita Andros hotel studios and apartments for rent are air-conditioned and include: a private bath, a kitchen with a fridge and all the necessary utensils, a TV, heating, a spacious balcony with a marvellous sea view. Other services include: a reception desk, maid service every 3 days, internet access, fax transmittal, transfer service, car rental.

Check availability and prices & book Nora Norita Studios in Batsi on the island of Andros - click here.

Ideally located in the centre of Batsi on the island of Andros, this hotel overlooks the coast and is just by the town’s main beach. Batsi is a peaceful coastal town located on the footstep of a mountain. The Chryssi Akti Hotel is a walking distance from the main shops, cafes and restaurants. Recently renovated, the hotel provides a modern interior for its guests. Equipped with a swimming pool and situated in a central location, the Chryssi Akti is close to all the main services needed to enjoy a relaxing holiday. The hotel is easily accessible by taxi or bus from the port. The bus stops, with request, right outside of the hotel. All our rooms are well equipped in a cozy like enviroment. The room facilities are: • Balcony with side sea view • A/C cold/heat • Color TV & Satellite TV • Direct phone line • Music • Fridge • Private bathroom with bath accessories and hair dryer • Laundry • WC • Daily maid cleaning

Check availability and prices & book the Chrissy Acti Hotel in Batsi on the island of Andros - click here.

To see more hotels, apartments and studios check the hotel page - click here.