Amorgos (original) (raw)

Amorgos: Aghia Anna beach

Amorgos is a strange, obscure and charming island of the Cyclades group.

Map

Amorgos has two ports, Aegiali and Katapola. At the centre of the island is the village of Hora also spelled Chora (5 km from Katapola, 15 km from Aegiali). The south part of the island is called Kato Meria or Arkesini and is less tourist-oriented.

Amorgos has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Old tombs were discovered, dating to as early as 3300 BC. From the Early Cycladic Period, there were three major settlements, all on the long north coast of the island, and with each one being settled by different inhabitants. Modern day Arkessini, furthest southwest, was known as Kastri and was settled by the Naxians. Minoa, the ruins of which lie just above the port of Katapola, was settled by the Samians. The third settlement is near the present-day port of Egiali (also with the same name) and was settled by the Milians. Throughout the centuries, the island came under the rule of many masters, most notably the Venetians who built the fortress in the capital. They held onto the island for three centuries from 1207, until it fell to the Turks. It was finally liberated in 1832 and then united with Greece.

For centuries, the exquisite embroideries made by the women of Amorgos fetched quite high prices and greatly added to the economy of the island. In fact, many pieces are on display in European museums, with some of the finest exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Sadly, what is produced today and sold in the shops, though very lovely, is not of the same standard as was produced by the earlier generations.

Simonides, the famous ancient Greek lyric poet, was born in Amorgos. It is Simonides who is the writer of the "Epitaph At Thermopylae", written on the tomb of the soldiers from Sparta who fell defending Greece against the Persian invasion.

Most people on the island speak English. Some elderly residents may have learned Italian during the fascist occupation in the second World War.

There are two ports in Amorgos: one in Aigiali and one in Katapola.

Ferry boats and Highspeed catamaran services run daily from Athens (Piraeus port).

Express Skopelitis runs daily to and from Naxos.

Blue Star boats travel all year (the journey from Piraeus is about 9 hours). All ferry and high speed ferry companies: schedules, connections, availability and prices, between Amorgos, other Greek islands and Piraeus port (Athens) can be found at Ferries.gr or ferryhopper.com.

There are also boats that travel between various islands of the Cyclades, including Santorini, Naxos, and Paros, offering daily connections in various directions in the summer months.

The closest airports to Amorgos are on the islands of Naxos (JNX IATA) and Santorini (JTR IATA). Ferry boats connect these islands to Amorgos (either port at Katapola or Aegiali) daily in the summer months.

Various bus services operate between the villages.

Within the resorts walking is the best method of transport. There are also many recommended hiking paths that can be found on maps.

For total freedom hire a car or a motorbike. Car hire is available in Katapola, Aegiale and Hora and is relatively cheap.

Taxi from Aegiali to Katapola or opposite costs €25.

Hozoviotissa Monastery

Hozoviotissa Monastery

Navagio Olympia

Navagio Olympia

The island is crisscrossed with a good selection of hiking trails, many of them rough marble glazed paths still used by donkey riders. Sunrise and sunset are very good times to hike near Aeigali, taking the bus up to Langhara and walking down to the beach is fabulous.

The best beaches are found by asking the locals and are completely free.

Beaches around Katapola

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Beaches southwest of Amorgos

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Beaches around Aighiali and Tholaria

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Beaches on the south coast

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Good hiking paths that can be found on maps or by asking the locals.

The official website of Amorgos has an online event calendar.

Ferry boats at Katapola and Aegiale are met by owners of domatia (rooms), and are the best bets for reasonable priced accommodation. Most have kitchens and washrooms and are sometimes shared.

Air conditioning is available in most of the rooms. It's better to rent a room at Chora (The village at the top of the mountain Profitis Ilias, fifteen minutes from the port of Katapola).