You’ve visited the blue domed churches in Santorini, partied in Mykonos and relaxed on a fly and flop holiday to Crete.
But while Greece boasts some of the most popular holiday destinations, one of its islands often gets overlooked.
Amorgos is the Cyclades easternmost island, perhaps best known for being where French film Le Grand Bleu was filmed back in 1988. It also took centre stage once more in 2022, this time in Two Tickets to Greece, starring Kristen Scott Thomas.
Described as ‘the secret jewel of the Cyclades’, remote and ‘dramatic’ Amorgos offers tourists an authentic Greek experience, and is less crowded than many of the other islands.
From watersports and hikes, to architecture and delicious local delicacies, this hidden gem could be perfect for your next summer break – so, if you want to say you visited before it went mainstream, here’s everything you need to know…
How to get to Amorgos
While there isn’t a direct flight to Amorgos, there are plenty of options to get you there.
The most popular routes are via Athens or Santorini, and then you can catch the ferry onwards from here.
Popular low budget airlines, Jet2, Ryanair and Easyjet, all fly to Athens, and flights can cost as little as £39 return in October, with peak summer fares starting at around the £100 mark according to Skyscanner.
A single ferry ticket will set you back between £48 and £79 depending on when you go – although the journey on board is quite a long one, with over six hours at sea.
Alternatively, you could fly to Santorini. The cheapest flights currently available are a similar cost, at £54.
The advantage with this route is that it’s a much shorter ferry ride on to Amorgos. A fast sailing ferry (currently available for around £67) takes just 90 minutes, while the longer sailings (which take around four hours) have tickets for less than £10.
Things to do in Amorgos
Like many of its Greek island cousins, Amorgos has plenty of beaches and bays to relax and unwind in.
Mourous Bay is one of Amorgos’s most popular, known for its turquoise water and contrasting rock formations. If you fancy some snorkelling, there are some spectacular small caves that you can swim into. Be warned though: it’s a small stretch of sand, and even on Amorgos, it can get a little crowded.
As one of the locations used in the film ‘Le Grand Bleu’, Agia Anna is another popular beach. It’s also fairly small, but known for its calm waters – expect to see tourists jumping off the rocks into the sea below. Additionally, there’s a small chapel to visit nearby if you want a break from the sun.
Close to Kalotaritissa Beach you’ll find the Olympia Shipwreck, a ship that sank in 1980 when the captain tried to find shelter from a storm. This is another popular diving spot on the island, and most boat trips will stop here.
Away from the beaches, the Monastery of Hozoviotissa is a11th century, dazzling white structure wedged into a cliff 300 metres above the sea. It’s a climb to get to, but there’s often a custodian on site, offering you a refreshing glass of psimemi raki (a local liqueur) and some sweets.
It’s worth remembering though, that this is a place of worship and the dress code is pretty strict – so pack extra, modest clothes, if you’ve been to the beach.
For quaint Greek streets, head to Chora, the picturesque capital. There’s a 13th Venetian castle to explore, the famous windmills, and winding, cobbled streets. The main town square is a great place to grab an iced coffee.
And if it’s nightlife you want, Amorgos has that too. Known locally as ‘Sunset Boulevard’, there’s a row of restaurants and bars in the village of Aegiali, on the northern side of the island, each of which have stunning views of the sunset.
Embassa Bar Cafe and Mestro are perhaps the most popular, perfect if you’re wanting to dance the night away.
What to eat in Amorgos
No one comes away from a Greek holiday without raving about the delicious food they ate there.
Amorgos will certainly satisfy the gourmands among you, with must-try dishes that are local to the island. There’s the local loukoumia (Turkish delight), and the fouskopitta (a pancake with honey and sesame).
For the more adventurous, there is also xydato, which is a soup of goat and offal, traditionally served after weddings to cure hangovers.
Loukaki Ksana in Langada is highly rated on TripAdvisor (5 stars) for its food and service. The reviews consistently remark on the friendly and charming atmosphere while many recommend the sheep burger.
Tranzis ToRaki is another highly lauded restaurant with 4.5 ratings in the main town Chora.
Amorgos also a lovely island for hiking, with routes ranging from one to four hours. The Old Strata walk takes in Chora, past the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and onwards to Langada (approximately four to five hours).
For something a little less arduous, the Fotodotis walk starts again in Chora but passes along a ravine towards Millies and ends in Katapola (this takes one hour).
Nine fab hotels to stay in Amorgos on Booking.com
- Pension Ilias Chora Amorgos – £31
- Pension The Big Blue – £38
- Uranos Studios – £44
- Villa Katapoliani I – £60
- Politimis Studio N2 – £63
- Amorgion Hotel – £64
- Aquapetra Hotel – £84
- Theasis Suites (with a private pool) – £92
- Vigla hotel – £95
Prices checked in September 2024 for a night’s stay in October 2024.
What’s the weather like in Amorgos?
For those looking to travel in the off-shoulder season, September and October is still fairly warm with temperatures reaching 26°C and 24°C respectively.
As a summer island destination however, the weather is guaranteed at this time of year. In June and July expect temperatures ranging from 22°C to 27°C, while in August this can reach up to 28°C.
How expensive is Amorgos?
The most you will probably spend on this island is on snorkelling. Trips with Amorgos Diving Centre start at €35.
Entrance to popular tourist attractions like the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and the botanical gardens are free.
When it comes to food and drink, dinner at Loukaki Ksana – the top rated eatery on the island – is fairly cheap. Reviewers report spending between £5 – £11 per dish here. It’s also a favourite among locals, as well as tourists.
This article was first published on May 27, 2024.
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