Amorgos
Chozoviotissa monastery, the Minoan town of Minoa, the beaches of Aegiali and the clifftop Chora.
Amorgos is the eastern anchor of the Cyclades — long, thin, mountainous and magnificently remote. The Chozoviotissa monastery, plastered white against a sheer 300m cliff above the sea, is the most dramatic building in Greece. The island was the filming location for Luc Besson's The Big Blue. The hiking trails are exceptional. The two towns — Katapola in the west and Aegiali in the north — could not be more different in character.
Getting there
No airport. Two ports: Katapola (main) and Aegiali (north). Direct from Piraeus 7–9h on the Small Cyclades line, or via Naxos for a faster route. Limited frequency in winter.
Read full route
Tip: Aegiali is closer to the iconic Hozoviotissa monastery and Tholaria village — pick your port.
When to Visit
Amorgos is the eastern frontier of the Cyclades — long ferry, dramatic cliff scenery, the Big Blue cove and Hozoviotissa monastery. Open May through October only. June and September are sweetest. Hiking is world-class March through November.
4-day itinerary for Amorgos
Day 1: Katapola & Chora
- 09:00 · Katapola
The main port — a beautiful triple harbour of three villages. The ancient city of Minoa is on the hill above. - 10:00 · Ancient Minoa
Archaic city ruins above Katapola with remains of a gymnasium, temples and a stadium. The views over the three harbours are extraordinary. - 12:00 · Amorgos Chora
One of the most beautiful Cycladic capitals — a Venetian castle on a pinnacle above a white village, with windmills and superb views. Walk every lane. - 15:30 · Agia Anna Beach
The small beach below the Chozoviotissa monastery — pebble, clear, beautiful setting. Made famous as the filming location for The Big Blue. - 20:30 · Return to Chora
Drive back up to Chora (about 10 minutes from Agia Anna). The whitewashed alleys and windmills of Chora light up at dusk — Jazzmin Bar and the tavernas around the main square are reliable.
Day 2: Chozoviotissa Monastery
- 09:00 · Chozoviotissa Monastery
The most dramatic building in Greece — an 11th-century monastery plastered white against a sheer 300m cliff, visible from miles away. Access via 300 steps cut into the rock. The monks serve visitors loukoumades and rakomelo. Modest dress required. - 11:30 · Agia Anna Beach
Swim below the monastery — the cliff and the white church above make this one of the most memorable beach settings in Greece. - 14:00 · Maltezi Beach
Quieter pebble beach south of Agia Anna — accessible by a short path. Usually empty. - 19:00 · Chora Sunset
The Chora at golden hour — the light on the white buildings is extraordinary. Dinner at one of the village square tavernas.
Day 3: Aegiali & the North
- 10:00 · Aegiali
The northern resort — a completely different character to the south. Relaxed, with a good sandy beach and the most hiking trails on the island. The bay is beautiful. - 11:00 · Aegiali Beach
The best organised beach on Amorgos — sandy, shallow and calm. The backdrop of the mountains and the clear water make it one of the finest beach settings in the eastern Cyclades. - 15:00 · Tholaria & Lagkada Villages
Two beautiful traditional villages above Aegiali — walk the path between them for views over the bay and the island. The finest hiking on Amorgos is in this area. - 21:00 · Return to Chora
Drive back from Aegiali/Tholaria to Chora (about 40 minutes via the central road). The mountain road in evening light is part of the experience.
Day 4: Hiking & Departure
- 09:30 · Kalotaritissa Beach
Remote wild beach in the southwest — accessible only by a rough track or boat. White sand, turquoise water, completely deserted. The finest wild beach on the island. - 15:00 · Katapola — Departure
Ferry to Piraeus, Naxos or the Small Cyclades. Amorgos is the end of the Cyclades line — the ferry connections are fewer but the island rewards the extra effort.
Top beaches of Amorgos
Aegiali Beach
The finest organised beach on Amorgos — sandy, shallow and calm in a beautiful bay surrounded by mountains. The best base for those who want both hiking and swimming.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 600 m
- Depth
- Shallow — calm, clear water
- Wind protection
- North-facing — fully exposed to the meltemi (the dominant summer N/NE wind); often choppy June–September
- Facilities
- Good: sunbeds, beach bars, tavernas in the village behind.
Agia Anna Beach
The most atmospheric beach in the Cyclades — a small pebble cove directly below the sheer cliff and the white monastery of Chozoviotissa. Filming location for The Big Blue. The setting is incomparable.
- Type
- Pebble
- Length
- 100 m
- Depth
- Medium — clear, cold water
- Wind protection
- East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- None — the monastery and the cliff are the attraction.
Kalotaritissa Beach
The wildest and most beautiful beach on Amorgos — white sand and turquoise water in a completely isolated bay. The effort required keeps it empty. One of the finest undiscovered beaches in the Cyclades.
- Type
- White sand
- Length
- 300 m
- Depth
- Shallow — warm, turquoise water
- Wind protection
- West-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm most summer days, sometimes choppy on rare westerly winds
- Facilities
- None — rough track or boat access only.