Andros
Hiking trails, oak forests, and neoclassical Chora
Andros is the northernmost and second-largest Cycladic island, but it feels like nowhere else in the Cyclades. Spring-fed streams, oak forests, and stone-paved hiking trails make it more Tuscan than Aegean. The main town, Chora, is elegantly neoclassical — home to the largest contemporary art museum in the Aegean. Serious hikers come for the Andros Route, a 100 km trail across the island.
3-day itinerary for Andros
Day 1: Chora & the East
- 10:00 · Andros Town (Chora)
Neoclassical sea-captains' town on a narrow promontory. Marble-paved main street runs to the sea. - 11:30 · Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art
Major contemporary art museum — hosts world-class summer exhibitions. - 12:30 · Archaeological Museum
Small but excellent, with the famous Hermes of Andros statue. - 14:00 · Lunch — Nonna's
Casual spot with Andros specialties: fourtalia omelet, local cheeses, sausage. - 17:00 · Paraporti Beach
Sandy beach right below Chora. Family-friendly, walking distance from town.
Day 2: Hiking & Waterfalls
- 09:30 · Apikia
Mountain village 6 km inland from Chora. Famous Sariza springs — Andros' drinking water source. - 10:30 · Pythara Waterfalls
Natural pools fed by waterfalls, a 15-min walk through oak forest from Apikia. Cold swim, worth it. - 13:00 · Ano Mesaria
Village with the 12th-century Byzantine Taxiarches church. Lunch at a kafenio on the main square. - 15:00 · Agios Nikolaos Monastery
Fortified monastery with views over the Paleopolis valley, where Andros' ancient capital once stood. - 18:30 · Batsi (sunset)
West coast port village with a curved sandy bay. Dinner on the waterfront.
Day 3: West Coast
- 09:30 · Gavrio (port)
The main ferry port. Small but functional; a kafenio on the waterfront serves excellent frappé. - 11:00 · Tourlitis Lighthouse viewpoint
The only lighthouse in the world built on a sea-rock. Photographed from the Chora waterfront. - 12:30 · Stenies
Lush green sea-captains' village 5 km from Chora. Neoclassical mansions in a wooded valley. - 14:00 · Gialia Beach
Quiet pebble beach below Stenies with stunning clear water. Reach via path from the village.
Top beaches of Andros
Chrissi Ammos
Andros' most famous beach. Fine golden sand, excellent amenities, perfect for families.
- Type
- Golden sand
- Length
- 800 m
- Depth
- Gradual
- Facing
- Southwest — protected
- Facilities
- Good: tavernas, umbrellas, watersports
Achla Beach
Remote northeast beach reached only by boat or rough dirt track. Emerald green water fed by a stream.
- Type
- Coarse sand
- Length
- 300 m
- Depth
- Moderate
- Facing
- East — exposed
- Facilities
- Natural — no facilities
Vitali Beach
Dramatic northern pebble cove with crystal water. A taverna on the beach serves ouzo at sunset.
- Type
- Large pebbles
- Length
- 250 m
- Depth
- Deep quickly
- Facing
- North — exposed to meltemi
- Facilities
- Simple taverna