The famous film director Luc Besson chose Amorgos to shoot his popular movie “ENDLESS BLUE”, when he discovered its amazing beauty and made this well-kept diamond popular worldwide.
“Hora”, the traditional capital village of Amorgos is one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, however it is not the only reason to visit this charming island. Visiting “Hozoviotissa” Monastery, one of the most impressive Greek Orthodox monasteries, is a lifetime experience, not to be missed either. Like a white dove, nestled in a tall and steep cliff, offers breathtaking views to the “endless blue” of the Aegean Sea! Last but not least, if you visit Amorgos, you will be impressed by the light of the sun and the contrasts it creates among the colors of blue sea, the sky, the land and the whitewashed “cycladian” cubic houses.
In Amorgos visitors will enjoy many stylish cafes, bars and excellent places to eat. They will also find charming beaches, with amazingly transparent turquoise waters. However most of them are small with few or no facilities. Therefore, Amorgos will not satisfy those who prefer long organized sandy beaches, neither those who seek a wild nightlife or a mass tourism destination.
YACHTING GUIDE of AMORGOS - BEACHES, ANCHORAGES, PORTS/MARINAS:
Amorgos - as many of the Cycladian islands - is not the typical yachting destination. It has tall steep mountains dropping down to the sea and does not offer an organized marina. Additionally it suffers from the “meltemi” wind during the summer, as all of the Kyklades. However, considering its small size, it offers several quite protected anchorages and two main ports, which are protected by most winds.
Katapola is the largest port and is found in a large safe bay, which was used as a permanent anchorage during the Bronze Age. There is an area with several places for private yachts and power pillars. The settlement has lost most of its traditional character, however it keeps some typical cycladic color. Nice tavernas, cafes and shops are conveniently located around the port, while the beautiful “Hora” is only 5km away.
Alternatively you can drop an anchor to several other places inside the bay, depending on the weather conditions. The near by settlement of Xylokeratidi, has a narrow beach and some famous tavernas and cafes. A bit northern up you will find a few coves, protected from the meltemi and nice beaches, such as Maltezi, one of the best in the island with beautiful transparent waters and Plakes, with straw umbrellas.
Aigiali is the second port of Amorgos and is located in a large safe bay during antiquity. Its advantage, compared to Katapola, is its large beautiful beach with transparent waters and the nice beach bars and tavernas, all around it. However, despite being protected by most winds, with the NE it suffers by strong seiche, while the strong SSE-S are very annoying. Additionally it has very few places to moor and due to the opposite deviation of the sea bed, you may have problems with your anchor.
Alternatively you can drop an anchor somewhere inside the large bay. However, you may still have problems as in some places the anchor does not hold safely.
The settlement is quite small but charming. During the night, the bars are popular to youngsters but still Aegiali is not considered as a noisy place.
Northern up from Aegiali, you will find the beautiful beaches of Levrossos and Psili Ammos, which are among the best in the island. Another disadvantage of Aegiali is its quite long distance (17km) from the picturesque “Hora” which you should not miss if you visit the island. However, on the hills, right above, you will find three beautiful typical “cycladian” villages, with white washed houses, excellent panoramic views and a few traditional cafe (kafeneia) and tavernas. If you are lucky you may meet the locals playing traditional music and singing folk songs along with the tourists. Tholaria are considered as the most interesting one, however both Potamos and Lagadia also worth a visit.
The narrow bay of Akrotiri (Kato Kampos), opposite Petalidi islet, is another safe anchorage, however it is open to NE. It has a peebly beach but it is not very attractive.
Oposite the islet Gramvousa (SW) you will find the well-protected anchorage of Kalotaritissa. It is a picturesque bay, with a nice beach, a few straw umbrellas, sunbeds, water sports and a cantina. This beautiful anchorage will offer you protection by all weathers and a small jetty for disembarkation.
Right next to Kalotaritisa, you will find Liveros bay and right next to it a small bay with a sunk ship. A bit further, there is Paradisia, a sandy beach with a small jetty. Very nice isolated beaches are also found in Gramvousa islet. Two of them lie in the SE and one SW. However, none of the above are suggested as safe anchorages.
Another quite safe anchorage is created by the Nikouria islet, as it almost connected to Amorgos. However, it is open to SW-W. In Nikouria, you will find two nice beaches. One of them is organized and has a cantina. Opposite Nikouria lies the “different” beach of Agios Pavlos, which resembles to a sandy strip of land entering the sea. From there, one can get the little caique in order to visit Nikouria. There are departures every few minutes.
Two more interesting places to anchor are the bays of Megali (Big) Vlychada and Mikri (Small) Vlychada, which resemble to fjords. However you will only be safe with W-E winds. Mikri Vlychada is very small and narrow, with steep rocks, ending to a tiny beach. You can enter it only with a small boat. Megali Vlychada is larger, with transparent waters and peebles and equally interesting.
The most famous beaches of Amorgos are Agia Anna and Mouros (N). They are tiny but their sea has amazing transparency and turquoise color. Unfortunately, they are not suggested at all for anchoring. However, we advise you to visit them by car, during your visit to the impressive “Hozoviotissa Monastery” which is nested on the steep hills above them. Even if you cannot find a place to lie there, it is worth admiring them from above!
The northern coast of Amorgos is impressive, with steep tall rocks, amazing turquoise sea, tiny beaches and caves. However, you will not be able to enjoy it, unless you have a small flexible boat, due to the large depths, the reefs and the lack of anchorages. In this case, it is worth visiting the tiny white beach of Sparti, with the amazing turquoise waters, which is accessed only by boat.
More information about AMORGOS coming soon!
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RESTAURANTS in AMORGOS on Google Map with Photos & Description
ANCHORAGES in AMORGOS on Google Map with Nautical Map, Photos & Description
All BEACHES in AMORGOS on Google Map with Photos & Description
More Info: Complete TOURIST and SAILING Directory - COMPANIES' Directory for AMORGOS
Last Update: January 2012
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