Amorgos

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

Amorgos: Aghia Anna beach

Understand

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 touristic.

History

Amorgos has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Old tombs were discovered, dating to as early as 3300 B.C. 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.

Talk

The most people on the island speak English. Some old people may have learned Italian during the fascist occupation in the second World War, Italian soldiers arrived here but they didn't fight against Greeks. They lived in Amorgos for one or two years.

Get in

By boat

Ferry boats and Highspeed catamaran services run daily from Piraeus.

• Hellenic Seaways.
• BlueStar.
• Gaferries.

Blue Star boats travel all year (the journey from Piraeus is about 9 hours), Hellenic Seaways does the trip in about 5 hours, but only during the summer months All ferry and high speed ferry companies: schedules, connections, availability and prices, between Amorgos, other Greek islands & Piraeus port (Athens) can be found at Ferries.gr.

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.

• Seajets

By plane

The closest airports to Amorogs 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.

Get around

Within the resorts walking is the best method of transport. Bus services operate between the villages, but for total freedom hire a car. Car hire is available in Katapola, Aegiali and Hora and is relatively cheap.

Taxi from Aegiali to Katapola or opposite costs 25 euros.

See

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. Also the trail down from Chora to Katapoula is very good.

• Hozoviotissa Monastery. It is located on the rocks, above the sea and the view will take your breath away! Also, the history of this monastery is very interesting. 

Eat

• 12 Acropolis - 12 ΑΚΡΟΠΟΛΕΙΣ, Ormos Aegialis (Amorgos, near by the Aegiali port.), ☎ [phone]. 
• Parvas (Παρβας Μεζεδοκαφενειο). A low-key local tavern in Chora that stays open all year, with a traditional Greek menu and daily dishes. (updated Oct 2018)
• Transistoraki, Chora, ☎ [phone]. A popular restaurant run by two brothers in the summer months that offers traditional Greek dishes and modern twists. (updated Oct 2018)
• Ilios Cafe (Ηλιος). Worth getting lost in Chora to find this cafe restaurant in Losa square, under a large tree with views of the Venetian castle. Great spot for breakfast or a mid afternoon beer, but also candle lit and charming for an evening sit down. Locals gather in Losa square to gossip over coffee while kids play, especially on summer evenings. (updated Oct 2018)

Drink

• The traditional rakomelo. It's raki boiled with honey and cinammon.
• Psimeni is a traditional Amorgian raki, home made locally with a diverse range of flavours, like honey, cinnamon and cloves. It is offered in many homes and establishments as an aperitif or a digestif or to welcome guests, including upon visits to the cliffhanging Hozoviotissa monastery.
• Have a drink at the bar Zygos at Xora. It's a rock bar with good spirits and friendly people.

Sleep

Ferry boats at Katapola and Aegiali are met by owners of domatia (rooms), These are the best bets for reasonable priced accommodation. Most have kitchens and washrooms. Sometimes they are shared. Air conditioning is available in most of the rooms. It's better to rent a room at Xora (The village at the top of the mountain Profitis Ilias, fifteen minutes from the port of Katapola.

• 12 Acropolis (12 ΑΚΡΟΠΟΛΕΙΣ), Ormos Aegialis Amorgos (In the center of the port), ☎ [phone]. 
• Minoa Hotel, Katapola, Amorgos, ☎ [phone]. Hotel in the central square of Katapola, 80m from the boat. double €50-80. 
• Agios Pavlos Studios, Aegiali, Amorgos GR-84008, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Agios Pavlos Studios are apartments in Amorgos, one of the Cyclades Islands, with a view of the Agios Pavlos beach. €60-115. 
• Aegialis Hotel, Aegiali, Amorgos, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. double €160-324. 

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