1. Andros Town & surrounding beaches
The capital of Andros is a long peninsula, surrounded by 2 large sandy beaches. This may be a long day for you! Try to visit the town, one of the days where most of the museums are open. At the central road, no cars are permitted.
Do not miss:
- A long walk to the edge of the peninsula, where the large square with the lost sailor statue offers wonderful sea views. If you are brave enough, climb the stone bridge and visit the remnants of the enetian castle. The view back to the whole peninsula is amazing! Also, here we swim and our kids love jumping into the water. Lie and relax on the warm rocks. Into the wholes, let kids look for small crabs.
- Walk down to ‘Paraporti’ beach, where you’ll find the river banks with the ducks, geese and swans. Offer them food (bread, biscuits etc) and it will be a huge party for the kids to enjoy. If you have time, walk towards ‘Livadia’ valley. It is impressively fertile and there are amazing scenic estates around.
- At the other side of the peninsula, walk down to ‘Ag Thalassini’ church, on the rock. This is a wonderful spot for photo shooting.
- Visit any of the listed museums and taste local treats at the central market.
- Swimming, is possible at the 2 beaches of the town, ‘Paraporti’ (with a nice beach bar at the far corner) or ‘Nimporio’ (swallow waters and restaurants, bars).
Additional details about this place are available in the digital version of this guide
2. Menites Springs, Pythara Waterfalls and Piso Gualia Beach
- While driving to Andros capital again, turn left at ‘Menites’ village & springs and park before the village. Then walk to the springs, drink water and enjoy the amazing shadows. You hear running waters everywhere.
- Follow the signs of Andros Route No 1 or 9-9b as a quick local guide. Take again your car and drive over Menites towards Apoikia village. This way offers panoramic views of Andros Town. On the way you may visit the Monastery of ‘Ag Marina’. At Apoikia, park at the entrance of the village, to visit ‘Pythara’ waterfalls. It is about 20 min walk, mostly in shadows. There, you may have a pic nic, get a shower at the springs and take wonderful photos.
- Follow the signs of Andros Route No 2A as a quick local guide. If you want to hike, this route takes you down to Gualia beach.
- Another option, is to drive to Piso Gualia beach, with a nice beach bar and nice waters.
- Gualia and Piso Gualia beaches, have both a nice restaurant, with mixed fish and meat menus and wonderful sea views.
3. Foros Cave, Olive Oil Museum & Chalkolimnionas Beach
- The area of Pitrofos is the center of this day on Andros. You may arrange your visit to both the cave and the museum (more info available though the related links in our Guide).
- For swimming, you may visit Chalkolimnionas beach (with beach bar) or Apothikes (with beach bar too), a little bit further. In this area, you’ll find Zozef’s restaurant (at our Guide more info) Extras: ‘Ag Panteleimon’ monastery is a place not to miss either
4. Kapparia, Aidonia, Episkopeio & Grias Pidima Beach
A walk through the villages of Korthi with the hospitable inhabitants. From the village of Kapparia, a rural road passes through old settlements tp ends at Ormos Korthiou. Aidonia and Episkopeio are picturesque villages extremely well preserved by their inhabitants. Hiking route No. 4 passes through several settlements and the famous beach is very close
5. Ag Petros Tower & Vitali Beach
We start with a stop at the Tower of Ag. Petrou, walking against the backdrop of the sea and then inside the village of the same name. The road leads us to Vitali beach and the neighboring beach Gides, where to get there you will swim, because the road is very difficult. But you have many chances to be alone.
For the children, the rocks in Vitali will monopolize their day.
6. Froussaioi valley hike and Zorgos Beach
Several kilometers on Andros Route No. 14 but from the point ‘Kapsali’ to the watermills of Frousaioi, through water, rocks and dense vegetation. To cool off, we continue to Zorgos beach. On the right edge of the beach there are large caves for shade and rocks for diving, The day ends with food in the tavern or alternatively in the Tavern ‘O Kossis’ in Ano Fellos.
7. Relaxation Day - Surrounding Beaches
8. Remata & Arni village, Ateni, Vori or Lefka Beaches
This is a unique experience through the village of Arni, the water route of Remata and for swimming, the nearby beach of Vori (quite difficult to drive), Ateni (2 wonderful sandy beaches) or Lefka (another off road beach). You may either dinne at Katakoilos village (Gregos restaurant) or back to Batsi.
9. Religious Destinations - Monasteries
Chapels are scattered all over the island and this is something you will admire during hiking. Andros has rich religious tradition and well known monasteries that attract many visitors from abroad.
Do not miss the following celebrations:
• Panagia Theoskepasti (celebrating 16 days before Easter Sunday)
• Monastery of Panagias Panachrantou (celebrating on July 27th and August 15th).
• Holy Monastery of Zoodoxos Pighi (celebrating on the 1st Friday after the Sunday of Orthodox Easter).
• Holy Monastery of Ag. Marina (celebrating on July 17th)
• Holy Monastery of Ag. Nicholas (celebrating on May 9th, December 6th and July 20th).
• Holy Monastery of Agia Irini (celebrating on May the 5th)
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Tromarchiani (celebrating on Easter Monday and August 15th).
• Ag. Sotira church, Arni village (celebrating on the 6th o August, with huge celebration, maybe the best local festival on the island
10. Vourkoti village - Gerolimni - Achla beach
This is an experience to remember for years. The Achla River stretches down to the beach, through a dense forest and slippery rocks, ending in a stunning biotope. This is the largest plantain of the Cyclades. This experience also offers diving and swimming in river springs ‘vathres’. The route is quite difficult and unmarked, with many big rocks and requires mostly climbing than walking. The stunning lake ‘Gerolimni’, is perfect for diving. The kids love it.
