What to do in Andros, Greece?

Andros (Άνδρος) is the northernmost island of the Cyclades and the second largest after Naxos. It’s a “big” island, with an elongated shape and a wide variety of landscapes. So, What to do in Andros ?
After all, Andros is lush vegetation, springs, rocky coasts, sandy beaches and an immense cultural heritage.
It is also one of the closest islands to Athens. From the port of Rafina, it’s a two-hour ferry ride and a 55-minute speedboat ride. And despite its proximity to Attica, Andros is one of the least-visited islands.
This verdant, fertile island, untouched by mass tourism, is the ideal nature destination for a few days!
So, if you’re wondering what to do on Andros, here’s a rundown of the wonders to be discovered on this island.

1 – Discover Chora, the island’s capital

Take advantage of your visit to this picturesque town to explore its narrow streets.
Admire the homes of wealthy Greek shipowners, in Byzantine, Venetian and Neoclassical styles with tiled roofs.
Above all, relax in one of the many cafés and tavernas in the main square, a lovely shady square with a large marble fountain dating back to Ottoman times.
You can also order a Frappé and try the island’s typical pastries: candied fruit in syrup.

Chora is built on a peninsula that ends in a small island on which the ruins of a 13th-century Venetian castle, completely destroyed during the Second World War, can be seen.
The more adventurous will certainly dare to cross the narrow stone bridge…

Opposite is the Tourlitis lighthouse, the only lighthouse in the world built on a rock in the sea. Built in 1887, it was destroyed during the war and rebuilt in 1994.

Andros is an island of immense cultural heritage. The island boasts no fewer than 10 museums and/or foundations: archaeological museum, modern art museum, maritime museum, olive museum, folklore museum, digital museum, etc. There really is something for everyone!
Most of them are in Chora.

You can find a list of museums and foundations in Andros on this website.

2 – Stopover in Gavrio and Batsi

Gavrio, being the main port, is where you will disembark on the island. With the exception of the landing stage, this town still retains its charm, thanks to its typical taverns.
Don’t miss the island’s culinary specialty, Froutalia, an omelette made with thinly sliced potatoes and sausages. A treat!

Then take a stroll around the island’s main seaside resort: Batsi
Clinging to the hillside and set in a small bay, it’s the island’s most touristic village. Its landscaped seafront, fishing port, small beach and narrow shopping streets make it a lively village.

Visit Pitrofos and the Cyclades Olive Museum

Pitrofos, a village built into the mountainside, is known for its lush vegetation. It’s probably the most beautiful village on the island.
Our favorite thing to do in Andros: visit the Cyclades Olive Museum.
This former olive mill has been restored and turned into a museum. The owner, a true enthusiast, will be your guide and explain all the stages of olive oil production in the Cyclades. The tour in English is accompanied by a video projection of images from the period.
What’s more, he’ll be happy to give you sound advice on your next olive oil purchase.
Admission to the museum is free.
Museum opening times vary according to the season, and can be consulted here.

3 – Wine tasting in Menites

Menites is a village named after the maenads, the worshippers of Dionysus, the ancient god of wine and festivities, considered to be the island’s patron saint.
You’ll be able to admire many astonishing lion-head-shaped springs!
Now, take time out to sit on a café terrace and listen to the sound of flowing water, birdsong and rustling walnut leaves as you enjoy a glass of wine! The show is grandiose…

4 – Fill your gourds with “Sariza” mineral water at Apikia

The village of Apikia is home to the “Sariza” spring, a mineral water renowned for its medicinal properties (it helps eliminate kidney stones). A few meters west of the spring is the bottling plant for the natural and sparkling water of the same name.

In the same village, take trail 2a to the Pithara waterfall. Its abundant crystal-clear waters form small waterfalls and delightful lakes that are the backdrop for a rich aquatic life. It’s a 15-minute walk to your destination.

5 – Farniente on the magnificent beaches of Andros

What to do in Andros during your stay Discover its beautiful beaches, of course! And there’s no shortage of them all around the island.
Andros boasts 28 beaches, ranging from family-friendly, well-organized and easy-to-reach to more secluded. The choice is yours! There are also many small, unspoilt coves.

Between Gavrio and Batsi are several sandy beaches, often equipped with parasols and deckchairs. Ideal for families. Bars and/or taverns nearby. These include Agios Petros beach, Golden Sand and Paralia Kipri.

But the best beaches are on the east coast. The problem is that they are very exposed to the wind…and some are only accessible on foot or by boat.
Tis Grias To Pidima beach, for example, is the most photographed beach on Andros, characterized by its impressive rocky outcrops.

But also Achla, Zorkos and Syneti, havens of peace with translucent waters.
Most of these beaches are undeveloped, so don’t forget to bring food and, above all, water.

And here’s a site listing all the beaches on Andros.

6 – Andros, a hiker’s paradise

What can you do in Andros if you like walking? Hiking, of course… and there’s plenty of choice here too.
In fact, Andros is one of Europe’s top destinations for hiking, with its 24 footpaths! Varying in difficulty, they are suitable for experienced hikers and novices alike.
To help you find your way around, the island has a website in English listing itineraries, their difficulties, times and distances: Andros Routes.

7 – Another way to visit Andros

Several excursions are organized to visit Andros. In fact, we spotted :

• A day trip to the island of Andros with a local guide (English, Greek). Ferry tickets included. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
• As well as a one-day tour of Andros and its points of interest, in English. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Starting point of the tour in Batsi.

How to get to Andros

By ferry

The only way to get to Andros is by ferry.
To get to the island, you need to go to the port of Rafina, located east of Athens, some 30 km from the city center.
From here, all you have to do is take a ferry from Rafina to Gavrio (Andros). The journey is fast: 2h00 crossing, or even 55 minutes by speed-boat.
Tickets cost €19.50 (guide price 2021).
To book your tickets, we recommend the following website Ferry Hopper which has an easy-to-use interface. Payment is online, and no more expensive than at the port!

A vehicle is essential for visiting the island. You can easily rent a car on arrival, with rental agencies on the quayside.
A word of advice: if you’re coming in high season, reserve your vehicle before you arrive on the island. Personally, we always use the RentalCars which lets you compare offers from different rental agencies in the blink of an eye, so you can get great rates.

By sailboat

Another great way to reach Andros by sea: rent a sailboat from Lavrio, with or without the services of a skipper, and set off to discover the Northern Cyclades for an unforgettable vacation! For this, we recommend Clickandboat agency, which offers a magnificent 14m sailing yacht for charter, with or without skipper. Treat yourself to a week in the Northern Cyclades.

Where to stay in Andros?

The island offers a wide range of hotels. You can either stay in the main towns or choose an establishment nestled in the mountains, on a deserted beach or in a picturesque village for greater authenticity and tranquility.
For this, we recommend a visit to the website Booking.com where you’ll find a wide range of rental offers, from hotels and apartments to houses and villas.

To continue your stay…

And if you want to continue your stay in the Cyclades, Andros is also linked to the islands of Tinos and Mykonos.

We hope we’ve answered your question about what to do in Andros. We hope you enjoy exploring this magnificent island!
And don’t hesitate to share your experiences with us.

Elodie H.