| Amorgos | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Greece |
|---|---|
| Region | Southern Aegean |
| Surface | 126 km² |
| Inhabitants | 1.859 (2001) |
| Tourism site | |
| Institutional website | |
Amorgos (pronounced Amorgors in Greek - Αμοργός) is an island of the archipelago of Cyclades.
To know
Amorgos was the background in 1987 for the film "Le Grand Bleu"by the French director Luc Besson. The film was an extraordinary success in France, also determining the tourist fortunes of this windy island with a rugged landscape. Much less known to the international public is the book "7 times in Amorgos" by the Greek writer and singer Christie Stasinopoulou. [1] which advances the thesis that the island is equipped with a magnet that pushes you to return several times.
Geographical notes
Amorgòs is the easternmost of the Cyclades. It is located between Naxos (Naxos) to the north-west e Stampalia (Astypalea) to the southeast. Between Naxos and Amorgos some of the small Cyclades (Schoinoussa, Koufonisi is Heraklia).
Amorgòs is elongated and narrow in shape. Its maximum length is 34 km while its width varies from a maximum of 6 to a minimum of 1.5 km. Its coasts are indented and extend for 112 km. Its maximum height is represented by Mount Krikelos which reaches an altitude of 822 m a.s.l.
When to go
The wind can be particularly annoying in certain periods of the summer but at least it has the advantage of killing the mosquitoes that in other Greek islands abound beyond measure. However, the climate of Amorgos is very healthy.
Background
Amorgos was one of the main centers of the Cycladic civilization and its subsoil has given back many of the marble idols with characteristic stylized shapes. Later it came under the influence of civilization Minoan and still later settlers from Naxo founded the city of Arkesini whose ruins stand out in the far south. To the north, however, settlers from Miletus founded the city of Aigiali on the site where the village of Tholaria stands today. From the classical era until its annexation to the kingdom of Greece (1834) it knew a common destiny with that of the other Cyclades.
Territories and tourist destinations
 Section of the north-central coast of the island with the islet of Nikourià in the background | .JPG/200px-Ormos_Egialis_(Amorgos).JPG) The bay and the port of Aigiali |  The village of Tholaria and the bay of Aigiali in the background |
Amorgos: full screen map.Urban centers
- Aighiali - A secondary port at the northeastern end of the island. Ferries departing from Piraeus they often make a second stop in Aigiali after touching Katapola. This is because the road that connects the two centers is not in the best conditions and it is more convenient and faster to embark to move from one center to another.
- Chora - The capital of the island located at 400 meters above sea level in a panoramic position on both sea sides. It is a few km from Katapola and has a number of night clubs (bar in Greek). Chora beach is Aghia Anna, the best known and the busiest on the island, just below the monastery of Chazobiotissa.
- Katapola - The port where ferries from Piraeus.
- Tholaria - A small town near Aighiali, where it is possible to find accommodation. It is not on the sea but hidden in the mountains. In its surroundings there are some uncrowded beaches which are often reachable only on foot, which is of course not very pleasant, especially when the wind blows or the sun beats down.
Other destinations
Amorgos has many beaches but there are very few that are easy to access.
The tip in the extreme southwest of Amorgos, where the ruins of the Acropolis of Arkesini stand, can be reached via a road that starts from Chora and passes through the village of Vroussi. There are the following beaches.
The south coast is steep and difficult to access.
Beaches around Katapola
- Aghios Panteleimonas
- Agii Saranta
- Finikes
- Maltezi
Beaches southwest of Amorgos
- Amoudi - Reachable on foot from Arkesini.
- Gramboussa - An islet accessible by boat from Kalotaritissa.
- Kalotaritissa - A beach in a natural bay protected from the winds where private yachts dock. There is the rusty wreck of a merchant ship.
- Kato Kampos - In a narrow cove near the village of Kolofana.
- Mouro - Very popular near the villages of Arkesini and Kamari, with caves and interesting sea beds.
- Paradisa - (10 km) Under the chapel of Aghia Paraskevì where a religious festival takes place every 26th July.
- Perivolas
Beaches around Aighiali and Tholaria
- Agios Pavlos - A quiet coast with only one tavern.
- Levrossos - A very beautiful beach where nudism is practiced, reachable from Tholaria.
- Megali and Mikrì Glyfada - Remote northern beaches reachable from the Tholaria village through paths that are not easy to find.
- Nikourià - An islet off Agios Pavlos.
- Psilì Ammos - Near Aigiali, reachable by boat.
Beaches on the south coast
- Chalara - Also reachable on foot from Potamòs. A coast of smooth stones and pebbles.
How to get
By plane
- Olympic Air. Make a daily service from Athens.
- With the ferries of BlueStar which typically cover the route Piraeus, Paro, Naxos (Naxos), Aigiali and then continue in the direction of Stampalia (Astypalea).
The crossing takes between five and seven hours depending on the number of intermediate stops. If you leave in the afternoon you will arrive late at night.
How to get around
The best way to get around Amorgos is by boat, also considering the smallness of its road network which often does not allow you to reach the most beautiful coasts. However, there is a bus service that connects the various places on the island. Here are two car and motorcycle rental names:
- Asset Rent A Car, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 74301, fax: 30 22850 74302.
- Tomaso Rent a Car, ☎ 30 22850 71000, fax: 30 22850 71999.
What see
- Hozoviotissa Monastery. White monastery in a fantastic location, which has become the symbol of the island of Amorgos.
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Night clubs
- "Zygos" Bar (The balance). Recommended for its sociable atmosphere and its excellent drinks.
Where to eat
Those with an iron stomach can enjoy "rakomelo". Raki, similar to the more famous ouzo, but with several degrees of alcohol more. It is boiled and then mixed with honey and other concoctions.
Where stay
Some say it is cheaper to rent rooms in Chora, the hilltop village that is inland but still less than 20 minutes from the port of Katapola.
Moderate prices
- Camping Kastanis, 1 km from Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71012. Camping.
- Camping Egialis, ☎ 30 22850 73500, 30 22850 73400, fax: 30 22850-73388. Camping.
- Kastanis Ilias **, Chora Amorgos, ☎ 30 22850 71277, 30 22850 71012, fax: 30 22850 71277. Simple rooms for rent managed by the owner of the camping of the same name.
- Anna Studios, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71218, 30 210 9563023 (winter months), fax: 30 22850 71084.
- Alexandros Rooms to let, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71291, 30 22850 74295, fax: 30 22850 74180.
- Amorgos Rooms to Let, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71814, fax: 30 22850 71814.
- Kastelopetra, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71042, 30 22850 71360, 30 22850 71269, fax: 30 22850 71360. 6 unclassified rooms.
- Maroussa Studios, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71038, fax: 30 22850 71883. 13 unclassified studios.
- Angeliki, ☎ 30 22850 71280, fax: 30 22850 74195.
Average prices
- Lanteris **, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 74055, 30 22850 71480, fax: 30 22850 74168. Cat "C".
- [link not working]Saint George Valsamitis, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71228, 30 22850 71148, fax: 30 22850 71147.
- Hotel Minoa **, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71480, fax: 30 22850 71003, @[email protected].
- Pelagos Hotel Apartments **, Aigiali, ☎ 30 22850 73580, 30 22850 73010, 30 22850 73206, fax: 30 22850 73580.
- Gryspo's Hotel, Aigiali, ☎ 30 22850 73412, 30 22850 73502, fax: 30 22850 73557.
- Mike Hotel, Aigialis, ☎ 30 22850 73208, fax: 30 22850 73633, @[email protected]. Cat C. Open from Apr to Oct.
- Aegialis Hotel, Aegialis, ☎ 30 22850 73393, 30 22850 73107, 30 6932 618514 (Mobile phone), 30 6932 618511 (Mobile phone), 30 6936608678 (Mobile phone), fax: 30 22850 73395, @[email protected]. Open all the year.
- [link not working]Hitel Vigla, Tholaria, ☎ 30 22850 73288, 30 22850 73004, 30 22850 73005, fax: 30 22850 73332. Open from Apr to Oct.
- Evis studios ***, Tholaria, ☎ 30 22850 73391, 30 693 7425596 (Mobile phone), fax: 30 22850 73391. 6 rooms 3 studios and 2 apartments of cat "A".
- Pagali hotels, Langada, ☎ 30 22850 73310, 30 22850 73600, fax: 30 22850 73368.
- Agios Pavlos Studios, Aghios Pavlos beach., ☎ 30 693 7992465 (Mobile phone).
High prices
- Lakki Village ***, Egiali, ☎ 30 22850 73253, 30 22850 73505 (two lines), 30 22850 73577 (winter months), fax: 30 22850 73244, @[email protected].
- Levrossos Beach Apartments ***, On the homonymous beach between Aighiali and Tholaria, ☎ 30 22850 73297.
- Pension Titika ***, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71660, 30 6937 777868 (Mobile phone), 30 210 6025312 (winter months), fax: 30 22850 71660.
- Villa Katapoliani ***, Katapola, ☎ 30 22850 71054, 30 22850 71064, 30 22850 71664, fax: 30 22850 71054. 11 rooms 6 suites of cat "A".
Safety
How to keep in touch
Post office
The postcode of the island is 840 08
Telephony
The telephone area code for the island is 30 22850
