An Introduction to Amorgos

Amorgos is a perfect destination if you’re looking for a more authentic Greek island experience.

We first discovered Amorgos in 2019 after learning it’s a hikers’ paradise. Excited to try somewhere new, we spent five days here in late May and loved every minute.

Slightly off the beaten track, Amorgos lies about 20 miles southeast of Naxos and is accessible only by ferry. It does have two ports, though: Aegiali on the northwest coast and Katapola further south.

Amorgos is a great destination if you’re looking for a more authentic and traditional Greek experience. It provides a great contrast to more popular nearby islands such as Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, and Santorini.

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Getting to Amorgos

Ferries are your only option if you want to visit Amorgos. Unusually for smaller islands, Amorgos has two ports that are both actively used by ferry operators, so you’ll need to make sure you know which port to choose depending on where you want to stay. Aegiali is the northwestern port, while Katapola is more central and closer to Chora. A regular bus service connects the two villages, so whichever you choose, it’s still possible to transfer to your accommodation with minimal fuss.

Check out available ferry connections using the search box below. Be aware that many Greek ferry operators don’t confirm their routes until February-April of each year. So, it’s worth checking back later if you don’t see availability for your chosen dates.

One of the best and most affordable ways to get to and from Amorgos is via Express Skopelitis, a long-running passenger ferry operated by Small Cyclades Lines. Something of an institution in the Cyclades, it’s based in Katapola and visits many of the neighbouring islands, providing a cheap and reliable way of getting around. Its relatively small size and low cost mean it can get fully booked during high season (June-September), so consider booking online a few weeks before you travel to ensure you don’t miss out.

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Where to Stay on Amorgos

Aegiali

Aegiali is one of two ports on Amorgos and the largest settlement on the island’s northern half. With a wide, sandy beach and a good selection of accommodation and tavernas, it’s a great location to relax and explore.

The nearby villages of Lagada and Tholaria form a triangle with Aegiali. They are connected by walking paths that continue into the more remote parts of northern Amorgos, particularly to the church of Agios Theologos northeast of Lagada.

A regular bus service links Aegiali with Chora and Katapola. If you want to explore further south, you must arrange your own transportation. The village is fairly peaceful but has enough amenities to make it a good base for a few days. The beach, in particular, is one of the best on the island, and there is a path that continues north around the bay and provides access to three smaller beaches: Levrossos, Psili Ammos and Hochlaka. Levrossos has a few beach bars/tavernas and is soft sand, but it tends to lose the sun in the late afternoon due to its sheltered position.

Katapola

More centrally located, Katapola is the other port on Amorgos. Although the beach is narrower and less appealing than Aegiali, its proximity to Chora and the famous Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery makes it a more convenient base. As a result, you’ll find a broader selection of accommodation here, plus a good range of tavernas, shops and amenities both north and south of the bay.

Chora

Situated inland in an elevated position east of Katapola, the island’s capital is a small village with a decent range of accommodation and local facilities. A steep, winding path provides access to the monastery on foot. However, anyone with health issues or limited mobility should take the local bus as it considerably shortens the distance.

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Things to see and do on Amorgos

One of the most popular things to do on Amorgos is hiking, attracting many visitors to the island each year. This website has a great list of walks: http://www.cycladen.be/AmorgosEng.htm, including the main ‘spine walk’ across the island from Aegiali in the north to Katapola further southwest. We did the hike in 2019 and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The main attraction is the Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery. Built into the cliffside, 300 metres above sea level, it’s an impressive and unique sight. It’s located quite close to Chora, and the local bus makes a stop about a 10-minute walk away.

We recommend hiring a car to see more of the island, as the bus service only covers Aegiali, Chora and Katapola. Further south, you can visit ancient Arkesini – check out our YouTube video below to see what it’s like.

Amorgos Beaches

Amorgos has a good selection of beaches. Use the links below to find out more about each one:

Accommodation

You’ll find a good selection of accommodation in both of the main settlements, Aegiali and Katapola, plus a smattering in other areas, including Chora, Agios Pavlos, and the villages on the hillsides surrounding Aegiali. These don’t necessarily provide sufficient lodgings to meet tourist demand, which has increased steadily in recent years. If you want to visit the island, it’s a good idea to book early, especially if you plan to visit during peak season between June and early September.

We split our time pretty evenly between Aegiali and Katapola and enjoyed both. Aegiali seemed quieter, but I’m told it’s often the opposite – we were there early in the season, so perhaps tourism wasn’t in full flow.

Below you’ll find reviews of all the hotels we’ve stayed at on Amorgos:

Videos of Amorgos

Check out some of the videos we’ve filmed on Amorgos:

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Amorgos FAQs

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Amorgos:

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Restaurants and Dining

Both resorts have a reasonable selection of tavernas, enough to get you through a week in each location without running out of options. Google lists around a dozen choices in Aegiali and closer to 20 in Katapola.

Koralli Taverna was our favourite in Aegiali, and Corner Taverna in Katapola was excellent for lunch and dinner at very reasonable prices.

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Conclusions and Alternatives

Amorgos is an excellent choice if you’re seeking a traditional Greek experience that isn’t coloured by tourism to any significant degree. It’s great for walking and does have a good selection of sights to keep you busy for a few days, perhaps even a week.

The island does have a selection of beaches, but to be honest, it’s not renowned for them. If you’re looking for golden sandy beaches to while away the days, there are better alternatives. Nearby, Koufonissi is the first place that springs to mind (stunning beaches everywhere).

If you’re looking for somewhere with more things to do, Naxos and Paros would be our first suggestions. Given that you must visit Amorgos by ferry, you can even combine Naxos/Paros with Amorgos as part of your trip.

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Blog Posts

Find out more about Amorgos by reading our recent blog posts: