1. Walk the streets of the traditional community.
Maybe it's the most beautiful and the shortest route you can do in the traditional village streets. A walk is enough to discover the interesting architecture of Astypalaia and enjoy the spectacular view of the sea.
2. Day trip to the islands Koutsomiti and Kounoupes
In order to reach these 2 islands you should rent a private boat or go with the excursion boat.
Approach
by private boat: You need to go to Livadi beach in order to rent a
private boat. By following the instructions ( gps included ) you will
reach the islands in 20 minutes.
Approach
by excursion boat: here all you have to do is to be at the port of Pera
Gialos or Maltezana at the time you have been taught by the Captain.
Koutsomitis:
It is a complex of two islands with green waters like those of a pool. A
magical picture. You can go from one island to the other by swimming.
Kounoupes
: it is quite a large island with a special feature that offers you a
unique spectacle. The island consists of 2 parts which remain joined
together thanks to a thin strip of pebbles and sand. This is a virgin
beach that reflects people's respect to nature.
From
the east side is formed a large and deep bay with crystal clear water,
and from the west side communicates with the open sea.
Enjoy.....................................
3. Destination beach of Agios Ioannis.
Beggining
from the country by motorcycle, car or on foot (for hikers) heading
northwest of the island we have the first stop at the Monastery of St.
John, which is 8 km far from Chora. During the journey to the monastery,
you will have the opportunity to photograph old stone houses, monuments
and farms where different animals are reared. There you will get lucky
to taste local virgin dairy products and the warm hospitality of the
farmers. Continuing the route, you will often have the pleasure to enjoy
the panoramic view that the high altitude gives you. Furthermore, you
will be surprised from the top of the mountain where you can see
Astypalaia surrounded by the sea. Arriving at the monastery, you should
necessarily leave your car or motorcycle. At this point begins the
descent to the beach. The route from the monastery to the beach will
last 2 hours. Halfway there is a small waterfall (the famous waterfall
of St. John), whose waters fall into a natural pool which is formed by
the rocks of the mountain. Taking a refreshing dip you will get strength
for the final part, the beach. Enjoy swimming.....
4. Spilia tou Negrou (cave)
This
is a cave which is located in Vatses, in the western part of the island
of Astypalaia and connected, according to tradition, with various myths
about pirates and treasures. So, according to the prevailing myth, the
cave owes its name to a pirate from Samos who acted in the Aegean Sea
and once fled there likely to hide a treasure. This story is recorded in
a book titled "George Negro - The tiger of the Aegean Sea" which lists
the sources and the documents were used to support the existence of such
a person. The cave has stalactites and stalagmites, and was used as a
church of Christians who fled there to pray and hide during their
persecutions. There are several ways to reach the cave, either by boat
beggining from the town or getting to the beach of Vatses by car and
then walk for about 45 minutes. You should be very careful the time you
enter the cave!
