(Area 373 sq. km. distance from Piraeus 89 nautical miles, distance from Rafina 36 nautical miles).
Andros, the most northerly island in the Cyclades and the second-largest in the group, is also among the most
beautiful.
Successive ranges of mountains with steep sides, separated by gorges, riverbeds and three large valleys planted
with olive trees, figs, oranges, lemons and vines through which run numerous streams go to make this a landscape
which often goes beyond what we think of as typically Cycladic!.
The mountains end as rocky cliffs or steep promontories, while at the mouths of the valleys are sandy beaches.
In the south-east is Andros or Hora, the capital of the island and its second most important harbour.
This is a most attractive town, with neoclassical mansions side-by-side with Cycladic houses, steep and narrow
alleys lined with arcades, fine churches and two pretty squares in the center of a town which will make a lasting
impression.
Among the most important monuments of Hora are the castle, now ruined, and the church of Our Lady 'Palatiani'
within its walls.
On the cultural side, there is an Archaeological Museum with finds from the Geometric, Classical, Hellenistic,
Roman and Byzantine periods, a Museum of Modern Art with works by the sculptor Michalis Tombros, and a
Nautical Museum with a rich collection of ship models, photographs and ship's instruments.
Andros is home to many of Greece's seamen, and interesting cultural events take place there all the year round.
NORTH CYCLADES
Gavrio is the island's principal harbour, on the west side of Andros. Among the interesting features in the vicinity is
the tower of Agios Petros.
Andros has numerous interesting things to see: the church of the Archangel at Messaria, the monasteries of
Zoodohos Pigi at Batsi, of St Nicholas at Apikia (which is also the site of the Sariza mineral spring), of Our Lady
'Panahrantou' at Falika, and the Apano Kastro or "Tis grias to Kastro" (Upper Castle) to the north of the village of
Kohilos.
Special mention should be made of the ruins of an ancient city which have survived at Paleopoli. At Zagora, to the
south of Paleopoli, one of the most important Geometric temples to have been discovered anywhere in Greece has
come to light.
There are good swimming beaches at Nimborio, Paraporti, Korthi bay near Batsi, Gavrio, Vitali and elsewhere.
Andros has good tourist amenities and can easily deal with the steadily increasing numbers of visitors who
choose it for its natural beauties, its attractive villages, its historical monuments, its superb beaches and its
medicinal springs.
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Get the map of Andros here...