Andros: Our Quick Guide

After three full days on Andros, the third Cycladic island of this trip, this is our brief summary guide. 

General. Visually stunning, this is an island of huge green rolling hills (not quite mountains), streams and waterfalls, dramatic coastlines and long sandy beaches. Some of the gigantic sweeping valleys stretched between the lofty ridges are truly breathtaking. Every drive is stunning; every hike stimulating. It’s a beautiful island. 

Villages. The mountain villages, whilst hugely picturesque, lack the quaint squares of the villages on Tinos, and commonly have not even a cafe as you pass through on a hike, whereas Tinos invited you in to its homely tavernas.

Hiking. As we said earlier, the trails are second to none in terms of organisation, well signposted and identified with trail numbers, making navigation simple. Trail maps are readily available in each of the bigger locations. The walks themselves are incredibly rewarding and satisfying, not to mention strenuous at times!

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Places. 

Gavrio. The port town is at first appearance a little nondescript, but the row of tavernas stretching around the harbour are full of character, and the atmosphere created by the regular ferry arrivals is a real buzz. Don’t ignore Gavrio if you come to Andros: it remains quintessentially Greek and the best base from which to explore the island. 

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Andros Town (Chora). Two names because the main town on every Greek island is known as the “Chora” as well as by its “real” name. Set on a ridge sloping down to the sea, then spreading out into the two bays either side, Andros is in a spectacular location. It’s also a charming and well heeled town with a delightful central square and characterful narrow streets. Not expensive despite being second home territory for some very wealthy Greeks.

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Batsi. The island’s main resort. We found the harbour area very attractive with a nice looking selection of restaurants; the beach side though not quite so appealing. All in all a bit too touristy for us and less authentically Greek than Gavrio. 

Food. Like both Tinos and Syros, the food is classically Greek with a good dash of quality seafood, as you would expect. However all three islands have a liberal usage of capers: pretty much everything has a generous addition of them, even the traditional Greek salad. They are, by the way, succulent and tasty.

Well, that’s our brief summary, though we still have another full day on the island before we move on to the mainland for a weekend in Athens.