Amorgos, Greece

AUTHENTIC GREECE IN ALL ITS GLORY

Rocky cliffs that drop off into impossibly clear water. Tiny churches that hold centuries of stories. Beaches of soft sand and smooth pebbles few travelers have ever set foot on. Each Greek Isle offers its own bit of wonder, but Amorgos? It’s especially captivating.

The easternmost of the Cyclades, Amorgos has been inhabited since ancient times, though in some places, seems as if it hasn’t been since. Minoan tombs and towers dot the countryside, shipwrecks teeter on secluded beaches, and massive monasteries with few residents emerge from rock faces.

But don’t let all that untouched natural beauty fool you. You’ll find whitewashed villages on the island that are the very picture of Greek island life. We dock in the village of Katapola with its beachside tavernas, and the charming town of Chora can’t be missed. It’s a short drive, but if you’re up for an hour-long hike, you’ll be richly rewarded with fresh spring water, the scent of thyme growing along the trail, and the view as you approach Chora that is said to look like a swallow’s nest set in the hillside. In town, bright blue, red, and green shutters, intricate church bell cut-outs, and brilliant bougainvillea abound, while pebbly Anna Beach and the imposing Hozoviotissa Monastery are close by. 

Pavlos Beach is a pristine little peninsula that juts out into turquoise water, and is home to a restaurant serving up island specialties. Take a quick, hourly ferry to neighboring Nicouria for even more sand and spectacular views. One must-see while you’re on Amorgo is the Olympia shipwreck—a commercial ship run aground in 1980 that now sits in two pieces in the shallow water. This rusty ship does have star appeal though, scenes from Luc Besson’s film The Big Blue were filmed right here.