Astypalaia

Astypalaia, Greece

Few Greek islands boast an immaculacy comparable to that of Astypalaia – a butterfly-shaped cloistral haven rising from the stunning blue of the Aegean Sea. Captured at certain angles, Astypalaia bears a striking semblance to its not-so-distant yet far more glamorised cousin of Santorini. With its pristine beaches, whitewashed houses, and uncharted walking paths, the island is an explorer's heaven, and a find for those looking to escape the madding crowds of summer vacationers.

Population:

1,334

Currency:

1 Euro = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency 112
Ambulance 116
Police 100
Fire 199

Opening Hours:

Working hours vary depending on the business, and are very flexible during the summer. Shops usually work 9am-3pm on Mon & Wed, and 9am-2pm & 5.30pm-9pm on Tue, Thurs, and Fri. On Saturdays, some stores open from 9am to 3pm. Some local businesses close during low season.

Newspapers:

Aegean News

The Island

Bygone eras have left a tangible mark on ancient Astypalaia - the Venetian Castle (dating back to the 13th century) perched on top of the hill in Chora monumentalizes the Guerini family's Venetian rule that lasted (nearly uninterrupted) from 1204 all the way through to 1537. This long Venetian period was followed by a comparable stretch of Turkish presence on the Dodecanese islands - Turks left in the early 20th century, only to give way to a sequence of conquerors - the British, Italians, and Germans all enjoyed a brief presence in Astypalaia before the island was eventually back under Greek jurisdiction in 1948.

Astypalaia today is a treasure ground of ancient architectural remains, scenic spots, and secluded beaches. The island's remote charm comes at a price of little to no infrastructure, especially in the outlying areas, but the trade-off is certainly worth its unparalleled tranquility and pristine quality. Thanks to the island's longstanding fishing tradition and incredible marine wealth, fish and seafood are abundant in local taverns (along with home-grown, organic produce), which are aplenty in the settlements of Chora, nearby the port of Pera Gialos, travelers' darling Maltezana (Analipsi), and the tiny villages of Livadia and Vathi.

Do & See

There is plenty to do and see in and around the island. Those who dare venture out of the island's attractive, well-groomed Chora will be duly rewarded with nature trails, secluded coves and beaches, remains of ancient structures, and a rare sense of discovery in virgin lands. Heading even further out, smaller islands very close to Astypalaia are perfectly reachable by boat (tours are offered throughout, especially during high season).

Beaches

Unlike some other Greek islands in the Aegean, Astypalaia cannot boast a tourist infrastructure quite as developed as its cousins'. In larger settlements (such the Chora, Maltezana, and Livadia), the beaches are usually well-kept and equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds; venturing further out, to the roads less traveled, may often mean not having as much as a one-horse town tavern in the vicinity.

Dining

For an island of slightly over a 1000 inhabitants, Astypalaia boasts a surprising number of pleasant restaurants and cafes, most of which concentrated in Chora and along the Pera Gialos waterfront. Seafood reigns queen in the menus of local eateries, with heavy culinary influences from the Greek mainland, Italy and Turkey. Do not be surprised to find that some places may not have a written down list of dishes, but rather a "spoken" menu, where the owner and/or staff announce the offers of the day.