13 Unique Things To Do in Andros Greece – A Full Guide

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Born and raised in Athens, Andros has gradually become a second home to us. This is why we’re happy to share our ultimate guide to the best things to do in Andros, an island just two hours from the Greek capital.

One of our favourite islands in the Cyclades, Andros is a laid-back island that offers visitors the most authentic Greek Island experience.

From spectacular beaches to historical sites to scenic hiking trails, there are several memorable things to do in Andros Greece.

Where Is Andros?

Andros is the northernmost and second-largest island in the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea.

Located between the islands of Evia and Tinos, Andros is a mountainous, lush island with gorgeous, long beaches along its coastline.

Andros has four main towns: Gavrio, the island’s main port; Batsi; Chora, the island’s capital; and Korthi.

Best Time To Visit Andros

The island of Andros is the ideal summer destination. Its busiest month is August.

Unlike most of the Greek Islands, Andros does not feel unbearably crowded, even then. It’s a big and off-the-beaten-path island, which means that there is room for everyone even during the peak season.

That said, if you can avoid planning your Greece holidays in August, by all means, do so. Apart from being overcrowded, the Greek Islands in August are usually annoyingly windy, too.

Again, if hiking is the main reason you’re visiting Andros, you should plan your Andros holidays in spring or autumn to make the most of the mild temperatures.

How Long To Stay in Andros?

If you’re wondering how many days to spend on Andros, we’d recommend five to seven days, given the island’s size and abundance of spectacular beaches and other attractions.

However, if you’re not sure how to plan your trip to Andros and the Greek islands, book a 60-minute call with us to get answers to all your questions, or fill out this form to create the perfect island-hopping itinerary tailored to your needs.

How To Get To Andros Island

The only way to reach Andros is by ferry, as it’s one of the islands near Athens that don’t have an airport.

There is no connection between Andros Island and Piraeus, the main port of Athens. Ferries to Andros depart from Athens’ smaller port, Rafina, instead.

Rafina Port is around a one-hour drive from the Athens city centre and a half-hour drive from the Athens Airport.

The only way to reach Rafino Port by public transport is by taking the KTEL Bus from the Athens city centre or Athens Airport.

Check out KTEL bus timetables from the Athens city centre to Rafina Port here and from the Athens Airport to Rafina Port here.

If you’re a big group traveling with a lot of luggage, the best way to get to Rafina is to book a private transfer directly to the port.

Ferries from Rafina to Andros are very frequent and the ferry ride takes two hours. Andros Port is in Gavrio, one of the island’s main towns. Gavrio is a 15-minute drive from Batsi and one hour from Chora, Andros’ main town.

Andros is also well connected to nearby Tinos and Mykonos. Our guide on which Greek islands to visit will help you plan the best island-hopping itinerary.

The best way to check out ferry routes and timetables, as well as to buy your ferry tickets online, is through Ferryhopper.

How To Get Around Andros

By Bus

Public transport in Andros will only get you from Gavrio port to the main towns, such as Batsi and Chora, and the most popular beaches in between.

Check out Andros bus routes and timetables here.

By Car

By far the best way to get around an island this size is by driving. This way, you can explore the island’s hidden treasure, its remote beaches and the traditional mountain villages.

As in most Greek Islands, roads are winding and sometimes you have to drive on the cliff side or on a dirt road to reach a remote beach. There are no road lights at night, so you need to be extra careful.

Also, extra caution is needed when riding a scooter in strong winds. In fact, we don’t recommend scooters for getting around Andros. You’ll be better off – and safer – in a car.

Where To Stay in Andros Greece

Andros is a big island and where you choose to stay has to do with what you expect of your Andros holidays.

If you’re driving, you have the freedom to stay anywhere you want, from laid-back farm stays to tranquil villas lost in olive groves.

However, if driving isn’t an option, perhaps the best accommodation choice would be near Agios Petros Beach.

The latter is very close to Gavrio Port, it has a couple of fantastic places to eat and is only a short walk from some of the best beaches in Andros.

For nightlife lovers, Batsi would be the best choice. Still, don’t expect the club scene of Mykonos. Andros Island is a lot quieter yet irresistibly authentic.

Most Andros hotels are in Batsi, whose central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the entire island.

That said, some of the best hotels in Andros are housed in neoclassical mansions scattered around Chora and you shouldn’t miss the chance to stay in one of those.

Watch Our YouTube Video About The Best Things To Do in Andros

Travel Resources To Help You Plan Your Trip To Andros Island

Top 13 Things To Do in Andros Greece

1. Wander Around Andros Town (Chora)

Built on a small peninsula between two long sandy beaches, Chora, the capital of Andros, is a fascinating place to explore.

Unlike other Greek Islands with their small whitewashed buildings, Andros Town is dotted with magnificent neoclassical mansions that date back to the time when the island was a maritime superpower.

Just walking around the main town, admiring its traditional architecture and taking in its old-fashioned charm, is one of the best things to do in Andros.

For a glimpse into the island’s former grandeur, don’t miss a visit to the sophisticated Andrion Club, one of the most impressive buildings in Andros.

Andrion Club is one of the oldest yet most progressive social clubs in Greece. It was a place where men, but also women, got together to discuss and entertain themselves.

Any walk around Andros Town starts from its main street, the pedestrianised Embirikou Street. From this point onwards, no vehicles are allowed.

The street concludes at the quaint Kairis Square, where cafés and souvenir shops selling some of the best things to buy from Greece look as though they have sprung out of a 1960s Greek movie.

However, the real magic begins once you cross the arched passageway to the Old Town.

Passing one neoclassical mansion after another, you will soon reach the glorious Goulandris Square, where the statue of Afanis Naftis (Unknown Sailor) dominates.

The area where the marble square now stands used to be occupied by beautiful mansions, but they were all destroyed by bombings during the Second World War.

Goulandris Square boasts breathtaking views of Paraporti Beach on the right, the large beach of Nimborio on the left and the remains of the Lower Castle of Andros at your feet.

If it’s not extremely windy, you can walk down the steps to take a closer look at the beautiful stone bridge that connects the Castle to Andros Island.

Now and then, daredevils cross the bridge and visit the Castle’s ruins. We’ve never done it and we advise you against doing it as well.

Once back at Kairis Square, there are two options.

Having the arched passageway to your back, go down the steps on your left and spend some relaxing moments listening to the sound of huge waves crashing on Paraporti Beach.

Alternatively, head in the opposite direction and go down the steps to your right for magnificent views of Panagia Thalassini Church and Tourlitis Lighthouse, the only lighthouse in Europe built on a rock in the middle of the sea.

Then, walk along the path from Nimporio Old Port to Nimporio Beach, where you can either have a swim or catch your breath at one of the beachside bars and restaurants.

2. Go Hiking

With a wide network of ancient paths that comprises more than 180 kilometres of quality trails, Andros is a hiker’s heaven.

Lush valleys, dramatic mountain tops, running rivers, ancient settlements and remnants of mighty fortresses, like the Castle of Faneromeni or Upper Castle, render hiking one of the most exciting activities in Andros.

Most importantly, hiking on Andros Island is accessible to everyone. There are routes for beginners, advanced and highly-skilled hikers alike.

The award-winning Andros Routes, a team of passionate volunteers, is responsible for restoring, signposting and maintaining all those hiking trails.

You can add an easy hike or two to your Andros itinerary during the summer.

However, if hiking is the main reason you’re visiting Andros, you’ll be better off visiting in spring or autumn, when the weather is mild rather than hot, making it more suitable for physical activity.

3. Embark on an Incredibly Scenic Road Trip

Andros is a fairly large island and due to its natural morphology, it boasts unbelievably beautiful scenery.

High mountain tops, golden-hued slopes and melodious streams are succeeded by green valleys, whitewashed villages and the most beautiful beaches.

This ever-changing scenery can be best explored and enjoyed on a road trip. Therefore, do not hesitate to rent a car during your Andros holidays.

A road trip is among the best things to do in Andros Greece, as it can take you to the remotest villages like Korthi or the most picturesque ones like Stenies, once the wealthiest maritime village, now a perfect example of zero tourist presence.

Instead of sticking to public transport routes, renting a car offers the unique opportunity to explore off-the-beaten-path roads with stunning views.

Some of the best scenic routes include Korthi to Andros Town, Gavrio to Vitali and Batsi to Andros Town via the little villages of Katakilos, Arni and Vourkoti.

4. Swim in The Crystal Clear Waters of The Remotest Andros Beaches

Andros Island is home to some of the most spectacular remote beaches in Greece.

From the hard-to-reach Achla Beach to the scenic Tis Grias To Pidima, Zorkos or Vitali Beach and its iconic small chapel, there are countless beaches to relax, away from the larger towns and main roads.

Our comprehensive guide to the best beaches in Andros will help you choose the one that suits the weather and your needs.

5. Taste The Best Traditional Food & Sweets on Andros Island

Andros is an island where you can taste delicious traditional Greek dishes. Vegetarians and vegans can savour some of the best meatless delicacies of Greek cuisine there.

The typical dish of the island is fourtalia, a meat-based omelette unique to Andros Island. Its main ingredients are local sausages seasoned with aromatic herbs, potatoes, spearmint and, sometimes, chunks of pork.

You can ask for a vegetarian version, which is made with courgette instead of sausage. However, it’s not 100% sure that the restaurant will accommodate you.

Most often, your request will be dismissed with a we-are-out-of-zucchini or similar statement. But it’s worth trying.

Furthermore, Andros Island produces amazing local cheese. The latter is white and it can come in many forms.

As a spread, as a feta-like yet softer cheese (ideal for your Greek Salad) and in mozzarella-like balls, only a lot smaller.

Andros is also heaven on earth for your sweet tooth. Alongside the typical Greek sweets that you can find anywhere in the country, Andros is famous for its French-inspired pastries, too.

The reason for this is Ioannis Athinaios, a renowned 19th-century pastry chef, who learnt the secrets of French pastry art in Alexandria.

He went back to his homeland, Andros, to teach local pastry chefs how to create sugar wonders. The rest is sweet history.

There are many mouthwatering sweets to taste while in Andros. Pastitsakia are macaron-like treats and amygdalota are also made of almonds and covered in icing sugar.

Bananakia (Greek for small bananas) are banana-flavoured marzipan treats covered in dark chocolate. Moreover, Andros Island has a long tradition of spoon sweets (fruit preserves).

However, it’s the fresh pastries that are intertwined with the island’s culture and are considered the most typical sweets of Andros.

You can try the chocolate or hazelnut ones but you must save the best for last. The flagship of Andros Island sweets is the pyramid-shaped almond pastry (pasta amygdalou).

6. Listen To The Water Whispering The Island’s Secrets in Apikia

Unlike most of the other Cyclades Islands that are dry and suffer from lack of water, Andros is very rich in water and this is also the reason why the island is graced with such lush greenery.

An impressive fact about Andros is that it’s home to ten rivers that flow continuously year-round.

Situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Apikia, Sariza is the island’s most famous natural spring of mineral water.

SARIZA WATERS, the factory by the same name, which has produced high-quality bottled water since 1929, is also in Apikia Village.

Your journey along the island’s water routes doesn’t stop there, though. From the heart of Apikia Village, follow a super easy yet utterly charming signposted path.

After 15 minutes or so, you’ll find yourselves at the Pithara Waterfalls, a spot of untouched beauty that locals like to call fairyland.

When in Apikia, consider taking a detour to visit the island’s lush Botanical Garden at the nearby Agadaki Estate.

The estate is home to more than 150 species of native island plants, a restored 18th-century tower and an olive mill. Overall, it’s a scenic area that evokes nothing but feelings of calmness and joy.

7. Step Inside a Fairytale at The Prettiest Villages in Andros

If you think that the Pithara Waterfalls is the only dreamy location in Andros, think again.

The island’s countryside is dotted with several picturesque villages tucked away in the arms of lush valleys and kissed by fresh running streams.

Episkopeio Village

Probably the prettiest village in Andros is Episkopeio, a traditional village built in dark stone amidst glorious cypresses and fragrant fig trees. No vehicle can enter the heart of the village and this is part of its magic.

There’s a main cement path zigzagging its way across the entire village until it reaches the ultimate highlight of Episkopeio: the so-called Bridge of Love.

In a setting of exceptional beauty with ivies climbing on dry-stone walls and a stream running at the foot of the mesmerising ruins of an old watermill, you’re going to have to pinch yourselves to make sure you’re not dreaming, as you wander around one of the best places to visit in Andros.

Menites Village

Another small village worth visiting is Menites near Chora. Similar to Apikia Village, Menites is famous for its natural springs, cobbled streets and lush greenery.

Even on the hottest of summer days, the tiny square of Menites is a cool haven under the thick shade of century-old plane trees. Of course, don’t forget to snap a selfie with the iconic marble lion heads before you leave Menites.

8. Explore Foros Cave

The impressive Foros Cave may be one of the least-known caves in Greece, but visiting it is one of the best things to do in Andros Greece.

Foros Cave is situated in Aladinos Village near Chora. To get to the cave, you need to cross a beautiful 17th-century arched bridge.

From then on, the cobblestone path that leads to the cave coincides with the Andros Route 18a hiking trail.

You can visit the cave only on a guided tour, which lasts between 15 and 20 minutes.

During the tour, you learn about the cave’s history, from its discovery to its inclusion on the official list of caves in Greece by the Hellenic Caving Association.

Although not large, Foros Cave abounds in impressive formations, such as stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, gours and many more.

Our guide to Foros Cave will help you plan your visit.

9. Visit Some of The Best Museums in Andros

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Andros Town is one of the best places to visit on Andros.

Locals call it the Goulandris Museum, after its founder, Vassilis Goulandris, one of the greatest Greek shipowners of his time.

Together with his wife Elisa, Goulandris founded the museum back in 1979. It’s been a cultural hub of great importance since then.

The Museum of Modern Art has two wings, one of which houses the permanent collection. The other hosts a special exhibition every summer, paying tribute to a different distinguished artist each year.

Andros is an island with a rich maritime history, a few fragments of which are displayed at the Maritime Museum of Andros in Chora. The latter is open only during the summer months.

On the other hand, for a glimpse into the island’s vast agricultural past, don’t miss the chance to visit the Cyclades Olive Museum in Pitrofos Village.

Furthermore, the Archaeological Museum of Andros in Chora displays numerous artifacts dating back to the island’s earliest settlements.

10. See & Be Seen at Cosmopolitan Batsi

Batsi is the most popular town in Andros. It features most of the island’s large hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Its long, sandy beach is perfect for an afternoon stroll, but not a top choice for swimming. In the summer, Batsi is the right place for a night out in Andros, either for dinner or late-night drinks and dancing.

11. Mingle With Locals in Gavrio

Gavrio is the port of Andros Island. It used to be dark and melancholic, but in recent years it has become a vibrant yet still laid-back spot.

Its cafés and restaurants are tastefully decorated, exuding a unique local feel and ambience. For magnificent photos, walk to the far left end of the port and keep your camera handy just as the ferry boat enters the port of Gavrio.

12. Marvel at The Tower of Agios Petros

When it comes to sightseeing on Andros, the Tower of Agios Petros is an essential stop. Boasting a unique strategic position, the Tower was built in the 4th or 3rd century BC.

Most likely, its purpose was to control both sea and land, thereby protecting the island from potential invasions. Nowadays, the Tower is among the most popular attractions in Andros.

13. Catch Breathtaking Sunsets

Sunsets and sunrises are beautiful everywhere. However, there’s something special about sunsets in Andros.

Watching the sun diving into the sea or hiding behind the mountains of Evia is quite a spectacle. The western part of the island enjoys the most stunning sunsets.

We hope our list of the best things to do in Andros inspires you to add this extraordinary destination to your Greek Island itinerary.

We also hope that our Andros travel guide helps you plan the perfect trip to an island we know quite well. That said, if you still have a question or two, feel free to ask us anything in the comments.

WORDS & EDITING: Maria
IMAGES: Katerina