You’re planning to visit Andros during your next trip to Greece? You want to know everything about the best things to do in Andros?

You’re at the right place!

Authentic and peaceful, protected from mass tourism, the second largest island in the Cyclades is also the most fertile and greenest thanks to its many springs and streams. It’s a real paradise for hikers.

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared for you this guide of the 7 best places to visit in Andros, with all points of interest and must-see attractions.

In addition to this list of things to do and activities, I will also give you itineraries to visit Andros in 1, 2, 3 days or more as well as my selection of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

And as always, this travel guide contains all my best tips to make the most of your stay.

So, what to do in Andros? Where to stay?

Visit Andros: the 7 Must-See attractions

1. Gavrio

Gavrio is the 1st place you will see during your stay in Andros. If you take the ferry from Athens or from another Greek Island, you’ll arrive in Gavrio, as it’s the island’s main port.

When visiting this typical small Cycladic port, you will find many restaurants and taverns, souvenir shops, banks, car rental agencies and even a supermarket.

Gavrio is a really pleasant and calm village, even if it gets busier every time a ferry boat arrives!

2. Batsi

Batsi is the most popular tourist destination in Andros.

This seaside resort is located 7km South of Gavrio, on the slopes of a hill and above a pretty bay. As most Andros’ tourists are staying in Batsi, you will find here many restaurants, shops and hotels.

You should really take a stroll on Batsi’s beautiful waterfront: you will for love this charming fishing port.

Right next to the village, you will find a nice sand beach. There, you can rent deckchairs and umbrellas. It’s a great place to take a dip after a day exploring the island!

Voyage Tips – Advice

From the Batsi, drive along the coastal road to Paleopolis (an ancient Acropolis from the Neolithic Era). This road offers splendid views of the Aegean Sea.

3. Andros or Hora

Hora (also named “Andros”, like the island) is the island’s capital. It’s clearly the village you have to visit in Andros!

Unlike in most Cycladic villages, you won’t find here the typical white washed houses with blue shutters. In Hora, most houses were built in a neoclassical architecture with red tiles roofs. These mansions were owned by rich Greek shipowners who came to Andros for its calm.

When visiting Hora, wander in the main street, starting from the upper city. On this pedestrian street paved with marble, you will enjoy many shops and typical Greek taverns. Don’t miss Kairi Square, a nice shaded square with a large marble fountain from the Ottoman period. It’s a great place to have a drink on a terrace.

Follow the main street to arrive at the seaside. There, you will see the remains of an ancient Venetian Castle from the 13th century, built on a small rock. With its small broken stone bridge, it’s a lovely place to take pictures.

In Hora, you can also visit 2 great museums:

• The Archaeological Museum, and its collection of ancient objects discovered on the island, mostly in Zagora and Paleopolis.
• The Museum of Contemporary Arts, or MOCA: there, you will enjoy modern sculptures from famous Greek artists, and great painting exhibits.

4. The best beaches in Andros

What are the best places if you want to take a dip during your trip to Andros?

Here is a list of Andros’ best beaches:

• There are numerous beautiful sand beaches between Gavrio and Batsi. There, you can enjoy the calm and rent deckchairs and umbrellas. The best ones are Agios Petros, Chrissi Ammos, Kipri or Agios Kyprianos.
• Batsi Beach, in the village’s bay
• Tis Grias to Pidima and its 15-meter high rock, creating a unique scenery
• Piso Giala, a nice beach between Hora and Stenies. Quite popular, with many taverns.
• Fellos, a large pebble beach between the rocks. Very quiet and lovely!
• Neimporio Beach, close to Hora
• Paraporti: you can see this beach from the road, right before arriving in Hora.

An important note: some of Andros’ best beaches are only accessible by 4WD, on foot or by boat. For example, the beaches of Achla, Vori, Vitali or Zorkos, located North East of Hora, can’t be reached by car.

5. Hiking in Andros

If you’re a hiking lover, then Andros is the perfect island for you.

There are 18 marked trails on the island, for more than 100 km of paths. Andros was awarded as a “Leading quality Trails – Best of Europe” destination, meaning that it’s one of the best places to hike in Europe.

You can walk on many trails of various lengths (from 30 minutes to 6 hours) and difficulty level (easy or moderate, most of the time). Everything is well indicated on the website and on the signs during your walks.

There are numerous itineraries you can follow during your hikes in Andros. Here are some of the island’s best hikes:

• Hora – Lamyria – Menites – Monastery of Panachrantos: during this hike, you will discover one of the island’s most beautiful monasteries.
• Hora – Apikia – Vourkoti – A 6.8 km-long walk, lasting around 2h30.
• Hora – Sineti – Dipotama – Kohylou – Korthi: enjoy the lush vegetation of the Dipotama gorges!
• Vourkoti – Moni Agios Nikolaos – Achla Beach, a splendid hike: you will see a beautiful monastery and end your walk at one of Andros’ best beaches.
• Gavrio – Ano Agios Petros – Pyrgos – Agios Petros Beach, a nice trail to go to the beach directly from the port of Gavrio.

If you want a detailed list of Andros’ walking trails, you can check Andros Route website. There, you will find all the detailed itineraries with their length and duration.

6. The other best villages to see in Andros

The island offers many other points of interest. During your trip, you can for example visit some of Andros’ most beautiful villages. Here are my favorites:

• Stenies, close to Hora. There, you will admire many neoclassical houses.
• Apikia: where Sariza spring (Andros mineral water, sold all around the island) is located.
• Mesaria, a lovely medieval village
• Livadia
• Menites, a mountain village, famous for its springs
• Korthi (Ormos Korthiou), and its view of Mylos’ Bay. The village is renowned for its windsurf competitions.
• Aidonia, built on a rock
• Sineti, at the end of Dipotama gorges. Don’t miss the many watermills!

7. Boat trip around Andros

Boat trips are for sure one of the best things to do during your holidays in Andros.

Most cruises are starting from Batsi, and lasts between 2 to 4h. It’s clearly the best way to access remote beaches you can’t reach by car, go snorkeling and enjoy the island’s beautiful landscape!

Lunch and soft drinks are also included in the price.

During this cruises, you can discover the island and its many beaches. You can also choose a 2-hours cruise at sunset, to admire it from the boat.

Andros cruises costs between 20€ and 60€ per person, depending on the one you will choose.

Source : voyagetips.com