Astypalaea, the butterfly of the Aegean!

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It is located between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese , successfully combining the beauties of both island clusters. Astypalea with its enchanting countryside and the imposing Venetian castle imposes its own relaxed rhythms while attracting more and more visitors every year.

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On the map it looks like a butterfly fluttering in the blue Aegean light, but in our souls it shakes its soaked mane with rhythmic movements like a sea eagle where the Cyclades meet the Dodecanese.

Description of the island

• 117 nautical miles from Piraeus
• 23 nautical miles from Kos
• 97 sq km area
• 1.113 inhabitants
• 482 m. highest mountain
• 4 settlements (Astypalaia, Analipsi, Livadi, Vathi)

Astypalea is the “bridge” that connects the Cyclades and the Dodecanese , combining elements from both island clusters. It has an area of 97 sq. km., a coastline of 110 km. and 1.113 inhabitants. It is 23 nautical miles from Kos and 96 nautical miles from Rhodes.

Full of high rocks and hills, with beautiful beaches and picturesque villages, it invites the visitor to a magical journey to the blue Aegean Sea and the white of its houses.

Name of Astypalaea

Its name (meaning “old city”) is attributed, according to mythology, to a sister of Europe, the mother of King Minos. Astypalaea and Europa were daughters of Phoenix and Perimede. From the union of Astypalaea and Poseidon , Agaios and the king of Kos, Eurypylus, were born. Another version around the naming says that it comes from the words asty and paleos, because the Dorians who settled on the island found an older settlement built by the Phoenicians.

From a transformation of a foreign name, probably Phoenician, the words asty and paleos meant low place, since the island consists of two parts connected by a low isthmus. Many researchers consider the place name to be non-Greek and trace it to the Sumerian language as-dub-gal-e, which means bank of gods of great ones.

An island with rich history, tradition, unique images with beautiful white houses and whitewashed courtyards with bocambiles, picturesque chapels, is an ideal place for a quiet holiday.

Astypalea Chora and the Venetian castle

Chora , the capital and port, is built on a rocky outcrop that penetrates the sea, forming two bays. On one side, there is the port and on the other, the bay of Livadi.

Chora, almost united with the port, Pera Gialos, is for many people the most beautiful capital of an island in the Aegean. At the top of Chora dominates the Venetian castle of Guerini, built with the traditional local dark stone, surrounded by white houses. The outer walls of the houses create a wall, with small windows for battlements.

Inside the castle there are two whitewashed churches with ornate stone bell towers, Panagia Evangelistria and Agios Georgios. Opposite, the castle of Agios Ioannis dominates, which according to tradition is impregnable, a refuge for the inhabitants during pirate raids. The amazing windmills located in the gap above Skala in Chora, are cylinder-shaped and belong to the category of the windmill, whose roof turns depending on the direction of the wind.

The island is divided into the Inside and theOutside Island by a 100-metre-long sandy strip called the Strait .
If it were not for this narrow strip, Astypalaia would be two separate neighbouring islands.

Accommodation in Astypalaea

Find the best offers for your stay in Astypalaia by comparing prices and reviews from other visitors of Astypalaia in order to make the cheapest and most advantageous choice through the booking.com – Astypalaia.

To the south of Mesa Nisi, you will find Maltezana or Analipsi, the resort with the most tourist traffic in Astypalaia. Maltezana takes its name from the Maltese pirates who had the island as their base. Here, in 1827, the Frenchman Bigot torched his ship to avoid being captured. On the northeastern side of Astypalea is the lagoon Lost Lake, on the banks of which Vathi is built.

From here one can visit by boat the Cave of the Dragon, the Cave of Negri or further south the Italian fortress Castellano. For day trips there are the islands of Chondro, Ligno, Agia Kyriaki, Koutsomiti with a beautiful beach and Koounoupi. Further away are Adelphia, Syrna and Triannisia. To the west the islands of Ktenia, Ponticussa, Ophidoussa, Katsagreli and to the north the islands of Seal.

Snakes in Astypalaea

As for those who are afraid of snakes, keep in mind that Astypalaia is the only island in Greece where there are no snakes at all because it is a passage of the storks that… exterminate them.

An ideal island for summer holidays because it offers plenty of fish, tranquility and coolness.

Photos from Astypalaia

Photos: Yannis Tsouratzis

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Map of Astypalaia

Exo Vathy, Municipality of Astypalaia, Kalmynos Regional Unit, South Aegean, Aegean, Greece

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