Andros is a large, mountainous island in the Cyclades, with beautiful beaches, monasteries and abundant water sources. It has active farming communities and villages, and three main towns/resorts: Gavrio (the port), Chora Andros (the main settlement, pronounced "Hora"), and Batsi (a resort).
The main settlements are:
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Chora or Andros [Χώρα / Άνδρος] (the main town). This is a pretty town on a promontory, with a pedestrianized main street or parade, dotted on either side by neo-classical Venetian-style mansions, that runs down to the sea and a ruined Venetian castle on an islet at the end of the promontory. There are many shops, delicatessens, pastry shops, cocktail bars, cafés and tavernas along this street. An award-winning Museum of Modern Art is just off the main lower square. Divided in two buildings (one ticket gives access to both), it contains a fascinating permanent collection of modern sculpture and a temporary exhibition which is renewed each year. There is also an Archeological Museum. There are grocers and mini markets along the main street or side streets, and a couple of supermarkets out of town. The nearest supermarket is about 1km walk up the main street and then the main road to the right (past an old abandoned supermarket). - Gavrio [Γαύριο]. This is the main port, where you will arrive if you come by ferry. All the car-hire outlets are located here. Most holiday-makers do not stay in Gavrio, travelling straight to Batsi or Chora on arrival (a bus is timed to depart shortly after ferry arrivals). However, Gavrio could be a useful base for exploring the north-west of the island, and there are two beautiful beaches within 2-3 km of the port.
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Batsi [Μπατσί]. This is the island's main beach resort. It can be reached with the same bus that serves Chora. - Korthi Bay [Όρμος Κορθίου]. This is a seaside village, which contains a museum of folklore and a small harbour. From here you can access Ghrias Pidhima beach, and a number of picturesque hamlets in the surrounding area.
There are numerous other picturesque small villages that you can pass through or visit if you have transport. You will only find tavernas in areas where there are hotels.
Chora or Andros [Χώρα / Άνδρος] (the main town). This is a pretty town on a promontory, with a pedestrianized main street or parade, dotted on either side by neo-classical Venetian-style mansions, that runs down to the sea and a ruined Venetian castle on an islet at the end of the promontory. There are many shops, delicatessens, pastry shops, cocktail bars, cafés and tavernas along this street. An award-winning Museum of Modern Art is just off the main lower square. Divided in two buildings (one ticket gives access to both), it contains a fascinating permanent collection of modern sculpture and a temporary exhibition which is renewed each year. There is also an Archeological Museum. There are grocers and mini markets along the main street or side streets, and a couple of supermarkets out of town. The nearest supermarket is about 1km walk up the main street and then the main road to the right (past an old abandoned supermarket).
Gavrio [Γαύριο]. This is the main port, where you will arrive if you come by ferry. All the car-hire outlets are located here. Most holiday-makers do not stay in Gavrio, travelling straight to Batsi or Chora on arrival (a bus is timed to depart shortly after ferry arrivals). However, Gavrio could be a useful base for exploring the north-west of the island, and there are two beautiful beaches within 2-3 km of the port.
Batsi [Μπατσί]. This is the island's main beach resort. It can be reached with the same bus that serves Chora.
Korthi Bay [Όρμος Κορθίου]. This is a seaside village, which contains a museum of folklore and a small harbour. From here you can access Ghrias Pidhima beach, and a number of picturesque hamlets in the surrounding area.
Andros is the northernmost of the Cyclades islands. It is second in size after Naxos and is located between Euboia - which it is separated by the Cavo D'Oro (Cape Caphereus) - and Tinos island. It has mountains and fertile valleys blessed with verdant slopes full of citrus and olivetrees, waterfalls, mountain streams and numerous high quality water springs.
According to Greek mythology the island got its name from the first settler Andros, a hero descended from the Olympic gods. Other names were also used in the course of history: Hydroussa, Nonagria and Lasia, all homage to the rich flora and water springs found on Andros. It was during the Classical Age that Andros showed first signs of flourishing civilization with its capital at the site of present-day Paleopolis. The favored god was Dionysios with a great celebration in his honor where "water was turn to wine" taking place every third year the first ten days of January. In 133 BC Andros is taken by the Roman Empire and in 1270 passes to Venice and sees the construction of forts and towers, the Lower Fort in Chora being the most important and the Upper Fort in Kohilou. This period sees about 5 centuries of economic growth as it becomes an important centre of silk textile trade industry.
Festivals
Numerous religious feasts used to be celebrated in Andros in the past. Each village would have a ceremony on its patron saint day, followed by a "greeting tour" of the village, where participants would be welcomed into the inhabitants' homes and offered a full meal including everything from sweets to fruit and tsipouro; celebrations would continue for much of the day. Nowadays, these festivities called "panegyria" are mostly organized by local 'cultural societies' and usually take place in the villages' square or on the church patio where locals and guests meet each other and enjoy the festivities.
Notable feasts include:
15 August: Ammoloxos church (9 km from Gavrion)
23 August, Varidi school (13 km from Gavrion)
Easter Monday Tromarchia (30 km from Gavrion)
27 July at St. Pandeleimon chapel at Katakilos
5th Friday of Lent (acathyst hymn) at the Church of Our Lady Theoskepasti in Chora
Many beautiful and unspoilt beaches await visitors in the northern part of Andros, most notable are Vlihada, Pirgos, Vitali and Zorkos. Lots of Athenian and young people swim and enjoy parties at Aghios Petros and Psili Ammos beaches.
Don't bother if you want to swim nude, there is no nudism on this island
If you have a 4X4 vehicle Ahla or Vori beaches on the north-east side of the island are excellent choices as well.
Don't miss trying the local dairy products such as Volaki and Kopanisti cheese, as well as pork derivatives Louza and Sausage.
Move on by boat to Tinos and to the other islands of the Cyclades.