ISLAND OVERVIEW

Amorgos is the easternmost island of the Cyclades island group and the nearest island to the neighbouring Dodecanese island group. The island rises above sea level in a long back of craggy mountains, stretching 30km long and rising to 821 meters at its highest point. In the North there is an extensive nature reserve and on the South side the high mountains drop steeply into the sea.  

The island is known for its locally grown high quality produce, including honey, cheese, fava, olive oil, rakoumelo (made of hot raki) and a local liquor called psimeni raki. Most of the population, work in agriculture, cattle-breeding, fishing, and tourism, which has significantly increased in recent years.

The picturesque town of Amorgos (Chora) is built at the centre of the island, surrounded by rocky hills. Katapola, the port of Chora, is the main harbour. Perched on the mountainside beyond Aigiali there are three picturesque villages: Tholaria, Lagkada and Potamos. The most well-known site of the island is the 10th-century monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, set high up on the steepest rock of Mt. Profitis Elias, 300 meters above the sea. On the 21st of November there is a celebration of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary with a procession of Her icon carried around the town. Amorgos is relatively untouched by mass tourism but has become popular thanks to Luc Besson’s movie “The big blue”, which was filmed there.

Ferries leave from the main port at Katapola to Donousa and Santorini and from Aigiali in the North to Donousa and Naxa.