Visit Amorgos, the island of the Big Blue! Between fine sandy beaches, whitewashed villages and epic hikes, here are our 6 essentials to do in Amorgos.
Summary
- 1. Go hiking
- 2. Visit the Monastery of Panaghia Chozoviotissa
- 3. Taste local specialties
- 4. Try snorkeling and diving
- 5. Stroll through the streets of Chora
- 6. Reenact scenes from the Big Blue
That’s it, it’s decided: you’re going to explore the Cyclades, and in particular visit Amorgos, the easternmost of the Greek islands. With its breathtaking landscapes, tasty local specialties and authentic little villages, Amorgos seduces tourists without attracting crowds.
Known by film buffs for being the filming location for certain scenes from Luc Besson’s Big Blue , Amorgos has many wonders to offer. And so as not to miss anything on this dream island, here is our top 6 essential things to do in Amorgos.
1. Go hiking
Photo credit: Flickr – Amphithoe
If you like hiking or trekking, you will love visiting Amorgos. Indeed, the island is reputed to be one of the best – if not the best – for hiking in the Cyclades. Amorgos offers many paths, mainly old paths lined with stone walls that will allow you to discover the city from a more authentic point of view, with breathtaking views of the sea. is that the paths lead from one village to another, giving you the opportunity to take a well-deserved break before your next climb.
For your hike, you will be spoiled for choice, but there are 8 marked historical trails: among them, we find Palia Strata (path 1), which goes from Chora to Aegiali in 9 hours round trip, Evangelistria (path 7 ) which goes from Katapola to Evangelistria in 2 hours round trip or Fotodotis (path 2) which goes from Katapola to Chora in 2 hours round trip.
2. Visit the Monastery of Panaghia Chozoviotissa
Photo credit: Flickr – Andrea Moroni
Undoubtedly one of the most famous viewpoints on the island and a visit not to be missed during your visit to Amorgos. Founded in the 11th century, the Monastery of Panaghia Chozoviotissa is built on the side of a cliff, 300m above the sea. To access it, you will have to earn it with an ascent of nearly 300 steps. But once at the top, you won’t regret it for a moment: inside, you will find very beautiful Byzantine icons as well as an icon of the Virgin which is said to be magical, while the outside will offer you a panorama sublime on the sea.
Even today, the Monastery is inhabited by a few monks, who will not fail to show you around their domain before offering you some Turkish delight and a glass of Raki. And don’t forget: at the entrance to a holy place, proper attire is required, knees covered for gentlemen and legs and shoulders for ladies.
3. Taste local specialties
Photo credit: Max Pixel
What better way to visit Amorgos than to discover its local gastronomy? As everywhere in Greece, you may quickly fall under the spell of seasonal fruit and vegetables bursting with sunshine, freshly caught fish and the omnipresence of olive oil and honey.
But in Amorgos, there are very local specialties such as patatato, a dish made with goat cheese and potatoes, xerotigana, small herb fillings, ladotyri, small goat cheeses marinated in olive oil. or the famous pasteli, nougats with honey and sesame that it is not uncommon for locals to offer in the street.
And for those who like to discover the local alcohol, don’t miss the rakomelo, a hot drink that combines raki – the Greek alcohol par excellence – honey and spices.
4. Try snorkeling and diving
Photo credit: Flickr – Amphithoe
If you don’t know what to do in Amorgos, this may be the opportunity to try snorkeling, diving with a mask and a snorkel. To try your hand at it, go to the beaches of Lévrossos and Psili Ammos, small wild coves, perfect for setting off on an adventure. Do not hesitate to rent a 4×4 or a scooter to go along the coast and discover your dream spot.
But Amorgos is also a privileged place for scuba diving, and it is not Luc Besson, the director of the Big Blue, who will tell you the opposite! Indeed, the island is renowned for its excellent visibility in the water – up to 50m – with a depth that can range from 6 to 80m. To initiate you, the Marina wreck is a perfect spot because it is very well preserved and covered with corals.
5. Stroll through the streets of Chora
Photo credit: Flickr – Amphithoe
Difficult to qualify Chora as a capital, given that it is rather a very quiet village of 500 inhabitants. It is however the capital of Amorgos, and also one of the most picturesque villages of the Cyclades. Whitewashed houses, shutters and doors painted blue, small stairs that lead to taverns to drink an iced coffee or a cold beer, Chora has everything to seduce.
La Ioza, the central square of the village, overlooks the village with a volcanic rock where the Venetians erected the Kastro and where you can observe a bird’s eye view of the island, a perfect place to enjoy a small pastry at tea time. A village to do in Amorgos, especially since it is spared from mass tourism.
6. Reenact scenes from the Big Blue
If you don’t know what to do in Amorgos and you’re a big fan of Luc Besson, you can explore the filming locations of his famous film Le Grand Bleu, released in 1988. this is where the island’s nickname comes from, Big Blue Island.
At the foot of the Monastery of Panaghia Chozoviotissa is the small beach of Agia Anna, an ideal place for a siesta after climbing the Monastery. Popular with tourists, this beach served as the setting at the very beginning of the film, when little Jacques Maillol tries his hand at snorkeling. As for the scenes of children in a village, it is indeed in Chora that they were shot.
Another scene, well known to moviegoers, was shot in Amorgos: the passage where Jacques Maillol saves an American soldier from a wreck. You will see the latter in the south of the island, before reaching Kalotaritissa beach.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Dubravka Franz
Article updated on 7 December 2022
