General informations

Postal code 84300
Tel prefix 22850
Area: 121km2
Altitude: 780m
Population: 1500 inhab.

Its name comes from a governor born in Naxos.

This quiet and mountainous island is situated at 136M from Athens. It is the most western island of the Cyclades. The island is 33 km in length and from 2 to 6 km in width. It presents 2 very different fronts: one very high SE coast, with orange red cliffs, and a NW coast more gentle and deeply indented by the Aegialis (in the North) and Katapola (in the South) bays. Three pikes dominate: Krikelos (822m) in the N, Profitis Ilias (699m) in the centre and Korax (607m) in the SW. The spectacular mountainous landscape offers many pleasant walks (Promenade).

Inhabited in the beginning by sailors of Minor Asia in 4th century BC, Amorgos island now rocks people who like a life style made by a various and dramatic past. It is a place that appears intact, but where inhabitants quietly preserve one of the best held secrets of the Aegean Sea.

To see:
Panagia Chozoviotissa monastery (3rd century), hanging on the cliff dominating the sea from 300m heigh. Very impressive. Built by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komninos as a library and preserve of said miraculous icons.

The Agia Anna bay serves as setting for the famous movie Le Grand Bleu.

Kitchen
Extraordinary local cheese Xynomizthra. For dessert, the Pasteli with Rakomelo, a strong raki (grappa-type alcohol), served hot with honey. For wine, except retsina, local made brousko, an amber-coloured wine.

Winds system:

The S coast of the island is lined with high cliffs (200-300m), that accelerate the wind through the Venturi effect. Gusts are then very violent and dangerous for sail boats.