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By many accounts, Amorgos is a wild but nonetheless beautiful place. In its way, it is much more romantic than many touristy places in Mediterranean sweetened by catering to visitors whims and demands for 21st century conveniences and services. Amorgos is much more romantic because it is a real thing. Its rough terrain, cliffs, tiny villages, donkey paths in mountains have seen it all: Roman exiles or pirates or Minoans (people of Bronze Age civilization flourished c. 3000 – 1000 BC in the region bordering the Aegean Sea) or Russian soldiers, you name it.

But if unspoiled and slow life on the island is not enough for you, there are two specific reasons why tourist come to this place. One of them are cobalt-blue waters of the sea around the island. In fact, Amorgos was one of the places where the movie Le grand Bleu (The Big Blue, 1988) was filmed.

The real jewel on the island is Panagia Hozoviotissa (Chozoviotissa), a monastery founded by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komninos in 1088 . According to the legend, it was built when the sea washed onto a nearby shore an icon of the Madonna. The monastery is carved out of the cliff about 1000 feet high (300 meters) and is a great example of Cycladic architecture. The structure is only 5 yards wide and has eight floors. The monastery is very well kept and clean with its sparkling-white façade.

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The only way to reach Amorgos is by sea. There is little sense to mention here any specific routes and/or schedules. They change with time, and a lot depends on your schedule. The two ports on the island, Katapola, and of Aegiali offer ferries, catamarans, boats and hydrofoils connecting Amorgos with the other islands and the main land. A lot depends on your traveling plans; for example, you can Naxos, Paros or Mykonos islands by air and take a boat to Amorgos. There are frequent departures from Amorgos to the rest of the Cyclades. Boats to main land are several times a weeks depending of the season.

On the island your transportation options include few bus lines (including Katapola - Chora - Hozoviotissa - Agia Anna - Aegiali), renting a car, and... your feet.

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June

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The tourist infrastructure is not developed. There are plenty of small places (private homes, apartments, studios) where you can stay. There are a number of very cheap camping grounds with tents and some additional facilities. Check sites like www.greeka.com for details. If you are looking for something more established, check:
- Agios Pavlos Studios (opposite Nikouria island) offering 10 apartments / studios. Price €60 - €120 (high season)
- Aegialis Hotel & Spa (Aegiali, 84008 Amorgos, Greece) - a complex of five buildings (total 49 rooms) in traditional architecture, located between two sandy beaches in Aegiali area (North Amorgos), prices €90 - €300. Research and book hotels in or near Amorgos, Greece

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When on Amorgós island, your life will most likely be slow and uneventful. Spend time on beaches and in hiking (trails, well paved donkey paths, are excellent). Do not expect to find any night life. Enjoy the atmosphere of the island, its architecture and life style. Keep in mind that sightseening include much more than Panagia Hozoviotissa. Other places to visit include Theologos , Agios Georgios Valsamitis, Agia Triada, Venetian Castle.

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Katapola, the main port on the island, is the first place you will see on Amorgos. You can find accommodations here - after all it is a charming area with white windmills and traditional white houses on narrow paved streets. Aegialis, another port on Amorgos, is much smaller. This area consists of three traditional villages: Lagada, Tholaria and Potamos. All of them remain mostly untouched by tourism. Aegialis has more tourist facilities than any other place on Amorgos and offers a hotel, studios, apartments and camping opportunities as well as restaurants, shops, cafes and bars.

The best way to reach Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery is from the Chora, the capital of the island and a beautiful village. You should go down towards the beach of Saint Anna (Agia Ana) and then climb many steps to the monastery entrance. The wind may be strong and the path may be steep, but the experience is overwhelming. Monks are friendly and do not hesitates to enter a conversation offering a tour of the holy place and sometimes even some raki or loukoumi.

There are about 20 "official" beaches on Amorgos. One of the most popular is right in Aegiali. Other popular beaches are:
- Beach of Agia Anna, bellow Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery is famous for its clear blue and turquoise waters with large rock boulders
- Mourou beach (near the villages of Arkesini and Kamari accessed via a steep path) is very popular with its dark sand, two caves to swim in and a snack-bar
- Agios Pavlos (before Aegiali, across Nikouria island) - a pebble beach
- Levrossos Beach (20 minute walk from Aegiali village) - one of the best, frequented by nudists
- Nikouria island beach - good for snorkelling
One of the options is to rent a boat and find your own beach.

While visiting Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery keep in mind that women must cover their shoulders and have long skirts.

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Tags: Aegean Sea (2); Aegiali; Aegialis Hotel and Spa; Agia Anna; Agia Triada; Agios Georgios Valsamitis; Agios Pavlos; Chora; Chozoviotissa; Cyclades; Island (8); Karkisia; Katapola; Lagada; Levrossos; Meltemi; Mourou; Mykonos; Naxos; Nikouria; Pagali; Panagia Hozoviotissa; Paros; Patagy; Platagy; Potamos; Psichia; Sacred place; sanctuary; Shrine (10); Theologos; Tholaria; Venetian Castle; Yperia

Web Sites:   Amorgos Island - Your tourist quide to Amorgos
  Description of Amorgos
  Official site of Amorgos island

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