Astypalaia Island

Astypalaia covers an area of 97 sq.km and has a coastline of 110km. Its land is mountainous and barren and the characteristic of the island are the numerous gulfs and bays of its coasts. The capital of the island, one of the most representative settlements of the Aegean Sea, is the town of Astypalaia, built on the top of a hill, around a Venetian castle. The place fascinates the visitor with its strong colors, the bright white of its houses and the deep blue of its sky and its sea.

Astypalaia is far from the great current of tourism and modern life, is an ideal place for quiet and pleasant vacations.

In ancient times, the island was known as a place for abundant fishing and still today the clean waters of its sea are rich in fish.

The island was inhabited from Prehistoric times. Archaeological finds show that the island was first settled by Carians long before the age of written history and that it knew great prosperity in antiquity.Otherwise, it seems to have shared the fate of the other Dodecanese, experiencing both Roman and Byzantine rule. Claimed by Venice in 1207, it fell to the Turks in 1540. It was occupied by the Italians from 1912 to 1945 and united with Greece two years later.

The fishing villages, with their characteristic architecture, offer a sojourn in an intact beautiful natural environment.

The architecture of the island is the characteristic architecture of the Aegean Islands. Its villages have white cube-like houses with white flat roofs. The imposing Venetian castle and the windmills of its capital are characteristic architectural elements of the place.

Place of interest

Caves of Dracos and Poulariani Near the village of Vathy, the cave of Dracos and the cave of Poulariani, with their stalactites and stalagmites, are some of the attractions of the island. In the waters of its sea there are many uninhabited small islands, which are nice to visit by boat.

Venetian Castle The Venetian Castle, on the highest point of the capital. It is an imposing construction, built by the Venetian family of Quirini that governed the island from 1204 to 1522. Within its walls, there are two small churches, with woodcarver decorations.

The Church of Panagia.  Situated in the capital, below the castle is one of the most beautiful of the Aegean Islands (18th Century).

Transportation

By air

Regular -1 hour- flights from Athens (El. Venizelos airport).

By boat

From Piraeus (180 n.m) by ferries in 13 hour.

Also from Amorgos Isl and Kalymnos Isl.