Sights
The attractions in Andros are many and scattered all over the island. The island has museums, monuments, monasteries, castles, lighthouses, caves, waterfalls and so much more. Andros is “sightseeing” in itself.
Cave of Aladinos
And now, let’s take a dive into time, 5 million years ago, in Aladinos Cave. This ancient natural wonder is one of the most important attractions of Andros, with stalactites and stalagmites creating a magnificent sight. The colourful rocks and the hanging rocks create a unique setting that captivates every visitor.
The Cave of Aladinos, also known as the “Foros Cave”, is located in the village of Aladinos and is 4km from Chora of Andros. It occupies an area of about 500 square meters and it is one of the first discovered caves in Greece. The tour of the cave includes massive columns, stalactites, stalagmites and colorful rocks. It has a constant temperature of 16-17°C all year round, and the humidity is 75%. The name “Foros” has two versions: the first comes from the Italian word “foros” meaning “opening”, while the second refers to the superstition of the inhabitants.
Tower of St Peter
Discovering the Tower of St. Peter, you feel the aura of centuries surrounding you. A time-defying tower fearlessly standing there narrating with its stone structure stories of the past. The view from the top is simply breathtaking, with the horizon filled with the colours of the Aegean Sea, and the sun caressing the stones, giving a sense of warmth and euphoria. It was built during the Hellenistic period and is one of the best preserved monuments of that era.
The tower is one of the best preserved Hellenistic towers in the Cyclades, dates back from the 4th to the 3rd century BC. It is cylindrical and reaches 20 meters in height, with a base diameter of 9.40 meters. Inside, a spiral staircase leads to five floors. The position of the tower is particularly privileged, as it dominates in the plain of Gavrio and offers a view of the sea, allowing the ships inspection. There are indications that the tower was used to control the metal mining facilities located in the area.
Tourlitis lighthouse
It proudly stands there in the sea on a rock like a guardian of the Aegean. Built in 1887, it was the first automatic lighthouse in Greece. The view from there is simply magnificent, with the endless blue meeting the sky on the horizon, and the waves crashing against the rock in an endless symphony of nature. It’s a place that makes you wonder about the stories it could tell, the ships it has guided to safety, and the lives it has touched.
Castle of Faneromeni
Welcome to the medieval wonder of Andros, the Castle of Faneromeni. Built by the Venetians to protect the island from the pirates, this oldest medieval town of Andros is a treasure full of history. Here, the ruins of houses, the aqueducts and the walls tell the stories of people who lived and defended their island. The view from the castle is simply extraordinary, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the Aegean Sea.
The Castle of Faneromeni, also known as Epano Kastro, is located near the village of Kohilou in the area of Korthi. Built at an altitude of about 560 meters, it offers an impressive view of the bay of Korthi. It is the largest castle of Andros and was built by the Venetians after the conquest of the island in 1207. In the same area is the church of Faneromeni, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is a place of pilgrimage every 15th of August.
Monastery of Panachrantou
Lets pay a visit to the Panachrantou Monastery, a refuge of spirituality and tranquility. As you approach, its imposing form fills you with awe. The monastery which is built between the mountains offers a breathtaking view, with the green of nature meeting the blue of the sky. The atmosphere is filled with the echoes of bells and the melodies of chants, which take you back in time to a world of peace and harmony. In the same area, the first inhabitants, the Pelasgians, left their traces, followed by the Cares, Phoenicians, Cretans and finally Ionians, giving the island a rich and varied history.
The monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is located on the north side of Mount Gerakones and is known for the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, the work of the Evangelist Luke. The monastery also hosts the holy relics of Saint Panteleimon. The history of the monastery begins in 960 AD, when two monks discovered the icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave at the present site of the monastery. The monastery has been declared a Stavropegic monastery by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and has played an important role in the spiritual and social life of the island.
Waterfalls of Pithara.
You can’t contain your excitement when it’s time to discover this magical place in Andros! It is located in Apikia, just ten minutes from the road, through a smooth path with lush vegetation.
As you walk, you feel the refreshing breeze and the sound of the rushing water, creating a stunning habitat. It’s like you enter a new world, a “Fairyland” as the locals call it. Their springs are located on Mount Petalo, and their mouths are at the Gialia beach. Their waters once powered the largest watermill in the Balkans, the ‘Fabrika’, in Stenia.
In the green landscape, the waterfalls and the lakes that are created are a real paradise for aquatic life, birds and amphibians. It is also a place that is home to rare species of plants and wildflowers. And the best part? You can experience this beauty close enough by smelling the scents of nature, bathing in the crystal clear waters and listening to the cicadas. It is an experience that is not easily described in words as the Pythara Falls is an unforgettable destination that does not resemble the typical Cyclades. If you find yourself in Andros, don’t miss them!
The castle of Chora Andros
This ancient fortress, built at the beginning of the 13th century, was the residence of the Venetian ruler of the island. It stands imposingly on the edge of the peninsula of Chora, just after the square with the statue of the Unknown Sailor, and was a fortified settlement that protected the entrance to the two bays.
Its history is fascinating! After the fall of Constantinople to the Franks in 1204, Andros fell to the Venetians. The first ruler of the island, Marinos Dandolos, built the Kato Kastro in 1207. The castle, which was named to distinguish it from the Upper Castle of Faneromeni, was one of the most important castles in the Aegean and was the acropolis of the castle and the seat of the Venetian administration.
Today, the ruins of the castle remain to remind us of the medieval nobility of the island. Walking through the ruins, you can imagine the life that went on here, the formidable battlements and the glamour of the time. It’s like travelling back in time, listening to the voices of the merchants, the sound of the footsteps of the guards on the walls, and feeling the aura of history breathing around every corner
Andros Chora, with its neoclassical mansions and Cycladic buildings, its narrow alleys and the stone pavements, is a living canvas that combines Byzantine, Frankish and Ottoman architecture and the Kato Kastro, with its history and beauty, is one of the most brilliant pieces of this puzzle.
Monastery of Agios Nikolaos
The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos is one of the most beautiful and stately monasteries of Andros, located in the southern part of the island, near the village of Apikia. The monastery was built in the 16th century by a local (Andriotis) monk Nikolaos, who was its first Abbot. The monastery has an impressive building, combining Cycladic and Venetian architecture, and a lovely garden surrounded by cypresses, plane trees and flowers. The monastery has a rich library, containing more than 6000 books and manuscripts, mainly religious and philosophical, as well as an important collection of icons, jewellery, robes, liturgical objects and furniture, which belonged to the monks and pilgrims.
