Andros. Gray, green and white, the northnernmost island
in Cyclades
islands. The closest islands are Syros
to the South, Tinos,
Mykonos,
Paros
and Naxos
to the SW.
The island has an area of 374 square kilometers, maximum
length 39.8 kilometers, maximum width 16.7 kilometers,
coastline length 177 kilometers and population, from
1981 census, 9020 inhabitants. It is second in size
(after Naxos) cycladic island and its port, Gavrio,
is 2 hours away (1 hour in a fast ship) from the port
of Rafina.
The coastline is generally rocky and it has several
protected bays: Mikrogiali, Vitali,
Kastro, Melissa, Korthi,
Ai-Gianni in Kremmydes, Gavrio,
Mpatsi, Chalkolimnionas,
Plaka...
Green fields, sandy beaches,
slopes filled with fig trees, olive trees and cypresses,
lunar landscapes and many natural beauties are some
of the pictures composing the beauty of Andros.
An island waiting to be explored and offer unique moments
of pleasure, to the visitor with its breathtaking beaches
that make you think you are the first who discovered
them, the sun, the crystal clear waters make it ideal
place for peaceful vocations. Andros is a prosperous
island, depicting the beauty of life, offering a high
standard hospitality.
Gavrion and Batsi,
both fishing villages until about 20 years ago, have
slowly developed, each one complimenting the other.
Gavrio had the harbor and Batsi slowly developed its
capacity for tourism.
Today Batsi and Gavrio are almost joined together both
physically and also in their interest to develop touristically.
The proof of this is evident in the two small towns
and in the 7 km. area between them where there are beautiful
sandy beaches, small harbors and hidden coves.
The restaurants, taverna's, bars, cafeterias, tourist
offices, car, boat and motor bike hire, water sports,
jewelry, clothes shops and so on, all combine to make
up lively tourist resorts. Most of the hotel rooms,
studios and apartments can be found in this part of
the island.
Undoubtedly Batsi is the lively centre of entertainment
with Gavrio a little quieter but lacking nothing.
There are many choices of places to stay, none very
far from each other, and good local bus and taxi services
make it easy to get around. A good summer holiday means
sea and sun so try the following beaches : Chryssi
Akti beach in Batsi which is a large sandy beach
dotted with tiny lily flowers and the pretty, smaller
Kolona Beach. On the south side of Batsi is Stivari
Beach and further on the beautiful Delevoya and Agia
Marina Beaches easily within walking distance. Koutsi
Beach, Green Beach and Paleopolis
can be reached by small boats from Batsi and for the
more daring, by foot. Between Batsi and Gavrion are
the following beaches: Xylokarida, Kypri,
Psili Ammos, Agios Petros and many small hidden coves.
Not far from Gavrio is Felos
Beach with a taverna about 100 meters behind it
and a little further on from Felos are the beaches of
Kourtali and Selki.
Andros is a magical world capable of giving you all
that civilization has made you lost.
Andros a small paradise on earth.
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