Amorgos island

General info
Amorgos is the easternmost island of the Cyclades cluster, covering 120 square km and having a population of 1900 residents approximately.

Though at first seems a small and almost barren island, Amorgos has plenty of hidden beauties waiting to be revealed. Its stunning relief of mountains, rugged coasts, delightful hidden caves and beaches of sparkling deep blue waters compose its exquisite scenery.
It was this incredible deep blue of its waters which captivated the French film director Luc Besson and chose Amorgos for shooting its movie “Deep Blue”.

Amorgos has been described as “the island of serenity”   “of positive energy” and indeed is an ideal getaway for those who long to escape from the urban way of living.  The unspoiled nature, the quaint villages, the scattered archaeological ruins- witnesses of the long history of the island- the hills where wildflowers and herbs spread their scent in the air, the open-friendly residents,   impart to the visitor a sense of delightfulness and joy.

The island offers various accommodation facilities and though intense night life is not among its greatest assets, there are several cosy bars, restaurants and taverns and a few night clubs to enjoy oneself. But don’t let this mislead you! Amorgos is, in fact, a lively island yet in its own unique way.  The unpretending, sophisticated and romantic atmosphere of Amorgos is quite “infectious”, making people more open, cheerful and social than usual; willing to communicate; to remember anew the importance of simple pleasures and what life’s essence is all about.

Historical profile
The first traits of inhabitation of Amorgos date back to the Prehistoric Period (4th millennium BC) while during the 3rd millennium it became major cultural and commercial centre of the Aegean. 
From 2000 BC to 1200 BC, the island’s culture was strongly influenced and enriched by the Minoan and the Mycenaean civilizations especially due to a population movement from mainland Greece to Amorgos. It was then that the city of Minoa -ruins of which are found near the port of Katapola- was built,  while during the Geometric Period (10th -8th century BC) Ionians colonized the island building the important cities of Arkesini, Miletus and Aegiali (Aigiali or Egiali), all of which were  developed to important cultural centres.
Amorgos was dominated by the Byzantines who built the imposing Monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa (or Hozoviotisa), which is one of the “highlights” of the island.  During the following centuries Venetians and Ottomans conquered Amorgos which has also to face regularly raids from pirates. In 1821, Amorgos participated actively to the Greek War of Independence gaining its freedom. However, in 1941 it came under Italian rule and two years later it was subjugated by the Germans. Amorgos was finally liberated in 1944.

Villages
Chora is the capital of Amorgos with a population of 400 residents. It is an absolutely authentic Cycladic village with charming whitewashed houses, yards with colourful flowers, cobbled streets. The picturesque squares, the cosy little shops, the windmills and the fine old churches give Chora a hospitable and seductive calmness.

Just 6 km west to Chora lays Katapola, the main port of Amorgos built in a delightful bay. Though having kept its traditional character, with its little beautiful houses and its pretty narrow streets, it becomes busy during high season, especially in its waterfront where several coffee-shops and taverns gather many visitors. It is also the centre of the night life in Amorgos, since several night clubs and bars are found there.

Aegiali (Egiali) is a small settlement found 15km northeaster to Chora. It is built amphitheatrically offering a delightful view to the homonymous bay. It is the second harbour of Amorgos and has its own excellent sandy beach.   In fact, the wider Aegiali area include also two other settlements, Tholaria, which has buildings remarkable architecture and is very close to the ancient city of Aegiali and Lagatha with exceptional view and remarkable churches.

Beaches
Amorgos has several lovely   sandy, pebbled and rocky beaches, famous for their dazzling blue colour.
On the eastern part of the island, the most popular beach is   Agia Anna, an organized sandy beach with small pebbles and sparkling waters in an amazing blue colour. In this beach was shot the opening scene of the film “Deep Blue” by Luc Besson.  An equally fabulous beach is Mouros, an organized pebbly beach with transparent waters. On the north-western side are located Aegiali (Egialli), a popular long-stretched sandy beach with excellent waters and Levrossos beach, which is sandy and nudists friendly.

Access
There are scheduled trips from Piraeus Port, especially during summer season by boat or by catamaran.  Amorgos is an ideal place to reach other islands, since it is connected  with the islands of Naxos, Paros, Iraklia, Donousa, Koufonisia, Rhodes, Ios, Syros, Kos, Patmos, Leros, Astypalaia (Astypalea)  and Kalymnos.

Alternatively, you can go by plane to Myconos, Naxos, Paros or Astypalaia airports and from there you can take the local boat to Amorgos.