Andros

The main settlements are:

• Chora or Andros [Χώρα / Άνδρος] (the main town). This is a pretty town on a promontory, with a pedestrianized main street or parade, dotted on either side by neo-classical Venetian-style mansions, that runs down to the sea and a ruined Venetian castle on an islet at the end of the promontory. There are many shops, delicatessens, pastry shops, cocktail bars, cafés and tavernas along this street. An award-winning Museum of Modern Art is just off the main lower square. Divided in two buildings (one ticket gives access to both), it contains a fascinating permanent collection of modern sculpture and a temporary exhibition which is renewed each year. There is also an Archeological Museum. There are grocers and mini markets along the main street or side streets, and a couple of supermarkets out of town. The nearest supermarket is about 1km walk up the main street and then the main road to the right (past an old abandoned supermarket).
• Gavrio [Γαύριο]. This is the main port, where you will arrive if you come by ferry. All the car-hire outlets are located here. Most holiday-makers do not stay in Gavrio, travelling straight to Batsi or Chora on arrival (a bus is timed to depart shortly after ferry arrivals). However, Gavrio could be a useful base for exploring the north-west of the island, and there are two beautiful beaches within 2-3 km of the port.
• Batsi [Μπατσί]. This is the island's main beach resort. It can be reached with the same bus that serves Chora.
• Korthi Bay [Όρμος Κορθίου]. This is a seaside village, which contains a museum of folklore and a small harbour. From here you can access Ghrias Pidhima beach, and a number of picturesque hamlets in the surrounding area.

There are numerous other picturesque small villages that you can pass through or visit if you have transport. You will only find tavernas in areas where there are hotels.

Andros is the northernmost of the Cyclades islands. It is second in size after Naxos and is located between Euboia - which it is separated by the Cavo D'Oro (Cape Caphereus) - and Tinos island. It has mountains and fertile valleys blessed with verdant slopes full of citrus and olivetrees, waterfalls, mountain streams and numerous high quality water springs.

According to Greek mythology the island got its name from the first settler Andros, a hero descended from the Olympic gods. Other names were also used in the course of history: Hydroussa, Nonagria and Lasia, all homage to the rich flora and water springs found on Andros. It was during the Classical Age that Andros showed first signs of flourishing civilization with its capital at the site of present-day Paleopolis. The favored god was Dionysios with a great celebration in his honor where "water was turn to wine" taking place every third year the first ten days of January. In 133 BC Andros is taken by the Roman Empire and in 1270 passes to Venice and sees the construction of forts and towers, the Lower Fort in Chora being the most important and the Upper Fort in Kohilou. This period sees about 5 centuries of economic growth as it becomes an important centre of silk textile trade industry.

The island is quite large and unless you are visiting in cooler seasons with the purpose of hiking (see below), you will need motorized transport to get between the major settlements, to the more remote beaches, monasteries and to other sights.

There is a KTEL bus service linking Gavrio, Batsi and Chora Andros. Buses are mostly timed to depart shortly after the arrival of ferries in Gavrio. The cost is €4 from Gavrio to Andros (pay during the journey), and the trip takes approximately one hour. In Gavrio, buses depart from the port, directly opposite the disembarkation quay. In Chora, the 🌍 Bus terminal, ☏ +30 2282022316. (updated Aug 2018) is a couple of streets south of the pedestrianized shopping parade, at the top end of town.

You can hire mopeds (and cars) in Gavrio. Mopeds can also be hired in Andros. Mopeds cost €20 per day, can carry two people (ensure you ask for two helmets), and are sufficient for accessing monasteries, springs, waterfalls and some beaches.

A taxi from Gavrio to Andros costs approximately €45.

Festivals

Numerous religious feasts used to be celebrated in Andros in the past. Each village would have a ceremony on its patron saint day, followed by a "greeting tour" of the village, where participants would be welcomed into the inhabitants' homes and offered a full meal including everything from sweets to fruit and tsipouro; celebrations would continue for much of the day. Nowadays, these festivities called "panegyria" are mostly organized by local 'cultural societies' and usually take place in the villages' square or on the church patio where locals and guests meet each other and enjoy the festivities.

Notable feasts include:

15 August: Ammoloxos church (9 km from Gavrion)

23 August, Varidi school (13 km from Gavrion)

Easter Monday Tromarchia (30 km from Gavrion)

27 July at St. Pandeleimon chapel at Katakilos

5th Friday of Lent (acathyst hymn) at the Church of Our Lady Theoskepasti in Chora

Don't miss trying the local dairy products such as Volaki and Kopanisti cheese, as well as pork derivatives Louza and Sausage.

• Perrakis Hotel, Kypri, 84501, ☏ +30 22820 71456, fax: +30 22820 71459. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. 3 star hotel. €55 and up. 
• Andros Prive Suites, Gavrio, ☏ +30 22820 72131. 
• 🌍 Mare e Vista Epaminondas Hotel, Batsi Andros, ☏ +30 2282041177, fax: +30 2822041681, marevistahotel@gmail.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. This 4-star hotel offers beautiful views to the sea and the bay of Batsi village. It is 200 m from Batsi's main seashore and has a variety of air-conditioned apartments that can accommodate up to 6 people. There is a fresh water swimming pool and indoor parking. from 60 eur/day BB. 

Move on by boat to Tinos and to the other islands of the Cyclades.