15 Things to Do in Astypalaia Beyond the Beach

The Kastro towers above Chora and dominates every view of the island. Built in the 15th century by the Venetian Querini family (though fortifications here go back further), it is one of the best-preserved Venetian castles in the Aegean. Walk up through the narrow alleys of Chora and enter through the vaulted doorway. Inside: two whitewashed churches, the ruins of the Querini mansion, and panoramic views over both halves of the butterfly-shaped island. The gate closes at sunset — be inside for the last golden light before closing time.

Multiple travel writers have described Chora as "the most picturesque old town in all of Greece." The claim is not exaggerated. Whitewashed houses with blue windows and colourful balconies, cascading down a hillside draped in bougainvillea. Narrow alleys where cats sleep on every step. The eight traditional windmills in the central square — one now a library, another a tourist centre. Chora combines Cycladic architecture with Dodecanesian character in a way that is entirely its own.

Near the village of Maltezana, the remains of early Christian-era Roman baths (2nd-4th century AD) include remarkable mosaic floors that are among the best preserved in the Dodecanese. The site is freely accessible and often overlooked by visitors focused on the beaches. The mosaics depict fish, marine life and geometric patterns in extraordinary detail. A striking reminder that this remote island was once on a Roman trade route.

A short walk (~30 minutes) from Livadi village leads to the island's dam and an artificial lake — a feature nobody expects to find on a small Aegean island. The path is comfortable and well-marked. At the dam, the silence is profound: only birds and bees. You can walk along the top of the dam or follow the path around the lake. The surrounding landscape is the greenest on the island, fed by the reservoir. Multiple travellers and locals describe this as one of the most surprising and beautiful walks on Astypalaia.

Located in Pera Gialos, the Archaeological Museum houses artefacts from the island's long history — from prehistoric settlements through to the Byzantine and Venetian periods. The museum is small but the collection is well-curated and enriched over the years. Finds include ancient pottery, coins, sculptures and inscriptions that tell the story of a strategically important island that has been fought over since antiquity.

Every evening in summer, the entire population of Chora — locals and visitors alike — gravitates to the windmills in the central square at sunset. The light is extraordinary at this time: the white houses turn gold, the castle glows, the Aegean turns deep copper. There is nowhere else on the island to be at 7-8pm. The bars and restaurants around the windmills (Castro Bar, Agoni Grammi, Ducato) fill immediately after.

The most important church on the island, in the heart of Chora. Built in the 18th century, it houses a revered icon brought to Astypalaia by Saint Anthimos in 1762. The church is the religious and cultural centre of island life. On 15 August (the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary — the island's most important celebration), residents gather at the castle for an open public celebration. If you are here in August, do not miss it.

The Red Rock (Koutsomitis) is a dramatic red-hued cliff accessible only by boat, 45 minutes from Pera Gialos port. The highlight: a narrow underwater tunnel on the left side of the rock (when facing it) that leads to a completely enclosed rocky pool, surrounded by soaring cliffs. You swim through the tunnel to enter. On the other side, you will almost certainly be alone in one of the most extraordinary natural swimming spots in Greece. This is usually included in the Kounoupa day trip.

The road between Chora and Maltezana winds through the island's mountainous interior, rising and falling through dramatic switchbacks with views over the sea on both sides. Many visitors rent a scooter specifically for this drive. At sunset, the light on the mountains and the silhouette of Chora in the distance is remarkable. There is no need to rush anywhere — the drive itself, at any speed, on any vehicle, is the attraction.

Vathy is the most remote and least-visited village on the island — a tiny settlement on the northeast coast at the end of a rough dirt road. When you arrive, you find a turquoise lagoon so vividly coloured it looks filtered. The settlement is tiny: a handful of houses, fishing boats, and the legendary Galini taverna. Mrs. Maria runs it entirely alone, no menu, no mobile reception, fresh fish from that morning. It is the most authentic food experience on the island.

A hiking trail from the church of Agios Ioannis leads down to a remote, completely undeveloped beach. The hike is approximately 1.5-2 hours return and involves some climbing, but the views along the way are exceptional. The beach at the bottom is completely wild — no facilities, no other people. One of several hiking routes across the island's rugged interior.

Astypalaia produces exceptional local food. The honey, made from wild thyme and herbs that cover the hillsides, is among the best in Greece — buy a jar from any local shop. Pouggia (small fried pastries filled with local cheese) are the island's signature snack, best at Kafeneio Apanemia. Chlori is the local fresh cheese, used in the pizza and pasta at Aiolos restaurant. Local vegetable dishes — stuffed tomatoes, zucchini balls — are made with produce grown on the island.

Drakos Cave ("Dragon's Cave") is accessible by boat from Vathy and is one of the island's lesser-known natural attractions. The cave features dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations and is reachable via organised boat trips from the port. Combined with a visit to Vathy village, it makes for a full day in the remote eastern part of the island.

Pera Gialos was Astypalaia's main port before the new port opened (now it has returned to being the only port again since 2024). The old harbour area has a small sandy beach, tavernas on the waterfront, and an uninterrupted view up to Chora and the Kastro. Many visitors describe the walk from the port up through Pera Gialos to Chora — past colourful balconies, bougainvillea, and local cats — as the most memorable 20 minutes of their entire trip.

This is Astypalaia's most powerful attraction and the hardest one to describe. The island moves at a pace that has not changed in decades. There is a particular quality of light and silence here — especially in the early morning and late afternoon — that compels visitors to sit still and simply look. At the sea. At the castle. At the cats sleeping in doorways. Every visitor who returns to Astypalaia says the same thing: the island does something to you. The best way to experience it is to have one day with no plan, no vehicle, and nowhere to be.