Astypalaia

What we think "whitewashed villages, beaches, and Venetian castle"

Pretty little Astypalaia is one of the islands of the Dodecanese, although it’s proximity to the Cyclades and it’s architecture it is easy to believe you are on one of the Cycladean islands.

Astypalaia is known as the butterfly island due to its shape. It is a small island around 18km long and 13km wide. The island is surrounded by a number of uninhabited islets. Archaeological finds have indicated that the island was first colonised by Carians and Minoans around the 2nd C BC. At Katsalis on the northern slopes of Chora, archaeologists have identified a unique infant necropolis which was used throughout the Geometric and Hellenistic period. There are also Vaulted Tombs dating back to the Mycenaean period, findings from which can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Astypalaia. Astypalaia offically became part of Greece in 1947 through the Treaty of Paris.

Hora
Hora is located on the south of the island, is dominated by the remains of the Venetian Castle of Querini, which contains the beautiful blue domed church of Panagia Portaitissa. White washed houses adorned with blue doors and shutters in labyrinthine ally ways, are renunciant of the Cyclades Nine well preserved windmills line the path to castle. The closest resort to Chora is the little fishing settlement of Pera Gialos. Its tree lined beach lies under the shadow of the castle. From the little harbour you can get boats to several other beaches and to some of the islets.

Livadia
Livadia is a beach resort located a few kilometres from Hora, its beach is the most organised one on the island with beds and umbrellas to rent. There is water sports activities and plenty of taverna’s for those long evenings out. The sunset in Livadia is particularly stunning. Homer described Livadia as The Table of the Gods due to the abundance of fruits produced from its fertile soil.

Other villages of interest of Malezana and Vathy .
Astypalaia has something for everyone, from families with young children, couples, lone travellers and those searching for a bit of a more active holiday. Our portfolio of properties ranges from self-catering accommodation, boutique hotels and villas.