Amorgos

Introducing Amorgos

For many island lovers, Amorgos (ah-mor-ghoss) is the jewel in the Cycladic crown. Lying well to the southeast of the main group, this exquisite island rises from the sea in a long dragon’s back of craggy mountains that is 30km from tip to toe and 800m at its highest point. The island’s southeast coast is unrelentingly steep and boasts an extraordinary monastery embedded in a huge cliff. The northern half of the opposite coast is equally spectacular, but relents a little at the narrow inlet where the main port and town of Katapola lies.

Amorgos’ other port town, Aegiali, lies at the island’s northern end and is more appealing as a resort. It has a good beach and is encircled by rugged mountains. The enchanting Hora (also known as Amorgos) nestles high in the mountains above Katapola.

You need to work quite hard to get to Amorgos, although ferry connections in summer are good and at the time of writing there was talk of a seaplane service starting from the mainland in 2008. However, locals are determined to focus on sustainable tourism.

There’s plenty of scope for beaching, but Amorgos is much more about compelling archaeology, Cycladic life and the outdoor world – there’s great walking, scuba diving, and a burgeoning rock climbing scene, although currently the latter is for the very experienced rather than for the passing thrillseeker.

Last updated: Oct 6, 2008