Things to do in Andros

What to do & see in Andros, Greece

Andros island is the perfect holiday destination for all tastes. Whether you are on family vacations, a romantic trip, or you are after adventure, you can have the time of your life here!

Sightseeing & Sports

Andros is a paradise for nature and outdoor sports lovers. The island is scattered with natural springs and streams, which attract a lot of tourists to Andros. Hiking is a popular spring and autumn activity in Andros, as there are several lovely hiking paths that are the same as the paths that existed in the ancient times. All you have to do is to secure a reliable map of Andros Greece and make your walking tour a reality. The paths lead through villages, across stone bridges and along lush hillsides. You can stop at the springs and sample the waters, which are believed to have healing properties for various conditions. The most visited areas are Apikia, with the Sariza Spring and the Ravine of Pithara, and the village of Remata, with the scenic waterfalls and watermill. We suggest you also visit Palaiopolis, the renovated Tower of Agios Petros in Gavrion, Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, Pano Kastro (Upper Castle), Panachrantou Monastery, and Ancient Zagora. You can also try windsurfing at the beach of Agios Petros. Upon arrival, we provide our guests with detailed suggestions and information on best places to visit, best places to eat, attractions, and any other information you shall need.

Museums

The Archaeological Museum: The Archaeological Museum of Andros is located in the island’s capital town called Chora. It hosts items that were found in excavations around Andros. Some of the most important exhibits are: the collection of findings from ancient town of Zagora, the collection of sculptures dated from the Archaic till the Roman period, the collection of inscriptions, a collection of pre-Byzantine and Byzantine sculptures. The museum has a projection room, while from time to time there are exhibitions of modern art at the atrium, in co-operation with the local Museum of Modern Art of Vasilis and Eliza Goulandris Foundation.

The Museum of Modern Art: The Goulandris Museum of Modern Art belongs to the Vasilis and Eliza Goulandris Institution. The museum is lovely and is composed of two wards. In the old ward, you can see a permanent exhibition of the creations by famous Greek artists, such as M. Tompros, Tsarouchis, Gikas, Moralis, Vasileiou, Takis, Fasianos, and more. In the new ward, there is a section of the Institution’s collection where exhibitions take place all year long. The museum also holds exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography.

The Maritime (or Nautical) Museum: The Nautical Museum of Andros was founded in 1972 and presents the entire history of the local merchant marine, from the ancient times to our day, exposing various nautical diaries, lithographs of ships from Andros, models of ships and more. The museum is located also in Chora.

Kydonieos Institute: This institute was founded in 1994 by Petros and Marika Kydonieos who wanted to exhibit culture and art in its many and various forms. Their main interests were concentrating mainly on the fine arts, such as music, theatre and literature (Greek and international). Every summer, an exhibition is organized showing works of art which have contributed to the quest of contemporary art.

Museum of Folklore and Christian Art: Located in a house in Chora, this museum has exhibitions of works showing the typical traditional life of the inhabitants of Andros.

The Kairis Library: This library is housed in a wonderful Neoclassical building, in Chora. The library contains about 3,000 books from the collection of Theofilos Kairis, who was a scholar and priest in Andros (1784-1852). In the library, a large number of rare publications, manuscripts, historical records, works of art and a small archaeological collection are also exposed. During summer, some art exhibitions are organized in the new exhibition area of the library.

Gastronomy & Nightlife

Traditional Greek restaurants and taverns are located in a small distance from Heliades Villas, some of them on the beach (at the beaches of Zorkos, Agios Petros and Vitali), while most of the restaurants, shops and nightlife locations are found at the port of Andros (Gavrio), which is only 10 minutes (6 km) by car from our Villas! At Batsi, a close tourist village, you will find many cafes, bars and nightclubs.