The Amorgos, Greece 2017 traveler guide

Amorgos Greece

The “Chora” of Amorgos, Greece

It’s not by chance that two of Greece’s most prominent poets pay tribute to Amorgos in their works. Nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis and Nikos Gatsos both sing the praises of this tiny Cycladic island set in the middle of Aegean Sea and under the bright blue Greek sky. The easternmost island of the Cyclades, Amorgos is located between Naxos and Astypalaia some eight hours away from Piraeus.

The island is loved for its untamed beauty complete with valleys, hills, mountains, coves, natural springs, strong winds and crystal clear waters. Its capital, Chora, located 5km from the port of Katapola, wins over travelers with its maze of traditional white-washed pathways, tiny churches, Cycladic-style dwellings and yesteryear windmills.

Besides the addictive beauty of its Chora, Amorgos is known for its deep waters and wild beaches, among them the sandy stretch of Aegiali, Agia Anna, Mourou beach, and Navagio beach hosting its very own shipwreck.

Colors Amorgos Greece

Amazing colors in Amorgos Greece

Amorgos, Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery and Agia Anna beach, came into the international spotlight as a primary filming location for Luc Besson’s film The Big Blue.

Things to do on Amorgos

Swim and snorkel – Amorgos is a nature-lover’s paradise with most of its beaches steering clear of the cafe-beachchair-umbrella practices. Aegiali, Agia Anna, Mourou and Navagio beach (where you can find a shipwreck and plenty of underwater caves) all offer sea lovers the chance to snorkel, swim or merely chill out in the sun.

Visit Panagia Hozoviotissa Monastery literally hanging from the cliffs of Profitis Elia Mountain, northeast of Chora, where besides the breathtaking views of the Aegean and its islands you can see the 11th-century monastery’s historic icon and treasures.

Hozoviotissa Monastery Amorgos Greece

Hozoviotissa Monastery in Amorgos, Greece

Eat: Amorgos islanders are primarily active in fishing, shipping and farming. As one of the Cyclades, the island is famous for its Cycladic cuisine, part of the world-renowned Mediterranean cuisine, including fresh fish, rare herbs, figs, fava (yellow split peas), the ”patatato” served at feasts, ‘’pitaroudia” pasta as well as ‘’menoules liastes” (small sun-dried fish). Don’t forget to sample Amorgian wine and strong spirit ”rakomelo” (raki with honey).

Wellness – Due to its unspoilt landscape and beaches the island has emerged as wellness destination offering summer courses/sessions in everything from painting and poetry to yoga and reiki.

Yachting/sailing – Amorgos is a must for sailing lovers not only due to its deep waters – its northwestern coast goes approximately 317m deep and its southern end 724m – rugged landscape and virgin beaches but also due to the robust winds.

How to get to Amorgos?

Getting to Amorgos means being prepared to enjoy the journey: Car ferries depart from Piraeus daily in the summer months for both Amorgos ports – Katapola and Aegiali – with the journey lasting about 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly to Naxos and then take a local boat service.

What’s near Amorgos?

The deserted islets of Gramvousa, connected hourly by boat from Kalotaritissa beach, and Nikouria, accessible by boat shuttle service.

Amorgos ports

Katapola Amorgos Greece

View of Katapola Bay in Amorgos

Amorgos has two ports, the main Katapola and Aegiali, both of which are linked by regular ferry routes from the port of Piraeus (Athens). Both ports provide mooring facilities which include fuel supplies.

Aegiali Amorgos Greece

Amorgos, Aegiali port

Ferries to Amorgos / Athens to Amorgos / Amorgos ferry tickets

There are daily ferries from Athens to Amorgos. The ferry routes to Amorgos are operated by both conventional and high speed ferries. The island of Amorgos is also connected with frequent ferry schedules to Naxos which allows good ferry connections with other popular islands. There are also frequent connections with the small Cyclades islands which include Koufonissia, Schinoussa, Iraklia and Donoussa.

Below is a detailed list of all 2017 ferry schedules to Amorgos from Athens and Naxos:

From Athens Piraeus port to Katapola port in Amorgos

Blue Star Ferries from Piraeus to Katapola

  • Until 09/04 & from 23/04 until 18/06 every Sunday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • Until 23/06 every Tuesday and Friday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 25/06 until 03/09 every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 06:45 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 01/07 until 02/09 every Saturday at 23:55 with the Superfast XII
  • From 05/09 until 29/10 every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos

Hellenic Seaways from Piraeus to Katapola

  • From 16/06 until 25/06 & from 10/09 until 24/09 daily at 07:15 with Highspeed 4
  • From 26/06 until 09/09 daily except Fridays and Sundays at 07:15 with the Highspeed 4

Seajets to Katapola

  • From 07/06 until 11/09 daily except Tuesdays and Saturdays at 07:00 with Seajet 2
  • From 12/09 until 30/09 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at 07:00 with the Seajet 2
From Athens Piraeus port to Aegiali port in Amorgos

Blue Star Ferries from Piraeus to Aegiali port in Amorgos

  • From 22/02 until 21/06 & from 06/09 until 25/10 every Wednesday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 28/06 until 30/08 every Wednesday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Patmos
  • From 06/03 until 19/06 & from 11/09 until 30/10 every  Monday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 26/06 until 04/09 every Monday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Patmos
  • From 24/06 until 02/09 every Saturday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Patmos
  • From 23/02 until 22/06 & from 07/09 until 26/10 every Thursday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 29/06 until 31/08 every Thursday at 17:30 with the Blue Star Patmos

All ferries from Athens to Amorgos can be booked online via danae.travel

From Naxos to Katapola port in Amorgos

Small Cyclades Lines from Naxos to Katapola port in Amorgos

  • Until 03/03 & from 28/03 until 31/10 every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 14:00 with the Express Skopelitis (arriving at 17:55)
  • Until 04/03 & from 27/03 until 30/10 every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 14:00 with the Express Skopelitis (arriving at 20:20)

Blue Star Ferries from Naxos to Katapola port in Amorgos

  • Until 23/06 & from 08/09 until 27/10 every Friday at 23:05 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • Until 09/04 & from 23/04 until 18/06 & from 10/09 until 29/10 every Sunday at 23:55 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 25/06 until 03/09 every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 12:10 with the Blue Star Naxos

Sea Jets from Naxos to Katapola port in Amorgos

  • Until 27/03 every Monday at 11:50 with the Aqua Spirit
  • From 08/06 until 11/09 every Monday, Thursday and Friday at 17:15 with the Seajet 2
  • From 10/06 until 09/09 every Saturday at 16:10 with the Seajet 2
  • From 13/06 until 20/06 & from 04/07 until 11/07 & from 22/08 until 29/08 every Tuesday at 16:10 with the Seajet 2.
  • From 14/09 until 28/09 every Thursday and Sunday at 16:10 with the Seajet 2

Hellenic Seaways from Naxos to Katapola port in Amorgos

  • From 16/06 until 24/09 daily at 11:10 with the Highspeed 4
From Naxos to Aegiali port in Amorgos

Small Cyclades Lines from Naxos to Aegiali port in Amorgos

  • Until 04/03 & from 27/03 until 30/10 every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 14:00 with the Express Skopelitis

Blue Star Ferries from Naxos to Aegiali port in Amorgos

  • Until 24/06 & from 07/09 until 26/10 every Thursday at 23:55 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 29/06 until 31/08 every Thursday at 23:55 with the Blue Star Patmos
  • Until 21/06 every Wednesday at 23:05 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 06/03 until 19/06 & from 11/09 until 30/10 every Monday at 23:05 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 26/06 until 04/09 every Monday with the Blue Star Patmos
  • From 17/06 until 09/09 every Saturday at 23:05 with the Blue Star Naxos
  • From 28/06 until 30/08 every Wednesday at 23:05 with the Blue Star Patmos
  • From 06/09 until 25/10 every Wednesday at 23:05 with the Blue Star Naxos

Sea Jets from Naxos to Aegiali port in Amorgos

  • Until 27/03 every Monday at 11:50 with the Aqua Spirit

All ferries from Naxos to Amorgos and the Small Cyclades islands can be booked online via danae.travel

How much does it cost to travel to Amorgos / Amorgos ferry prices

Prices for 2017 ferries connecting Athens’ main port of Piraeus to Amorgos start at 36.00 euros per person in economy with the Blue Star.

Indicative ferry prices from Athens to Amorgos per adult in economy:

  • Blue Star Ferries: 36.00 euros per person
  • Hellenic Seaways – Highspeed 4: 59.00 euros per person
  • Seajets: 69.00 euros per person

The Blue Star also offers cabins. Prices start at 59.50 euros per bed

Prices for 2017 ferries connecting Naxos to Amorgos start at 12.00 euros per person in economy with the Blue Star.

Indicative ferry prices from Naxos to Amorgos per adult in economy:

  • Small Cyclades Lines: 12.30 euros per person
  • Blue Star Ferries: 12.00 euros per person
  • Hellenic Seaways – Highspeed 4: 31.00 euros per person
  • Seajets: 29.70 euros per person

Find all ferry offers to Amorgos and book online via danae.travel

How long is the ferry ride to Amorgos?

Travel times always depend on the vessel type, the number of stops and the weather conditions. Large conventional ferries are not affected by the weather too much.

Indicative travel times from Athens to Amorgos:

  • The Highspeed 4 takes about 6 hours from Athens to Amorgos. Departs from Piraeus at 07:15 in the morning and arrives in Amorgos at 13:05.
  • The Seajet 2 takes about 6 hours 45 minutes and departs Piraeus at 07:00 in the morning and arrives in Amorgos at 13:45.
  • The Blue Star Naxos takes about 8 hours 30 minutes and departs at 06:45 in the morning and arrives in Amorgos at 15:10.

Indicative travel times from Naxos to Amorgos:

  • The Highspeed 4 takes about 1 hour 30 minutes from Naxos to Amorgos. Departs from Naxos at11:20 in the morning and arrives in Amorgos at 13:05.
  • The Seajet 2 takes about 1 hours 20 minutes and departs Naxos at 16:10 in the afternoon and arrives in Amorgos at 17:30
  • The Blue Star Naxos takes about 3 hours and departs Naxos at 12:10 and arrives in Amorgos at 15:10
  • The Express Skopelitis takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes and departs Naxos at 14:00 and arrives in Amorgos at 17:55.

Which other Greek islands is Amorgos connected to?

From Amorgos, you can catch a ferry to the following islands (next to each island, you will find a price indication):

To / from Katapola port

  • Syros:16.10 euro per person
  • Naxos: 12.00 euro per person
  • Aegiali: 4.80 euro per person
  • Donoussa: 6.90 euro per person
  • Iraklia: 8.00 euro per person
  • Schinoussa: 7.50 euro per person
  • Koufonissi: 7.00 euro per person
  • Paros: 12.90 euro per person

To / from Aegiali port

  • Syros:16.10 euro per person
  • Naxos: 12.00 euro per person
  • Aegiali: 4.80 euro per person
  • Donoussa: 6.90 euro per person
  • Iraklia: 8.50 euro per person
  • Schinoussa: 9.00 euro per person
  • Koufonissi: 7.40 euro per person
  • Paros: 12.90 euro per person
  • Astypalea: 13.00 euro per person

All Amorgos ferry connections  can be booked online via danae.travel

Athens ports with ferry departures to Amorgos

All ferries connecting Athens to Amorgos depart from the main port of Piraeus

Information about Piraeus Port – Athens
How to reach the port of Piraeus:

Piraeus port is near Athens and can be reached by metro, train, bus and taxis both from the Athens city center and from Athens International Airport (AIA):

  • From Athens International Airport: Take the express bus X96. It takes you directly to the port, its frequent, cheap and quite fast. It usually takes about 60-90 minutes. The cost is 5 euros / adult. Check the timetables on screens inside the airport. The X96 bus stop is just outside the arrivals level at the airport (check the signs). At the port, the bus stop is near Gate E6 (also close to the metro station). If you choose to take a taxi, it will cost you 50-60 euros and it will take you around 60 minutes.
  • From the center of Athens: The best way to reach Piraeus port from the center of Athens is by metro / train. You can catch it from the Monastiraki or Omonia stations. It costs 1.40 euros and takes under 30 minutes. If you choose to take a taxi, it will cost you just under 30 euros and it will take you about 30 to 40 minutes. With heavy traffic it might take you up to an hour. If you prefer traveling by bus, there are two options:
    • From Syntagma Square to Piraeus: Bus 040, Piraeus bus stop: Korai Square (close to the Municipal Theater) and then a 10-minute walk to Gate E9.
    • From Omonia Square to Piraeus: Bus 049, Piraeus bus stop: Korai square (close to the Municipal Theater) and then a 10-minute walk to Gate E9.

We can arrange a private transfer for you from your hotel in Athens to Piraeus port or from the Athens International Airport to the port. You can also book online via danae.travel together with your ferry tickets.

Where or which gates do the ferries to Naxos depart from at Piraeus port? 

  • Blue Star Ferries to Amorgos depart from Gate E7
  • Hellenic Seaways ferries to Amorgos depart from Gate E7
  • Seajets ferries to Amorgos depart from Gate E9

Note: There is a running port bus which connects departure gates.

Map of Piraeus port:

Piraeus port map

Athens, Piraeus Port map