Andros

Andros is unusually wet for the Cyclades, with springs and streams that run all year, which gives it terraced valleys, plane trees and a green interior quite unlike its neighbours. Its wealth came from shipping, and the Chora reflects it: neoclassical mansions along a marble-paved main street, a small museum of modern art founded by the Goulandris shipping family with a serious collection, and an archaeological museum holding the Hermes of Andros. The island's other distinction is walking: a network of some 300 kilometres of old stone paths has been restored and waymarked as the Andros Route, certified as a Leading Quality Trail of Europe, linking villages, watermills, dovecotes and beaches. Menites has springs running from lion-head spouts, and Ateni and Achla are among the least developed beaches in the Cyclades.

History

In antiquity Andros had an Ionian population, and by the 7th century BC it was prosperous enough to found colonies in Chalcidice, among them Acanthus, Stageira, Argilus and Sane; its ancient capital, Palaeopolis, was built into a steep hillside on the west coast, where the harbour breakwater can still be seen under water. In 200 a Roman, Pergamene and Rhodian fleet captured it, and it belonged to the Attalid kingdom until 133 BC, when it passed to Rome (Wikipedia, Andros, Greece).

Highlights

• The Andros Route - 300 kilometres of restored and waymarked stone paths.
• The Chora - marble streets, shipping mansions and two good museums.
• The green valleys - streams, terraces, watermills and plane trees.
• The quiet beaches - Achla, Ateni and other undeveloped bays.

When to go

April to June and September to October, the walking seasons, when the interior is green and temperatures suit long days on the paths. August is busy with Athenian families; winter is wet and windy.

Things to know

Andros is a walker's island rather than a nightlife or beach-club destination, and visitors expecting the standard Cycladic postcard find a different, quieter place. Roads are winding, and buses limited. Some paths need proper footwear and a map.

Nearby

Tinos lies south by ferry; Rafina on the mainland is two hours away.

Key facts