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ANDROS ISLAND - INFORMATION
The island of Andros covers 374 sq. km (147 sq. miles). Its highest mountains are the Petalo and the Kouvara (highest peak Prof. Ilias 997 m.). There are four rivers which run across the island from west to east through fertile green valleys ideal for farming. These are the Arni river which runs out into the Bay of Levka, the Big River running out by the beach at Paraporti (Hora), the Achla river running out into the Achla bay and the Double river which runs out into the Sineti bay.
Andros has a great deal to offer. It is the greenest of all the Cycladic islands. The lush vegetation is made of oaks, centuries old plane trees, the cypresses, the olive, the walnut and lemon trees. Andros is also famous for its numerous springs. The most famous of all is the "Sariza springs". Sariza mineral water is best known for properties which aid kidney problems and is bottled in Sariza and distributed all over Greece. Other renown springs of Andros are Lezina, Zenio at Kouvara, Koumoulos at Menites, Meliti and Metohi at Strapourgies, Abyssos at Levadia and Akoe and Levada at Lamyra.
The villages of Andros are ideal for touring. The busiest of them are Andros town (Hora) which is the capital of the island, Gavrio, Batsi, Korthio, Apoikia and Paleopolis.
The beaches of Andros are made of fine white sand and small pebbles. Some of them are so remote that you can only approach then by boat.
You can travel to Andros by boat only. You can take the ferry-boat from Rafina, Attica and get to the island within two hours. The boat accesses Gavrio. You can access Andros in one hour by Flying Dolphins or catamarans as well. Boats from the port of Thessaloniki leave three times a week for the cyclades and Crete.
If you bring your car along, you will have the chance to tour around the island, discover the natural beauties and follow your own schedule.
The meltemia (strong northerly winds of August) are responsible for the cool summers of Andros. Generally, it has a mild climate with soft winters.
Getting to know Andros
The boat approaches the harbor of Gavrion and you can see the little white houses creating a beautiful sight. Gavrio is peaceful so you will spend your vacation in a relaxing atmosphere. Gavrio provides you with a wide choice of hotels, rooms, restaurants and entertainment clubs. You will find all kinds of stores in the market as well as local products sold by the producers themselves.
The landscape is characterized by the typical Cycladic beauty; the dovecotes, the wild flowers, the thyme, the sea and the whitewashed chapels each give their own flavor and color to the scenery.
The hamlet of Agios Petros is twenty minutes walk from Gavrion wherein stands the famous round tower dating from Hellenistic Period which is of unknown use for the archeologists. Some speculate that it might have been an observatory.
Take your car and discover the beautiful beaches at the south of Gavrio: Xylokarida, Kipri and Psili Ammos. Many of them offer the opportunity for water sports. Not far from Gavrion, there is Fellos Beach with its lovely golden beach.
As you drive from Gavrio to Batsi an exquisite beauty will unfold before your eyes. The green landscape with the azure sea shimmering under the sun will tempt you to stop, take pictures and jump into the crystal clear sea.
Southern of Gavrion, you will come across Batsi, the most developed and cosmopolitan village of the island. It has a well organized and sandy beach with shallow waters suitable for small children. There are more beaches for you to see such as Kolona, Stivari, Delevoya and Agia Marina. If you love water sports, you will not be disappointed. You can hire windsurf boards, canoes, pedaloes, sea bikes, and water-ski. The most remote beaches (Koutsi beach, Green beach and Paleopolis) can be approached by boat from Batsi or by foot if you love challenges.
The nights of Batsi will be imprinted in your mind for ever. The strolls along the harbor, with the full moon shedding its silver light on your way, the smell of jasmine as you sit at the open-air cinema, the laughter from the bars, the happy faces that walk by will give you something to remember.
To the south of Batsi stands Paleopolis, the old capital of Andros. The sunken old pier can be seen from the road above. The bay attracts many snorkellers and sea lovers.
To the North end of Andros, the beaches of Small and Large Peza are waiting for you to enjoy them.
Hora, the capital of Andros, is located on the east coast of the island, built on a peninsula. Hora ends on a little island where the medieval castle is built. The Venetian castle was used to guard the town against the invading forces. The island is separated from the peninsula of Hora with a narrow sea strip 2-3 m and communicates with the land by a stony bridge.
The town is divided in two parts; the Old Town and the New. In the Old town, at Riva square, the imposing copper statue of the Unknown Sailor of Andros stands still despite the fierce winds of the Aegean. Saunter in the narrow, picturesque streets of Hora. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy local dishes and pastries.
The Kydonieos foundation, the archeological, naval and the two modern art museums hold excellent exhibitions which have rendered Hora an important cultural center in Greece.
Nimborio beach, to the left of the town and Paraporti beach to the right will give you the opportunity to enjoy the Aegean sea once more. Near Stenies, the beaches of Yialyia and Piso Yialyia are worth visiting.
Make an excursion to Sineti, on the green sides of the mountain, northern of Hora. The picture of the stone built houses, dovecotes and watermills in the ravine with the butterflies of the "Panaxia" family, will fascinate you.
On the road towards the South East part of the island, the Bay of Korthi with the blue clear waters awaits for you. Enjoy surfing in the beach of Ormos. Try also the beach of St. Catherine, and the remote idyllic creeks of Kalomonari, Boura and St. Giannis in Keramides.
The old Lady's Leap is one of the most famous beaches. The legend has it that there was an old lady living in the Upper Castle who betrayed the inhabitants to the Turks and after they were slaughtered, she committed suicide by leaping off the rock. The beach is very picturesque with its green waters and the huge rock that dominates the bay.
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