Andros is the northernmost island of the Cyclades in the Aegean
Sea and the second largest
after Naxos. Sometimes described as a miniature lookalike of
Greece itself, its unique landscape combines high mountains with
deep, verdant valleys, gushing rivers, fresh-water natural springs
and stunning beaches bathed in the golden Mediterranean sun.
Classical Cycladic architecture contrasts with fascinating Venetian
and Byzantine ruins, and a superb 100 km network of hiking trails
(known as Andros Routes and certified by the EU) attracts
excursionists from all over the world keen to discover the island’s
hidden beauties. The capital of Andros, Hora, is one of the most
beautiful in the Cyclades. Elegant, dignified and authentic, it boasts
impressive museums such as the Archaeological Museum of Andros
and the Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art, with a new (and
often outstanding) exhibition every summer. A lovely, one-and-ahalf kilometre pedestrian walkway guides visitors through the centre
of town past shops, restaurants, churches, historic monuments and
– eventually – down to the sea where a giant statue dedicated to
sailors overlooks an enchanting Venetian stone bridge leading to
the island’s ruined castle.
Next to Hora, in the village of Korthi, visitors can enjoy freshlycaught fish in charming seafront restaurants before heading on to
pretty Batsi for a late-night cocktail overlooking the marina.
Accessibility: Andros is the closest of the Cyclades islands to
Athens and extremely easy to get to. It can be reached by ferry from
the port of Rafina on the mainland (30 mins by car from Athens
airport). The ferry takes just two hours and there are at least four
daily services in high season and two in winter. Andros is also
connected by ferry to Tinos and Mykonos.
Investment opportunity: The sophisticated yet authentic character
of Andros, combined with the island’s magnificent natural
landscape, make it a magical tourist destination and an exceptional
investment opportunity. Easy to reach yet still relatively uncrowded
even in high summer, Andros is that rare combination of
convenience, beauty and exclusivity.