Posted by Patmos, located in the northwestern Dodecanese, is a rather small island with an area of just 40 square kilometers and just under 3,000 inhabitants. The Apostle John is said to have written his Revelation on the island around 95 AD. For Christians, Patmos is known as a place of vision.
Image: Nyomonyo – Fotolia.com
Where is Patmos?
Patmos is a Greek island in the eastern Aegean and belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago. It is located:
Northwest of the island Leros
South of the island Samos
West of the Turkish coast (near the town of Didim)
Info
Today, tourism is the most important industry on the island. Nevertheless, the island is not as crowded as many other Greek islands. There are many private rooms and guest houses on Patmos. Some owners of room rentals come to the harbor when a ferry arrives to loudly offer their rooms. Many tourists come to Patmos just for a day trip. Large holiday islands such as Kos and Samos are not too far away. Patmos is also very popular with sailors. There are often several large, expensive yachts in the harbor of Skala, the main harbor of Patmos.
The famous monastery of Saint John (Moni Agios Christodulos) with its world-famous library, which is considered the most important historical library in the Greek Orthodox world, is worth seeing. The cave in which John is said to have written his work can also be visited.
Places Patmos
Skala
Skala is the port town and the small capital. More than half of the island’s inhabitants live in Skala. Most of the taverns and rooms for rent are also found there. Skala is located in a geographically narrow part of Patmos. The island is only a few hundred meters wide here. Skala is therefore on both the east and west coasts of Patmos. The bars and cafes in Skala are quite busy at night. However, you shouldn’t expect a nightlife like on the island of Kos, for example.
Accommodation Patmos
Accommodation in Patmos is not always cheap in summer. You should book online in advance at Booking.com. The Blue Bay Hotel is very popular. Stefanos Camping, the only campsite on the island, is about 2 km northeast of Skala in the bay of Meloi on a good beach. The campsite is well maintained.
Tip: Book hotels & holiday apartments cheaper at Booking.com: Click here
Chora Patmos
Chora, just under an hour’s walk from Skala, is the historic capital of the island with much less tourism. The place seems a bit deserted, but a lot is being renovated. Chora is a typical Greek island town in the mountains. There are a few taverns and a few places to stay.
Other
Other villages on Patmos in Greece are the idyllic fishing village of Grikos in the south and the village of Kampos in the north with a beautiful sandy beach.
Sights
What to see if you are staying a few days on Patmos:
Monastery of Saint John the Theologian: This monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and built in 1088, is an important pilgrimage destination. Located on a hill in Chora, it dominates the skyline and features impressive Byzantine architecture, frescoes and a library with rare manuscripts. The monastery is surrounded by high walls and has the feel of a fortress.
Cave of the Apocalypse: This holy site is where John is said to have written the Book of Revelation. In the cave, visitors can see the spot where he supposedly had his visions, marked by a crack in the rock. The cave is a major stopover for pilgrims and offers a mystical atmosphere.
Chora, the mountain village: The island’s capital is a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses and charming squares. Chora’s traditional architecture, shops and tavernas give it a picturesque character, while the monastery overlooking the town adds to its historic appeal.
Skala: Skala, the port town of Patmos, is the main draw for visitors, offering a range of accommodation, restaurants and shopping. It is also a starting point for boat trips to nearby beaches and bays. The town has some historic buildings, including the church of Agia Paraskevi and the ruins of a Venetian castle.
Grikos Bay: This picturesque bay is considered one of the most beautiful spots on the island, with calm waters and a sandy beach. The bay is framed by the rocky Kalikatsou peninsula, popular with hikers and offering stunning views of the sea.
Kalikatsou Rocks: A striking rock formation near Grikos Bay, Kalikatsou is famous for its ancient carvings and natural beauty. It is a popular spot for hiking, meditating and enjoying the panoramic views of the bay.
Lambi Beach: Known for its colorful pebbles, Lambi Beach is a unique place to visit. The waters are crystal clear, making it a great place for swimming and snorkeling. It is more secluded than other beaches and offers a peaceful environment.
Psili Ammos Beach: One of the most beautiful beaches in Patmos is Psili Ammos, a secluded sandy beach that can be reached by boat or on foot. The beach is surrounded by dunes and has crystal clear waters, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
Simandris House: A historic mansion in Chora, Simandris House is one of the oldest mansions on the island and offers a glimpse into the island’s past with its traditional architecture and contemporary furnishings.
Patmos Beaches (Video)
Map of the island of Patmos
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Patmos is often visited by ferries travelling from Athens to Kos and Rhodes. The island of Lipsi is a larger neighbouring island, and Arki and Marathos also have some inhabitants. |
Ferries Patmos
There are frequent ferry connections from Patmos to Piraeus (the port of Athens), Leros, Kalymnos, Kos and Rhodes. Smaller ferries go to Samos.
In summer there are 1-2 connections to Samos daily, and at least as many to Kos. There is also a ferry to the large island Rhodes almost every day. About four ships a week go to Athens, usually departing in the middle of the night. There are on average about two ferry connections a day to Leros, and almost as many to the island of Kalymnos.
Patmos does not have an airport or airfield. All locals and tourists come to the island of Patmos by boat. There is a helicopter landing pad for medical emergencies and very wealthy tourists. You can fly to one of the nearby islands and then take the ferry to Patmos. For example, the island of Kos or the island of Rhodes with direct flights from Germany are ideal. The islands of Leros and Kalymnos also have airports, but usually only domestic flights with smaller aircraft. However, you must make sure that a ferry is running on the day or at the time you want. Quite a few guests from abroad take a flight to Kos and from there take a boat to the island of Patmos.
Beaches
Patmos has many beautiful bays and beaches, some pebble beaches and some sandy beaches. There are no good beaches in the main town of Skala itself. However, there is a great beach in the bay of Meloi, about half an hour’s walk from Skala. There are other beautiful beaches a few kilometers further north at Kampos.
Tip: Book hotels & holiday apartments cheaper on Booking.com: Click here
Patmos bus timetable
A small timetable is posted at the central bus stop at the port of Patmos in Skala. Depending on the time of year, there are different numbers of buses on Patmos.
In summer there are twelve bus connections a day between Skala and Chora. The distance is only a few kilometers, the journey time is less than a quarter of an hour.
Furthermore, around seven buses travel south from Patmos to Grikos every day. In summer, according to our information, the first bus leaves at 9:15 a.m. and the last at 9:30 p.m.
There are also buses from Skala to the northern half of the island, but only as far as Kambos. In the season, there are four buses on this route every day.
In winter, there are very few bus connections on Patmos. The locals rarely take the bus, they have cars or small motorbikes. Of course, you can also rent a vehicle on Patmos.
Snakes Patmos: The poisonous snake Asia Minor mountain viper lives on Patmos. After a bite, you should go to a hospital immediately, even if you rarely die from a mountain viper bite. Snake bites are quite rare. There are also non-poisonous snakes on Patmos.
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