Sightseeing in Patmos Island - what to see. Complete travel guide

Patmos is one of the smallest and most attractive islands of Greece. It features amazing religious sites, rocky desert landscapes, as well as incredibly beautiful beaches. Patmos is one of the most secluded and tranquil islands of Greece, so many travelers visit it only during sightseeing tours. Vacations on this beautiful island will give a lot of impressions for those who like to spend time away from the noisy city and can’t imagine good rest without beach activities.

The most visited attraction well-known far beyond the island's is the Cave of the Apocalypse . It’s considered that St. John the Divine has written his Revelation there. Currently, the cave is home to two ancient churches, one of which was named after St. Anne. That’s the religious site of great importance, so thousands of tourists come from all over the world to see it. The cave resembles a real religious museum with a huge amount of priceless artifacts.

Close to the legendary cave the Monastery of St. John the Divine is situated. According to historical data, it was founded in 1088. Almost a thousand years the monastery has being active, currently there are about forty monks serving in it. There are also countless religious artifacts, including ancient manuscripts of Sakkelion, the famous monk from Athens. The monastery has an extensive library, including more than 3,000 books and about 1,500 manuscripts. Many books in the library are unique. Interesting excursions are arranged in the library every day. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The port town of Skala can boast The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi that is open to the public. All visitors can stroll through its territory and get acquainted with the way of life of nuns. In the immediate vicinity of the city there is another monastery, Evangelismos, that is of great interest from architectural point of view. The Monastery of Profitis Ilias can be found on the highest mountain of the island; after the tour visitors will have a great opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views of the island. In good weather, not only remote areas of the island, but also the nearby island of Leros, as well as the coast of Turkey are visible from the monastery.

It would be interesting to visit the hill Castelli, where scientists have discovered the ruins of the ancient city. According to one version, the first capital of the island, Chora, has towered on a hill many hundreds of years ago. The ruins of some buildings, including part of the fortification wall and three towers, as well as the Temple of Apollo have survived to the present day.

The port town of Skala is the largest settlement on the island; the town is ideal for hiking. On every street you can see amazing buildings in traditional style; some old houses today serve as amazing shops and taverns. The house of Emmanuel Xanthos is considered the regional point of interest. Its owner was one of the outstanding public figures, the founder of the secret society Filiki Etheria. Despite the fact that the island of Patmos doesn’t differ with various natural landscapes, a selection of interesting places for walking is very large. Nature lovers will be impressed by desert landscapes and beautiful rock formations, as well as an abundance of high hills providing amazing view of the island.

Patmos Island is a fantastic area for everyone who likes beachside recreation. Grigos is considered the most famous resort destination on the island. It is located near the bay that has the same name. Guests of the settlement are welcome to relax on a picturesque sandy beach that is very shallow and calm, so travelers with children can hardly find a better place to relax. Taking into consideration popularity of the resort, the beach is always quite crowded. Tourists, who seek a calmer atmosphere, will not be disappointed with the nearby Kalikatsou beach. The beach near Diakofti Village is also perfectly suitable for peaceful sunbathing.

Charming taverns have become a true landmark of the island. These taverns are run by locals. Each of these venues offers national food cooked in accordance with traditional family recipes. Some taverns of Patmos are famous far beyond the borders of the city. Panagos is a great example of such tavern. Located not far from Kampos Beach, the tavern is open all year round. It is open in a beautiful historical building and famous not only for its signature dishes but also for a rich collection of old photographs.