Astypalaia, the butterfly of the Aegean Sea
Date: 08/07/2025
Duration: 8 days
Indicative Price: 985€/person
home Trips Astypalaia, the butterfly of the Aegean Sea
Description

The butterfly-shaped Astypalaia, one of the most beautiful islands of the Dodecanese, will delight us with its impressive Chora, its magical beaches, and its absolute gastronomic wealth.

Departure/Return
Departure: 08/07/2025
Return: 15/07/2025
Details:

06:00 Meeting time at Macedonia airport

07:00 Our flight with SKY via Athens

11:00 Arrival in Astypalaia

 

Necessary documents for the flight:

ID or PASSPORT (whatever you have stated in the reservation)

Baggage:

1 large 20 kg suitcase (checked in)
1 handbag/backpack 8 kg
1 personal item

 

Return:

11:40 Our flight with SKY

17:55 Arrival in Thessaloniki

Trip Schedule
Day 1

11:40 Arrival on the island & transfer to the hotel, settling in the rooms and swimming in Maltezana.
18:00 Departure for an afternoon tour of Chora.

 

  • Maltezana is the second largest settlement on the island. Its name probably comes from the Maltese pirates who used the bay as a hideout and base of operations for their raids in the Aegean. Built at the end of a fertile valley, it is also called Analipsi from the church of the same name. It is about 9 km from “Chora” and the road crosses “Steno”, the narrowest strip of land on the island. Maltezana is a picturesque fishing village with its main characteristic being the small harbour with fishing boats, spread nets and picturesque tavernas on the beach.

 

  • Chora is the capital of the island. With its white houses, blue windows, blooming bougainvillea, churches, courtyards with basil trees, all bathed in the Aegean light. An essential point of visit is the Panagia Portaitissa under the Sarai tower of the castle, with its ornate bell tower and ecclesiastical museum. The highlight, though, is the entrance to the castle. Built in the 15th century by the Querini family, it dominates imposingly and promises a magnificent view from its ramparts.

 

Tour stops: Windmills, Church complexes, Great Virgin Mary, Panagia Portaitissa, Infant Cemetery

Day 2

Getting to know the inland

  • 08:00-09:30 Breakfast.
  • 10:00 Departure by bus to Panagia Poulariani. On the way, we enjoy the endless blue that unfolds on the south side of the island.
  • 11:00 We start hiking along one of the most beautiful paths of the island. Passing the Vlychadia area, we see the Castle and the scattered islands south of Astypalaia from afar.
  • 12:00 After about 2 km of hiking, we reach the beautiful beach of Ammoudi. Those who wish, can swim across to the islet of Saint Fokas with the homonymous chapel. Swimming and snack on the beach.
  • 15:00 We take the boat back to Maltezana.
  • 18:30 Optional visit to a traditional stockyard for tasting local cheeses.
Day 3

Full day cruise to Kounoupas & Koutsomytis islands

The most beautiful beaches of Astypalaia are located on the islands of Koutsomytis and Kounoupas. These islets were the base and hiding place of the pirates during the period of their omnipotence in the Aegean Sea. In Kounoupas, a strip of land joins the two mountain ranges, and in Koutsomytis, the turquoise waters remind us of exotic places.

 

  • 08:00-10:00 Breakfast
  • 10:30 Briefing on the trip, safety on board, and meeting with our captain.
  • 11:15 We depart from Maltezana for our first stop at Kounoupa beach.
  • 12:30 After enjoying the turquoise waters, we continue through beautiful islets to reach the magical beach of Koutsomytis. Endless dives at the organized beach and lunch.
  • 15:30 Departure for the imposing Red Cliff.
  • 16:00 Stop for swimming and snorkeling. The scenery is imposing, the seabed rich in coral reefs and underwater caves.
  • 17:00 Departure for Maltezana.
Day 4

Hiking in the gorge of St. John and magical sunset at the homonymous chapel.

  • 08:00-10:00 Breakfast and free time.
  • 14:00 Meetup and departure for the chapel of St. John. On the way, we enjoy magical views of the Castle and the Livadi Dam.
  • 15:30 We arrive at the starting point of our hiking route (optional) towards the beach of St. John. Passing through verdant orchards, we come across a small river that ends in a 10-meter waterfall and two freshwater troughs. A necessary stop to cool off and we continue towards the beach.
  • 16:30 Refreshing dives at the beach.
  • 17:30 We start our way back to the chapel of St. John in order to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunsets on the island. Our route this time follows another path passing through a particularly beautiful small gorge.
  • 19:00 We are at the chapel and enjoy the sun sinking into the sea in front of us.

Those who wish not to join the hike, can go swimming at the organized beach of Livadi.

Day 5

Monastery of Panagia of Thomas – Xopetro – The Cave of the Dragon

  • 08:00-10:00 Breakfast.
  • 10:00 We depart for Vathi.
  • 10:45 We arrive to Vathi. Short coffee stop and after that, we hike for 45′ until we reach the Monastery of Panagia of Thomas.
  • 12:00 We start hiking towards the Cave of the Dragon. On our way, we pass by the famous “Xopetro” which inspired the poetry collection of Odysseus Elytis, “The Elegy of Exopetra.”
  • 13:00 After 1.5 km, we reach the large opening of the cave and descend to the interior, comprised of stalactites, stalagmites, and two lakes.
  • 14:00 We depart from the Cave for the archaeological site of Vathi.
  • 15:30 We arrive to Vathi, where we have lunch and after than, discover the Hellenistic Tower and the famous rock paintings. Many dives in the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
  • 18:00 Return to Maltezana.
Day 6

Getting to know the Outer Island

  • 08:00-10:00 Breakfast.
  • 10:00 Departure for Gyalos and the archaeological museum of the island. Afterwards, we have a briefing on the traditional products of the island and local beekeeping practices.
  • 11:30 We depart for Livadi and enjoy swimming at the island’s longest beach. Free time for lunch at seaside taverns overlooking the Castle.
  • 15:00 Return to the hotel.
  • 20:30 Optional evening out in Chora.
Day 7

 

08:30-10:00 Breakfast

Free day.

Day 8
  • 8:30 Breakfast.
  • 09:30 Tour of Maltezana. We will learn about the Maltese pirates and the famous naval battle, the Late Roman Baths of Talara, the mosaics, and the role of Maltese in the economic development of the country.
  • 10:40 Transfer to the airport and departure from the island.
  • 17:55 Arrival in Thessaloniki.
Hotels/Participation Cost
Hotel Name: Maltezana Beach Hotel
Participation Cost:

Double room: 985€/person

Single room: extra charge of 150€

Including
•Air tickets Thessaloniki - Astypalaia - Thessaloniki
•Bus transfers on the island
•7 Nights with breakfast
•Guided tours at points of interest (archaeological, cultural etc)
•One-day cruise to the islands of Koutsomytis and Kounoupas
•Tour operators of our travel agency
Excluding
•The meals
•Entrance in museums
Notes - Info
Equipment
  • Hiking shoes
  • Hiking poles
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Personal pharmacy
Reservations - Cancellations

The reservation is confirmed by depositing 360€ until 30/3. The remaining amount is paid in two instalments.

Cancellation 25 working days before the trip: 30% of the amount is refunded, excluding airfare.

Contact
Sightseeing
The picturesque Chora
The best beaches of the island
The Cave of the Dragon
The Castle
Panagia Portraitissa
The sunset at the chapel of St. John the Baptist
The islands of Koutsomytis and Kounoupas
Επικοινωνία
Sightseeing
The picturesque Chora
The best beaches of the island
The Cave of the Dragon
The Castle
Panagia Portraitissa
The sunset at the chapel of St. John the Baptist
The islands of Koutsomytis and Kounoupas
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Astypalaia, the butterfly of the Aegean Sea
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