Patmos - the island of Greece, impregnated with a religious spirit

Patmos island is small and cozy. It takes half an hour to drive a car from one end to the other. Patmos is perhaps the most religious center of Hellas. He even came up with a very poetic metaphor - "Jerusalem of the Aegean." The main attraction, because of which tourists come here for the most part, is the cave where the great work "Apocalypse" (the same one from the Bible) was recorded. We will tell more about the cave below.

If you have long dreamed of not just wallowing in the sand by the sea, enjoying a cocktail, but finding a hidden corner, then Patmos is ideal for you. Here you will find secluded relaxation away from the noise of megacities and the futile daily rush.

Patmos is washed by the Aegean Sea. All coastal towns and villages are very comfortable and cause a desire to stay in them longer. A quiet provincial life flows on their narrow alleys. In total, a little more than three thousand people live here.

The island consists of three parts that are connected to each other by thin isthmuses a couple of kilometers wide. Patmos belongs to the Dodecanese Islands. Here you will not find gorgeous vegetation - the island consists of rocks and there is practically no forest on it - but here you can find something more: peace and tranquility.

How to get there

Patmos, Greece, a fairly secluded island. To get there, you need to make an effort. Perhaps that is why beach vacations there are not developed as they are on the popular Greek islands. There is no airport in Patmos, so there is only one way - by water. You can fly to Athens, and from there take a ferry to Patmos. It should be borne in mind that there may not be enough places on the ferry, therefore it is better to book a ticket in advance.

Patmos can also be reached from neighboring islands. For example, from the island of Kos. Catamarans depart daily from there, and the journey takes a couple of hours. Transport runs from the island of Samos. There is a Flying Dolphin boat, which will take you to your destination. The journey takes about an hour.

In addition, Patmos can be reached from the island of Rhodes. True, Rhodes is further away. Nakatamaran will have to sail for four hours. He walks daily except Monday. True, if you have seasickness, such a long journey can unsettle you. But if you set out to visit this pearl of Christianity, the trials of the road will not lead you astray!
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What to see on the island?

Deserted, uninhabited, covered with thorns, impregnable, sometimes waterless and dry. This is how the island is seen by most newcomers. However, since 2006 Patmos (Greece) has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. He is known for serving John the Evangelist here. This is the only apostle who died his death, and it was he who wrote on Patmos his best creation - “Apocalypse”, or “Revelation”.

This is a real treasure of the island. Here, according to legend, the apostle John the Theologian wrote the book "Apocalypse" (the title of the last book of the New Testament). If anyone does not know - it is about what awaits people at the end of the world. The cave is located between Skala harbor and the city of Patmos. It is also called the Holy Grotto. In general, it is not very similar to a cave, more like a church in a rock. Admission is 2 euros.

According to legend, St. John found his shelter here when he was expelled at the direction of the Roman emperor Domitian. Tourists in the cave are met by a monk and tells everyone who wishes stories from the Apocalypse and fragments from the life of the Theologian. You can see the stones on which, according to legend, the saint slept (he laid his head on them, as on a pillow). The places here are beautiful, and some come up with an amazing thought: how such a gloomy story could be written in such a wonderful place.

An opportunity to plunge into the early Middle Ages. The monastery of the XI century, stands higher in the mountains than a cave, and resembles a fortress. Many who traveled to Patmos have a photo of this building. The views here are simply breathtaking! Externally - a typical monastery of Greece, which can be seen from any part of the island. The monastery is located high above Hora, the capital of the island. People are attracted by his magical murals, fortified tall thick walls, towers and ramparts.

Here is a nice well where you can draw holy water. Interesting museum. Moody monks who, however, sell delicious wine of their own production. Tourists note that nature and the air itself seem to give peace. In general, a real shrine. Getting to the monastery is easy: you can even walk from the capital. The journey will take about forty minutes, but be prepared that the road is uphill. There is a bus to the destination.

The capital of Patmos. Typically, graying occurs around large enterprises. Here, it all started with the construction of the above-mentioned majestic monastery of St. John the Evangelist. In the XVI and XVII centuries, the city flourished, most of the picturesque mansions in the city center belong to this time.

The snow-white buildings are completely flat roof. This is not a coincidence or the invention of a mad architect: it is done to save rainwater. Around are narrow alleys and white chapels. Antique doors, chic ceramic vases with plants, a real pleasure to just walk along the streets.

Upstairs offers stunning views. The impression of a fabulous toy town. The Choir has many shops and taverns, and the price tags, unlike the popular islands of Greece or the mainland, are rather low.

I immediately recall Don Quixote, just such mills you imagine when you read a book: tidy, comfortable, in general - real. It is surprising that windmills on Patmos are gray, although on the other islands of Greece they are all white-stone. Among Patmos guests they are considered a real chip, thanks to them the island received a prestigious tourist award.

Two mills are very ancient, they are more than five hundred years old. The third was built much later. Today it is a whole windmill complex museum, where many people come.

There are mills not far from the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, so if you are going to get to the monastery from Chora on foot, be sure to go here. One of the mills is open, tourists are allowed upstairs, and a truly amazing view opens up from the inside.

Island beaches

Patmos Island, Greece, is much more famous for its Christian attractions than beaches. But the pleasant climate and the gentle sea allow you to splash on the beach almost until October. Patmos has three main beaches.

Located 10 km from Chora. This is one of the best beaches of Patmos. He hides in the bay from the wind. Amazes with the beauty of its natural landscape. Beautiful warm and clear water, excellent entry into the water, fine sand. You can sit on your own towels so as not to rent sunbeds. It is a pleasure to lie in the sand, under the canopy of trees.

There is a small cafe, not pathos, the usual coastal eatery. Tables, wooden chairs, people are sitting right in bathing suits.

Also sheltered from the winds by the bay. The beach is sandy, the sea is transparent, the entry into the water is wonderful. Just the perfect place for children, even very tiny ones. There are taverns where you can have a bite to eat with local dishes and fresh seafood.

Boats go to Agios Theologos from the port, but can also be reached by car or motorcycle. Peace and quiet. Lounger costs 4 euros.

Of the nuances - the sun hides behind the mountains early, so if you want to sunbathe, it is better to come in the morning.

The beach, hidden from the main tourist routes of Patmos, is a very nice and secluded place. The sea is beautiful and clean. At the end of the beach there is a pretty Greek tavern. Gourmet cuisine is not there, but you can have lunch or a cocktail there. Tourists Agrio Livadi has not yet been chosen, it is rather a quiet meeting place for local residents, where they come to relax at the end of the day.

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A small summary

You will certainly be captivated by endless capes with amazing views and magnificent grottoes. Unlike the green neighbor of Rhodes, Patmos looks deserted. If there are trees here, then for the most part conifers. But! It breathes easily. There is no surplus of cars. Around the untouched spaces of the wilderness, the air is permeated with the aroma of coniferous trees.

The beach infrastructure is tight, but the beaches are all sandy. The island of Patmos in Greece (photos confirm this) is saturated with religious spirit, white-stone churches and bell towers are here at every step. Instead of drunken depraved tourists here are mostly pilgrims who came here purposefully.

To save money, you can rent a quad or motorcycle. Taxis are prohibitively expensive. The most athletic ones are recommended to walk on your own, because all the most interesting can be seen in the mountains. The local population on Patmos is special: people are polite, listen carefully and do not try to sell anything.

For the dark, windy weather is characteristic. The best time to visit is from July to September, the air temperature during the day is comfortable, about 25 degrees. The views are amazing, nature beckons. It is hard to believe that they referred here, that a living apostle went here, and that it was on Patmos in Greece that the terrifying book of Revelation was written. After all, the Island of Patmos breathes grace and charges with optimism for the whole year ahead.

Sights and beaches of the Greek island of Patmos are marked on the map in Russian.

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