What to see in Patmos?
The charm of Patmos comes from its beautiful Chora, jagged coasts, clear sea, and the religious atmosphere that characterizes it. It is said that there are 365 chapels on the island, one for each day of the year. Since it is not very large, Patmos is also suitable for pleasant walks to the beaches or the panoramic spots inland. Here are some things worth seeing or doing on the island.
Skala
Picturesque village with white houses, colorful windows, flowers, and narrow alleys. The atmosphere becomes lively in the evening, especially at the port, which attracts many boats, including cruise ships. In the 16th century, it was one of the main ports of the Mediterranean Sea. Now, it is a shopping and entertainment area for tourists while still maintaining that typical Greek island atmosphere.
Chora
A beautiful white village with many villas and stately homes alternating in a labyrinth with normal houses and Byzantine churches, all dominated by the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos. The village, the monastery, and the Cave of the Apocalypse have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here in Chora, religious services are still conducted exactly as in the early days of Christianity, and it is a destination for many pilgrimages. The path that pilgrims take to reach Chora from the port is one of the few tree-lined places on the island. There is also a Folklore Museum in Chora. Due to its panoramic position, the sunsets are not to be missed.
Monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos
A grand, beautiful, fortified, medieval, and very panoramic monastery (on clear days, you can see Turkey from the roofs). Inside, it is a succession of white courtyards, arches, and small squares. It is one of the most sacred places in the Christian world. It contains a rich treasure that has never been plundered, a beautiful refectory, and a famous and rich library with part of a 6th-century Gospel of St. Mark written in gold and silver letters on purple parchment.
Casa Simantiri
An interesting house-museum from 1625. It was the home of a wealthy merchant and still preserves original furniture and objects.
Grotta dell'Apocalisse
Located halfway between the port and Chora, it is the "Holy Cave" where St. John the Evangelist, according to tradition, dictated the Apocalypse to his disciple from the revelations that God made to him, speaking to him from some cracks in the rock. Inside the cave, the places where St. John knelt, meditated, or slept are highlighted. A monastery was built around the cave in the 17th century.
Scoglio di Cinopo
Located at the southern end of the island, this rock, according to legend, represents a local sorcerer who was turned to stone by St. John as punishment for trying to prevent him from baptizing.
Monastery of the Annunciation
A nunnery located behind Chora in a fertile area of the island, rich in vineyards and orchards overlooking the sea.
Eremo Profitis Elias
Located at the top of the island, it can be reached with a nice uphill walk or more easily by the steep and narrow paved road. The place is very panoramic towards the southern part of the island. The sunset is beautiful.
Grikos
A fishing village located in a picturesque and beautiful bay. Nearby is the "Kalikaτsou," a large rock that was inhabited in the past by hermits and where you can still see the excavation works done directly in the stone (stairs, cistern, water channels, ...).
Boat trips
Pleasant daily boat trips to nearby islands, particularly Marathi, Arki, and Lipsi.
Walks
The island is suitable for walks, sometimes on steep paths (numbered), among Mediterranean scrub and holm oaks. The places are often very panoramic and suggestive.
Maundy Thursday: Niptiras Ceremony
On Maundy Thursday, during Easter, the Last Supper and the washing of the feet are represented in the square of Chora with a very special ritual.
Ferragosto
Every year on August 15, a festival is organized in Chora in honor of the Madonna with religious ceremonies, dances, and typical island food.
