Patmos Things to Do

Spreading around the Monastery of Saint John, Chora has deservedly been declared a World Heritage Monument for being one of the best-preserved old settlements in the Aegean and one of the few in the entire country to have evolved uninterruptedly since the 12th century. Even the way to Chora is bound to leave you spellbound: whether you choose the coastal road or the inland winding path, which is lined with lush pine and eucalyptus trees, the postcard views of Chora against the deep blue of the Aegean sky will surely make you pause and gaze at it in awe.

Around its narrow alleys, you will see picturesque whitewashed houses and well-preserved mansions, quaint chapels, romantic archways and mesmerizing bougainvilleas springing out of small courtyards. Here, you will also find some of the island’s most worth-visiting sights, such as the Ecclesiastical Museum, the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi and the Patmian School. For a journey through the island’s past, you can visit the restored Simantiri Mansion, which now functions as the Folklore Museum of Patmos. The three graceful windmills on top of the hill, which have been fully restored and are once more operational, housing an agricultural museum, add their own unique charm to Patmos Town. Thus, losing yourself in the labyrinthine streets of Chora is one of the very best things to do in Patmos, especially at dusk, when a blissful serenity settles over the island. Then, the rooftops, cafes and traditional taverns that lie scattered around the streets of Chora are the perfect place for you to soak up the mindblowing views and the otherworldly atmosphere.

Explore Chora

Nestled on top of a hill, the fortified castle-like Monastery of Saint John dominates the island of Patmos. Along with the adjacent Cave of the Apocalypse, where Saint John is believed to have written the Book of the Revelation, it is an enduring embodiment of Patmos’ mystical aura. In fact, both the Monastery and the Cave have been declared a World Heritage Site on account of their great spiritual significance. Thus, one of the best things to do during your stay in Patmos is to climb all the way to the top of the hill and marvel at the formidable monastery walls or the ornately carved altarpieces, the old frescoes and the rare icons and relics you will find inside the monastery and its chapels.

Along the way, don’t miss visiting the Cave of the Apocalypse, one of the most sacred sites of Christianity, where you can actually see the niches on which Saint John used to rest and the lectern on which the Revelation was written; pilgrims can even touch the fissures on the wall, through which God spoke to John the Evangelist according to the Christian tradition. The Cave has been converted into a small chapel and makes for a profoundly reverential experience. Regardless of religious beliefs, a visit to the Monastery and the Cave is a must for the unique historical insight they provide into the early Christian world. Besides, the stunning views of the entire island and the sky-blue waters of the Aegean Sea are enough to make the ascent to the top of the hill one of the most rewarding experiences in Patmos.

More about the monastery

Though the sights of Patmos definitely deserve to be on your to-do list, it is probably the beaches that brought you to this corner of the Aegean in the first place. Around the island’s magnificent coastline, you will find amazing swimming spots, whose serenity matches that of the rest of the island. If you’re looking forward to enjoying the sun and the sea away from crowded, touristy resorts, exploring the intricate coastline of Patmos is hands-down one of the best things to do. Here are some of the best choices you will find on the island:

• Best reached by boat, Psili Ammos is often considered the most emblematic beach in Patmos, as the golden sand, the inviting turquoise waters and the rocky hills surrounding the shore create an absolutely idyllic setting. A family-run tavern also allows visitors to fuel up with refreshing drinks and delicious homemade dishes.
• To combine tranquility with the comforts of an organized beach, you can head for the lovely Agriolivado, which is easily accessible from Skala Port and gets quite popular in the summer.
• Thanks to its remarkable volcanic rock formation, which is a sight in itself, Petra Beach is a must. Known as the Rock of Kalikatsou, this formation is a natural wonder that used to be a sanctuary in ancient times and a hermitage in the Middle Ages.

Discover the beaches

Looking for a place to stay in Patmos? The island offers several great options! These are our favorite hotels and accommodations on the island:
• For ultimate luxury and relaxation, you can opt for the upscale Aktis Resort, which combines comfort with unparalleled views of Grikos Beach. What is more, the establishment boasts a lovely outdoor swimming pool, classy restaurants and a state-of-the-art spa center with a variety of body treatments.
• Staying in a traditional residence is one of the best things to do for a more authentic experience of Patmos. A great choice in this respect is Latmos 1860, a 19th-century mansion converted into a hotel. Striking the perfect balance between the traditional and the modern, it is conveniently located in the heart of Skala and makes the ideal starting point for your exploration of Patmos.
• The scenic Chora provides the perfect backdrop for your stay on the island. Among the best accommodations you will find near the island’s historical center is Villa Alexandra, a tastefully decorated villa overlooking Chora and the imposing Monastery of Saint John.

The best hotels in Patmos

Besides its rich spiritual tradition, Patmos boasts a unique culinary tradition that will make you feel on cloud nine! On the basis of pure, high-quality products like greens and vegetables, cheeses, goat meat and exquisite honey, the locals have created mouthwatering recipes that render an exploration of the local cuisine one of the very best things to do. The island’s traditional taverns and restaurants serve a variety of meat dishes, as well as fresh fish and seafood cooked in imaginative ways, such as octopus stew or squid stuffed with rice, raisins and pine nuts. Look out for katsikaki kapama, a goat-meat stew slow-cooked in a covered pot, as well as a rabbit dish stuffed with various kinds of meat. Also, don’t miss the local cheese pies, which are absolutely unique in that the ingredients used (a variety of soft and hard cheeses, cinnamon and sugar) result in a fortunate combination of sweet and salty tones.

Some of the best places to enjoy a delightful meal include Benetos restaurant, which is nestled in a stunning location in Sapsila village, Ktima Petra in Grikos, where you can savor recipes made with home-grown products and cooked in a wood-oven, as well as the Katoi cafe in Chora, which serves not only delicious sweets but also excellent local mezes.

More places to eat

Built around a lovely natural port at the foothills of Kastelli Hill, Skala boasts breathtaking views of Chora and the Monastery of Saint John and constitutes the island’s commercial and economic center. Its maze of narrow alleys, with beautiful buildings that gracefully mix local and Italian architectural elements, is a great place for a leisurely stroll, while the vibrant seafront, with its shops, taverns and lounge bars is the place to go to for a pleasant night out when everything else on the island goes quiet.

Explore Skala

One of the best things to do before you leave Patmos is to take a boat to some of the nearby heavenly islets, such as Agathonisi, Arki and Marathi. Located within just a few miles from Patmos, these hidden gems never fail to captivate visitors with their blissful serenity and dreamy landscapes. Having so far remained off the tourist radar, they boast some of the finest secluded swimming spots in the Dodecanese, charming hiking trails, and little taverns serving delectable local recipes. Offering little to do besides swimming and sunbathing, they are the perfect places for you to unwind without feeling compelled to exert yourself and visit the sights.

Patmos is a true heaven for hiking enthusiasts, especially since the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture has established a network of cultural paths to help visitors immerse themselves in the island’s history and folklore. Connecting the Patmian settlements with the various chapels and monasteries, these trails pass through locations with sublime views and are one of the best ways to explore the natural beauties of the island. One of the most scenic routes leads from Skala to Chora and the traditional windmills, while another fascinating trail allows hikers to visit the ruins of the ancient acropolis of Kastelli Hill, above the port of Skala. For unparalleled views of the flaming sunset, the best thing to do is to head for the hermitage of Profitis Ilias on the highest point of the island.

More about trekking

Among all the lovely beaches of Patmos, Lambi deserves a special mention. Located on the island’s northeastern coast, it is renowned for its rare colorful pebbles that sparkle under the sunlight. Swimming in the shimmering azure waters of Lambi can be ideally combined with a hearty meal in the nearby tavern, where you can taste hearty stews, fish and delicious appetizers against the enchanting backdrop of the sea.

Discover Lambi Beach

Comprising the wider area of Arkyi, Marathi, Petrokaravo and at least another 10 islets, the area around Patmos holds a wealth of surprises: Posidonia meadows, coral reefs teaming with colorful fish, sea turtles, endangered seals and no less than four different dolphin species! And the good news is you don’t have to be an experienced diver to discover this extraordinary marine wealth. Around Patmos, you will find a handful of specialized scuba diving centers that offer a wide variety of programs addressed to people of all ages and levels. Boat tours are also organized, affording families and groups of friends moments of endless fun.

See the local diving clubs

One of the best things to do for a truly authentic glimpse into the cultural heritage of Patmos is to attend one of the vibrant feasts that invariably accompany all the major religious festivals. Accompanied by traditional drinking and dancing, as well as copious quantities of wine and local delicacies, these feasts provide a truly immersive experience of Greek culture. Moreover, Patmos hosts two annual festivals of great significance, the Aegean Film Festival and the Sacred Music Festival, which are worth attending if you happen to be on the island at the time.

Find out more about the island's festivals

But that's not all! There are a lot more things to do, like hopping on a water taxi for a unique transportation experience on the azure waters of the Aegean!
We invite you to explore even more options that the island has to offer: