Area 373 km², distance from Pireas Port is 89 nautical miles, distance from Rafina Port is 36 nautical miles.

Andros, the most northerly island in the Cyclades and the second - largest in the group, is also among the most beautiful.

Successive ranges of mountains with steep sides,separated by gorges, riverbeds and three large valleys planted with olive trees, figs, oranges, lemons and vines through which run numerous streams go to make this a landscape which often goes beyond what we think of as typically 'Cycladic'.

The mountains end as rocky cliffs or steep promontories, while at the mouths of the valleys are sandy beaches.

In the south - east is Andros Town or Hora, the capital of the island and its second most important harbour.

This is the most attractive town, with neo-classical mansions side- by -side with Cycladic houses, steep and narrow alleys lined with arcades, fine churches and two pretty squares in the centre of a town which will make a lasting impression. Among the most important monuments of Hora are the castle, now ruined, and the church of Our Lady 'Palatiani' within its walls.

On the cultural side, there is an Archaeological Museum with finds from the Geometric, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, a Museum of Modern Art with works by the sculptor Michalis Tombros, and a Nautical Museum with a rich collection of ship models, photographs and ship's instruments.

Andros is home to many of Greece's seamen, and interesting cultural events take place there all the year round. Gavrio is the island's principal harbour, on the west side of Andros. Among the interesting features in the vicinity is the Tower of Agios Petros.

Andros has numerous interesting things to see: the church of the Archangel at Messaria, the monasteries of Zoodohos Pigi at Batsi, of St. Nicolas at Apikia ( which is also the site of the Sariza mineral spring ), of Our Lady 'Panahrantou' at Falika, and the Apano Kastro or 'Tis grias to Kastro' ( Upper Castle ) to the north of the village of Kohilos.

Special mention should be made of the ruins of an ancient city which survived at Paleopoli. At Zagora, to the south of Paleopoli, one of the most important Geometric temples to have been discovered anywhere in Greece has come to light.

There are good swimming beaches at Nimborio, Paraporti, Korthi bay near Batsi, Gavrio,Vitaly and elsewhere. Andros has good tourist amenities and can easily deal with the steadily increasing numbers of visitors who choose it for its natural beauties, its attractive villages, its historical monuments, its superb beaches and its medicinal springs.

On your right hand image you can see the Venetian Castle built on the 13th century by Marino Dandolo, located on a small island which is connected to the rest of the island by a stone bridge.

Many good restaurants are found in the island of Andros. Most of them offer local cuisine dishes.Andros island restaurants will offer you good quality food, since the island is rich in vegetable and meat production. You should definitely taste the kitchen of Andros. The local sausages with which they make the omelet "fruitalia", the "xerotyri" (dry cheese), the "soumana". You will love the kaltsounia and the cakes with almonds. If you plan to be there during Easter time, try the famous Lambriati, which is the lamb of Easter (or goat) stuffed with its entrails, eggs, cheese, rice and peppermint.

Many good restaurants are found in the island of Andros. Most of them offer local cuisine dishes.Andros island restaurants will offer you good quality food, since the island is rich in vegetable and meat production. You should definitely taste the kitchen of Andros. The local sausages with which they make the omelet "fruitalia", the "xerotyri" (dry cheese), the "soumana". You will love the kaltsounia and the cakes with almonds. If you plan to be there during Easter time, try the famous Lambriati, which is the lamb of Easter (or goat) stuffed with its entrails, eggs, cheese, rice and peppermint.

THINGS TO BUY: Cheese pies ( 'kaltsounia' ) Almond confectionery ( 'amygdalota' ) Local production meat and vegetables. Fresh fish. LOCAL FESTIVITIES: Traditional festivals at Fellos (26th of July) Ayia Paraskevi and Varsamia on the 6th of August. Traditional festival of Ayios Fanourios on the 27th of August at Korthi. Traditional festival of Ayios Panteleimon on the 27th of July at Korthi.

HOW TO GET TO ANDROS

• By ferryboat from Rafina only, throughout the year, to Gavrion (37 naut. Miles), in 2 hours.
  Frequent itineraries at summer. Inform.: Rafina Port Authority (22940) 22300.
  To Rafina you can go by bus from Athens.
  Frequent itineraries. Inform.: Buses of KTEL (EOEE) Athens 210 8210872.
• By ferryboat Andros is linked with Thessaliniki (200 n.m.),
  in 6 hours 45/. Inform.: Thessaloniki Port Authority (2310) 531504 - 5.
• By Flying Dolphin and Catamaran from Rafina, in 55 minutes.
  Inform.: Piraeus agency 010 4283810, 4524861.
• They all go to Gavrio Port. The fast boats, however, also go to Batsi and Andros Town (Hora).

INTERLINKS

By ferryboat from Rafina, is linked all the year with the Little Eastern Kyklades (Herakleia, Koufonnissia, Schinoussa), Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Syros and Tinos.

In summertime Andros is linked with Amorgos.

By ferryboat from Thessaloniki, Andros is linked all the year with Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Tinos, Thessaloniki, Herakleion Kreta (line Thessaloniki - Sporades - Kyklades - Herakleion).

Only in summer is linked with Skyros. Inform.: Gavrion Port Authority (22820) 71213.

By flying dolphin is linked with Ios, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Syros, Tinos, Euboia. Inform.: Piraeus agency 210 4283810, Batsi agency (2282) 41252, Andros agency (22820) 71110.