ashenWe aren’t quite sure about the categorization of this article although it could potentially be your next stop. This particular phrase 25th Greek Island fired up the social media platforms in the past couple of months due to one particular reason that’s strangely got nothing to do with travel. However, in today’s post, we will introduce and talk about this unique location on earth, particularly the adventures that lay there.
The meme 25th island of Greece went surging across social media due to the sole fact that the island name which is Amorgos is quite identical to a recently trending MMO game, Among Us. This led to a lot of people trying to discover what it really was.
Amorgos: The 25th Greek Island
There are 6,000 islands in Greece, out of which 227 are inhabited and the 25th grew to be the most popular, at least online. Amorgos is Greece’s 25th most attractive island based on its size and this is where the video game steps in. The task of the game Among Us is to find the imposter among a crew of spacemen as they move about a rocket ship carrying out different tasks. It’s quite fun and definitely tactical to blend among the crew members and be the silent killer in the group.
There are a few ways to guess who the killer among us is. So each time a member dies, other members assemble to discuss who the imposter is and then vote them out. The game which became so widely popular during quarantine sessions was the reason for the sudden surge of interest in the Greek island of Amorgos. And just like the sensation of the game, Amorgos translates into suspiciousness or doubt.
Amorgos Facts
- Amorgos is the farthest East of the Cyclades islands in the eastern Aegean Sea.
- Given its geographical location, Amorgos became one of the first places that the Ionians used to pass through to the Cycladic Islands and onto the Greek mainland.
- It is 127 square kilometers in size with just over 350people.
- The island grew its popularity initially when it was featured in a film called The Big Blue by Luc Besson in 1988 and in Ariadni by Giorgos Kordelas in 2002.
- Chora is one of the most significant Island capitals in Greece and the two ports on Amorgos are located at opposite ends of Chora. They are called Aegiali and Katapola.
- For anyone interested in ancient Greek architecture, Lagada, Tholaria and Potamos Villages offer a lot of traditional Cycladic styles.
- The dialect spoken here is much more ancient and is not found in the other parts of Greece since it’s not part of the traditional Greek language.
- Just like most islands, the Amorgos inhabitants also thrive using tourism and agriculture.
- The Naxians, who became the Doris, were the first settlers here. According to ancient mythology, King Minos of Crete ruled a second kingdom on Amorgos island.
- The Monastery of Hozoviotissa is the centerpiece amongst the tourist attractions of Amorgos.
Location of the 25th Greek Island and How to Get There
The geographical location of this tiny island is quite interesting. Most travelers are familiar with Santorini, another one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. Not so many islands are famous for dazzling panoramas, romantic sunsets and volcanic-sand beaches. Santorini is 44.2 miles from Amorgos. So make sure to include it in your itinerary. Located near Naxos and Ios, on the southern side of the Cyclades archipelago is Amorgos. A 2.5 kilometers wide waterway separates Amorgos from Naxos. Delos and Rhenia, both well-known nearby islands, surround the tiny Amorgos. So how do we get there?
You can access Amorgos only using ferries. There is no airport on this island. The closest international airport is situated on Santorini island. During some days of the week, there are direct ferries from Santorini to Amorgos. There is a regular ferry connection between Piraeus port in Athens and Amorgos and the trip takes around 6-8 hours. So even if you choose to fly, you will eventually have to use a ferry to get to Amorgos. You can choose to fly to Santorini and take the ferry for about a couple of hours to Amorgos.
Things to Do in Amorgos
Monastery of Hozoviotissa
We already mentioned that this is the most popular tourist destination in Amorgos. An 11th-century structure built by Alexius Comnenus I. It is said to be created in the name of Virgin Mary, who is also believed to be the saint protector of the island. At a distance, this monastery appears to be embedded onto the sheer rock face. Its curious structure brought out by the height and narrowness paired with the white color emits a sense of blend of nature and the magnificence of man’s creation. Since this is more of a holy place than a tourist attraction site, a dress code has to be followed by men and women.
Men should wear trousers and women long skirts. Inside is the 1,000-year-old church that contains Byzantine icons of the Virgin Mary. There are also other treasures and icons such as Panagia Portaitissa and the Gennadio’s Prayer. In fact, this Aegean monastery is a paradise for those who have a liking towards ancient architecture. But the pinnacle here is the unmatched stunning view from the top-most balcony. With the beach below and the endless Aegean sea stretching to the beyond, this view is sure to be imprinted in your memory.
Amorgos Venetian Castle
This Venetian Castle of Amorgos Greece, Cyclades was built in 1290 by Ieremias Gizis as a protective measure for Amorgos. It is situated in the village of Hora, separated out from the rest on a rock that is 210 feet high. It definitely resembles a protector of the island.
Agia Anna Beach
Agia Anna has a reputation as one of the best places to go swimming in the Cyclades because of its crystal blue waters and the different rocks to dive from. You can also visit the small chapel of Agia Anna which is built on a rock by the sea.
Gavras Tower in Chora
Another 16th-century Venetian architecture. Presently, it accommodates Amorgos’s archaeological museum. The item collection includes those from the prehistoric and Roman times. The ancient sculptures and inscriptions are the main attractions here at this museum.
Amorgos Sea caves
Mouros is the most attractive place for divers because of the impressive sea caves collection. The location is approximately 15 km away from the island’s Chora. The landscape is what is commonly found in the Cyclades. The two underwater caves are behind the rock formations on the right side of the beach. The inside of these caves are quite mesmerizing and enchanting even. Mostly because of the turquoise water formed colors, the shadows of differently shaped rock and the sunlight creeping in. The inside atmosphere can even be addictive to some. Make sure to bring your swimsuits and for divers, the snorkeling equipment to explore these caves. You can use a car, motorcycle or local bus to get to Mouros beach.
These are a few of the sightseeing spots we mentioned. There is also the shipwreck of Olympia, the Agios Georgios Valsamitis church and Minoan archaeological site. Now we know that archaeology is not everyone’s cup of tea or an adventurous spot even. But you can surely give it a try.
Summary: 25th Greek Island
This guide covers all about the social media famous 25th island of Greece. So where do you stay after getting to Amorgos? Well, the most popular places to stay in Amorgos are Chora, Aegiali and Katapola. Not many luxury hotels are there. However, you get plenty of small hotel units, rooms to let and bnbs. Some famous 3 star hotels are the Amorgion Hotel, Agnadi Hotel and Agios Pavlos Studios.
That’s all about the interesting Amorgos Greek island tied with the famous multiplayer game Among Us. We do hope that you get to spend some quality time over there and if you already have please mention below how your experience turned out to be.
