Table of Contents:
THE CHORA.
THE LOWER TOWN AND HARBOR
THE REST OF PATMOS.
Patmos is an island off the Turkish coast.
Its biggest claim to fame is the Cave of the Apocalypse. Legend says the John of Patmos, living in exile, received the Book of Revelations in the cave. Needless to say, the site is a major pilgrimage destination.
The nearby monastery and upper town of Chora are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing.
These are the main sights on the island but not the only ones. So get away from the crowds and see what else Patmos offers.
The Chora (Upper Town.)
The upper town, Chora, contains many religious and secular buildings. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved Choras in the Aegean. The town contains many buildings, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries and a few from earlier.
Monastery of Saint John the Theologian.
This Greek Orthodox monastery also goes by Monastery of Saint John the Divine. The building began circa 1088 with the chapel. This UNESCO World Heritage site houses more than 300 manuscripts.
Inside the Monastery of Saint John is the small Ecclesiastical Museum Chora.
Cave of the Apocalypse.
Below the Chora is a white-washed building housing the entrance to the cave. This grotto is possibly the spot where John of Patmos received his visions for the Book of Revelation.
The Historic Chora.
A majority of the buildings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. However, here and there, there are even older buildings.
Simantiri Mansion.
Next to the Zoodochos Pigi monastery, this Folklore Museum is in a former 1625 mansion with work by Smyrnian artisans.
Nikolaidis Mansion.
Towards the eastern end of the Chora is this residential museum. The building dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The collection dates from the island’s prehistoric period onward.
Windmills of Chora.
East of Chora are two windmills dating from 1588 and a third from 1863. The windmills would eventually lose out to electricity but not before the 1950s. Today, one is a small milling museum, one produces electricity, and the other pumps water.
All of these structures are why the Chora is part of the UNESCO listing. The Chora is a great place to explore. Take part of a day to lose yourself.
Patmos Lower Town and Harbor.
Skala.
The lower town or harbor area is where you will find most accommodations, cafes, and shops. Outside of walking the narrow streets or along the harbor, there is not much to see in the Skala.
Arki Island.
Access is by ferry from Skala harbor and takes about 40 minutes each way. There is not much to the island, which is part of its attraction.
You will not find motor vehicles, one of the reasons it is on the Natura 2000 network of nature protection areas. There are bits of a Byzantine castle on the ruins of a 4th century B.C. structure.
Marathi Island.
Marathi (Marathos) is even quieter than Arki. With less than 20 residents in the summer, it has no roads. Instead, a few tavernas, some beaches, and simple accommodations make this one of Greece’s less-inhabited islands.
See Patmos Island.
Grikos.
A ten-minute drive south of Skala, this charming village offers some more upscale accommodations and a lovely beach.
Rock of Kalikatsou.
At the western end of Grikos Bay is this large rock (petra.) With numerous cave-like crevices, it is a source of several legends. For example, some say it once held the temple of Aphrodite.
Kampos Village.
Like Chora and Skala, Kambos consists of an upper village, Pano Kambos, and a lower, Kato Kambos. The lower is basically a beach, a few tavernas, and small accommodations.
Pano Kambos is the main village and is the center of an agriculture and farming community. Here you will find additional taverns, shops, and accommodations.
Church of Panagia tou Geranou.
East of Kampos, towards the tip of the island, is this small church. Excavations point to the present-day church sitting on an earlier church and possibly a pagan temple.
Church of Saint Nicholas of Evdimos.
On the main road from Pano Kambos to Kato Kambos is this small church. Just up from the beach, it is one of the oldest churches on the island, with the sanctuary and bell tower date from the early 1800s. A few parts of the chapel are from even earlier and still have parts of the original frescoes visible. Also, check out the mosaic St. Nicholas icon.
See Patmos Beaches.
There are no super beach clubs on Patmos. And this is O.K. There are several nice beaches, many with cafes nearby.
Paralia Petra Beach.
This rocky beach, adjacent to the Rock of Kalikatsou, is good for swimming and relaxing. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.
Paralia Kampos.
The main beach in Kampos is also a popular one. There are ample chairs and umbrellas for rent, as well as several cafes nearby.
Paralia Vagia.
One bay east of Kampos is this rocky, sandy beach with no services or shade. It is the opposite of Kampos.
There are several other small beaches around the island. Unfortunately, most of them have little to no services.
See Patmos Summary.
In the evening, the villages take on a different tone. Sunsets and dinner are the main entertainment. You may find a taverna with some music but not the super nightclubs of other islands. This is not a bad thing.
Explore the island by day and see Patmos during a sunset. The shadows, the colorful clouds, and the sparkling water are a must-see.