About Andros Island

Andros is an island that has enough tourism to be quite well organised, but not so much that it has become too commercialised.
A fairly green island for the Cyclades, Andros offers some really nice beaches, pretty villages and a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. It is the second largest island among the Cyclades, and its high mountains and deep valleys make an unforgettable impression.
Although not a party island, the nightlife here is quite varied and those who love fishing, sailing and snorkelling will certainly find their paradise

Geography: Andros is the most northerly and second largest island of the Cyclades after Naxos. Its size is 374 square kilometres, with a length of 39.8 kilometres and a width of 16.7 kilometres at
its widest. There is approximately 110 kilometres of coastline. The terrain is mountainous but the habited areas are relatively level. The island is divided into five regions by four
mountainous masses. These are, Mount Saranda (725 metres) which faces north from the highlands of Makrotandalos (approx height 200 metres) and south from the valleys of Batsi,
Ateni and Katakoilos. Mount Petalo the main mountain on the island, with the highest peak of Andros (Kouvara at 994 metres) lies between the above mentioned valleys to the north
and the valley of Messaria in the south. Mount Gerakonas (at 720 metres) lies between the valleys of Messaria and Korthi. .Finally is Mount Pachi (at 681 metres) which is south of the
valley of Korthi and ends at the most southern tip of the island.

Four small rivers cross the island from west to east.These rivers, along with the mountains, are the beauties of Andros. Unlike many Greek islands they flow all year round fed by the
mountain peaks. The River Arnipotamos flows into the bay of Lefka, the River Achla which flows into the bay of Achla, the Megalos Potamos River flows into Paraporti beach in Hora
and the Dipotamata River flows into the bay of Syneti. Aside from these rivers there are around seven streams which also flow continuously all year. This makes a total of eleven
waterways, nearly all of which shape small aquatic areas at the mouths, with rich vegetation and remarkable aquatic fauna.

The coastline of Andros is particularly rugged creating many small, picturesque bays, which mostly have good sandy beaches. Some of the largest bays on the island which are worth
mentioning are Gavrio, Batsi, Hora and Korthion, all of which have organised harbours, Also is the bay of Fourni and in the north is the beach of Agios Petros, which is mentioned by
Lloyds as a safe haven for boats.

Andros is completely different to all other islands in the Cyclades. With its high and craggy mountains, deep, green and fertile valleys, its abundant running water, plateaus, terraced
farmlands, steep coasts and the many large and small golden sandy beaches, is one of constant contrasts and surprises. Its perfect for gentle strolling, hiking or driving and within a
few kilometres the landscape surroundings change dramatically. One moment you are in a dry, scrubby windswept area and the next in a forest of pines, or a wood of chestnut, plane
and oak trees with the sound of running water babbling over its stony riverbed. You can move from the sunbaked sandy beach with clear sparkling blue sea of the seashore to green
and fertile valley or lush gorge that is rich with vegetation and flora.

Agriculture on Andros is plentiful although the areas for cultivation are relatively small due to being confined to the valley areas that lie between the mountains, tucked in snugly to
protect them from the strong winds that are characteristic of all the Cycladic islands. The plentiful water and vegetation of the area has made the soild particularly good making the
valleys exceptionally fertile and bountiful.