Venetian Castle of Astypalaia
Perched at the top of Chora, the Querini Castle dominates the town and offers sweeping views of the sea and the houses gathered below it. Its walls also enclose the village’s historic churches.
Europe / Greece · TRAVEL GUIDE
StampaliaSouthern Aegean (regional unit of Kalymnos) · Greece
DISCOVER · PLAN · GO
Luca Aless · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
One destination.
A thousand ways to live it.
Astypalaia, or Stampalia, is an island in the southern Aegean famous for its whitewashed Chora, Venetian castle, and the outline of its bays. Between historic alleys, small harbors, and beaches with crystal-clear water, it offers a relaxed and authentically island atmosphere.
6 places to see1 / 3 / 7-day itinerariesInteractive map
THE PLACES THAT TELL STAMPALIA
Worth seeing, worth remembering.
Church of Panagia Portaitissa
At the foot of the castle, this 18th-century church is one of the island’s most recognizable sights, with a white facade and blue domes. It is also worth visiting for the evocative setting of Chora’s alleyways.
Windmills of Chora
The historic windmills, lined up along the ridge above the harbor, are among Stampalia’s most photographed landmarks. At sunset, the view over Chora and the Aegean is especially striking.
Astypalaia Archaeological Museum
In the port of Pera Gialos, the museum displays finds that tell the island’s story from antiquity to Roman times. It is a compact and interesting stop before exploring the waterfront.
Livadi Beach
Near Chora, Livadi is a convenient bay for a swim and a break by the sea. The view of the hilltop town makes even a simple beach day feel special.
This quiet coastal village on the eastern shore is appreciated for its harbor, tavernas, and small bays. It is also a good starting point for exploring the beaches in the area.
CHOOSE YOUR PACE
How much time
do you have to get lost?
From a first stroll to a week of discoveries. A starting point to make your own.
A compact itinerary to admire the iconic castle and relax in the crystal-clear waters near the capital.
- 1Chora (The old village)
- 2Querini Castle
- 3Astypalaia Windmills
- 4Livadi Beach
Three days to explore the island’s Venetian soul and the most spectacular beaches on the western side.
- 1Chora
- 2Querini Castle
- 3Panagia Portaitissa
- 4Windmills
- 5Pera Gialos
- 6Livadi Beach
- 7Kaminakia Beach
- 8Vatses Beach
A full week to experience every shade of Astypalaia, from the northern fjords to the remote islets.
- 1Chora and the medieval quarter
- 2Querini Castle
- 3Windmills
- 4Panagia Portaitissa
- 5Astypalaia Archaeological Museum
- 6Pera Gialos
- 7Livadi Beach
- 8Agios Konstantinos Beach
- 9Steno Beach
- 10Maltezana (Analipsi)
- 11Talara Baths
- 12Vathy Bay
- 13Dragon Caves (Dracos)
- 14Boat trip to Koutsomitis and Kounoupa
GET YOUR BEARINGS, THEN EXPLORE
The city takes shape.
Stop after stop.
BEFORE YOU GO
A well-planned trip.
Getting around
The most practical way to get there is by ferry, especially from Piraeus, or by plane with connections available to the island’s airport. To explore the beaches and villages, a rental car or scooter offers greater freedom; in high season, it’s best to book them in advance. Buses connect Chora with some destinations, including Livadi and , but frequencies and schedules can vary depending on the time of year. Taxis are an alternative, but in summer it’s wise to arrange transport ahead of time. The roads are partly winding, and some beaches are reached via unpaved stretches.
When to go
From May to June and from September to early October, you’ll find pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and good conditions for visiting the island. July and August are the hottest and liveliest months, but also the most in demand: it’s wise to book accommodation and transport well in advance. In spring and autumn, some services may have reduced hours; before you leave, check connections and opening times.
Where to eat
Chora and the port of Pera Gialos offer several tavernas and eateries, while in Livadi and you can dine by the sea. Look for fish and seafood, home-style Greek dishes, and local specialties such as poungia, cheese-filled pastries. In the summer months, it’s advisable to book, especially at the most popular restaurants and in the smaller villages.
Quick tips
- 01Book your ferry, accommodation, and rental vehicle in advance for July and August.
- 02Check the bus schedules: they can change depending on the season and do not reach all the beaches.
- 03Bring shoes suitable for rocks and dirt roads to explore the coves.
- 04If you’re traveling outside the high season, check in advance which restaurants and services are open.
YOUR STARTING POINT
Wake up in the right place.
Where to stay · Stampalia
1 night · max 14 nights
Observed average price · EUR/night
1 night · 1 room · 2 adults · no children
Data still limited · Sample: up to 2 distinct hotels, 6 real searches in the last 48 hours, for this query. Not the official average of the destination and not guaranteed to be representative.
Arrival date
Lowest price among the hotels found
among 2 hotels with a LiteAPI price for this search, not the absolute lowest of the destination
Gyrouli Studios
Pera Gialos, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$48
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Prices are real for the searched dates and may change. Click a point on the chart to change arrival keeping the length of stay.
Real prices for your dates
Viva Mare Studios
Pera Gialos, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$80
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Gyrouli Studios
Pera Gialos, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$48
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Vithos Seaside Aparthotel
Pera Gialos, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Bedspot Apartments Astipalaia
Pera gialos Choras, Αστυπάλαια 859 00, Pera Gyalos
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Niriides Luxury Studios
Pera Gialos, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Chrysalis Boutique - Adults Only
Eparchiaki Odos Livadia-Vathis, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Korali
Chora,, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Popi Studios
Chora, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Studios Kilindra
Chora, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Atlantic
pera gialos, Astypalaia Town
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
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