The Butterfly of the Aegean
Astypalea is a beautiful island in the Aegean Sea and administratively belongs to the Dodecanese, although geographically it is close to the Cyclades, a fact that is reflected in its architecture. Its shape resembles a butterfly, hence its nickname.
Main features
- Capital & Port:
Chora, a traditional Cycladic village with whitewashed houses and the Venetian Castle of Querini at the top of the hill.
- Beaches:
Astypalea is renowned for its clean and peaceful beaches, such as Livadi, Kaminakia, Vatses, and Agios Konstantinos.
Local cuisine:
The island’s gastronomy includes:
- lambrino (kid goat stuffed with rice and liver),
- vinegared octopus,
- ladotyri cheese, and
- the island’s famous beekeeping products.
Access:
Astypalea is connected by ferry to Piraeus, as well as to nearby islands in the Dodecanese and Cyclades. It also has an airport, with flights from Athens.
Green Transition:
In recent years, Astypalea has come into the spotlight due to its pioneering “green” transition program, focusing on electric mobility and sustainable development, in collaboration with Volkswagen.