Why not keep it simple and give an island just one name, one way of spelling it and keep it easy? Well this is a Greek island so it's different. There are 4 different yet common ways to spell the name of this little Greek island. The island of Astypalaia is a bit of a stranger in its island group anyway. It's part of the Dodecanese but positioned as it is it seems to belong more to the Cyclades or to neither of these two island groups. The island is 95 km2 in size and has about 1200 inhabitants. On a clear day you can see both Amorgos and Santorini on the horizon of Astypalaia.

Officially Astypalaia is administered from Kalymnos, but because of the way it is served by ferry boats and the way the island looks, including the white cubic houses, it looks and feels more like a Cycladic island instead. Butterfly shaped Astypalaia lies south east of the island of the island of Amorgos and gets most of its ferry connections from there. Like more of the eastern Cyclades the island comes with a chora (capital) with white cubist houses, windmills and a castle. The hillsides are barren and dry.

Astypalaia is relatively remote and "difficult" to reach by ferry: there is more time involved to get there are less ferries going to it. This has kept the island quiet compared to a lot of the other Cycladic islands. Mass tourism is unknown here. Still there are some reasonable beaches on Astipalaia and there is peace and quiet for people that are looking for that. Because there is not much nightlife this keeps most of the very young travelers, especially the ones that want to party, at a distance. The views of the Chora that is situated on the top of the mountain with its castle and church are impressive and so are the views over the sea, because there are so many small islands around Astypalaia. It still retains the feeling of being authentically Greek and unspoiled.

The only settlement of some substance on the island of Astypalaia is the Chora and its port (Skala), with its many staircases and mixture of old en new white washed houses. Chora is a very attractive and picturesque town with old white washed houses and completed by a row of old windmills. If you just keep climbing up you will eventually end up at the castle with its interior white church and you can enjoy the splendid vistas over the surroundings and the neighbouring islets. Most of the facilities of the island can be found in the port, where there is also a popular beach. Here at the town beach you find tavernes, mini markets and an atm machine for getting your cash money. Next to the beach is the bus stop for the buses that can take you up to Chora. Buses from the Chora Square and from the port will take you to Livadi (sometimes called Livadia) where you find the best beach of the island of Astypalaia. Livadi is backed by a fertile vally where lots of vegetables used to be grown during the ancient times. The other main destination for the buses is Maltezana or Analipsi (a village in the Bay of Maltezana). Here you find the airport of the island, a beach resort village (with room for naturists), and an archeological site with remains of a Roman bathhouse including some well preserved mosaics.

Below is a selection of hotels, apartments and studios on the island of Astypalaia that you can book online. Most hotels are situated in the village of Livadi with its beach or in the capital Chora. You can also find a few accommodations at Maltezana Beach.

FOR ALL HOTELS, STUDIOS AND APARTEMENTS ON THE ISLAND OF ASTYPALAIA IN GREECE - CLICK HERE.

Built on a rocky hill near Gyalos Beach, Akti provides elegant rooms and studios overlooking Astypalaia Castle and the Aegean Sea. It features free Wi-Fi, a private swimming platform and a sun terrace. Accommodation types at Akti Rooms are decorated in rustic Dodecanese style. Studios and rooms open out onto private balconies and are air conditioned. Modern equipments include a TV set and a refrigerator. Guests can enjoy traditional Greek specialities at the outdoor restaurant of the hotel, with views of the bay. Products served are homemade and locally produced. Akti Rooms and studios is family run and there is a total of 10 rooms and studios. Popular nearby attractions include the islet of Syrna and the picturesque village of Analipsi. The ferry dock is 200 meters from the Akti Rooms hotel and has direct links with Athens’ Piraeus harbour.

Akti Rooms enjoys a panoramic view of Pera Gialos, the small picturesque port of the island, the eye-catching amphitheatrically built Chora and the venetian castle of Astypalea. Offers direct sea access (private swimming platform) and lies within easy walking distance to the beach of Pera Gialos (150m.).

Akti Studios have a balcony with a stunning view of Pera Gialos, Chora and the castle of Astypalea, accommodating two persons in double bed with the potential of accommodating an extra person in a single bed, kitchen with basic cooking utensils and serving set, writing desk, bathroom shower, air conditioning, television, free internet access, refrigerator and bathroom accessories set. (3 rooms)

Akti standard rooms have a balcony with a stunning view of Pera Gialos, Chora and the castle of Astypalea, accommodating two persons in double bed, writing desk, bathroom shower, air conditioning, television, free internet access, refrigerator, and bathroom accessories set. (7 rooms)

Check availability and prices & book the Akti Rooms and Studios on Astypalaia - click here

Located only metres from the beautiful Livadi Beach, Mouras Studios offer spacious sea-view verandas. Mouras Studios are fully furnished and consist of a spacious bedroom, private balcony, and fully equipped kitchen. Each studio offers satellite TV and access to the garden. Guests can benefit from the free internet access available everywhere in the complex.

Check availability and prices & book the Mouras Studios on Astypalaia - click here.

Mouras Resort is located in Livadi, Astipalaia’s flower garden, just 100 metres from the sea. Constructed with respect to the Cycladic architecture, Mouras Resort boasts 5 luxurious and tastefully decorated apartments. Each apartment features one or two bedrooms, a living room and a fully equipped kitchen, as well as a private garden and parking. Guests can enjoy quiet moments by the pool area, equipped with sun beds and a pool bar. For those who wish to stay connected, Mouras Resort offers free wireless internet facilities. Guests are offered transfer service to and from the port and the airport. Other services available include car rental and tour desk.

Check availability and prices & book the Mouras Resort on Astypalaia - click here.

Andromeda Resort offers breathtaking views of the Venetian Castle and the Aegean Sea combined with easy proximity to the town’s centre. The brand new complex, built in Chora, Astypalaia’s capital, comprises of 8 guestrooms, each elegantly furnished and equipped with internet access. All guestrooms also feature a satellite TV and a kitchen. Each unit enjoys a view of the beautiful windmills and the sea from your own private balcony. Guests staying at Andromeda Resort can enjoy delicious homemade traditional pies and desserts served every day for breakfast. Andromeda is conveniently located only 400 metres from the castle, 1 kilometre from the port and 8 kilometres from the airport.

Check availability and prices & book the Andromeda Resort on Astypalaia - click here.

Settled among its well-maintained gardens, the Maltezana Beach Hotel is set just steps from the beach. The pool, restaurant, café-bar and spa ensure a relaxing and pleasant stay. Maltezana Beach offers tasteful rooms with private balconies offering sea, pool or garden views. Disabled-friendly rooms are also available. In-room facilities include air conditioning , satellite TV and safe. Guests enjoy free public Wi-Fi internet access. The use of umbrellas and deck chairs at the beach is also free of charge. Guests with cars can use the hotel’s free private parking. Newspapers, magazines and board games are provided, while a playground is available for the children’s entertainment. For younger children, baby sitting can be provided upon requests. The hotel’s multilingual reception desk offers rental and tourist services. Daily cruises and tours to archaeological and historical sites can be arranged upon request.

Check availability and prices & book the Maltezana Beach Resort on Astypalaia - click here.

Studios Kilindra is a 4-star boutique hotel in Astypalea, the furthest west of the Dodecanese islands. The hotel offers luxury accommodation within the shadow of the historical castle of Astypalea. The tasteful accommodation includes traditionally styled yet luxurious studios and maisonettes all with private verandas. Each unit enjoys astonishing views across the Livadi Gulf and the Aegean Sea. Guests can choose to unwind by our pool during the day and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea, or enjoy a drink under the stars. Located only 200 metres from the centre and the castle, 1 kilometre from the port and Livadi, Studios Kilindra is the perfect base to discover the unspoiled beauty of Astypalea, an island rich in history and tradition.

Check availability and prices & book the Studios Kilindra on Astypalaia - click here.

• The Kastro in the Chora of of Astypalea. This fortress was built on the remains of an ancient acroplolis. The Byzantine stringhold, which dates from the ninth century, was later expanded and strengthened by the Venetians. The Venetians ruled the island between 1207 and 1522. The building then served mainly as protection against pirate attacks. The building had four floors and in Venetian times 4000 people lived here. Over time parts of the fortress fell down and the earthquake of 1956 destroyed a lot of it and made walls collapse. Only the two churches within and a small part of the fortress remains, the Panagia Portaïtissa and the Agios Georgios, both from the 14th century. Instead of four floors there are now only three.

• In Maltezana there are remains of a Roman bathhouse where a number of floor mosaics are on display. Maltezana is also called Analipsi. It is said to have been named after Maltese pirates that once sought shelter in its bay.

• After a two hours walk westwards from the windmills in Chora you will end up at the Agios Ioannis Monastry with its waterfall.

• The best beach of the island of Astypalaia is the beach of Livadi, which is situated close to the harbour of Pera Yalos, just over the hill. It is a long beach with citrus orchards in its back. Along this stretch of coastline several other beaches and coves can be reached on foot. The beach of Livadi is an organized beach with parasols and sunbeds for rent.

• Maltezana Beach or Analipsi Beach is situated at a distance of 9 kilometers east of the Chora of Astypalea. It is a beach with sand and some pebbles, where you can find shade under the tamarisk trees. Nearby Analipse Beach there are more small bays where it is possible to go into the sea. On this beach there are umbrellas and sunbeds available. For much more information about the beaches and the naturist beaches on the island of Aslypalaia look on my special beaches page.