Patmos Island, Greece:
Few places on earth can match the extraordinary combination of features that draw people to the island of Patmos. Here is one of the best-kept secrets of international tourism: an island increasingly sought out by sophisticated travelers in search of a truly restful holiday. Patmos' main village, Hora, is one of the most picturesque villages of the Aegean and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the neighboring tiny islands offer magical spots for a day cruise that will enchant even the most demanding visitor.
It is certainly no accident that in 2009 Patmos was ranked by Forbes Magazine as the #1 Most Idyllic Place to Live in Europe, or that in the same year Patmos was featured in New York Times' T-Magazine's cover, receiving raving reviews in the magazine's feature story! The Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse are only part of the reason that the island is arguably one of the most spiritual locales in all of Greece. Whether because of its location off the main tourist routes or its preservation of traditional ways of life, Patmos exudes a special serenity that will appeal to people no matter what their spiritual leanings.
Reaching Patmos:
For years, sophisticated travelers have been coming to Patmos to enjoy its fine restaurants, beaches, and quiet Greek island beauty. Patmos, frequently serving as the private get-away of Greek and foreign VIPs, has been left untouched by unwarranted modern-day growth and has been protected against mass tourism. It is this subdued atmosphere that pervades the island and provides for the most powerful ingredient of its attraction.
Patmos does not have an airport. Please review the following options for the most efficient transition to the island:
Getting to Patmos by ferry from Piraeus
(Athens harbour):
You may travel to Patmos by boarding a ferry boat from the Port of Piraeus in Athens, for a total travel time estimate of 7 hours. Daily ferry boat transfers from the Piraeus Port are available during April-October. For further information please contact the following ferry boat company:
- Blue Star Ferries
Luxurious ferry boat company servicing Piraeus-Patmos-Kos-Rhodes
Duration of trip: Roughly seven hours
Website: http://www.bluestarferries.com
- ANEK Ferries
Ferry boat company servicing Piraeus-Patmos-Lipsi-Leros-Kalimnos-Kos-Symi-Rhodes
Duration of trip: Roughly nine hours
Website: http://www.anek.gr
Getting to Patmos by flying to a nearby island and catching a boat connection:
Catching a flight to the nearby islands of Kos, Leros, Kalymnos, or Samos and connecting to Patmos by boat is the preferred way of traveling to the island for many Patmos visitors. The flight from Athens to a nearby island lasts roughly 45 minutes, and the transfer from the nearby island to Patmos lasts between 1-2.5 hours.
If you select this option, we recommend the following routes in priority order, taking into account comfort, variety of transfer options, and risk for disruption based on windy weather conditions.
Option 1 (Recommended): Fly to Kos either by charter flight from your country or by commercial Aegean or Olympic Airways flights out of the Athens airport, and then catch a Dodekanisos Seaways catamaran, Aegean Hydrofoil, ANEK Ferry or Blue Star Ferry to Patmos. We encourage our guests to schedule their arrival time on Kos in the morning so that they ensure their transfer to Patmos on the same day.
Advantages of Option 1: Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans, ANEK ferries and Blue Star ferries are not as susceptible to windy weather conditions, therefore transit to Patmos is almost always ensured on a daily basis. Multiple scheduled boat transfers are available to Patmos daily, and availability on Aegean or Olympic airlines flights is easy to obtain.
Disadvantages of Option 1: The transit from Kos to Patmos by boat is 2.5 hours, but we believe that the benefits outweigh the slightly longer transit time vs. riskier transit options through other islands. Aegean Hydrofoils are susceptible to windy weather conditions, therefore the hydrofoil boat transfer may be cancelled on a considerably windy day. However, multiple other transfer options are available during the day.
Please note that local boat connections may not be announced until the very last minute. We strongly encourage you to contact the hotel for clarification regarding inter-island transfer schedules. |
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Option 2: Fly to Leros or Kalymnos by commercial Olympic Airways flights out of the Athens airport, and then catch a Dodekanisos Seaways catamaran, or Aegean Hydrofoil to Patmos. We encourage our guests to schedule their arrival time on Leros or Kalymnos in the morning so that they ensure their transfer to Patmos on the same day.
Advantages of Option 2: Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans are not as susceptible to windy weather conditions, therefore transit to Patmos is almost always ensured. Transit to Patmos is roughly 1-1.5 hours.
Disadvantages of Option 2: It is hard to obtain airline availability for those two islands, since airplanes are typically 17-seaters. Aegean Hydrofoils are susceptible to windy weather conditions, therefore the hydrofoil boat transfer may be cancelled on a considerably windy day.
Please note that local boat connections may not be announced until the very last minute. We strongly encourage you to contact the hotel for clarification regarding inter-island transfer schedules.
Option 3: Fly to Samos either by charter flight from your country or by commercial Aegean or Olympic Airways flights out of the Athens airport, and then catch an Aegean hydrofoil to Patmos. Typically, either a 7 am arrival on Samos or an overnight stay in Samos is required if you would like to utilize this option.
Advantages of Option 3: Transit to Patmos is roughly 1 hour.
Disadvantages of Option 3: Either an early am arrival or an overnight on Samos is needed to utilize this option. Aegean Hydrofoils are susceptible to windy weather conditions, therefore the hydrofoil boat transfer may be cancelled on a considerably windy day. No other ensured means of transit are available, although a local ferry boat may be available for some days of the week.
Please note that local boat connections may not be announced until the very last minute. We strongly encourage you to contact the hotel for clarification regarding inter-island transfer schedules.
Relevant Transfer Providers Contact Information:
Reaching the Petra Hotel:
Conveniently located in Grikos, a picturesque and serene fishing village away from the tourist crowds, the Petra Hotel is only a five-minute (4.5 km or 2 miles) car ride away from the Skala Harbor, a five-minute car ride (4 km or 1.8 miles) from Chora, the island's capital, and a 70 meter (200 feet) walk from Grikos Beach. Some of our guests enjoy taking walks from Grikos to various locations on the island, which is only 13 km (or 8 miles) long. Our travel desk gladly assists guests by renting cars and motorbikes, or by calling taxis.
Driving Directions to the Petra Hotel:
As you arrive at the Patmos harbor, please take a left and follow the road to Grikos. At the Grikos intersection, located approximately 4.5 km (or 2 miles) away from the harbor, please pay attention to the road signs and take a right towards Chora. In about 100 meters (300 feet), please take a left on the side street towards Petra. Driving on for another 100 meters (300 feet), you will find the Petra Hotel situated on the right hand side. |
