5 Things to Do In Patmos, Greece

A small island in the Aegean Sea, Patmos, Greece is a must-see destination for travelers who are also history buffs. It’s rich in Christian history, preserved medieval architecture, and Greek mythology. That Patmos is the island where St. John wrote his Revelation makes Patmos a popular pilgrimage site for Christians, but its long history and tranquil beauty appeal to travelers from all over the world. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Patmos.

Some of the beautiful preserved architecture in Chora

1. Explore Historic Chora

Chora is the capital of Patmos, surrounding the Monastery of St. John. In medieval times, the hilltop position of the town, narrow alley ways, and imposing fortress surrounding the monastery were all for the purpose of protecting them from attacks by pirates or Turks. Nowadays, there’s not much threat of either, but much of the history of the town is still clearly seen in the still-standing fortress, white-washed captain’s houses, and windmills dating back to the Renaissance. Exploring Chora feels like taking a step into real history, but there are plenty of modern cafes and shops to be visited as well.

The entrance to the Cave of the Apocalypse

2. See the Cave of the Apocalypse

Patmos is a beautiful tourist destination now, but once it was a remote island used for exile. It was Patmos to which St. John was banished. The Cave of the Apocalypse is believed to be the place where he received and wrote his Revelation. Declared a World Heritage Site, the cave is carefully preserved and tourists can see mosaics depicting St. John’s visions and the rock that he used as a pillow while exiled there.

The Monastery of St. John in the distance of this scenic view

3. Visit the Monastery of St. John

Once you’re finished with the cave, visit the thousand year old Monastery of St. John. The courtyard offers a peaceful place to pray, meditate, or simply take in the beauty. Inside the church are a wealth of ancient texts, vestments, and relics that can’t be found anywhere else. The library is only open to scholars, but contains over 2,000 documents and manuscripts. Visit in the morning if you don’t want to struggle with the heat and the crowds.

Chris Cafe at Chris Hotel in Skala

4. Dine at Artsy Cafes in Skala

Patmos isn’t just a great destination for historic religious sites. There’s also a vibrant art scene in Patmos. Skala is an excellent place to satisfy your coffee fix and see some unique art at the same time. Koukoumavla Bar is decorated from wall to wall with quirky, colorful artwork. The simply named Art Cafe is full of artistic wall hangings, a full bookshelf, and beautiful roof garden seating. The main port of Patmos, Skala is also an excellent place to find some of the best Patmos hotels.

A view of one of Skala's beautiful beaches

5. Enjoy the Crystal Clear Beaches

Of course, you can’t go to an island in Greece and not hit the beach at some point. The beaches of Patmos are beautifully kept with crystal clear water and pebbled shores. Skala Beach is the most popular beach in the summer, but you can find secluded, non-organized beaches like Lambi and Psili Ammos to get away from the crowds. Near the bay of Sapsila, you can find Loukakia beach, with beautiful, shimmering water and a barrier of trees and bushes to give this beach a more private atmosphere.

While you’re searching for a Patmos hotel for your stay, consider Chris Hotel in Patmos. Located in Skala, Chris Hotel is close to all the best shops and grocery stores. They not only provide excellent service, but have their own waterfront cafe and beer where you can look out at the beauty of the Aegean sea from the comfort of your hotel. Trust me, this is a site you won’t want to miss!

The Colorful Art Scene of Patmos, Greece

When we think of Patmos, we usually think about the gorgeous crystal beaches of the Aegean sea or the historic and religious destinations, like the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse. But Patmos is a great travel destination for the traveler that lives in the now, as well. The island is full of shops, nightlife, cafe bars, and a vibrant art scene that often goes unnoticed in guides about the travel spot. Here are some Patmos appeals for the art lovers out there.

Art Galleries in Chora

Chora is the capital of Patmos and a popular destination for several reasons. What tourists often don’t know before they come to Chora is all the art galleries that can be found there. The galleries in Chora are sometimes hidden gems, but you can find them if you know where to look. The big one is the Kapopoulos Fine Arts gallery, which has branches in East Attica, Athens, Cyprus, and of course, Patmos. For something more local, you can visit Andreas Kalatzis’ gallery: an artist’s studio in the open space where art created by Patmos natives or artists inspired by Patmos is on display for all to see.

Chris Cafe at Chris Hotel in Skala

Cafes in Skala

Skala is the port city of Patmos. It’s where you can find the most popular beaches, some of the best Patmos hotels and shops, and some truly colorful cafes. If you want to find a place to enjoy artwork and coffee or cocktails at the same time, try Skala. The Koukoumavla Bar has been described as “the lovechild of Tim Burton and Frida Kahlo opening a coffee house,” and if that doesn’t excite the art lover in you, we don’t know what will. The walls are colored in deep orange and greens and accented by bright, colorful artwork.

There’s also Art Cafe, and the name plainly tells you what to expect. Art cafes walls are covered in quirky, artistic wall hangings, whether paintings, photographs, wreaths, or ceramics. This cafe and bar begs the question: is it named for the art on the walls or is the cafe itself the art? The table decorations and even the chairs all look to be artfully hand-crafted. This cafe also has one of the only rooftop garden seating areas in the city, and the view from there is an absolute dream.

If you’re staying at Chris Hotel in Patmos, Greece, there’s also Chris Cafe, the hotel’s own cafe with stunning waterfront views and the surroundings of the Skala docks. The cafe is open all day, has connection to the hotel’s wifi, and a big screen TV so you won’t miss your favorite shows or games while taking in the view. For an artist seeking inspiration--as well as a warm cup of coffee--Chris Cafe can’t be beat.

Some bells at the Monastery of St. John

Ancient Religious Artwork of the Monastery of St. John

Some artists find inspiration by looking at the past. Some art lovers feel excitement being in the presence of artwork that’s had such a lasting impact for so long. The huge, fortified Monastery of St. John on a hilltop in Chora is itself a work of art, but it also houses paintings that have stood the test of time. Some of the paintings in the main chapel date back to the 17th century, but the oldest paintings in the chapel of The Virgin Mary were created by monks as early as the 12th century. You’ll pass gift shops on your way to and from the monastery if you want to take a memento with you to remember what you saw there.

An idyllic view of a sailboat on the sea at sunset

Finding Inspiration in the World Around You

Artists have found inspiration in the breathtaking beauty of Patmos and the Aegean Sea for centuries. Take a walk around, and you’ll understand why. You can visit the sites of some of your favorite artwork: the shores, the fishing docks, the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John received his Revelation. You can find inspiration for your own works in the windmills, narrow alleyways (once used to protect the city from pirates), and beautiful gardens of Chora. Or you could find inspiration from the view of your own Patmos hotel.

Chris Hotel in Patmos, Greece features some of the best views that can be found in Skala. Your balcony can face the sea, the mountains, or the gardens of town. There’s a cafe and bar where you can sip your coffee and look out at the beauty surrounding you. Chris Hotel is closely located to the shops, which will come in handy when you need to stock up on supplies. Even if you’ve never been an artist yourself, the views you see here might just inspire you.

Patmos and Its Colorful Villages

Do you want to go on a short trip to Patmos? Today, we decided to take you on a short village tour! We gathered the information about the most colorful villages in Patmos. Take note of our tips in getting to these places. So the next time you visit the island, you'll be as comfortable as a local!

Take note of the sights and Patmos accommodation included in our article. It will be a great help for you if you consider traveling to Patmos. You should definitely consider going here to fancy over serene villages and vivid culture!

Chora

The first village you should find is the main town of Patmos. It is the most popular town on the island. Every tourist passes along the tiny alleys of Hora so they can visit the Monastery of St. John. The white splashed walls and cube-shaped houses are not anything new. The mansions built on a piece of land have been standing there since the 15th century. The structures, buildings, and houses built in Chora are the most expensive in Patmos. It was first owned by the Byzantine people back in the old days. Then these mansions are both by rich foreigners who became the residents of Chora.

The iconic Chora protects the wall of St. John Monastery.

Skala

Skala acts as the 'main city' of Patmos. It serves the only port in Patmos so you can expect a massive arrival of tourists here. Skala has all you need in a village. As the commercial capital of Patmos, it has developed establishments run by local families. There are several Patmos hotels in Skala. Each hotel offers a place where you can slack and loose before hitting your grand tour. One of these awarding hotels is the Chris Hotel in Patmos. By providing a five-star service, Chris Hotel have gained loyal customers whom they keep. It lies close to the shops and groceries in Skala. It owns a waterfront cafe bar too! What more can you ask out of a Patmos hotel that provides you an exclusive service? Same here. None anymore!

A scenic Skala port view from the porch of Chris Hotel's Cafe Bar.

The first residents of Skala had traded goods with pirates before. One of the assets that made this main port rich was their main source of living back then. Locals used to export embroided stockings for women. 

Grikos

Not far away from Skala is the agricultural town of Grikos. A small village in Grikos is called Tragonissi, which means 'ram island'. This small area is populated only by goats and their carers. Oh, it makes the best goat stew! 

The distance from Skala to Grikos is only 4.5 kilometers. And the road that connects these villages offers a picturesque view of the coastline. This is why this has been a favorite for joggers! If you gotten so tired of running in the morning, take a good rest. You can check the daily menu served by local taverns in town. 

Are you traveling to Patmos this summer? Head to Grikos for a day if you want to get away from the bustling crowd. Grikos town is often less visited during peak season which is in August.

The magnificent coastline of Grikos.