Things To Do On Patmos Island (And How To Get There)

Here is all the Patmos Island travel advice that you need. We’ve got a list of things to do in Patmos, Greece, as well as top Patmos sites and tips for traveling with kids.

If chilled-out beach vibes are what you’re looking for, Patmos Island could be the destination for you.

Located off the west coast of Turkey, Patmos is actually part of Greece yet has flavors of both countries. That’s what makes it so special – and the weather, of course.

Located in the Aegean Sea, Patmos is part of the Dodecanese Islands, and it’s also known to be a very important site for Christian pilgrimage. One of the most important sites is the Cave of the Apocalypse, which is where St John The Theologian wrote the Book of Revelations.

With plenty of history and culture to explore, Patmos has a spiritual feel to it, but it’s also a stunningly beautiful spot to chill out and enjoy the wonder of nature.

How To Get To Patmos Island, Greece

Patmos is a very small island, and there is no airport on the island itself, although there are airports on nearby islands. The closest one would be Kos or Leros. You could fly to Athens and then take a domestic flight to Kos or Leros. From there, you could take the ferry over to Patmos Island, arriving at Skala Port. The flight from Athens to Leros is very short and takes just 50 minutes, with a flight from Kos taking just 1 hour.

There are ferries between most major Greek Islands, with the majority of services during the summer months. You can take a ferry from Piraeus Port in Athens, and this service runs three times per week, taking 8 hours. However, you can also take a ferry from Lipsi, Leros, Kos, Rhodes, and Kalymnos.

To give you an idea of ferry crossing times, you can take the ferry from Kos to Patmos in just 1 hour 40 minutes. The ferry from Rhodes would take around 5 hours.

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Things To See & Do On Patmos Island

Patmos is a very small island. The capital, Chora, is a charming spot to visit and has plenty of small taverns and coffee shops to enjoy a delicious, authentic meal in the sun. The capital is a vibrant spot during the evening hours but never overly busy or bustling.

Patmos is the best spot to go if you want to get away from it all and enjoy your time. There are no major tourist attractions on the island; however, there are several sites that are important Christian pilgrimage sites. Life is more about enjoying beach time, good food, and heading out into nature, with several hiking trails to enjoy.

Here are a few things to see and do while enjoying your time on Patmos Island.

Monastery Of Saint John The Theologian

The Monastery of Saint John The Theologian is an important landmark, and it is also UNESCO listed. It dates back to the 11th century, and it is where Saint John of Patmos wrote the Book of Revelations, located in a cave just underneath the monastery itself.

The monastery is a classic Byzantine design and has huge towers, having been built in 1088. You can check out the stunning view from the top, and you’ll see all the way over Chora.

Cave Of The Apocalypse

The Cave of The Apocalypse is undoubtedly one of the most famous spots in Patmos, and this is where people flock to visit year after year. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is considered sacred. This is where Saint John of Patmos wrote the Book of Revelations, having been given a message from God via the rock walls.

You can take a tour around the cave, which sits inside a chapel dating back to the 11th century.

Psili Ammos Beach

Patmos Island has some fantastic beaches, and Psili Ammos Beach is undoubtedly one of them. This is a golden, sandy beach that is famous for its huge dunes. It is around 6 miles away from Chora, and it’s easy to get to, with regular bus services during the summer months and an easy-to-follow road if you want to drive yourself.

The beach is secluded, so there aren’t restaurants in abundance, but one chilled-out taverna offers snacks and refreshments.

Petra Beach

Another must-visit beach is Petra Beach. The beach is famous for Kalikatsou Rock (more on that shortly), and it’s also a pebbly beach, so beach shoes are a good idea here. You’ll find umbrellas and sunbeds to relax on and a bar that offers refreshments and snacks during the day. The views here are something else, and you’ll undoubtedly need your camera to capture those memories forever.

Rock Of Kalikatsou

We just mentioned the Rock of Kalikatsou on Petra Beach, and you’re probably wondering why this rock is special. It’s a historic rock that is said to have been used as a temple to worship Aphrodite. It later became a hermitage during the 14th century. Many tales and fables are connected to the rock, including a rumored hidden tunnel leading to the famous monastery. However, you’re far better just enjoying the Sunnis view from the rock itself.

Lefkes Beach

We’re not done with amazing beaches yet as Lefkes Beach is another top spot to visit! It is located on the west of the island; to get to it; you need to walk or drive down a dirt track from Kambos, a small village. This is a pretty secluded beach, so it’s the perfect place to relax and get away from it all.

The beach is shingle and sand, and there are no facilities here except for a small van that sells snacks and drinks.

Kapopoulos Fine Arts Patmos

Art lovers will definitely enjoy a few hours in this fine arts gallery. You can find it in Chora, and it dates back to 2004, so it’s relatively new in terms of some of the more historic spots on the island. The gallery showcases famous pieces in Greek art history, and many local artists submit their work to the gallery, looking to find fame.