Patmos: attractions, tours, and activities

Sleepy Patmos is one of the smaller islands in the Dodecanese chain, but though it's petite, the influence of its past echoes down the centuries. It was here on Patmos that St John wrote the book of Revelations, and today the island is an important stop for Christian pilgrims. Paying a visit to the imposing Monastery of St John is one of the best things to do on Patmos – the fortress-like monument boasts ancient frescoes, a rich museum and fabulous views. There are just two major villages on Patmos, both worthy of your time. Pretty Skala spreads around the harbour, while atmospheric Chora encircles the famous hilltop monastery. The island's serrated coastline hides several good beaches and hiking trails weave across the hills, tempting you to explore.

Top Six Things to Do in Patmos

1. Visit the Monastery of St John

Crowning one of the island's biggest hills, the dark stone walls of the Monastery of St John are visible from almost everywhere on Patmos. Built almost a thousand years ago, the monastery has been constantly occupied by monks who have used income from visitors to create an impressive collection of Christian artefacts. Many are restored on site and put on display in the museum, which showcases one of Greece's most important collections of orthodox iconography. The building itself is also fascinating – adorned with frescoes, terraces, and numerous chapels.

2. See The Cave of the Apocalypse

Another important stop on Patmos's spiritual trail is the Cave of the Apocalypse which is the actual spot where St John received his revelations. God's voice reached him through a crack between the rocks of the cave wall, and it was here that these visions were written down as the Book of Revelations. The cave today has a small monastery to mark its significance, and it's a popular destination for religious tours of the island.

3. Explore Chora

Clustered at the foot of the mighty Monastery of St John, the densely packed lanes of Chora village are a treat to explore. Whitewashed houses huddle together along narrow streets, occasionally opening onto a small square with a pretty chapel. Flowers trail over walls and cats bask in sunny corners, and often there's not a soul to be seen other than vendors selling mementoes and religious trinkets to visitors. Because of its location on top of a hill, views from Chora over the rest of the island are a highlight.

4. Get to know Skala

Back down at sea level, the island's main town – Skala - stretches around the natural harbour where ferries from surrounding islands dock. It's situated at one of the narrowest points on the island, so you can cross to the opposite shore in just ten minutes or so on foot. Despite its small size and population, Skala sees a lot of visitors passing through from ferries and cruise ships, so there is a good choice of shops, beachfront tavernas, town bars and tourist facilities.

5. Go Barefoot on Patmos's best Beaches

Considering the extent of its corrugated coastline, Patmos does not have many large beaches. But what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. Most beaches of any size boast a summer beach bar or taverna, and many have a few trees behind the sand for shady lounging. Some of the wilder, often nudist, coves are best reached by boat, and one of the best beaches – Psili Ammos, is accessible by a 30-minute hike over a rocky spur. For more accessible beach time, aim for Agrio Livadi, Kampos and Grikos which are all reachable by road.

6. Step aboard for a boat trip

In summer, numerous boat trips depart from the port of Skala every day. Some potter around the coast of Patmos stopping at hidden beaches, others venture further afield to neighbouring islands. Scheduled ferries run to year-round to Athens as well as the closer major islands of Samos, Kos and Rhodes. Local ferries chug over to the nearby islands of Leros, Lipsi, Arki, and Marathi, though outside of high season the frequency is drastically reduced. There is no airport on Patmos, so unless you arrive by helicopter, your visit will definitely involve a boat trip.