Nikouria Beach Amorgos

Nikouria island is located in the beautiful Aegiali bay just in front of Agios Pavlos beach in the northern part on the west side of Amorgos.

Inhabited since the Neolithic period, it is of a certain historical interest thanks to the archaeological finds that I attribute to Nikouria the management of the mint of three ancient cities of the island, Minoa above the port of Katapola, one of the most important centers during the prehistoric period as well as summer residence of King Minos where today the remains of the walls are visible, the Hellenistic temple and the gymnasium cabinet almost intact with the conduit dug into the rock, Arkesini today a place of interest thanks to its ancient inhabited center since the Middle Ages for then be abandoned for the continuous threats of pirates and where in the geometric and Roman period, an acropolis dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite and Athena was built with a road of columns where today you can admire an ancient tower of the 400, and finally Aegiali which in the past was right in front of the Tholaria village on the hill of Vigla inhabited until the tenth century BC where there was an acropolis and was scope rta the largest sculpture of the period of the Cyclades Islands with a strategic view of the sea. Until the end of the 19th century, however, the island of Nikouria was used as a leper colony. Even today you can see the ruins of the lodgings where the monks treated the sick.

Of great importance is an ancient stone tablet with the inscription of the Nikouria decree of the third century BC found in a wall of an old house in Amorgos in the village of Tholaria. The stele contains information on the history of the Aegean with a decision by the Koinon League to participate in the games organized by Ptolemy II in Alexandria to commemorate Father Ptolemy I.

Almost five kilometers long, today it is completely uninhabited only a few goats live on the islet, nothing more '. The highest peak reaches 346 meters and is called Chalara Mountain. It can be reached from the beaches with a nice walk of about an hour and a half and offers a wonderful view over the whole island of Amorgos, the surrounding islands and the two sides of Nikouria the green one to the east while the west one with steep rocks.

Obviously the island of Nikouria is famous and sought after for its beautiful three beaches. All of soft sand with rocks that surround them, they are bathed by very clean and clear waters but a little colder than the island of Amorgos. The colors of the sea are crazy, they change from turquoise to emerald to the typical dark blue of the Aegean Sea. On the largest called Megali Nikouria (Megalo in Greek means large) located in the northern part of the island there is a small bar only in the summer season for something to drink and quick to eat, the other two are smaller. call Mikri Nikouria (mikri in Greek means small) always on the east side, they are completely wild and unspoiled so 'if you opt for a day here' remember to bring food, water and something to shelter you from the sun because of trees not even remotely the shade.

The two smaller beaches can be reached in two ways, the most convenient is via the ferry when it passes to get to Nikouria, or on foot with a nice walk of about fifteen minutes passing by the chapel of Panagiata Nikouriani and enjoying the wonderful panorama on the beach of Agios Pavlos just in front.

Given the clarity of the waters that surround it, the island of Nikoura is perfect for snorkeling near the coast and if you want and if you are a good swimmer, reach the tiny Gramvonissi islet, a favorite destination for divers for the beauty of the seabed made of covered caves. from corals, sponges and schools of fish that will turn around curiously. To find out more, consult this site that organizes exciting dives: https: //www.amorgos-diving.com/

Needless to say, only and exclusively by sea. From Agios Pavlos every day about every half hour there are boats that shuttle back and forth at a cost of about € 4 per person from 11.00 to 19.00. In ten minutes of navigation you reach Nikouria.

An obligatory stop and to be put among the things to do in Amorgos if you decide to spend your holiday in Greece right on this tireless island.