Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taxi
(
6976256461, 6975706365)
There are two taxis on the island.
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LivadiΛειβάδι
Head directly to Livadi Beach (2km from Hora) for a string of funky restaurants and
bars. Compared to the rest of the island, this buzzing gauntlet seems as if it's been trans-
planted from the pages of a fashion magazine. On the seafront,
Hotel Manganas
(
22430 61468;
astyroom@otenet.gr
;
studios €60; )
offers eight sea-facing rooms with
homely kitchens, tables to eat in or out, and even washing machines and cable TV. For
something really special though, head to the boutique dream of
Fildisi Hotel
( 22430
62060;
www.fildisi.net
;
studios €140-260; )
. Split into terraces, its centrepiece is an
infinity pool accompanied by a juice bar and marvellous view of the sea. The breakfast/
chill room is chic, while the ubercool rooms enjoy balconies, kitchenettes, flat-screen
TVs and sea views.
Trapezakia Exo
( 22430 61083; mains €5-9)
at the western end of the beach serves
fresh sandwiches from its deli. Take away or eat steak, Armenian sausage, mussels,
meatballs and shrimp at their stylish beachside terrace. Nearby
Astropelos
( 22430
61473; mains €9; 8am-midnight; )
has a decked verandah with chic white tables and
a menu of octopus salad, breaded crab's pincers and lobster. French lounge tunes under
the shade of tamarisk trees accompany the view of distant Hora.
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West of Skala
Heading west of Skala you hit the Astypalea outback - gnarled, bare rolling hills, perfect
for a Cyclops, with scarcely a sealed road to speak of. It's just about driveable. The road
eventually leads to the
Kastro
ruins and
Moni Agiou Ioanni
, situated next to each other
above the coast. From here, the strictly fit may venture downwards on foot to
Agios
Ioannis beach
. An equally rough road leads to
Panormos Beach
which you'll likely
have to yourself.
On the south coast, a rough track winds through mountainous meadows then drops to
Kaminakia Beach
, Astypalea's best altar to sun-worshipping. Bookended by granite
boulders, the water is so clear you can see the pebbles through the turquoise. There's also
a good seasonal restaurant,
Sti Linda
( 6932610050; mains €4-7; Jul-Sep)
, serving
hearty fish soups, oven-baked goat and homemade bread. If your nerves aren't shattered,
