If Chora is the elegant lady of Andros and Gavrio is the laid-back port town, then Batsi (or Mpatsi) is definitely the fun and charming little sister. It’s the kind of place that immediately makes you slow down and have a drink at one of the bars while looking out at the crystal-blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
The village is built amphitheatrically around a beautiful bay on the west coast of Andros, only 7 kilometers away from the port of Gavrio, which means sea views (and sunsets) are pretty much guaranteed wherever you go. The former small, traditional fishing village of Batsi is now one of the island’s most popular places to stay, and for good reason.
You don’t get the vibrant scene of Mykonos or the authenticity of some of the other small villages on Andros. But Batsi has plenty of things to do, sandy beaches, excellent restaurants, a lively atmosphere, enough little shops and cafés to keep you entertained for days, and is very family-friendly.
It is easy to see why Batsi is one of the best places in Andros to visit or stay for a relaxed Greek island getaway holiday. Yes, it can get crowded, but not nearly as much as places like Naoussa in Paros, the old town in Mykonos, or Oia in Santorini.
So, let’s dive into everything you need to know about what to do in Batsi, Andros, including our favorite restaurants and places to stay.
Read more: Best areas to stay in Andros
1. Wander through the village
Just like in any other small village in the Cyclades, the best way to experience Batsi is simply to wander around. The village isn’t particularly large, but that’s exactly what makes it so charming. You’ll find whitewashed houses climbing up the hillside, bougainvillea spilling over balconies, and a waterfront promenade lined with tavernas and cafés.
Spend an hour strolling through the narrow streets and staircases, looking for Saint Philip Church, and you’ll quickly understand why so many visitors return year after year. And yes, you’ll probably stop for ice cream at least once. Possibly twice. No judgement here.
Read more: Best things to do in Chora, Andros Town
2. Relax at Batsi Beach
You can’t visit Batsi without spending some time at its beautiful sandy beach. Located right in the center of the village, Batsi Beach is perfect if you like the idea of walking straight from your hotel to the sea in less than five minutes.
The water is shallow and calm, making it particularly popular with families traveling with young children. Furthermore, Batsi Beach has won the Blue Flag Award multiple times (an international award for the cleanest beaches).
You’ll find sunbeds, beach bars, and plenty of restaurants nearby, so it’s very easy to spend an entire day here without moving more than fifty meters. Which, let’s be honest, is sometimes exactly what we are looking for (as a nice change to all the hiking we love as well).
TIP: Batsi Beach is also a great place to do watersports, such as windsurfing, canoeing or paddleboarding.
3. Enjoy the waterfront restaurants
If you’re someone who plans their holiday around food (welcome to the club), you’ll love Batsi. The waterfront is lined with excellent tavernas serving fresh seafood, traditional Greek dishes, grilled meats, and delicious local specialties. But also in the back alleys, you can find some great places.
Most restaurants offer stunning views over the bay, making lunch or dinner here one of the highlights of any trip to Andros. Further in this article, we’ll go over our favorite places to eat in Batsi.
4. Watch the local fishermen at the harbor
One of my favorite things to do in Batsi doesn’t cost a thing. Head down to the small harbor and spend some time watching the colorful fishing boats gently bobbing in the water while local fishermen go about their daily routines.
In the early morning, you’ll often see them returning with the day’s catch, unloading their boats, repairing fishing nets, or chatting with one another along the waterfront. Grab a coffee from one of the nearby cafés, find a bench overlooking the harbor, and slow down for a while.
It’s a simple glimpse into everyday life on Andros and a welcome reminder that, despite Batsi’s popularity with visitors, it’s still a real working village.
5. Discover the beaches around Batsi
While Batsi Beach is lovely, there are plenty of other beaches nearby that are worth exploring. Many of these beaches are only a short drive by car or bus or even a pleasant walk from the village, making Batsi a great place to explore the beaches on the west coast of Andros.
Most are located to the north of town, between Gavrio Port and Batsi. Some of our favorites include:
- Delavoyas Beach: the only beach on this list located south of Batsi, in a beautiful bay, sheltered from the wind, with shallow and calm waters. It has one of the nicest beach bars on the island, but it is a bit more expensive (especially for a sunbed + umbrella).
- Colona Beach: a small beach just outside of town, perfect when the Meltemi winds blow, with a reasonably priced beach bar, all amenities and a few sunbeds but also with space to put your umbrella.
- Agios Kyprianos Beach: a less-crowded, hidden gem north of Batsi without any amenities (except for the taverna just behind the beach), but with a beautiful rocky, natural cove (great for snorkeling) and shallow water.
- Kypri Beach: lovely beach with sand and some pebbles, that has all you need and is easy to get to, but a bit less crowded than the following two beaches.
- Chrissi Ammos (Golden) Beach: one of the most popular sandy beaches on the island, with clear turquoise waters and excellent facilities.
- Agios Petros Beach: the beach closest to Gavrio, with a couple of beach bars, sunbeds for rent, and water sports during the summer months. A popular place for families.
6. Watch the sunset with a cocktail
Sunsets in Batsi are absolutely magical. Since the village faces west, it’s one of the best places on Andros to watch the sun slowly disappear into the Aegean Sea. Grab a cocktail, find a spot along the waterfront, and enjoy one of nature’s best free performances.
Unfortunately, since we were not staying in Batsi, we didn’t experience the sunset ourselves here in Batsi. But we saw the lovely cocktail bars by the water and the stunning sunsets Andros has to offer.
TIP: Batsi is also known for its lively nightlife, one of the best you can find on Andros, with multiple (cocktail) bars and local cafes. Nothing like in Mykonos, but all you need for a fun night out.
7. Go shopping
Batsi has some great small boutiques and souvenir shops, mainly close to the waterfront, where you’ll find some amazing (local) clothing and accessories, handmade jewelry, ceramics, and lovely souvenirs.
It’s the perfect place to pick up a few gifts or accidentally buy yet another linen outfit that somehow felt absolutely necessary at the time. Some of our favorites are:
- Pua Kimo: the lovely owner has created a beautiful shop with unique, affordable clothing and other pieces from all over the world. Absolutely worth a visit!
- Aelia Clothing and Accessories: a beautiful store with tasteful and qualitative clothes, jewelry, and decorative items.
8. Explore the nearby villages
One of the great things about staying in Batsi is that you’re perfectly located for exploring the rest of Andros. We highly recommend that you rent a car for a day or two so you can discover the other villages and the greener and more mountainous side of the island.
Read more: The best mountain villages in Andros
Several smaller, beautiful villages are just a short drive away, such as Katakilos, Ano Aprovatou, Menites, or Apoikia. But also the towns of Gavrio (the authentic port where you arrive) or Chora (the stylish capital) are not far away. Chora, for example, is only a 45-minute drive. If you don’t want to drive, there are also buses to Gavrio and Chora, passing some of the villages. Or you could hike (see next paragraph).
Read more: Our full guide on car rental in Andros
TIP: Paleopolis and its Archaeological Museum, only 9 kilometers South of Batsi, earn a special mention. Here you can find the remains of the island’s original capital of Paleopolis, dating back to the 6th century BC. In the modern village up the hill, you find the museum, but you can walk down (route 9a) to wander among the ruins overlooking the water. There is even a sunken marketplace (agora) in the sea.
9. Go hiking
Andros is one of the best hiking destinations in the Cyclades, and Batsi makes a great starting point for exploring some of the island’s famous hiking trails.
Whether you’re looking for an easy coastal walk or a more challenging mountain hike, you’ll find plenty of options nearby. Spring is particularly beautiful, when the island is covered in wildflowers and surprisingly lush landscapes.
If you have been following us, you know we love hiking and did some great hikes in Syros and the Byzantine Road in Paros. And we have to say, in Andros the hikes are a lot better marked. So, if you like hiking, here are some of the best trails from and near Batsi:
- Trail 11: Batsi – Katakilos – Arni: a moderate (with some difficult parts) but stunning hike of almost 9 km one way, leaving from Batsi town and taking you over Petalo, the highest mountain range. The hike offers incredible views, and you get to explore the green side of the island (find more info here).
- Trail 11a: Batsi – Chamilli Piggi Spring – Ano Aprovatou: you can hike this moderate trail with breathtaking views of the west coastline either from Batsi town, and first go 30 minutes over trail 11, or leave from the starting point and just walk trail 11a for around 3.5 km one way (find more info here).
- Trail 16: Batsi – Agias Monastery – Ano Agios Petros: this moderate trail (6 km one way) starts right at Batsi beach, and climbs the western hills with stunning views of the coast, past the historic Zoodohos Pigi (Agia) Monastery to Ano Agios Petros settlement (find more info here).
How to get to Batsi on Andros?
Batsi is located on the west coast of Andros. Thanks to its central location, it’s one of the best places to base yourself while exploring the island and is pretty easy to get to.
As Andros has no airport, everybody arrives by ferry (daily from Rafina in Athens (like we did), Tinos, or Mykonos and weekly from Syros or Paros). So, most people wonder how to get from Gavrio to Batsi, as Gavrio is the only ferry port of the island. There are different options:
- By car: if you arrive with your own car or rent a car, it is just a 15-minute drive from Gavrio to Batsi.
- By bus: you can also go by bus (KTEL Andros) to Batsi from Gavrio, either on the Gavrio – Chora bus or on the Gavrio – Batsi bus, which passes all the beaches. Check the bus timetables, as they change a lot depending on the season. You can pay cash for your ticket on the bus.
- By taxi: the last option is taking a private taxi (it is best to book this ahead of your arrival).
But also from the other towns (Chora, Ormos) or some of the popular beaches, you can easily get to Batsi by car, bus, or taxi. Chora to Batsi, for example, is a 40-minute drive.
Read more: How to get to Andros Island
Best time to visit Batsi
Unlike Chora and Gavrio, Batsi is more seasonal. While a small number of locals live here year-round, many hotels, restaurants, and tourist businesses close during winter. If you’re visiting between November and March, expect a much quieter atmosphere.
The best time to visit Batsi is between May and October. June and September are particularly lovely, offering warm temperatures, fewer crowds, and the perfect balance between lively and relaxed.
July and August are the busiest months, when the village is buzzing with visitors, restaurants are packed, and the beaches are at their liveliest. We were here during the last days of August, a perfect time to experience the atmosphere of high season, but already with fewer crowds.
Read more: What is the best time to visit the Greek Islands
Our favorite restaurants in Batsi, Andros
Batsi is one of the best places on Andros if you love good food. The waterfront is lined with excellent tavernas and cosy cafés, but also check the labyrinth of small streets for some hidden gems. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely breakfast with a sea view, a fresh seafood lunch, or a romantic dinner by the water, you’ll find plenty of great options here.
Some of our favorite restaurants, tavernas, bars, and cafes include:
- Pomelo Andros: tucked away in an alley, this place has some of the best food, offering classic Greek dishes with a modern twist combined with a very cool atmosphere.
- Volaki: come here for delicious and fresh seafood, very good service, beautiful views over the bay, and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Barbaresco: if you’ve had enough Greek food, come to this great Italian restaurant with delicious pasta and pizza.
- Almi Tavern: a great local tavern for delicious Greek food with a beautiful view over the Aegean Sea and the best service.
- Kantouni Tavern: located at the end of Batsi Beach, this lovely tavern has the best homemade Greek dishes (and you can even stay in their guesthouse).
- Senso Sesto: being a bit outside of town, you can come here for a peaceful coffee with breakfast or lunch, while enjoying a beautiful view away from the busy town.
- 105 E, Espresso – Cocktail Bar: you can find the best cocktails here, but also come for a delicious coffee or meal while looking over the bay (also great during sunset).
- Thomas Bakery: the best bakery in town (and maybe Andros?) with tasteful homemade pastries, perfect for breakfast and lunch and the best service.
- Colona Beach Bar: a bit outside of town, this excellent and affordable beach bar is the perfect place for a relaxing day, especially when the Meltemi winds are blowing.
Where to stay in Batsi?
If you wonder where to stay in Andros, it all depends on what you are looking for. For an authentic experience away from the crowds, Batsi might be too busy for you, and it’s better to book somewhere else, more remote, like the place where we stayed.
If you like to be in a central location, with the beach, restaurants, shops, and all amenities close by, then Batsi is your place. It’s family-friendly, walkable, and offers something for everyone. If you want to explore Andros without a car, I would even say Batsi is the best place you can choose to stay due to its central location and buses that leave from here.
You’ll find everything from luxury boutique hotels and beachfront apartments to affordable studios and traditional guesthouses.
TIP: We do recommend staying on the west side of town (for example, near Colona Beach, only a 10-minute walk) because in the center it can get rather loud until late due to the loud music of the bars.
Here are some of our favorite stays:
- Galazio Rooms & Suites: one of the most affordable and amazing stays in Batsi, as Maria, the host, will do anything to make your stay perfect. Right by the beach, you get to enjoy wonderful views over the bay and a delicious breakfast in the morning.
- Kantouni Guest House: we already mentioned their tavern, but also their guesthouse is absolutely worth staying at! The location is perfect in a quiet area right by the beach, the staff is very friendly, and the rooms are clean with a great sea view.
- The Cozy Nest: this hidden gem lies close to Colona Beach and has the perfect location for a great stay in Batsi, overlooking the bay. Add great hosts, nice rooms, and you have all you need.
How much time do you need in Batsi?
While you can explore the village in just a few hours if you are not staying here, Batsi is one of those places that’s best enjoyed at a slower pace.
You can easily spend 2 to 3 days here, giving you enough time to relax on the beaches, enjoy long lunches by the waterfront, explore the nearby villages, hike one of the iconic trails, and watch a few unforgettable sunsets.
If you’re using Batsi as your base for discovering the best things to do in Andros, you could happily stay for 4 to 7 days or longer, although we really advise you to also pick a second base somewhere else on the island so you get to experience another stay.
A few more frequently asked questions about Batsi in Andros
Is Batsi worth visiting?
Absolutely, as you probably have noticed reading this article! It has everything you need (beautiful sandy beaches, a picturesque waterfront, excellent restaurants) combined with a relaxed atmosphere and easy access to everything. It’s also a great base for exploring the rest of the island thanks to its central location.
Is Batsi busy in summer?
Batsi is one of the most popular holiday destinations on Andros, so it does get busy during July and August, especially with Greek families and international visitors. That said, it only gets as busy as it gets on Andros, and never feels overcrowded like Mykonos or Santorini. If you prefer fewer crowds and milder temperatures, visit in June or September.
Is Batsi a good base to visit Andros without a car?
Yes, especially if you’re planning a relaxing beach holiday. Batsi is very walkable, with hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, cafés, and the beach all within easy walking distance. There are also buses connecting Batsi with Gavrio, Chora, and some popular beaches during the tourist season. And several hiking trails leave from Batsi. However, if you want to explore the island’s mountain villages, other hiking trails, and more remote beaches, renting a car for at least a few days is highly recommended.
What is the best place to stay, Batsi, Chora or Gavrio?
It depends on the type of holiday you’re looking for. Batsi is ideal if you want a lively beach village with plenty of restaurants and everything within walking distance. Chora is better for travelers who love culture, elegant architecture, museums, and a more sophisticated atmosphere. Gavrio is the most convenient choice if you’re arriving by ferry or planning to explore different parts of the island by car. For most first-time visitors who look for a typical Greek getaway, we think Batsi offers the best balance of beaches, dining, convenience, and atmosphere.
Is Batsi open in winter?
Batsi becomes much quieter during the winter months. While a small number of locals live here year-round, many hotels, restaurants, beach bars, and tourist shops close between November and March. You’ll still find a few cafés, tavernas, and essential services open, but don’t expect the lively atmosphere of summer.
How far is Batsi from Gavrio Port?
Batsi is located just 7 km (4.3 miles) south of Gavrio Port, making it one of the easiest places to reach after arriving on Andros. The drive takes around 10 minutes by car or taxi, and regular buses also connect the two towns during the summer season.
Is Batsi good for families?
Definitely! Batsi is one of the most family-friendly destinations on Andros. The main beach has calm, shallow water that’s ideal for young children, while the village itself is compact and easy to explore on foot. There are plenty of family-friendly hotels, restaurants with children’s menus, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes traveling with kids easy and enjoyable.
Does Batsi have nightlife?
Batsi has a lively evening atmosphere, but don’t expect beach clubs or all-night parties like you’ll find on Mykonos. Instead, nightlife here revolves around waterfront cocktail bars, cosy cafés, live music at some tavernas, and long dinners overlooking the sea. It’s the perfect destination if you enjoy relaxed evenings with good food, a glass of wine, and a beautiful sunset rather than dancing until sunrise.
Is Batsi expensive?
Compared to famous Cycladic islands like Mykonos or Santorini, Batsi is very affordable. You’ll find accommodation for every budget, from family-run studios to boutique hotels, and restaurants generally offer excellent value for money. Of course, prices are slightly higher during the peak summer months of July and August, but overall, Batsi is considered one of the more budget-friendly destinations in the Cyclades.
Is there a bus from Batsi to Chora or Gavrio?
Yes. During the tourist season, public buses connect Batsi with Chora (Andros Town) and Gavrio several times a day. The journey takes around 35 to 40 minutes to Chora and 10 minutes to Gavrio, depending on the route and number of stops. Bus schedules vary throughout the year, with more frequent departures in summer than in winter, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest timetable before you travel.
Our final thoughts on Batsi, Andros
Even though you immediately feel when you arrive in Batsi that it is the more popular (and probably a bit less authentic) place on the island, you are still on Andros. Which means that even the busiest place here still has a lot of charm, is beautiful without being pretentious, and lively without being overwhelming.
So, whether you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or as a family, Batsi offers lots of things to do and everything you could want from a typical Greek island holiday: sandy beaches, fantastic food, stunning sunsets, and a laid-back atmosphere.