One of the biggest questions you’ll face when planning your trip to Andros is: ‘Where should I stay?’ Because unlike many smaller Cycladic islands such as Syros, Andros isn’t a place where you can stay anywhere and be just a short drive from everything.
Andros is the second-largest island in the Cyclades, with winding mountain roads, hidden beaches, charming villages, and many things to do and see spread across the island. Where you choose to stay can completely shape your holiday.
The good news? There isn’t really a bad place to stay on Andros, as a lot is reachable by public transport or by renting a car. But you need to know what’s best for you and the type of travel you want to do. Maybe you’re dreaming of lazy beach days, long dinners by the sea, and wandering through elegant marble streets. Or maybe you want to get the true authentic island feel and do some of the many hikes around the island.
We chose the remote, authentic, and beautiful-view experience and stayed at Villa Thimari up in the mountains, but close to the port of Gavrio. But after exploring the island, we can assure you there is a perfect area to stay for everyone. Here’s our guide to the best places to stay in Andros.
Quick answer: ‘Where to stay in Andros?’
If you’re short on time, here’s a summary. Basically, you can stay in one of the three biggest towns (Batsi, Chora, Gavrio), close to some of the most popular beaches (Agios Petros and Kypri), choose a more relaxed accommodation (Korthi region and Ormos), or go remote (inland, the mountains, small villages).
Let’s sum it up:
- Batsi: Great for first-time visitors, families, beach-lovers, couples, restaurants, and a lively atmosphere.
- Chora (Andros Town): Great for couples, culture lovers, boutique hotels, foodies, off-season visitors, and elegant architecture.
- Gavrio: Great for convenience, ferry arrivals, short stays, budget accommodations, and exploring the island by car.
- Agios Petros & Kypri: Great for beach lovers, families, or couples looking for a relaxing stay close to Gavrio.
- Ormos (Korthi region): Great for travelers wanting to escape the crowds and a more relaxed, traditional Greek stay.
- Inland / In the mountains / Remote: Great for nature lovers, hikers, and travelers who want a local, authentic experience, often with the best views.
In this article, we go deeper into each place to stay, the pros and cons, our opinion, and will give you a few of our favorite accommodations and where we stayed.
How to get to Andros and around the island?
Before we dive into the best areas to stay, you might be wondering how to get to Andros. As there is no port (the closest ones are in Athens or flying to Syros), everybody arrives on Andros by ferry. And there are essentially two options:
- Most visitors arrive by ferry from Rafina, the port closest to Athens International Airport. That is also what we did, and it is surprisingly easy. The ferry arrives at Gavrio, Andros’ only ferry port, and takes roughly two hours, with regular services throughout the year but more departures during the summer.
- If you are already island-hopping around the Cyclades, then you are probably coming from one of the other islands. Andros is frequently connected by ferry to Tinos and Mykonos, and has some less frequent connections to islands such as Syros.
Read more: How to get to Andros by ferry
Once you’re on the island, you can get around by local bus (KTEL), taxi, or rental car. Buses connect the main towns such as Gavrio, Batsi, Chora and Korthi, but services are limited and won’t get you to many of the more remote beaches and villages.
For that reason, we highly recommend renting a car, especially if you want to explore beyond the main tourist areas. We loved driving around Andros, a surprisingly large and mountainous island, and having our own wheels gave us the freedom to stop at a random viewpoint, discover a tiny village, or change our beach plans whenever we felt like it, which, in our opinion, is half the fun.
Read more: A complete guide for driving and car rental in Andros
Staying in Batsi: the best all-round base
Batsi is one of the most popular places to stay on the island. This charming seaside village has just about everything you could want from a Greek island holiday. There’s a beautiful (family-friendly) sandy beach, dozens of excellent restaurants, cafés and bars (making it the best place for nightlife in Andros), boutique shops, supermarkets, and plenty of accommodation options, all within walking distance.
It’s also perfectly located for exploring Andros by rental car, with just a 10-minute drive from Gavrio (the port where you will arrive on Andros from Athens or another Cycladic island) and around 35–40 minutes from the capital Chora.
If you are exploring Andros without a car, then Batsi is probably also the best place to stay for you. You have all the amenities close by, and regular buses leave for Gavrio, Chora, Agios Petros beach and some of the mountain villages.
The downside of Batsi is that it can get quite busy during high season, especially in July and August. Not as busy as Mykonos, but it is definitely the liveliest place on the island. This also means it has lost some of its authentic charm, even though you’ll still see fishermen in the harbour, locals chatting over coffee, and local families enjoying long evenings along the waterfront.
Read more: A complete guide for Batsi: what to do, where to eat and the best places to stay
Our favorite and affordable stays in Batsi
Batsi has all the stays you can possibly dream of, from beach resorts and boutique hotels to cozy apartments and budget rooms. If you like a quiet night, especially for families with young children, we recommend staying on the west side of town (for example, near Colona Beach, only a 10-minute walk). In the center, in high season, it can get rather loud until late due to the loud music of the bars.
Here are our favorite accommodations in Batsi:
- The Cozy Nest: close to Colona Beach, you can find this gem, overlooking the bay, offering the perfect location for a great stay in Batsi. Add comfortable rooms, great hosts, and you have all you need for the perfect holiday.
- Galazio Rooms & Suites: an amazing and affordable stay in Batsi, where Maria will do anything to make your stay as perfect as possible. It’s by the beach with wonderful views over the bay and a delicious breakfast.
- Kantouni Guest House: a perfect location in a quiet area right by the beach, with very friendly staff, and clean rooms offering a great sea view.
More great accommodations in Batsi
If you are looking for something more particular, here are some more ideas:
- Most unique stay in Batsi: Aneroussa Beach Hotel, a uniquely built hotel, owned by 3 local architects, 800 meters away from the center, combining discreet luxury with the natural coastline.
- Best luxury hotel for couples in Batsi: Aegean Castle Andros (adults-only), the perfect Andros getaway for couples a bit away from Batsi, with stunning pools, views, and beautiful rooms.
- Best beachfront hotel in Batsi: Chryssi Akti Sure Hotel, right by the beach in the center of Batsi, with a pool and perfect for families.
Staying in Chora: the stylish and historical capital
If Batsi wins your heart with its beaches, Chora steals it with its elegance. The capital of Andros feels completely different from the rest of the Cyclades (except maybe for the neoclassical Ermoupoli in Syros).
Instead of endless whitewashed houses, you’ll find marble streets, grand neoclassical mansions, art galleries, museums, boutique hotels, some of the island’s best restaurants, and two beaches. We found it to be a very romantic, sophisticated, and incredibly photogenic place.
If your ideal holiday involves wandering picturesque streets, discovering hidden cafés, soaking in some culture, and ending the day with dinner overlooking the sea, Chora might be your perfect place to stay. And just like Batsi, it is a great base to explore the rest of the island.
It’s also one of the few places in Andros and the Cyclades that remains lively throughout the year thanks to its permanent local population.
The downside of Chora is that it’s about a 40–45 minute drive from Gavrio Port, so you’ll probably want a rental car if you’re staying here, although there is also a bus going between Gavrio and Chora.
Read more: Travel guide on what to do in Chora (Andros Town)
Our favorite and affordable stays in Chora
Chora has accommodation for everyone, from authentic guesthouses to boutique hotels and stylish apartments tucked away in the marble alleyways. While it isn’t located near the ferry port, the extra drive is more than worth it. Here are a few of our favorite accommodations in Chora:
- Alkyoni Studios: only 10 minutes walk from the center and located across from the beach, this lovely modern studio and great host will make sure you have a wonderful stay.
- Lasia Boutique Apartment: a 2-bedroom apartment, beautifully designed and fully equipped with a perfect mix between the traditional Cycladic style and luxury, at the perfect location in the center of Chora.
- Anemomiloi Andros: close to the heart of Chora or Andros Town, you can find this lovely accommodation with a pool, delicious breakfast, and even parking. The rooms (including family rooms) are very clean and comfortable.
More great accommodations in Chora
- Most unique and iconic boutique stay in Chora: Micra Anglia Boutique Hotel & Spa, set inside a restored 19th-century neoclassical captain’s mansion, featuring a glass-sided cocktail pool, a wellness spa, and fine dining right in the pedestrian heart of Chora.
- Best family-friendly beach hotel in Chora: Vassiliki Studios, excellent location in Chora, very close to the town center and across from the beach, featuring a pool with a beautiful view and very clean rooms.
- Most special luxurious stay in Chora: Casa Di Fiori Suites, a true charming and elegant gem in Andros, with an absolutely beautiful location and terrace a bit outside of Chora. But what will make your stay truly special is the hospitality of the host Ioanna and her delicious breakfast.
Staying in Gavrio: the most convenient base
Gavrio is the first place you’ll see when your ferry arrives on Andros. Most visitors immediately drive elsewhere, but that’s actually a bit of a shame. While it doesn’t have quite the charm of Chora or the beach atmosphere of Batsi, it’s a great base for exploring the island.
Gavrio has a relaxed harbour atmosphere, excellent seafood restaurants, lovely cafés, and easy access to some of the island’s best beaches, including Agios Petros, Kypri, and Chrissi Ammos.
It’s also incredibly practical. If you’re arriving late or catching an early ferry, staying here saves a lot of driving and hours of sleep.
The downside of staying in Gavrio is that there are fewer options, and it doesn’t have as many amenities as the bigger towns Batsi and Chora.
Read more: A guide to Gavrio Port in Andros
Our favorite and affordable stays in Gavrio
Even though Gavrio is smaller, you’ll still find a nice range of accommodation options. Some of our favorites are:
- Pharos Apartments: very well-equipped, spacious, and comfortable apartments with spectacular views over the sea where you can watch the ferries sail by.
- Aktio Studios: great location close to the beach across the main road and Gavrio town; the kind host Nikos offers spacious and clean rooms (also for families) with beautiful balconies overlooking the sea.
- Ruby’s Summer House: this holiday home is a hidden gem, with a fantastic garden and very clean, equipped and well-maintained rooms. And Ruby makes your stay even more special, thinking about everything.
TIP: Do you want to stay close to the ferry but go for a more unique stay, then go to the mountain villages right above Gavrio, just a short drive away but with stunning views. This is what we did when we stayed at Villa Thimari in Agios Petros.
Staying around Agios Petros & Kypri: best for beach lovers
If waking up a few steps from the sea sounds like your idea of heaven, consider staying around the three popular beaches, Agios Petros Beach, Chrissi Ammos Beach or Kypri Beach.
These neighbouring beaches, just south of Gavrio and north of Batsi, belong to Andros’ most beautiful sandy beaches with crystal-clear blue waters. The atmosphere is quieter than Batsi, yet you’re still only a short drive away from restaurants and shops.
It’s a great option if you want lazy beach days without staying in one of the busier towns. Especially if you are travelling with young kids, this might be the best place to stay in Andros for you.
The downside is that these beaches can get quite busy during the summer months.
Our favorite and affordable stays near Agios Petros and Kipri beaches
- Villa Anna Andros: a lovely and affordable place, with a spacious garden and a wonderful beach across the road. The hosts are amazing and would do anything to keep the guests happy.
- Hotel Perrakis: a beautiful, family-friendly beach-front hotel, right by the most popular beaches of the island, with a pool and amazing views.
- Aegean Seasons: very clean and spacious apartments (also perfect for families) with a fully equipped kitchen, at a great location, close to one of the best beaches of Andros.
Staying in Ormos (Korthi region): for peaceful island life
If your dream holiday involves quiet beaches, sleepy villages, and hearing more cicadas than traffic, you’ll love the beachtown Ormos and the Korthi region.
Located on the southern coast of Andros, Ormos Korthiou (usually just called Korthi) feels wonderfully untouched. Life moves slowly here, and that’s exactly its appeal.
You’ll find a small beach, a handful of tavernas, and easy access to hiking trails, traditional villages, and some of the island’s most dramatic scenery. It’s not the place to stay if you’re looking for nightlife, but if you’re looking for peace, it’s hard to beat.
The downside of Korthi is that it is not as easy to reach from Gavrio. You will for sure need a rental car, and it is an hour drive from Gavrio. And for travelers looking for a lively atmosphere, it will be far too quiet.
Our favorite and affordable stays in Ormos and the Korthi region
- Andros 4 All Seasons Villas & Suites: beautiful, well-equipped apartments with comfortable beds, located in the center of Ormos, a short walk from restaurants, cafes, bakery, pharmacy, and the beach.
- Nicolas: the perfect place to stay near the beach of Ormos, offering a fantastic breakfast, a nice swimming pool, and clean rooms with great views.
- Villa Sis: spacious villa with 3 bedrooms and everything you need, with great views overlooking Korthi bay and close to many hiking trails.
Staying inland / in the mountains / remote: for an authentic and traditional Cycladic stay
And last but not least, because this is our personal favorite, if you really want to get away from the beach resorts and experience a different side of Andros, consider staying inland, in the mountains, or somewhere remote. We stayed in the mountain village Agios Petros in Villa Thimari and loved it!
But there are many other villages such as Menites, Stenies, Apoikia and Pitrofos; all are surrounded by lush valleys, old stone houses, olive groves and beautiful hiking trails. Another option is staying at the remote beaches, such as Vitali Beach or Zorkos Beach.
Read more: How to get to Vitali Beach and what to do
This is where you’ll find a much slower pace of life, traditional tavernas and the feeling that you’ve stumbled into the Andros of another era. Accommodation tends to be small guesthouses, restored village houses and charming villas rather than large hotels. But they usually all have stunning views!
It’s not the most convenient option if your main goal is to spend every day at the beach, and you’ll definitely want a rental car, but if you’re looking for peace, authenticity and a more traditional side of the island, staying inland can be one of the most rewarding choices you make.
The biggest downside here is that you’re often quite remote, meaning you have to drive winding mountain roads to get anywhere (even a supermarket).
Read more: A complete guide to the villages of Andros
Our favorite and affordable stays are inland and in the mountains
- Villa Thimari: this is where we stayed, in Agios Petros, a small village above Gavrio. We loved our time in this traditional Greek Cycladic house, with stunning views (especially during sunset) and the friendliest host.
- Olive Guesthouse near farm: a beautiful traditional apartment, located 8 kilometers from Chora, in an old olive press room, with beautiful sea views from the terrace and decorations that give the place an authentic Cycladic atmosphere.
- The Nest: a stunning and spacious villa, with three bedrooms and breathtaking views from the pool in a serene and remote location in the north of the island.
Our favorite stays at remote beaches
- Vitali Sea House: stay right at Vitali beach in this lovely house, where you have an amazing view of the Aegean Sea from the patio.
- Alia Andros: rent one of the holiday houses located right at Gides Beach (next to Vitali Beach) and relax by the pool or one of the two beaches all day.
- Aegea Blue Cycladic Resort: a stunning and spacious villa, with three bedrooms and breathtaking views from the pool in a serene and remote location in the north of the island.
More frequently asked questions (FAQ) about where to stay in Andros
Should you stay in one place or explore?
If you only have 2 or 3 days in Andros, we would suggest picking one location. However, since Andros is a relatively large island, if you have enough time, we would definitely recommend staying in two or more different places. It will reduce your driving time substantially and give you more time to actually explore.
In that case, choose one accommodation in the north or on the west coast (Batsi, Gavrio, or a mountain village) and one in the south or on the east coast (Chora, Ormos, or a mountain village). That way, you can experience both the lively west coast and the elegant east coast without spending too much time driving.
That said, if you’re renting a car, staying in one place is also perfectly doable. Even the longest drives on the island rarely take a lot more than an hour.
Do you need a car to explore Andros?
If you’re staying in Batsi (and maybe Gavrio or Chora), you can comfortably spend a few days without a car, especially if you’re mainly planning to relax by the beach. From Batsi, there are daily buses (KTEL) going to Gavrio and Chora, passing some of the popular beaches and a couple of mountain villages.
For anywhere else, and especially if you want to discover hidden beaches, mountain villages, monasteries, and hiking trails, we’d highly recommend renting a car. In our opinion, having your own car is the best way to experience Andros.
Is Batsi or Chora better to stay in?
It depends on your travel style. Batsi is better for beaches, families, and convenience, while Chora is ideal for couples, culture lovers, and anyone looking for a more elegant atmosphere.
Is Andros expensive?
Compared to islands like Mykonos or Santorini, Andros is very affordable. You’ll find everything from budget studios to luxury boutique hotels, and accommodations generally offer excellent value for money.
Should I stay near the ferry port Gavrio on Andros?
Only if convenience is your top priority. Gavrio is ideal for short stays, late ferry arrivals, or early ferry departures, but for longer holidays we’d recommend Batsi, Chora or another place on the island.
Final thoughts on the best places to stay in Andros
Where to stay in Andros really depends on the kind of holiday you’re looking for. If you want beaches and restaurants within walking distance, choose Batsi. If you love elegant towns, museums, and boutique hotels, head to Chora. And if convenience matters most, stay in Gavrio.
And if you are just like us and your idea of paradise is quiet beaches, mountain villages, and total relaxation, you’ll feel right at home in Korthi or in some of the other mountain villages.
Whichever area you choose, one thing is certain: you’ll find your perfect stay on Andros! The island has a way of making you slow down, wanting to stay a little longer than planned, and start wondering when you can come back (trust us, we are already planning our next trip).