A small Aegean island where Saint John wrote the Book of Revelation in a sacred cave. The 11th-century monastery, now a UNESCO site, sits atop its rocky hills.
Patmos, an island in Greece's Dodecanese archipelago, is home to the 11th-century Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse - both UNESCO World Heritage sites. You'll find white cubic houses in the hilltop town of Chora, swimming spots at Psili Ammos beach, and family-run tavernas serving local dishes like fresh-caught fish and Greek salads in the narrow streets.
Getting to Patmos
You can reach Patmos only by boat. Ferries run from Athens' Piraeus port (8 hours) and connect to nearby islands like Kos (2-3 hours) and Samos. In summer, catamarans cut these journey times by half. All boats arrive at Skala port, where you'll find taxis and buses to other parts of the island.
The Cave and Monastery
The Cave of the Apocalypse lies halfway up the mountain between Skala and Chora. The cave contains silver frames marking where St. John reportedly rested his head while writing the Book of Revelation, and a triple crack in the rock ceiling symbolizes the Holy Trinity. Above in Chora, the Monastery of St. John's walls reach 15 meters high. Inside, you can visit the library with over 1,200 ancient manuscripts, including gospel texts from the 6th century, and a museum displaying Byzantine icons and religious artifacts.
Exploring Chora
Chora's streets circle the monastery in a maze of alleys lined with white cubic houses. The architecture combines Venetian and Byzantine elements, with many buildings constructed during the 16th and 17th centuries. In the evening, locals gather in small squares (plateias) at cafes. From the hilltop location, you can see across the Aegean Sea to Turkey's coast.
Beaches and Swimming
The northern coast has several calm beaches. At Lambi Beach, you'll find pebbles in shades of red, black, and white, while Vaghia typically has fewer visitors than beaches in the south. To reach Psili Ammos, the island's only sandy beach, walk 40 minutes along a marked trail. Most beaches lack facilities, so pack water and food.
Day Trips and Island Hopping
From Skala's harbor, boats travel to Marathi and Arki islands. The trip to Marathi takes one hour each way, and the island has one taverna serving fresh seafood. Local boat owners can take you to coves along the coast that aren't accessible by road - ask at Skala harbor for schedules and availability.
