The traditional architecture of Andros has always been a little bit different from the other Cycladic Islands (except from Tinos). The known small, white, cubic houses that we meet in Paros, Myconos or Santorini are not so frequently seen in Andros. Andros has a more classic and Venetian architecture, with plenty of pigeon houses and of course the usual windmills and various small decorative marble elements. At the Dipotamos Valley we find buildings from the pre industrial period that are therefore characterised as protected monuments. In Piskopi we can see windmills with wing-like horizontal construction.
Andros is also known for its cultural development. So it has 2 Archaeological Museums (one in Chora and one in Palaeopoli), a Nautical Museum, the Institute of Petros and Marika Kydoniev and the most popular one, the Museum of Modern Art by Vassilis and Eliza Goulandris (known old rich Andrian family). Equally Important is the Kairios Library with its collection of rare scripts and manuscripts as well as its historic archive and some works of Arts. The members of this library have plenty of environmental activities.

ANDROS - CHORA
Andros or Chora is the capital of the island and the base of Andros Town Hall. It's situated on the east side of the island, at an altitude of 20m on a rocky peninsula about 35km from Gavrio. The distance from the main port of Gavrio is 1 hour by car or bus. The bus schedule has frequent service from and to Chora. In the old times the name of Chora was Kato Kastro (Down Castle) or just Kastro (Castle). Cars are not allowed to enter the main market street and there is limited parking space all around the town. On the main pavement of Chora we find the shops, bakery, pharmacy, cinema, the club and of course some cafes, restaurants and night clubs. The main street is on top and the houses expand on the left and right side of the peninsula. The visitors of Andros must be prepared to go up and down plenty of steps. As we walk from the entrance of the main street straight down, we meet the main square of Chora known as "Platanos" (Sycamore Tree - explanation not needed). The square is a meeting point for everybody, has plenty of cafes and some restaurants where people can enjoy one ouzo with meze (small plate with appetizers, is how Greeks drink their ouzo) or try local traditional sweets of Andros like "amygdalota" or the famous "skaltsounia". When standing in the middle of the square and looking to the right, we see the Paraporti beach, a long sandy beach accessible on foot if we can handle the steps separate us from it. Looking to the left, we first see the famous Museum of Modern Art by Vassilis and Eliza Goulandris that every year hosts the work of very important artists from all over the world. Through the years, this museum succeeded to become very popular because of the very significant exhibitions that take place there with artists like Galanis, Karagatsis, Bouzianis, Picasso, Matisse, Kadinsky, Balthus, Giacometti, Κlee, Chagall, Giorgio de Kiriko, Rodin, Joan Mirό and Georges Braque. Looking further beyond, we see the Nimporio beach, another long sandy beach with bars, clubs and accommodation units around. Then, right in front of us is an arc which looks like an entrance leading to the houses of the people of Andros. After passing through the arc, we see Cycladic narrow streets, white houses, mansions of rich people, beautiful churches, flowery verandas and mini gardens. This ends up on an open area square where we see the copper statue of the "Aphanous Naphti" This statue is dedicated to all unknown obscure (aphanis) sailors (naphtis) who were killed in the war. The unusual about this statue is the fact that it is detached from the ground, but it has a special base that doesn't allow it to fall by the strong wind. The statue is staring at the ruins of an old observation tower connected to the peninsula by a beautiful stone arc. In front of this we find a small dock, "Kamares", from where the most brave ones may jump into the cold waters. Close by, there is the Nautical Museum of Andros, established in 1972 with collection of contracts, logs, insurance policies, lithography of steam boats and models of the smallest boats up to cruise boats.

PALAEOPOLI
Palaeopoli is, as its name states, the old (paleo) town (poli) of Andros. It is located at a tableland on the slopes of mountain Petalo. The half sunk port proves that in the ancient times, when the city was flourishing (from classic period till the Romans), the centre of Palaeopoli was closer to the sea. Today is located in a valley full of trees, plants and small waterfalls (unique in Cyclades). It's an ideal area for nature lover hikers who will have the chance to see ancient ruins while enjoying the absolute beautiful plants, trees and springs in the area. Palaeopoli has its own Archaeological Museum (established in 2003) where the visitor may see a collection of ancient ruins found in the area. Take care!! On the way back there are more then 1.000 steps to go up!!!!! Just few minutes walk in front is the beautiful bay of Palaeopoli where the visitor may enjoy swimming.

ANCIENT ZAGORA
We reach the Zagora peninsula after 45 min. hiking through the path starting from Stavropeda. All the way, there are signs showing the hiker the way and it is considered as one of the most beautiful and interesting paths in Cyclades. The ancient village of Zagora is located at an altitude of 160m on a tableland. The large part of Zagora was brought into light during excavations done between 1960 and 1972. Life in Zagora started sometime during the 10th century and continued until the 8th century A.D. The village was protected by a strong fortress of 110m length, 2 to 4,8m thickness and more than 3 meters height. The entrance was a very large and tall gate and inside was a temple dated from the 8th century that existed till the classical period although the village had been abandoned almost 3 centuries before. The houses were built with schist, had a roof made of ground and usually had a boxy shape with a fireplace in the middle of the room, a separate storage for the ceramic pots where food was kept and a stable in the courtyard for the animals. In the Archeological Museum we may see various examples of houses and churches.

UPPER CASTLE PANO KASTRO)
Pano Kastro (Upper Castle) or Kastro (Castle) or Kastro tis Faneromenis (Castle of the Revealed) or Kastro tis Grias (Old woman's castle) is the most important medieval example on Andros. Venetians built it over the tableland of Korthi at an altitude of 600 m. It was considered as a strong and impregnable one, able to protect more than 1000 people, because of the steep rocks surrounded it. The real history of this castle is unknown and therefore people created plenty of myths about it. The most popular myth is talking about how the Turks having no other idea of how to conquer the castle send an old woman inside with her pregnant daughter to ask for help. The people felt sorry for her and helped the two women, but the older woman during the night opened the gate to the Turks who entered and slaughtered all the people living there. After that, she felt so guilty for what she had done that she jumped in the sea and killed herself. The name Kastro tis Grias (Old woman's castle) comes from this myth and her action gave the name Pidhima tis Grias (Old woman's jump) to the beautiful beach close by. From Kochyli starts a path that leads to Kastro where today we see only ruins of the old houses, churches, water tanks and what is left from the Faneromeni church. From this height, we may enjoy a remarkable view to the Aegean Sea and to an imposing landscape.

GAVRIO
Gavrio is on the west side of Andros and it's the main port of the island where daily arrive the boats from mainland or from other islands like Syros, Tinos or Myconos. The distance from Chora is about 1 hour by car or bus. The bus schedule has frequent buses to Chora and Batsi co - coordinated to the boat arrivals. Gavrio is not a touristic place but still has accommodation units, shops and restaurants. Close to Gavrio is the Chrysi Ammos beach (Golden Sand), a very long beautiful sandy beach that in the high season (August) is quite busy.

BATSI
Batsi is the absolute touristic place of Andros. It's about 8km away from Gavrio towards the south coast of the island. The bay has a half-moon shape with a long sandy beach, Golden Coast, that ends on a small harbour for the local fisherman's boats. Along the coast, a line of mulberry trees separates the road from the beach. All around there are cafes, restaurants, shops and of course various accommodation units.

VILLAGES OF ANDROS
Close to Chrora is the village of Messaria that during the Middle Age was the centre of the island and where is the church of Taxiarchis (Archangel) Michael, one of the four verified Byzantine Churches in Andros, built in 1158. A little bit higher is the village of Menites built in an absolute green landscape with plenty of sycamore trees and water springs. Another village towards the north after Chora is Stenies. Stenies is a beautiful village with traditional mansions, known for the firework "war" that takes place in Easter.  The people of Andros have the tradition to prepare impressive and extremely loud fireworks. Every Easter the people of Stenies prepare explosive fireworks that they bury into the ground and compete with the neighbor villages for the loudest and strongest earthmoving fireworks. West from Chora towards the mainland of Andros we find the village of Apikia where is the famous water spring of Sarisa and the factory where this excellent quality water is bottled. Close to Apikia is Pithara, a place of absolute beauty with small lakes and waterfalls. Korthi is a picturesque village by the seafront in the south part of the island where the visitor may relax on the beautiful sandy beach or have fun, because the opportunities are plenty also in Korthi. Another village in the south part of Andros is ORMOS that also has a beautiful small sandy beach.

SIGHTS OF ANDROS
THE SAINT PETER TOWER (Aghiou Petrou)
The tower of Saint Peter (Aghiou Petrou) is close to Gavrio area and it's a cylinder stoned built tower from the Hellenistic Period (4th - 3rd century A.D.) and it is one of the best preserved example of its kind on Andros. Its diameter is about 9,5 meters, its height 20 meters and inside we see a spiral scale built from andrian schist, five floors and windows with view to the sea so that the residents ocould control the ships coming to the island.

THE ZOODOHOU PIGI ABBEY (Life giving source)
The Zoodohos Pigi Abbey is known to the local people also as the Agias Abbey (Saint Woman). We don't know when exactly was built, but some say that during the Byzantine period the building was used as school where many people were studying there (noble Andrians and others) and becoming priests, bishops or even patriarchs. In 842 became an abbey by the Empress Theodora. Although inside we find icons dated back to 1325, it is not mentioned on a script until 1400. The Abbey was renovated twice, once in the 16th and the other in the 20th century when its original shape was changed. The Byzantine church inside the abbey has a beautiful wooden temple, decorations from the post Byzantine period and some icons dated since the 14th and 16th century. There is also a small but rich library with various scripts, books and a small museum with canonicals and some pre - historic tools. In 1928 became a convent and today only an old nun lives inside. It celebrates on the first Friday after Easter Sunday.

THE PANAHRANTOU ABBEY
The Panahrantou Abbey is on the slopes of mountain Gerakones, is surrounded by tall walls like a fortress and its been said that it was built during the 9th century by the Byzantine Emperor Nikiforos Fokas. From its location the visitor has the chance to enjoy a magnificent view towards Chora and inside to see a collection of valuable items.