The small island of Agistri offers a number of beautiful beaches. The cobbled streets and whitewashed house are picture postard Greece. Outside the settlements it’s olive groves and pine forests, which supply the resin used in making Retsina wine. Definitely one for your yacht charter itinerary and since the harbour has been developed, it now features on some flotilla routes too.
Most charter yachts head for the “capital”, Megalochori / Milos (population a few hundred) on the north side of the island. On the terraces above the town are the remains of the original settlement of Kadoudi / Kandouki, first settled around 5BC. It is believed the island is the place called Kekrifalia, documented by Homer.
Assorted finds from the terraces and elsewhere on the island an be seen in the Cultural Centre in Megalochori. Above the terraces is the church of Agioi Pantes, about 10 minutes from the centre of town, offering excellent views. If you don’t fancy the walk up hill, the church of Zoodochos Pigi in the town itself has some interesting wall paintings.
If you want to tick of the rest of the sights in Megalochori, you’ll need to find the “ancient” windmill, though it doesn’t look to ancient to me, and lacking any sails is rather unremarkable. You might prefer to just lounge on the sand and pebble beach.
Being a small island, its easy to explore either on foot or by hiring a bike or scooter. About a mile east of Megalochori is Skala, the main holiday location, with an excellent sandy beach. On the way, you’ll pass the small village of Metochi / Metohi where a short detour will take you to the church of Panagia / the Virgin Mary. There are good sunset shots on offer if you time it right.
Skala does have it’s own small harbour but it’s not recommended for yachts. We did manage to thread our way through the rocks to the harbour entrance, only to run out of water before we made it to the quay.
If you need further exercise and fancy letting it all hang out, another couple of miles to the south of Skala is the sheltered nudist beach of Halikadha / Chalikiada. I understand this is the only nudist beach in the Saronic. Follow the road south, continuing as it turns to a track and in due course you’ll find yourself looking down on the beach.
Back in Megalochori, you’ll find a selection of restaurants, a pharmacy, one of Angistri’s two cash points (the other is in Skala), and a number of shops that will provide basic provisions.