Greece - Korina Miller [295]
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GAVRIO ΓΑΥΡΙΟ
pop 798
Located on the west coast, Gavrio is the main port of Andros. Apart from the flurry of ferry arrivals, it is pretty low key and can seem touch drab.
Orientation & Information
The ferry quay is situated midway along the waterfront and the bus stop is in front of it. The post office is 150m to the left as you leave the ferry quay. There’s an ATM outside Kyklades Travel and there’s a bank with ATM on the middle of the waterfront.
Kyklades Travel ( 22820 72363; lasia@otenet.gr) A helpful office opposite the ferry quay with another office about 50m to the right next to the Agricultural Bank of Greece. They sell ferry tickets and can arrange accommodation.
Port police ( 22820 71213) Located on the waterfront.
Sleeping & Eating
Andros Camping ( 22820 71444; www.campingandros.gr; adult/child/tent €6.50/3/3; ) Located about 400m behind the harbour front, this pleasant camping site is shaded by trees. You can rent a small tent for €6 or a large one for €10.
Ostria Studios ( 22820 71551; www.ostria-studios.gr; s/d/apt €60/70/85; ) Rooms at this well-located place, located about 300m along the Batsi road, are getting a bit worn, but they are spacious, have cooking facilities and stand in a pleasant terraced complex.
To Konaki ( 22820 71733; mains €5-14) Located about 50m to the left of the ferry quay, To Konaki has a healthy selection of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes with a local flavour. The cod in garlic sauce is a speciality.
Sails ( 22820 71333; mains €7-22) An excellent ouzerie (place that serves ouzo and light snacks) and psarotaverna (fish tavern), Sails usually has some good locally caught fish. You’ll pay about €22 for a decent-sized sea bream. There are chicken and pork dishes as well.
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BATSI ΜΠΑΤΣΙ
pop 971
Easy-going yet upbeat, Batsi is the island’s main resort. It has a small yacht marina that brings a bit of seaborne colour in summer. The resort lies 7km south of Gavrio on the inner curve of a handsome bay. A sandy beach on the north side merges eventually with a harbour front promenade backed by a colourful swath of cafes, tavernas and shops. There’s a dusty car park across the road from the beach and a smaller one at the far end of the harbour front.
Greek Sun Holidays ( 22820 41198; www.andros-greece.com), located towards the far end of the harbour front, can help with accommodation, car rental and ferry tickets. Scooters can be hired for about €16 to €24 per day from Dino’s Rent-a-Bike ( 22820 42169), by the car park.
During July and August you’re able to hire well-maintained self-drive boats from Riva Boats ( 22820 24412, 6974460330) in Hora (see opposite).
The tiny post office is tucked away beside the taverna opposite the bus stop. The taxi rank and National and Alpha banks (with ATMs) are all on the middle of the waterfront.
Tours
From May to October, Greek Sun Holidays ( 22820 41198; greeksun@travelling.gr) organises island tours (€20) that take in Paleopolis and some of the island’s loveliest villages. There are also small-group half- or full-day guided walks (€18).
Sleeping & Eating
It’s wise to book accommodation well ahead for July and August and for weekends in June and September.
Cavo D’ora Pension ( 22820 41766; s/d €25/45) Located above a snack bar and pizzeria, the handful of pleasant rooms here are good value. You can get breakfast for €5.50, mezedhes for €6 to €7 and pizzas for €7 to €9. It’s at the tree-shaded entrance to town, just across from the beach.
Likio Studios ( 22820 41050; www.likiostudios.gr; s/d/apt €64/80/130; ) A welcoming atmosphere makes these spacious and well-equipped rooms and apartments amid a peaceful flower-filled garden a great choice. It is about 150m inland from Dino’s Rent-a-Bike.
Oti Kalo ( 22820 41287; mains €5-9) The name means ‘everything good’, and it’s no idle boast. Specialising in the Andros speciality, froutalia (spicy sausage and potato omelette), while other mains include meat and fish as well as pasta.
Stamatis Taverna