With its mix of theological treasures, mountainous interior and a coastline indented with picture-perfect coves and sparkling crystalline waters, Patmos offers all you need for a relaxing and secluded Greek Island honeymoon or romantic getaway holiday.
Arguably the most beautiful of the smaller Dodecanese Islands, Patmos is famous for its religious history.
This is where Saint John the Divine wrote the New Testament's Book of Revelation.
Stroll beside the picturesque white-washed houses, bars and tavernas of the port of Skala. Then follow the ancient stone-paved donkey path uphill to explore the labyrinth of narrow alleyways in Patmos town (Hora), crowded with flowered courtyards and picture-perfect snow-white houses and chapels.
Discover the massive fortified Monastery of St John the Divine, built in the 11th century to honour the saint and renowned for its architecture, display of Byzantine icons and panoramic hilltop views overlooking the town and Patmos Bay.
Don’t miss the Cave of the Apocalypse, the castle of Agios Ioannis, the Patmian School and the churches of Agios Fokas and Agia Ekaterini. Patmos has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries and is one of the best places in Greece to experience Orthodox Easter.
Explore by car, scooter or bicycle the island’s scenic beauty and discover a choice of beaches that range from well organised to secluded. Choose from a range of accommodation options in the towns of Grikou, Skala and Kambos.
Must-see attractions in Patmos include the historic old town of Hora, along with the Monastery of St John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse are now UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites.
Perched on a hilltop overlooking Hora, this imposing medieval monastery looks more like a fort than a religious site; its towering thick walls, towers and ramparts were built to withstand pirate attacks. Explore the warren of courtyards, stairways, arcades and roof terraces.
Visit the stunning Chapel of the Theotokos, containing frescoes dating from the 12th century. Inside the Treasury admire a display of Byzantine treasures including icons, vestments, parchments and rare books.
Walk in the footsteps of St John the Divine, who is said to have made his home in this cave when exiled to Patmos by the Roman emperor Domitian in 95 AD.
The cave is where St John heard the voice of God, after which he wrote the Book of the Apocalypse, or Revelation, the last book of the Christian Bible.
Located halfway between the Port of Patmos (Skala) and Patmos town (Hora), the Cave of the Apocalypse sits within the Apokalypsis monastery.
Patmos offers four large bays and several small coves edged with a mix of golden sand and pebble beaches.
Those beaches closer to Patmos are the most crowded but offer a range of watersports, while those east of Kambos Bay are more secluded – perfect for honeymoon couples.
The best beaches in Patmos, include…
Dig your toes into the soft golden sand of this long beach that nestles between rock-strewn hillsides and a picturesque isolated cove.
Go swimming in the crystalline waters, grab a shady spot beneath beachside tamarisk trees or sunbathe on the beach; if you want to bare-all you can join like-minded travellers at the southern end of the beach.
For lunch, dine at the beachfront taverna. Psili Ammos Beach is located on the south-west corner of Patmos, about 10km south of Hora. It is accessible by water taxi from Skala or by bus from nearby Diakofti, followed by a 30-minute walk.
This long and narrow crescent of golden sand shelves into crystalline waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Sunbathe on the beach or relax beneath shady tamarisk trees.
Located just 2km north of the port of Skala, Meloi Beach is a popular local beach with a beachfront restaurant, taverna and a mini-market.
This golden sand and pebble beach faces a sheltered cove of crystalline water perfect for swimming and kayaking.
Agriolivada beach has a taverna and is located 7.5km north of Patmos town.
Unwind on this long crescent of shingle beach that nestles at the end of a valley between rock-strewn hillsides and a shallow tree-fringed bay.
The calm shallow waters are especially good for children and families. Choose from a range of watersports including water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, parasailing and kayaking. As the busiest resort on Patmos, Kambos offers sun beds, umbrellas and a good choice of tavernas and hotels.
Kambos is located 11km from Patmos town.
Escape the crowds at this secluded golden sand and pebble beach located just east of Kampos.
The beach is fringed by trees and curves around a small turquoise cove edged with rugged headlands. Relax on the quiet beach and go swimming in the crystalline waters.
Vagia can be reached by water taxi from the port of Skala, by moped or by bus from Kambos followed by a short walk. A small cafeteria sits on a nearby hilltop.
Vagia is located 11km north-east of Patmos town.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this secluded golden sand and pebble beach set to the east of Vagia.
Relax in the shade of beachside trees, swim in the crystal clear waters and enjoy a seafood lunch at the nearby taverna.
Livadi Geranou is located 14km north-east of Patmos town.
Renowned for its multi-coloured pebbles, Lambi is a long secluded beach that shelves into crystalline waters perfect for swimming.
A beachside taverna serves fresh seafood and traditional Greek dishes.
Lambi is located east of Kambos and around 12km north-east of Patmos town.
The best time to visit Patmos for a beach holiday is from mid-June through to mid-September.
For general outdoor activities anytime from early-May to mid-October, is good.
Located in the Eastern Aegean Sea, Patmos has a Mediterranean climate of hot and sunny summers, and cold, wet winters. It's generally windy year-round.
Summer, from June to September, has an average daily high temperature above 28°C (82°F). A cool refreshing sea breeze - the Meltimi – is fairly consistent throughout summer. Sea temperatures peak around 24°C (75°F) in August.
More information about weather in Patmos…
Patmos is located in the Dodecanese island group, which lie east of the Peloponnese. Patmos is closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece.
As well as Patmos, the Dodecanese Islands comprise Simi, Kos, Leros and Rhodes, plus a number of smaller islands.
There is no airport on Patmos. The closest airports are located on Leros and Kos islands, about 37km (23mi) and 100km (62mi) respectively from Patmos.
The most convenient route to Patmos is by air to Athens International Airport (ATH), then a connecting flight to Leros Municipal Airport (LRS), followed by catamaran or ferry to Patmos.
Note: Depending on your incoming flight, you may experience a long stopover of up to 5 hours in transit at Athens Airport.
High-speed catamarans make the trip between Leros and Patmos in 53 minutes, five times a week.
While Kos International Airport (KGS) is the busier of the two airports and receives international flights during the summer season, as well as domestic flights from Athens, the sea journey to Patmos is longer, taking around 3 hours 20 minutes by ferry, or 2 hours 6 minutes by high-speed catamaran.
Alternatively, you can fly to Athens International Airport (ATH) and catch a ferry from the port of Piraeus, taking about 9 hours.
If you're already island hopping, then numerous ferries and catamarans connect Patmos with other islands in the Dodecanese, including Lipsi, Kalymnos, Kos and Rhodes.
More information about how to get to Patmos…
Latest update: Patmos Honeymoon: 2 August, 2022
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