The tiny Greek island with barely any tourists that's a balmy 24C in October
This island is mountainous, with a variety of hiking trails and landscapes as well as stunning beaches that can be enjoyed even as the cold weather sets in in the UK.
The Greek island of Andros is the northernmost Cyclades Island and the second largest after Naxos at 25 miles long and the greatest breadth of 10 miles.
This tiny island, distancing approximately a two-hour-long ferry trip from both Athens and Mykonos, is perfect for holidaymakers still seeking the sun but wanting to stay away from overcrowded hotspots. In October, the island still enjoys many sunny days, with Accuweather forecasting many days with temperatures over 20C.
Andros has a long maritime tradition dating back to 700 BC, with Chora, its capital, being home to many famous Greek captains and shipowners. Following its independence from the Ottoman Empire, it became a major centre of Greek shipping, including the grain trade from central and eastern Europe conducted from the Danube estuary. Additionally, by 1914 Andrian-registered shipping was second in Greece in terms of capacity.
The island is home to 70 beaches, with its most popular including Zorkos with golden sand, crystal clear water and surrounding rocky landscape as well as the pebbled bay of Vitali and the secluded Achla.
The Pidima tis grias beach - Jump of the old woman - is named after an old woman who, according to legend, betrayed a nearby town to Saracen pirates and then jumped off a cliff to her death and was transformed into a distinctive vertical rock. Today, it forms a striking feature of the beach located on the southeastern part of the island near Korthi.
The island is impressively green, with its hillsides home to chestnut, walnut, oak weeping willows, poplar and olive trees to name a few, as well as crocuses, thyme and sage lining its many hiking trails. Hiking is one of the most popular pastimes on Andros, with many new paths added each year.
There are several other key sights to be seen, including the ruined Frankish castle on the islet across from the main island, connected via an arched stone bridge dating from the 13th century. The castle of Faneromeni, meanwhile, is situated on an imposing plateau north of Korthi at an altitude of 600 metres.
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The ancient capital of Paleopolis, the ancient capital built on a steep hillside can also be seen, with the breakwater of its harbour still visible underwater.
There are also several important museums on Andros. The globally acknowledged Museum of Modern Art houses unique collections of paintings and sculptures, while the Archaeological Museums of Chora and Paleopolis showcase the island's long and turbulent history. The iconic Statue of Hermes Chthonios was unearthed on the island in 1832 and was returned to the island after being displayed in Athens.
One reason for the island being overlooked by many tourists is the longer journey compared with other islands that have their own airport. Andros is reached by flying into Athens, taxing a taxi to Rafina and then a two hour ferry to the island, which leaves three times a day.
“Just returned from a short holiday in Andros. Wish we had more time,” said one visitor on Tripadvisor. “First time to Greece and after business in Athens needed a close island destination. Andros was perfect.”
