The butterfly of the Aegean, as it is called, due to its shape; a unique island with magnificent beauty & wonderful food! A greek island in the Dodecanese islands complex where I stayed for 10 days and I loved!
The butterfly of the Aegean, as it is called, due to its shape; a unique island with magnificent beauty & wonderful food!
My recommendation is to stay in the town of Astypalaia, since most of the nights you will be there either for a walk or for food and drinks. Almost all of the bars of the island and many restaurants are located there and the parking space is limited. Angel’s tip: Don’t worry if you have small kids or a difficulty for stairs and upgrades. This is only if you want to visit the castle and see the few shops & beautiful small local restaurants in the hill as per picture. Τhere are many options regaridng restaurants or bars in the center that you can eat when you pass the windmills (without stairs or uphill) 
THE HOTEL I chose:
Oneiro Suites (means dream in Greek) . Incredible rooms with amazing views & a delicious breakfast.
Cleanliness & service : 5*
Location: great
Parking available and with 5 minutes walk (and some stairs) you were in the center! Angel’s tip: They have rooms with private Jacuzzi & swimming pools as well (expensive unfo), they are amazing but don’t wait to book last minute! They get sold out early!
MUST HAVE
Renting or having a car is highly recommended. A car is essential because public transport is not very frequent, and some beaches are not accessible by bus or taxis. In some cases, I would even say not even by a regular car due to many dirt roads. Angel’s tip: we rented a 4×4 from the company “Vergoulis rent a car”. (He was the owner of our hotel too) and it was a good choice! 
MUST DO
The daily tour to the islands Koutsomyti & Kounoupoi is really wonderful. Crystal clear amazing waters, a visit to the Rock cave and many stops to dive and do snorkelling with their equipment. Angel’s tip: I chose a tour a bit more expensive (130 EUROS pp for 2024) with a semi private big yacht but less people onboard “Astypalaia VIP yachting”. Totally recommended with lunch & drinks included! Check their site for discounts! 
MUST EAT
If you are fan of seafood, this island is your paradise since everything is so fresh! If not, no worries they have everything and half of my time there I had amazing meat dishes! I will suggest the ones I tried and enjoyed so much (some were closed for the season I went fyi)
- Almyra restaurant : in a quiet port in Maltezana next to the sea. Visited twice & perhaps my favorite. All sooo delicious. Angel’s tip: Tuna tartar was absolutely amazing. (reservation for a table in front of the sea may be needed, depending on the time you decide to visit).
- Kantina STENO: a cantine in Steno beach, for salads and sandwishes on the beach.
- Schoinos: in Schoinontas beach (same owners with Steno Canteen) with traditional local plates like amazing meatballs and delicious cheese pies.
- Astropelos : in Livadi, a taverna next to the beach with fresh fish. All the dishes were really delicious. Angel’s tip: try the lobster pasta.
- Astifagia: an excellent restaurant in Schinontas beach with creative dishes and top quality food!
- Akti restaurant : so beautiful elegant restaurant close to the port. Restaurant has a great view to the town of Astypalaia, and the setting has many small private balconies with one table each. Dishes were good, not wow for me. Angel’s tip: go right before the sunset to enjoy the stunning view.
- Traditional Kafeneio oi myloi (Cafe of mouggos): A traditional cafe with great environment, a nice balcony with a view, delicious dishes for all day and helpful staff. This is the epitome of what once was the “Greek kafeneion” with reasonable prices.
- Ducato Di Astypalaia : in the centre opposite the windmills so you can see people passing all the time, nice food & service – I think the other restaurants like “To stenaki tou Koukla” and “Agoni Grammi” (exactly next to it) have great food as well.
- Apanemia : a local Greek traditional restaurant with few tables on the way to the castle. Amazing dishes, small plates (tapas style), great service & cozy location. Visited twice.
“Apanemia” local restaurant close to the castle
- Kafeneio Karai : a local traditional restaurant close to the castle with nice view of the town among the trees. Delicious greek dishes.
- Kolokytha for fresh sweets at the port.
MUST VISIT
the Castle in the centre of the island, a bit before sunset is maybe the best time! Patience to get there since there are many stairs & uphill but the view is worth it. 
MUST BEACHES
Check the weather each day since in the north side of the island usually it is very windy that’s why the most popular ones are in the south.
- Steno: sandy, shallow & organized with nice beach bars. When I visited, there was a swing inside the beach.// 10-15 minutes drive from the town.
- Livadi: pebbly, organized with many beach bars & close to the town. // 5 minutes drive
- Vatses: 1 beach bar with nice cocktails and dirt road 10 minutes to arrive. You can combine on same day with the next one. // 25 minutes drive
- Kaminakia: pebbly, with few umbrellas & sunbeds , 1 restaurant/ coffee shop and dirt road drive 10-15 minutes to arrive. Angel’s tip: With an SUV is much easier and safer! // 30 minutes drive
- Blue Harbour: very small hidden beach, not organized with wonderful waters & 5-10 minutes dirt & rocks on foot. Not good mobile reception fyi. // 17 minutes drive
Blue Harbour – Ble limanaki
- Agios Konstantinos: pebbly beach with beach bars. Angel’s tip: there is a nice white church on your right hand on the top with beautiful view of the town // 20 minutes drive.
- Plakes: not organized, you sit on the rocks & you dive // 14 minutes drive
- Tzanakia: didn’t go but waters were nice & mainly nudist beach (not organized). // 13 minutes drive
FAVORITE BEACH BARS
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- “Steno bay seaside bar” in Steno beach
- “Island coffee cocktails & more” in Livadi beach, nice cocktails & snacks , good WI-FI if you want to sit on the tables they have.
- “Al Mare Beach bar” in Agios Konstantinos beach
- “Vatses beach bar” with good cocktails.
FAVORITE BARS
- “Castro bar” in a small road on the way to the castle , many options of cocktails.
- “Thea” cocktail bar before the windmills with nice view & a variety of drinks.
- “Athelas Cocktail bar” with elegant atmosphere in the heart of Chora with view of scenic windmills.
- “Mylos bar” for late drinks.
- “Buca cocktail bar” with amazing view, great cocktails and cool music
*For more photos u can check my highlights on Instagram*
IG: angeliki.a_