Things to do
The most popular things to do on the island are to bask on the gorgeous beaches and swim in the crystal clear waters. Eating at sea-side taverns is pretty popular too. Snorkeling is always fun. You can hike down the path from the villas to the boulders below and snorkel all round the rocky shoreline.
There are shops here, but not very many of them. If you are looking for glitter and fluff and other cosmopolitan things you won’t find it in Ammouliani. We’re pretty local in a rural, casual sort of way.
You can rent little boats, kayaks or canoes to explore the island’s hidden coves. There is a boat taxi that will take you around the island, which sets out from the village harbor in the morning. You’ll stop at a beach for a morning swim and end up at the Donkey Islets, where you can swim again and eat at the taverna on the beach, before heading back to the village harbor. Another option is to take the 9am ferryboat ride around Mt. Athos. The land is off-limits for women (yeah, I know), so there is no docking on the monastic peninsula, but it is beautiful and quite interesting.
There is one club that has been around forever called Matala. If you’re interested in an all-nighter, this is your only choice. Down in the village you can find some nice street cafés and bars, some of which offer live music, to spend your evening.
Across the way on the mainland toward Ouranoupolis there is a place to try parasailing and scuba diving. You might want to combine this with a day in Ouranoupolis, the village bordering Mt. Athos.
If you’re inclined to take a mountain hike you can travel up to Holomonda where there are some lovely hiking trails. Then you can lunch at one of the tavernas up there before coming home in the evening.
Other places to visit on the mainland:
- Cave of Petralona
- Thessaloniki
- Stagira (Aristotle’s Birthplace)
- Arnea (a pretty mountain village)
- Mt. Athos (need a special permit)