Reasons To Visit Patmos, Greece and Best Things To Do

The island of Patmos is one of those Greek gems that once visited, you will want to return to again and again. Here’s everything you need to know about Patmos, Greece.

An amazing view out over the Island of Patmos

A Complete Patmos Travel Guide

Before we dive into this Patmos blog, here's a few facts about the island of Patmos to give you a birds-eye view.

Where is Patmos: Patmos is a small island in the Dodecanese chain of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea. It has an area of 34.14 km2, and the highest point on the island is Profitis Ilias, at an altitude of 269 m.


Getting to Patmos: You can only reach Patmos by ferry or cruise ship. The nearest airports to Patmos are on the nearby Greek islands of Samos and Kos.


What is Patmos famous for: Patmos is well known for being the island where Saint John the Theologian wrote the Apocalypse, also known as the Book of Revelation. Patmos is also home to the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse, both of which are popular pilgrimage sites for Orthodox Christians and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


What you'll discover: Patmos is much more than the imposing fortified monastery and Holy Cave. The landscape and beaches of Patmos are fantastic, and it's an ideal destination for nature lovers.

The Island of Patmos

Greece has a lot of islands. 6000 at the last count, of which some 227 are inhabited. Of these, probably 10 such as Santorini and Crete are well known to people from outside of Greece. The rest are a bit of a mystery.

They might be somewhere you go ‘Greek island hopping‘. They might be somewhere you go to get away from everything. My experience so far, has led me to believe that most of them deserve a higher profile than they currently have. The Greek island of Patmos is one of those.

About Patmos Island

Actually, the Greek Island of Patmos is no stranger to tourism. It has been visited by Christian devotees for nearly two thousand years due to the Cave of the Apocalypse (more about that later).

Today, most of those cave visitors turn up on cruise ships. They stay for just a few hours on the island, visiting the cave and other notable places of interest, before returning back to their ship the same day.

Why visit Patmos?

There is much more to Patmos than the Cave of the Apocalypse. Patmos has all those great qualities you want from a Greek island – Superb beaches, clear blue seas, wonderful food, friendly people, and beautiful views everywhere you look.

Patmos island you could  plan to spend at least a week. Possibly two.

A boat floating in a quiet bay in Patmos, Greece

Who visits Patmos?

Visitors to the Island of Patmos can be divided into two categories. The first, are the cruise ship visitors who I've already mentioned. The second, are holiday makers intending to stay for week or two week periods.

I've visited Patmos twice now – one year in June, and another year in the first half of July. On both occasions, the tourist numbers hadn't really built up. There were a few families on holiday, and most people seemed to be northern European couples in their 40s or older.

Even on the popular beaches in Patmos there were empty sunbeds when I visited. I bet that's a lot different in August!

Sunbeds on one of the beautiful Patmos beaches

Best time to visit Isle of Patmos, Greece

I asked around, and apparently it is different in the peak month of August. At this time, there is more of a younger Greek crowd who tend to be educated professionals in their 30s.

The nightlife at this time of year was described to me as ‘more lively’. I somehow strongly doubt that it is Mykonos lively though. There are no huge nightclubs, and the religious influence on the island requires that loud music is not played after a certain hour.

It might be busy in August yes, but party central? I think not.

From my experience, either June or early July would be an ideal time to travel to Patmos if throngs of tourist crowds are not really your thing. 

Related: Best time to go to Greece

Is Patmos for you?

My opinion – The island of Patmos is most suited for professional couples who aren’t after a raging party atmosphere. It’s probably also a destination for people who have visited Greece a couple of times before, and want to try new islands.

If you are someone who likes to appreciate their surroundings, enjoys good food, great views, and wants a relaxing holiday, this is the place for you.

There's also the religious connection of course. Some people simply want to travel to Patmos in order to visit the he Cave of the Apocalypse where St. John of Patmos (also called John the Revelator, John the Divine, John the Theologian) received the visions he then recorded in the Book of Revelation.

Where is the island of Patmos?

Patmos is situated in the Aegean sea, and is one of the Dodecanese islands. It's a small place with an area of just 34 square kilometres, and has two main settlements which are Skala and Chora.

How to get to Patmos?

Unless you have access to a private helicopter (which some visitors to the island do!), the only option is to use a ferry. The island doesn't have an airport, so there are no flights to Patmos.

The main crossing from mainland Greece is between Piraeus and Patmos. 

I used the Superfast Ferry Service from Piraeus which took around 7 hours each way. The use of a cabin, although slightly more expensive, is recommended particularly on the return journey.

You can also reach Patmos from some other nearby Greek islands, so you can include it on an island hopping trip. Popular crossings include Kos to Patmos , and Samos to Patmos. You can also take a Rhodes to Patmos ferry – the journey time is about 4.5 hours.

During our 2022 island hopping trip, we traveled by ferry from Leros to Patmos. We then took an onward ferry a week or so later from Patmos to Samos.

You can find up to date ferry schedules and book tickets online at: Ferryscanner

Samos to Patmos Day Trip

If you are staying on the island of Samos, and don't want the hassle of organising a ferry, then a day trip to Patmos from Samos might be more suitable.

The good thing about taking a tour around the island of Patmos is it also includes transport via buses and all the logistic planning.

Find out more here: Samos to Patmos day trip

Patmos weekend trip from Athens

In fact, theoretically at least, you could visit Patmos on a long weekend from Athens. On the Friday evening, you board the ferry at 17.30 (ish), arriving at about 03.00 am. You then have all Saturday and Sunday there, and return on the Sunday ferry which leaves around midnight. You could then arrive back in Athens Monday morning and go straight to work!

There are also other ferry crossings available, including the reasonably nearby islands of Kos and Samos. The absolute fastest way to get to the island of Patmos, is to take a plane from Athens to Samos, and then take a short ferry journey.

Related: How to get from Kos to Patmos

When to visit the island of Patmos

As with so many Greek destinations, my recommendation is to visit the island of Patmos during the off-peak months of June and September. At this time, you get all the benefits of the ‘good stuff’. These are namely warm waters to swim in, sun to tan in, and a choice of restaurants where you can easily get a table without the tourist crowds.

What about Patmos in August? This is the month when prices rise, and tourist numbers are at the absolute peak. Book well ahead if visiting Patmos, Greece in August.

On the beach at Patmos island, Greece

Best things to do on the island of Patmos

In order to make the most of your time on Patmos, Greece, I would suggest hiring a car. Patmos Rent A Car have a good selection of vehicles to choose from.

You don't need to hire it for the entire duration of your stay if you don't want. A 2 or 3 day car hire on Patmos should enable you to see all the main attractions, and especially get you to all those hidden beaches!

There are only a couple of filling stations on the island though, so don't go driving off with the fuel light on – like I did!

You can also use public transport to get around Patmos, and there are also hiking trails. A vehicle is going to give you more flexibility when it comes to planning your Patmos tour itinerary.

Patmos Greece – Things to do

Here's a look at some of the things to do in Patmos. The ideas include what to see in Patmos, as well as some of the best beaches on the island.

The Cave of the Apocalypse

I don't want to use the term ‘tourist attraction' for the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos, but the queues and lines that appear when a cruise ship arrives on the island do lend it a somewhat conveyor belt feeling.

My advice is to either visit early or late in the day, and at times when there isn't a cruise ship.

Inside the Cave of the Apocalypse Patmos Greece

John of Patmos

The Cave of the Apocalypse is where St. John is said to have lived. It is here that he had a ‘revelation', or received a message directly from God, which he then dictated to his disciple.

This written work became known as the Book of the Apocalypse, or the Book of Revelation.

If you are a Christian, the cave is likely to have more significance for you than it did for me. I found the general story interesting, but the cave itself rather disappointing.

As I said, there is a lot more to the island of Patmos than the cave though!

The Monastery of St. John

Sitting high on the hill of Chora, there looks to be a castle. It's actually a monastery, although it was used in the past as a last line of defence from pirates and other attackers for the inhabitants of the island.

The Monastery on Patmos island

First established in 1088, it is dedicated to St. John, and is still the home of monks today. In a similar manner to the Meteora monasteries , this one is open to the public.

It is an interesting place to spend some time walking around, and I was fortunate to be shown places not normally opened to the public. This included the magnificent library, which is a rich treasure trove of documents and books, some of which date back hundreds of years.

The librarian at the monastery is currently in the process of digitising them so that they can be better preserved for future generations.

Exploring Patmos Chora

Chora is the town built under and around the monastery. It's characterised by whitewashed houses, narrow winding alleyways, and some mansion residences.

Walking around the Chora in Patmos

It's a lovely place to spend some time aimlessly wandering around, so make sure you take your camera! Some of the buildings can also be deceptively big inside.

Weird collection inside a house on Patmos

We dropped by an open house/unofficial museum where time seemed to have stood still. The property had been in the hands of the owner for many years, and had been passed down through at least 7 generations on the female side. Inside were a number of family heirlooms which had been accumulated over the years.

Exploring Skala, Patmos

Skala is the harbour town of the island of Patmos, and is the main point of arrival for most visitors. It is also the place where you can arrange tour booking, car hire and grocery shopping.

Due to the limited road system on the island, you are bound to pass through here at least twice a day – possibly more!

There's lots of things to do in Skala in Patmos

The Windmills of Patmos

The recently restored Windmills of Patmos are certainly worth a stop as you drive around the island. Their restoration has been a source of pride to the people on the island.

The windmills of Patmos

I talked briefly with one of the people responsible for making the project possible, and came away with the realisation that knowledge built up over hundreds of years can easily be lost within a generation.

Many of the skills they used to restore the windmills had to be ‘rediscovered'. You might want to check out this video I found to find out more.

Patmos Beaches

For such a small island, Patmos seems to have a lot of beaches. And they are all pretty good too!

The most popular Patmos beaches are Lambi, Agriolivado, Skala beach, and Meloi. My absolute favourite though was Psili Ammos.

It is a reasonably remote beach, which requires either a 20 minute hike to reach it from the nearest parking, or a 45 minute boat ride from Skala.

It is certainly worth the effort though! Lovely sand, shade under the trees, and a family run taverna serving simple but tasty food.

Psili Ammos beach on the island of Patmos

Note – When I visited in June, the beach was all but empty of people. In the peak season of August it can apparently be hard to find a spot to lay down! If you want to spend time there during August, I suggest leaving early in the morning to secure a good spot.

Where to Stay in Patmos

The island of Patmos has a wide selection of accommodation to suit every budget. When I visited, I stayed at Porto Scoutari Hotel, and to be honest, it's my number one and only recommendation!

A lovely complex set in beautiful surroundings, friendly owner and staff, and incredibly relaxing rooms. You can check out the Tripadvisor reviews here – Porto Scoutari in Patmos.

Porto Scoutari Hotel on Patmos

I will have a few more articles about the island of Patmos going live over the next few weeks. If you are planning a trip there and have any questions, just get in touch. I would love to help!

Where to eat in Patmos

There's lots of great places to eat in Patmos. For a more detailed look, here's my travel guide to the best places to eat in Patmos.

Patmos Greece: A travel guide to the island of Patmos in Greece. Includes things to do in Patmos, where to stay, and where to eat.

Related: 20 Positive Ways To Be A Responsible Traveller

Patmos FAQ

Readers planning a trip to the Greek islands and who want to include a stop at Patmos often ask questions such as:

What is Patmos known for?

The holy island of Patmos is known for being where Saint John wrote about the visions he received in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament. The impressive Monastery of Saint John the Theologian is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Is Patmos a nice island?

In addition to Patmos monastery and the island's religious connections, it is also a lovely destination for anyone who like crystal clear waters, traditional architecture, and beaches.

Why John was sent to Patmos?

John was exiled too Patmos due to anti-Christian persecution under the Roman emperor Domitian.

Does the isle of Patmos still exist?

Patmos is a Greek island that is home to a population of 3,000 people, and is a visited by many people seeking a religious experience and connection. It is also popular among travelers who are looking for a lovely Greek island getaway.


Dave Briggs visiting an island in GreeceDave Briggs
Dave is a travel writer who has been living in Greece since 2015. In addition to this travel blog post about Patmos Island in Greece, you will find hundreds of other insights, guides, and itineraries for Greece on this site. Follow Dave on social media for travel inspiration from Greece and beyond:

4 thoughts on “Reasons To Visit Patmos, Greece and Best Things To Do”

  1. Hi Dave we are visiting Patmos for the day from a cruise ship in Oct, rather than book a ship trip, can you recommend something we could do independently? Are there taxis that we could book for a day? Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi,
      You could negotiate with a driver to have him for the day.
      The main town (chora) has enough to see and do for your shore excursion though – you wouldn’t need a driver all day for that.

      Reply
  2. Hi Dave ~ Your information is wonderful! Thank you! My family of 3 (husband & 16 yr old son) are hoping to visit Patmos to see the Apocalypse Cave and the Monostary in June. This would be of great interest to us. We want to plan a week in Greece and want to see other islands as well. What do you recommend for an active family, not interested in night life, love historical sights, beaches, outdoors? What would be a reasonable itinerary and a must see island, historical sight, tour for what will probably be our only visit to Greece? Your reply is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Patmos is a lovely island – so stay 2 or 3 days and you can also get out to explore beaches and do some hiking!
      A suggested itinerary depends how and where you will arrive in Greece. If the access point is Athens, would you want time there as well?
      I would suggest looking at Kos, Samos, or Rhodes. Out of these, I think Rhodes would be quite a nice fit, although it’s a long ferry ride directly from Patmos.

      Reply

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