It takes something special for one small island to stand out among the thousands in Greece – but it's an accolade that Patmos well deserves. Discover the charms of this inkstain-shaped islet to the south of Samos with this full day trip. Once you land, you have the day to yourself – find a nice beach or explore by foot.
The fun kicks off with a 2.5-hour ferry ride across the Aegean to the quaint, yet lively, port of Skala on the east coast. Its waterfront is lined with peeling tavernas, café terraces, seafood restaurants and shops. Patmos is very narrow at this point and a 10-minute walk to the west is the pebbly Hohlakas beach.
If you're looking for some history, then the trek to hilltop Hora just 3km from Skala is a must. It's maze of incredibly narrow whitewashed alleys is towered over by the fortified Monastery of St John. In fact, every second building seems to be a church or monastery – and a cave outside the village is said to be where Book of Revelation was written.
