Patmos sailing holidays
The island of Patmos - Πάτμος and its neighbours form an ideal tranquil yacht charter area, close to charter bases in Kos or Paros or Mykonos.
Patmos forms - together with the smaller islands Lipso, Arki, Agathonisi and Farmakonisi - the most northern group of islands in the Dodecanese, and is a rugged island of volcanic origin - perhaps the rim of an ancient caldera.
It has been celebrated since the Middle Ages as the island of St John the Divine, who is said to have written the Book of Revelation while living in exile on Patmos.
British Admiralty Charts 1056, 1531
- All Greek islands
- Dodecanese • Southern Sporades overview
- Chios
- Samos
- Patmos • Arki • Lipso
- Leros • Kalymnos
- Kos • Nisyros • Tilos
- Astypalaia
- Symi
- Rhodes
- Itineraries in the Dodecanese, adjacent Turquoise coasts and Southern Sporades.
Previous island: Samos ↑
Next islands: Leros and Kalymnos ↓
Patmos history
Patmos was originally settled by Dorians and later by Ionians, and had a Sanctuary of Artemis. The early history of the island, a place of little or no political or economic importance, is unknown.
Like its mostly barren neighbouring islands, Patmos was used as a place of exile in Roman times. During the early Middle Ages it seems to have been abandoned and desolate.
Since 1946 the whole island of Patmos has been under statutory protection as an ancient monument. The acquisition of land by foreigners and the export of antiquities are prohibited.
The actual monastery of St John is fortified within its massive 15th century walls. Patmos town.
The various St Johns
Traditionally, the following Johns are regarded as the same person:
John of Patmos = John the Divine = The author of the Book of Revelation = John the Apostle = John the Evangelist.
However, John the Baptist, preacher, ascetic (circa 5 BCE – circa 30 CE), and reported baptizer of Jesus Christ, is a different Saint.
Arki island
Port Augusta on the island of Arki - Αρκοί is reached through a narrow inlet (10-5 m deep). Although the light on the north side of the entrance is easily identified a night approach is not advised since a reef extends from the north entrance (15 m long max).
Anchor in the bend (6 m, mud) or take a line ashore next to the tavernas and enjoy the attractive surroundings.
Farmakonisi
The island of Farmakonisi - Φαρμακονήσι is less barren and has gentle green slopes. There are remains of a number of Roman villas and the ancient harbour, now partly under the sea.
In ancient times, Hippocrates used to visit Farmakonisi to gather pharmaceutical herbs, hence the islands' name.
Agathonisi
Agathonisi - Αγαθονήσι also called Gaidharos and Eşek Adası in Turkish, was in Roman times the island of Tragia, where the young Ceasar was captured by pirates in 76 BCE. It has neither sandy beaches nor ancient monuments to attract visitors and is therefore untouched by the tourist trade.
Lipsi
Much of the land on Lipsi or Leipsi - Λειψοί was owned by the Monastery of St. John, the Baptist, on Patmos.
Today, you can see small, white, blue domed churches dotted all over the island's rolling hills, which gently slope down to meet the sparkling Aegean Sea. Lipsi's coastline consists of a number of small bays, sheltered coves and beaches with shallow, crystal clear waters.
