Astipalea is the most western island of the Dodecanese group. A
mountainous island with an indented coastline concealing numerous delightful
coves, Astipalea resembles two islands joined by a ribbon of only land 105
metres wide.
The main town is Chora or Astipalea, built on the side of a steep hill and
overlooked by the massive, austere remains of a Venetian Fortress. Its small,
square houses are painted white with brightly coloured doors and windows,
following the contours of the hill in an almost unbroken band down to the
seashore. The walls of the uppermost houses form part of the outer
fortifications of the fortress.
Two of the most beautiful beaches on the island can only be approached by
tourist boats that set off from Pera Yalos and Maltezana. On the beach of
Kaminakia there is a taverna serving boiled goat (a stew), an island speciality,
and on the beach of Vatses there is a cave with stalactites and stalagmites.