Grikos: Beach Holiday on Patmos

Those who are equating Greece with beach holidays might find themselves a little bit lost on Patmos, as the island is not geared towards such form of tourism at all. There are some beautiful coves with stunning sceneries for those who are looking for a nice spot in the shade and a bit of a swim in the Aegean, but in general beaches on Patmos are slightly on the lacking side. If you are attracted to rocky landscapes and scenic hidden coves, however, Patmos might be the right place for you.

Just a short drive outside of Skala, Grikos is a little settlement with a beautiful bay and a mini stretch of sandy beach. On a nice day, it is possible to walk all the way from Skala to Grikos; the scenic path alongside the winding road offers great views of the harbour of Skala and the Aegean Sea, plus the islets further ashore. Hence lots of photo opportunities for those who are travelling with their multiple cameras. The walk takes about 40 minutes to an hour, depending on your speed and the time you spend taking photos along the way.

Things go slow in Grikos, so don't expect huge beach crowd or trendy beach bars. There are only 2 or 3 local taverns near the little fishing harbour dotted with small local fishing boats, and they serve identical fares: simple yet tasty Greek local dishes. Freshly prepared and very down-to earth.

In the photo below is a typical local visitor to the beach tavern: the seagull sure looks like he has done this very often. In the middle of the lunch, all of a sudden he appears from nowhere, lands straight on the table and stare around with such confidence. Good gosh.

This poor puppy was tied up in his owner's boat under the burning sun. Although he could stay in the shade, the temperature outside was still searingly hot and I hope he did not suffer from dehydration. If such things happen in some other countries, the owner would have already been charged with cruelty to animals.

The panoramic view of the bay of Grikos and the small sandy beaches.

Copyrights@2010. All text and photos by YC Cheng. All Rights Reserved.