Hotels in Patmos

Patmos: Sacred Island of the Dodecanese

Patmos sits at the northern edge of the Dodecanese, roughly 55 km southwest of Samos. The island covers only 34 km² yet draws pilgrims, scholars, and travelers from across the world because of a single cave. According to tradition, St. John the Theologian dictated the Book of Revelation here around 95 AD inside what is now called the Cave of the Apocalypse — a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. The hilltop Monastery of St. John, founded in 1088, commands the island's skyline and contains one of the most significant ecclesiastical libraries in the Greek Orthodox world.

Where to Stay and Getting Around

Accommodation clusters in three areas: the port town of Skala, the medieval hilltop capital Chora, and the quieter northern bay of Grikos. Skala handles all ferry arrivals and offers tavernas and café-lined waterfront streets. Chora, 4 km uphill, preserves whitewashed captain's mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries. A local bus connects Skala to Chora and Grikos; taxis and scooter rentals cover the rest.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Daily high-speed ferries from Piraeus take roughly 7–8 hours; flights route via Kos or Rhodes.
• Best months: April–June and September–October for mild weather and fewer crowds.
• Dress code: Modest dress is required to enter both the Monastery and the Cave — cover shoulders and knees.
• Holy Week: Orthodox Easter draws large pilgrims to Patmos — book accommodation months in advance.