The tenders arrive at Skala which is the small, pretty port of Patmos. The main town is Chora which is a few miles away up a very winding hill, but a taxi there will only cost about €7 and you can walk downhill back to the port.

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video.

The island of Apocalypse For a truly sacred travel experience, make your way to Patmos (Jerusalem of the Aegean). It was on this island that St John wrote his divinely inspired Revelation the Apocalypse, the last book of the New Testament. Today it is a place of pilgrimage for both Orthodox and western Christians, as well as the more profane sun and sand worshippers. Instantly palatable, Patmos entices visitors to linger and to almost certainly return.

Patmos is a charming, picturesque and tranquil island. It has a very salubrious climate and a clear atmosphere. Vegetation is rather limited but this in no way diminishes the picturesqueness of the island with its lacy coastline, its charming bays and its surrounding islets. The island has 3000 inhabitants, who are divided among Hora, Skala, which is also the main port and Kampos. Away from the flow of mass - tourism, Patmos is ideal for those looking for alternatives. The simultaneous presence of spirituality, wild untouched nature and 20th century tourism make it a unique place, making many visitors return again and again.

Monastery of St. John: You might consider that between the cost of the cabs up and then back, plus admissions, etc., that the ship tour might be a little more in cost, but it could save lots of worries and hassles. The monastery and cave are up on a hill that would be a serious challenge for walking. Possible, but a long walk, especially on a hot day.

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Shopping hours are a somewhat complicated matter in Greece as they vary according to the type of business. The list below covers the main areas but bear in mind that this is subject to sudden arbitrary and often incomprehensible changes in the law.

Generally the hours between 2.00pm and 5.30pm are dedicated to lunch and the sacred afternoon siesta, especially in the hot summer.

Tourist shops may stay open, so do many kiosks, all the supermarkets, main post-offices and telephone offices.

Apart from kiosks, sweet shops, florists and many tourist shops everything is closed on Sundays. Supermarkets Open at 8.00 am and close at 8.00 pm in winter and 9.00 pm from April to end of October. Saturday they close at 6.00 pm and are closed on Sundays and holidays.

Business holidays include New Year's Day (1 January), Epiphany (6 January), Lent (March; date varies), Greek Independence Day (25 March), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday (March or April; dates vary), Labor Day (1 May), Holy Spirit Day (early June), Assumption (15 August), Ochi Day (28 October), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December).

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