Travel Guide Chora

The Chora of Astypalaia is one of the prettiest villages in the Dodecanese: the upper town, organized around the medieval fortress, seems to tumble down the hill topped by eight windmills, all the way to the port of Pera Gialos. An amphitheater of bright, immaculate houses stands out against an azure backdrop. There's not much to do in Chora per se, but take the time to stroll around, marvel at the panoramic views, and wander endlessly up and down the narrow streets, reminiscent of Cycladic villages... Down below, the beach at the port of Pera Gialos is small and not ideal for swimming, but you can cool off or have a drink with your feet in the water. In 2021, the Greek government and Volkswagen have chosen Astypalaia to launch a pilot project for energy autonomy and neutrality, using innovative green energy production solutions (photovoltaic and wind power). The first step in this energy transition is to renew the vehicle fleet and switch to all-electric power. Three years on, almost all new cars registered on Astypalaia are electric. The aim is to offer a 100% electric service to the 70,000 tourists who visit the island, as well as to the 1,300 local residents. The group also rents out other electric vehicles such as bicycles and scooters.