Astypalea Saint John Monastery

Location: Town

Built among two steep heights, the Monastery of Agios Ioannis stands on a remote location with commanding views of the Aegean Sea and the uninhabited islets of Ktenia, Pontikoussa and Ofidoussa.

The best-preserved building is a whitewashed blue-domed chapel, while the adjacent stone monastery has suffered the wear of time. In the area beneath the chapel, one can find olive groves and water streams, while a gully leads to the homonymous beach of Agios Ioannis Richtis, a secluded cove with crystalline waters. The scant remnants of a Byzantine castle that probably predates the construction of the Venetian Castle can also be found on a precipitous rock close to the monastery. For romantic souls and nature lovers, the best time to visit is in the late evening, when the sunset views are truly glorious.