Villa with Stunning View in Gavrio, Andros

Andros is the northernmost island of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea and the second largest after Naxos. Sometimes described as a miniature lookalike of Greece itself, its unique landscape combines high mountains with deep, verdant valleys, gushing rivers, fresh-water natural springs and stunning beaches bathed in the golden Mediterranean sun. Classical Cycladic architecture contrasts with fascinating Venetian and Byzantine ruins, and a superb 100 km network of hiking trails (known as Andros Routes and certified by the EU) attracts excursionists from all over the world keen to discover the island’s hidden beauties. The capital of Andros, Hora, is one of the most beautiful in the Cyclades. Elegant, dignified and authentic, it boasts impressive museums such as the Archaeological Museum of Andros and the Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art, with a new (and often outstanding) exhibition every summer. A lovely, one-and-a-half kilometre pedestrian walkway guides visitors through the centre of town past shops, restaurants, churches, historic monuments and – eventually – down to the sea where a giant statue dedicated to sailors overlooks an enchanting Venetian stone bridge leading to the island’s ruined castle. Next to Hora, in the village of Korthi, visitors can enjoy freshly-caught fish in charming seafront restaurants before heading on to pretty Batsi for a late-night cocktail overlooking the marina. Accessibility: Andros is the closest of the Cyclades islands to Athens and extremely easy to get to. It can be reached by ferry from the port of Rafina on the mainland (30 mins by car from Athens airport). The ferry takes just two hours and there are at least four daily services in high season and two in winter. Andros is also connected by ferry to Tinos and Mykonos. Investment opportunity: The sophisticated yet authentic character of Andros, combined with the island’s magnificent natural landscape, make it a magical tourist destination and an exceptional investment opportunity. Easy to reach yet still relatively uncrowded even in high summer, Andros is that rare combination of convenience, beauty and exclusivity.