Patmos

Patmos is a small Greek island in the Dodecanese, located in the Aegean Sea.

The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian is a Greek Orthodox monastery founded in 1088. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monastery was built around the Cave of the Apocalypse.

Leather items, jewellery and ceramics are good buys. The port has a variety of interesting shops. Pougia, a local delicacy made from dough with almonds and walnuts, drizzled with sweet syrup and sprinkled with sugar is available at pastry shops all over Patmos. Cheese made on the islands is used in cheese pies.

Frescoes dating back to the 12th century are among the artefacts in the Chapel of the Theotokos. The library houses over 13,000 documents and includes a copy of the Gospel of St Mark, dating back to the 6th century.

Psili Ammos is the only sandy beach on the island. Other choices include Skala Beach, Meloi, Merika and Aspri.

Restaurants usually serve hors d'oeuvres (mezedes) for lunch, these may include cheese, sausage, shrimp, meatballs, tzatziki and olives. Traditional Greek dishes such as 'stifado' (meat stew), moussaka and 'pastisto' (baked pasta dish) are served at dinner. Seafood, steaks and salads are also available.

Cruise ships anchor and tender passengers into the port of Skala. The main town, Chora is a few miles away, up a steep hill.

Taxis are available.