The Church of Panagia Kalamiotissa
The Church of Panagia Kalamiotissa
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5.0
57 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
emanulelemoroso
Bulciago, Italy37 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Starting at the bottom of the island, it's a 1 hour and 15' of tough walk under the sun...nothing really hard but you gotta keep on and be careful...the wiew from the monastiry is Unbelievable😍
Written 13 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicky M
18 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
This is a must do for all Anafi visitors. The path to the top is somewhat difficult but manageable. It took us an hour to get there but it was totally worth it as the view was breathtaking. It is prefereable to go there either on a Wednesday or on a Tuesday when the monastery is open. Make sure that you have a hat and your sunglasses as well as snickers. All in all a great experience.
Written 30 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emiliano P
Bergamo, Italy11 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
An hour and something more to walk and a not so easy path, but the view up there is worthy all the effort!
The only negative aspect is that you may find some people camping there and I think it's something bad for a holy place that deserves more respect.
The only negative aspect is that you may find some people camping there and I think it's something bad for a holy place that deserves more respect.
Written 20 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Athina K
Athens, Greece208 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Plenty of hikes on the island, most treks are marked and cleaned from vegetation. There is a new trekking map which makes trekking even easier and more fun.
We did the trek to the church Kalamiotissa, a few treks to the beaches, and the one to the ancient town.
Mt Kalamos is a nice 1,5hrs up from the Monastery. It is the highlight of all treks. Walking up is easy, special walking shoes are necessary. Plenty of water is also necessary during the summer months.
The view is beautiful all the way to and from. Up at the church the scenery is stunning.
Strongly recommended. Mind you, not all locals have been up there. I attach an old photo, where locals climb along with the priest and a big icon.
We did the trek to the church Kalamiotissa, a few treks to the beaches, and the one to the ancient town.
Mt Kalamos is a nice 1,5hrs up from the Monastery. It is the highlight of all treks. Walking up is easy, special walking shoes are necessary. Plenty of water is also necessary during the summer months.
The view is beautiful all the way to and from. Up at the church the scenery is stunning.
Strongly recommended. Mind you, not all locals have been up there. I attach an old photo, where locals climb along with the priest and a big icon.
Written 8 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria M
Athens, Greece293 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
Built on top of Kalamos rock, second higher rock in the Mediterranean after Gibraltar, the tiny Church of Panagia Kalamiotissa is a popular hiking destination especially in summer. With breathtaking views almost 480m above the Aegean sea, the rock is approachable by the trekking path of Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, 21 km from Chora(Anafi's capital) and takes about 2 hours for a non experienced hiker to reach the church.
You can enjoy more spectacular views if you take a sea boat from Anafi main port and tour the island.
You can enjoy more spectacular views if you take a sea boat from Anafi main port and tour the island.
Written 7 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kastoras
Athens, Greece35 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
I took the bus till the monastery and then I walked for an hour and a quarter to the top.
It 100% doable but you have to take care the hot and have with you water.
The top is amazing. It is a place with great energy!!!!
The best is to do it around 19.00 stay there overnight and wake up for the sunrise, I didn't do it, next time !
There are no words to describe the feeling and the energy of the landscape!
It 100% doable but you have to take care the hot and have with you water.
The top is amazing. It is a place with great energy!!!!
The best is to do it around 19.00 stay there overnight and wake up for the sunrise, I didn't do it, next time !
There are no words to describe the feeling and the energy of the landscape!
Written 26 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland26,183 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
Anafi is an ideal island for hikers (and swimmers). Since public transport is scarce and non-existant in May and since there is not even a taxi, it is best to rent a car from one of two companies. Also small 4x4 are available. Naturally it means walking back to one's vehicle, unless somebody, who doesn't hike, takes it to the planned end-point. This is not necessary for the probably best known hike up to the church of Panagia Kalamiotissa.
The peak of Mt. Kalamas is visible from far, but not the church on top, which is so well hidden that even a hiker will only see at the last moment. The sign-posted path (No 2) starts at the Moni Zoodochou Pigi, which is about a 15 minutes drive away from the Chora on a tarred road.
The walk itself is an ascent of about 350m in altitude difference and is well visible all the way. On a few exposed parts there are railings, but it is nothing dramatic, so even people, who suffer from vertigo, can do that hike. Since it is very stony though, good hiking boots are strongly recommended, also plenty of water and any protection against the sun. For the whole hike one should count with about 3 hours, including some time spent on the top.
In May, which together with September is a good month for hiking on Anafi, there are many flowers to be seen, also orchids. But otherwise the whole scenery here is of a remote, rocky wilderness. Once on the summit (461m asl), at the triangulation pillar a few meters above the church, there is a phantastic view over the whole island of Anafi, all the way to the white houses of the Chora.
The pretty domed church itself is usually closed. There is an information board near the entrance, where it says - in Greek - that the church was originally built around 1600. It is popularly also called the 'upper monastery', but the two cells were and are probably just used on Sept 8th during the church festivities.
Coming up from the lower monastery one will encounter after about 15 minutes a branch off to the left (with a small sign), which leads in about an hour to the impressive 'Drakontospilo' (Dragon's Cave). This hike on a not always well visible path, despite some red arrows, is only for very experienced hikers, since it goes partly over rocks, involves some short climbs and is incredibly removed from any signs of civilisation.
The peak of Mt. Kalamas is visible from far, but not the church on top, which is so well hidden that even a hiker will only see at the last moment. The sign-posted path (No 2) starts at the Moni Zoodochou Pigi, which is about a 15 minutes drive away from the Chora on a tarred road.
The walk itself is an ascent of about 350m in altitude difference and is well visible all the way. On a few exposed parts there are railings, but it is nothing dramatic, so even people, who suffer from vertigo, can do that hike. Since it is very stony though, good hiking boots are strongly recommended, also plenty of water and any protection against the sun. For the whole hike one should count with about 3 hours, including some time spent on the top.
In May, which together with September is a good month for hiking on Anafi, there are many flowers to be seen, also orchids. But otherwise the whole scenery here is of a remote, rocky wilderness. Once on the summit (461m asl), at the triangulation pillar a few meters above the church, there is a phantastic view over the whole island of Anafi, all the way to the white houses of the Chora.
The pretty domed church itself is usually closed. There is an information board near the entrance, where it says - in Greek - that the church was originally built around 1600. It is popularly also called the 'upper monastery', but the two cells were and are probably just used on Sept 8th during the church festivities.
Coming up from the lower monastery one will encounter after about 15 minutes a branch off to the left (with a small sign), which leads in about an hour to the impressive 'Drakontospilo' (Dragon's Cave). This hike on a not always well visible path, despite some red arrows, is only for very experienced hikers, since it goes partly over rocks, involves some short climbs and is incredibly removed from any signs of civilisation.
Written 26 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therandomtraveller4
Patras, Greece19 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
I understand hiking isn't everybody's thing, but it's quite an important factor when I'm deciding where to go on holiday and it seems a shame to make so much effort to get to Anafi, and then not climb up to the church at the top of Mount Kalamos.
It's not an easy climb but definitely do-able by most people, although it's best to start early in the morning (which means hiring some form of transportation because the bus there from Chora leaves at 11.30 which means climbing at midday and even at the end of June when I was there, it's a bit too hot to be doing anything so strenuous) or early evening, and perhaps even spending the night there...In any case, trainers or walking boots are pretty essential, or at least sandals with a good grip, not flip flops, and plenty of water.
The guides suggest you need about an hour and a half to reach the top - I'm reasonably fit but it took me two hours, partly because of the heat, partly because I kept stopping to take photos, and partly because it was pretty tiring. I'd say pace yourself, stop and rest when you have to, it's not a race to the top.
I am a wee bit scared not of heights, but of edges (acrophobia) but paths are wide enough and they are well marked, both with red arrows and circles, as well as cairns at points where the path seems to branch off in 2 directions, so there's no chance of getting lost. There are even railings as you get higher up and close to the summit.
The church isn't visible as you're climbing, it appears around the final bend in the path, and is a very welcome sight. There's lots of shade for a long rest and a balcony stuck out over the Aegean with a view to Chora in the distance....
It's not an easy climb but definitely do-able by most people, although it's best to start early in the morning (which means hiring some form of transportation because the bus there from Chora leaves at 11.30 which means climbing at midday and even at the end of June when I was there, it's a bit too hot to be doing anything so strenuous) or early evening, and perhaps even spending the night there...In any case, trainers or walking boots are pretty essential, or at least sandals with a good grip, not flip flops, and plenty of water.
The guides suggest you need about an hour and a half to reach the top - I'm reasonably fit but it took me two hours, partly because of the heat, partly because I kept stopping to take photos, and partly because it was pretty tiring. I'd say pace yourself, stop and rest when you have to, it's not a race to the top.
I am a wee bit scared not of heights, but of edges (acrophobia) but paths are wide enough and they are well marked, both with red arrows and circles, as well as cairns at points where the path seems to branch off in 2 directions, so there's no chance of getting lost. There are even railings as you get higher up and close to the summit.
The church isn't visible as you're climbing, it appears around the final bend in the path, and is a very welcome sight. There's lots of shade for a long rest and a balcony stuck out over the Aegean with a view to Chora in the distance....
Written 18 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nina B
Athens, Attiki, Greece115 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
It is really nice visit and definitely worth the hike, the view from the top is absolutely amazing and the around 60min work out is really nice addition too, if you are a bit fit to start with ;) But there should be some precautions taking into consideration... first, go as early as you can, not later than 8am from the start, better is to already finish by 8 :). Take plenty of water, 1l per person in a minimum. It starts pretty rough and steep so don't give up, when you come to the rocks with railings, it gets easier. The hike is not that hard, the paths are marked great, but if you are not used to walking or any kind of exercise you maybe want to reconsider. There is also no shade until the top, so take it nice and slow, and you will be rewarded on the top, where you will find the abandoned monastery and amazing view. I would regret not going, so go go go!!!
Written 3 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Digre_11
Montreal, Canada103 contributions
Jun 2017
The nuns staying at the monastery could not be friendlier. They came out to offer food and drinks and later we could hear beautiful songs from the church. The surroundings are magnificent.
Written 1 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The Church of Panagia Kalamiotissa, Anafi
Frequently Asked Questions about The Church of Panagia Kalamiotissa
- Hotels near The Church of Panagia Kalamiotissa:
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- Attractions near The Church of Panagia Kalamiotissa:
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- (7.07 km) Anafi Church