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Boats in Batsi harbour at sunset
In a nutshell, here’s our general impressions of Batsi:
♦ It’s picturesque, with pretty views and scenery in practically all directions, especially on the waterfront all the way around the bay. There are some interesting lanes and footpaths on the hill behind the commercial zone.
♦ There are plenty of good places to eat and drink. The main road along the waterfront has numerous tavernas, restaurants, and cafe-bars, most offering nice sea and harbour views and menus of seafood and Greek cuisine (as well as popular international dishes);
♦ Batsi beach is just steps from the commercial strip, and there’s a smaller sandy strand on the opposite side of the bay. Three more beaches are within walking distance.
♦ The village is conveniently located. It’s about a 10-minute taxi ride from Batsi to Gavrio, and the local bus ride takes only a little longer. We actually walked to the port town on our final full day on Andros — it’s under 6 km away with beautiful beach and coastal scenery the entire distance.
♦ Would we recommend it? Yes!
♦ Would we stay in or near Batsi on a return visit to Andros? Absolutely!
Below is a selection of our photos of Batsi. You can view full-size versions of them, along with over 200 additional pictures, in my Batsi album on Flickr.
A big church and buildings on the hill near Batsi beach
Houses in the valley behind Batsi beach
Tall stone walls line a lane of steps that descend a residential hillside area to the village’s commercial waterfront
The local taxi stand (left) and part of the main waterfront street
Sailboats in the marina at Batsi harbour
Village view from Batsi beach as stormclouds move toward the town
A long flight of steps to houses behind the commercial area
Stamatis Taverna, where we had a delicious meal our first night in Batsi
The village buildings look like they’re tightly stacked atop each other
Cafes and restaurants along the bayside road
Fishing boats in Batsi harbour
Umbrellas on Batsi beach
Twilight view of the harbourfront strip
Families enjoying a sunny afternoon at Batsi beach
Lush trees and vegetation surround a house in Batsi
The Moncafe bar on the harbourfront strip, where we relaxed with a glass of wine while waiting for a short rainfall to end one afternoon
Harbour-view restaurants and cafes
A steep flight of steps on the hill behind the commercial area
The Batsi harbourfront at sunset hour
A boardwalk along Batsi beach, next to the main road
The northern end of Batsi beach
Part of the view from the north end of Batsi beach
A building with dovecoats and traditional Cycladic design elements
A hillside footpath leading from homes to the waterfront
Some of the restaurants near Batsi beach
Hotels and rental apartments on a hill above the bay. The large complex in the center of the photo is the Mare Vista Hotel — Epaminondas.
Menacing stormclouds above Batsi. They sprinkled light rain over the village for about half an hour before moving out to sea.
The waterfront street, looking in the direction of the road to Stivari, Delavoyia and Agia Marina
The big red-roofed church that dominates the Batsi skyline
Village, harbour and sea view from the Batsi church as stormclouds fill the sky over the western Andros coast
Village view from the opposite side of the bay
It just wouldn’t be Batsi without a bat!
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