Skala Port → Skala Town Promenade
Disembark from the tender or berth and you are directly on the harbor square and Skala waterfront promenade, lined with cafes and tavernas.
Cruise port in Greece
Pátmos
Explore on foot directly from the pier. Average time in port: 7 hours. 16 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 6 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 336 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 7 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 289
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Pátmos cruise terminals. Explore on foot directly from the pier.
- 2 cruise terminals
The assigned dock is one of Cruise Berth and Tender Landing at Skala Port, Shuttle Bus Stop for Chora and the Cave of the Apocalypse and varies by sailing.
- Dress Code at the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse
The UNESCO World Heritage Monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse are sacred Orthodox pilgrimage sites. Entry is prohibited in sleeveless tops, shorts, or short skirts; visitors must wear modest clothing that covers their shoulders and knees.
- Walking Pilgrimage Route to the Medieval Monastery Village of Chora
A well-maintained 17th-century cobbled pilgrimage path runs through pine forest from Chora to the Cave of the Apocalypse. Walk downhill for about 15 minutes while enjoying views of the Aegean.
About 7 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
- Skala, PatmosAt the pierTime at destinationAbout 7 hr
- Chora, PatmosAbout 15 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 6 hr 30 min
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Skala Port → Cave of the Apocalypse
At the Skala port bus stop, take a local public bus toward Chora and get off at the intermediate stop ‘Cave of the Apocalypse’.
Skala Port → Chora (Monastery of Saint John)
Take a bus toward Chora from the stop in front of Skala port and get off at the terminus, the Chora central square bus terminal. Walk uphill for 3 minutes to reach the monastery.
Skala Port → Chora
Take a taxi at the official stand in front of the port for a convenient ride uphill to the entrance of Chora village in about 10 minutes.
Skala, Patmos places to explore
Explore 7 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.
Sights 2Food and cafés 5
Ostria Taverna
With tables directly in front of the Skala coastal road, it serves fresh grilled sea bream delivered from fishing boats that day, steamed clams, and fresh Patmos cheese pie.
- Duration
- about 1 hr
Dine at outdoor tables right by the sea with views of cruise ships and the water.
Pantelis Restaurant
A leading traditional fish taverna in Skala, run by the same family for three generations since 1950, known for crisp fried small fish, grilled squid, and kakavia fish soup with a rich broth.
- Duration
- about 1 hr 5 min
Located a 3-minute walk from the central square in Skala.
Agriolivadi Beach
A beautiful sandy beach 3 km north of Skala, with emerald water, water-sports facilities, and a shaded beach taverna.
- Visit
- about 1 hr
- Admission
- Free
It is about a 7-minute taxi or water-taxi ride from Skala Harbor.
To Chiliomodi
An authentic ouzeri tucked in a welcoming lane behind the harbor, specializing in Aegean seafood meze such as fresh charcoal-grilled octopus tentacles, sea urchin roe, and marinated anchovies.
- Duration
- about 1 hr 5 min
Ideal for a leisurely local-style meal accompanied by chilled ouzo or tsipouro.
Church of Agia Paraskevi Skala
A white Orthodox church in the center of Skala's coastal village, whose blue dome and bell tower blend with the Aegean scenery and make it a popular photo spot.
- Visit
- about 25 min
- Admission
- Free
Avoid taking photos during services inside.
Trehantiri Taverna
A local restaurant tucked into a lane by Skala harbor, serving authentic Greek home cooking for decades, including lamb braised in lemon sauce, moussaka, and fresh Greek salad.
- Duration
- about 1 hr
- Hours
- Daily 19:00–02:00
A warm, family-run place with many local regulars.
Café Arion
A historic café directly in front of Skala harbor, open since 1980, serving strong Greek freddo cappuccino, homemade portokalopita orange cake, and ice cream.
- Duration
- about 35 min
An ideal place to enjoy a refreshing coffee while watching boats come and go in the harbor.
Trips nearby
With enough time in port, you can explore beyond the city. One-way times are approximate.
Chora, Patmos
About 15 min each wayTime at destination About 6 hr 30 min
SightsMonastery of Saint John the TheologianA huge medieval fortress-like Monastery of Saint John, built at the top of Chora by Saint Christodoulos in 1088, housing Byzantine frescoes and precious treasures such as a manuscript of the Gospel of Mark.
Some days it closes early, around 1:30 p.m., so make this an early-morning priority as soon as you are in port.
SightsCave of the ApocalypseA sacred natural rock cave where the Apostle John, exiled by Roman Emperor Domitian in AD 95, is said to have heard God's voice and dictated the Book of Revelation to his disciple Prochorus.
Photography inside the cave is strictly prohibited; remove your hat and keep quiet.
NeighborhoodsChora Old Town LabyrinthA medieval maze of white lanes from the 15th century, designed narrow and winding to deter pirates, with arched passages, ornate wooden doors, and bougainvillea-lined paths.
The ground is paved with slippery cobblestones (Caldato), so comfortable low-heeled shoes are essential.
Food and cafésTo KtimaOn a ridge outside Chora, it serves lemon lamb, eggplant gratin, and homemade wine while overlooking a dramatic sunset over the sea west of Patmos.
It is a popular sunset spot, so ask for a window seat if visiting in the late afternoon.
Food and cafésVangelis RestaurantA historic restaurant on Agia Lesvia Square in central Chora, serving traditional pies with vegetables delivered fresh that day and Patmos cheese, as well as rabbit stew beneath the square's trees.
One of Chora’s best-known spots for dining in the romantic atmosphere of the square.
SightsWindmills of PatmosThree restored windmills built in 1588 that received a Europa Nostra heritage conservation award, and a leading viewpoint for photos with the Aegean and the Monastery of Chora in the background.
Located on a hill ridge, a 5-minute walk from the center of Chora.
Food and cafésJimmy's BalconyA historic café on a cliff terrace just below the monastery walls, with breathtaking views of Skala harbor and the blue Aegean far below.
The terrace railing seats are considered one of the best viewpoints in Chora.
SightsSimandris Mansion Folk MuseumThe oldest aristocratic mansion in Chora, built in 1625 and preserved by one family for eight generations, with Ottoman-style furniture, Venetian mirrors, 14th-century icons, and traditional household artifacts.
A direct descendant personally gives a warm explanation of the house layout and family heirlooms.
SightsMonastery of Zoodochos PigiA peaceful women's monastery west of Chora, founded in 1607, with flowers in its neat white courtyard and delicate carved wooden iconostasis offering a tranquil spiritual retreat.
Visitors should behave quietly and reverently, and modest attire is required.
Cruises calling at Pátmos
336 sailings are grouped into 29 cruises by ship and route.
Celestyal Cruises25 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2028.11Mediterranean cruises · 3 nights · Short cruise
Iconic Greek Islands - 3Nights (Mar & Nov)
Lavrion departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 289
Celestyal Cruises2 departure dates1 sailing available to book
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2027.11Mediterranean cruises · 26 nights · Long cruise
26N Combination Cruise Athens to Tarragona
Lavrion → Tarragona
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 2,289
Celestyal Cruises22 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2028.11Mediterranean cruises · 4 nights · Short cruise
Iconic Greek Islands - 4Nights (Mar & Nov)
Lavrion → Piraeus
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 379
Celestyal Cruises119 departure dates118 sailings available to book
Sailing 2027.04 ~ 2028.10Celestyal Cruises120 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2027.04 ~ 2028.10
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionSailing 2027.05Mediterranean cruises · 4 nights · Short cruise
Piraeus Roundtrip
Piraeus departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 7,300
Emerald CruisesSailing 2027.05Mediterranean cruises · 17 nights · Long cruise
Discover the Charming Mediterranean
Valletta → Piraeus
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Emerald Cruises6 departure dates
Sailing 2027.05 ~ 2028.10
Emerald CruisesSailing 2027.05Mediterranean cruises · 21 nights · Long cruise
Epic Voyage: Athens to Venice
Piraeus → Venice
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Emerald Cruises3 departure dates
Sailing 2027.05 ~ 2027.10Mediterranean cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
Discover the Eastern Mediterranean
Athens → Dubrovnik
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 12,310
Emerald CruisesSailing 2027.06Mediterranean cruises · 7 nights
Emerald Raiya Inaugural Voyage: Greek Islands & Turkish Coastlines
Piraeus departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 8,166
Emerald CruisesSailing 2027.07Mediterranean cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
Discover the Eastern Mediterranean
Piraeus → Dubrovnik
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 17,422
29 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Pátmos
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
Celestyal Cruises · 288 sailings
Celestyal Discovery
6 cabin types · 8 dining venues · 14 entertainment options · 10 decks
Explore the ship
Emerald Cruises · 22 sailings
Emerald Raiya
6 cabin types · 2 dining venues · 10 entertainment options · 6 decks
Explore the ship
Emerald Cruises · 16 sailings
Emerald Azzurra
6 cabin types · 2 dining venues · 13 entertainment options · 6 decks
Explore the ship
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection · 7 sailings
Ilma
7 cabin types · 7 dining venues · 9 entertainment options · 8 decks
Explore the ship
About Pátmos
For better or worse, it can be difficult to reach Patmos—for many travelers, this lack of access is definitely for the better, since the island retains the air of an unspoiled retreat. Rocky and barren, the small, 34-square-km (21-square-mi) island lies beyond the islands of Kalymnos and Leros, northwest of Kos. Here on a hillside is the Monastery of the Apocalypse, which enshrines the cave where St. John received the Revelation in AD 95. Scattered evidence of Mycenaean presence remains on Patmos, and walls of the classical period indicate the existence of a town near Skala. Most of the island's approximately 2,800 people live in three villages: Skala, medieval Chora, and the small rural settlement of Kambos. The island is popular among the faithful making pilgrimages to the monastery as well as with vacationing Athenians and a newly growing community of international trendsetters—designers, artists, poets, and “taste gurus” (to quote Vogue’s July 2011 write-up of the island)—who have bought homes in Chora. These stylemeisters followed in the footsteps of Alexandrian John Stefanidis and the English artist Teddy Millington-Drake who, in the early ’60s, set about creating what eventually became hailed as one of the most gorgeous island homes in the world. The word soon spread thanks to their many guests (who included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis) but, happily, administrators have carefully contained development, and as a result, Patmos retains its charm and natural beauty—even in the busy month of August.
Cruise lines calling here: 4 places
Atlas Ocean VoyagesCelestyal CruisesEmerald CruisesThe Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
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