This striking Dodecanese island has whitewashed houses and fairly secluded beaches. Its tavernas serve superb fresh fish.
Relatively unpopulated (it's mostly home to shepherds and fishermen), Patmos' primary attractions are its Grotto of Chora (where St. John wrote the Book of Revelations), and the Byzantine Monastery of St. John, which has ancient manuscripts, an ornate chapel, jeweled robes and a spectacular ocean view (it's atop a hill). Ferry boats dock at the main town on the island,
Skala.
30 mi/45 km south-southwest of Samos.