The town

Pothia, the island’s capital, is a picturesque town of small, colorful houses piled high on the hills around its harbor in the shape of an amphitheater. The sheltered, south facing harbor is one of the most important in the Aegean and offers well organized marina services and good ferry and hydrofoil connections as well as being home to a large fleet of traditional fishing boats.

Pothia’s population of some 11,500 live in dense, vibrant neighborhoods. The seafront is adorned with shops and lively cafes as well as attractive public buildings in Italianate style, a culture center and cinema.

Countless churches display beautiful icons by local artists and the town boasts three museums devoted to archaeology, the history of sponge diving and folk art.

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