As autumn deepens, it’s easy to find yourself daydreaming about next year’s spring and summer escapes – and one island in the Dodecanese is quietly climbing to the top of wish lists. In a recent travel feature, the Daily Mail singled out Patmos as an “unspoilt gem” of the Aegean, praising its “beautiful beaches, pretty towns, and excellent food,” as well as its “unbeatable prices.”

While the British press often focuses on Greece’s headline destinations – the dazzling whitewashed villages of Mykonos or the romantic sunsets of Santorini – the Daily Mail urged readers to look further afield. Patmos, it noted, combines natural beauty and spiritual heritage with refreshingly down-to-earth prices: “€3 glasses of wine and €4.50 tzatziki” were among the examples cited.

Located 177 nautical miles from mainland Greece, the island “offers dramatic landscapes with hidden coves, and a flawless coastline,” along with “authentic villages” where visitors can still find a sense of peace and privacy far from the crowds.

A Sacred Island

The Daily Mail also highlighted Patmos’s rich cultural heritage and religious significance. In 1981, Greece formally declared it a “Sacred Island,” and it is today recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, thanks to the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse – where, according to Christian tradition, Saint John the Evangelist received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. 

Patmos forms part of the EU-funded COESIMA network of European pilgrimage destinations – preserving the sanctity and accessibility of seven key sacred Christian sites across the continent. Every year, pilgrims and spiritually curious travelers alike make the journey to the island to experience the profound tranquility of its chapels, cobbled lanes, and monastic enclaves. Even those visiting purely for leisure find that Patmos carries a unique, contemplative atmosphere that sets it apart from the typical holiday islands.

Villages, Beaches, and Rustic Cuisine

According to the Daily Mail, one of Patmos’s greatest charms lies in its “tiny villages, with winding alleys, stone-paved squares, and traditional architecture.” Chief among them is Hora, a cluster of whitewashed mansions and Byzantine churches that crown the island’s central hill. From its narrow lanes, the imposing silhouette of the Monastery of Saint John is never far away, visible above the town like a sentinel.

Down by the sea lies Skala, the island’s main port and a relaxed hub for cafés, boutique hotels, and ferries to nearby islands. From here, visitors can explore Patmos’s many beaches – from sandy curve of Grikos Bay and family-friendly Petra Beach to the secluded coves of Lambi and Psili Ammos. The tiny offshore islet of Petrokaravo, mentioned in the Daily Mail for its shape “like a listing ship followed by two little boats,” makes for a picturesque short excursion.

Food lovers are also well rewarded. The newspaper praised Patmos’s local specialties such as Patiniotiki cheese pie, made with feta and mizithra cheese, and delicate pumpkin-and-cheese pastries. The island’s dining scene blends rustic authenticity with quiet sophistication – where family-run tavernas sit alongside creative restaurants serving locally-sourced, seasonal dishes.

Patmos has long been described as “sophisticated yet authentic,” a phrase that captures its quiet appeal. Unlike other islands, it has no airport, which helps preserve its slower rhythm of life. Visitors typically arrive by ferry from Piraeus or the nearby islands of Leros and Kos.

Whether approached as a place of pilgrimage, a haven for writers and artists, or simply a sun-drenched getaway with friendly locals and honest prices, Patmos offers a rare blend of serenity, spirituality, and unspoilt beauty.