Astypalaia Named Top European Escape by Italian Magazine

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The news in Greek

1. ήσυχος
   Αυτό που δεν έχει θόρυβο ή κίνηση, γαλήνιο. ↩︎
2. εφημερίδα  (f.)
   Έντυπο που κυκλοφορεί καθημερινά και περιέχει ειδήσεις. ↩︎
3. καλύτερος
   Ο συγκριτικός βαθμός του επιθέτου ‘καλός’, αυτός που είναι ανώτερος από άλλους. ↩︎
4. προορισμός  (m.)
   Ο τόπος στον οποίο κάποιος σκοπεύει να πάει ή να ταξιδέψει. ↩︎
5. παραλία  (f.)
   Η περιοχή της γης που βρίσκεται δίπλα στη θάλασσα. ↩︎
6. φιλόξενος
   Αυτός που υποδέχεται και περιποιείται με χαρά τους επισκέπτες. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What kind of publication named Astypalaia the best destination in Europe for the summer?

Question 2: What are two features of Astypalaia mentioned in the summary?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
ήσυχος	quiet
εφημερίδα  (f.)	newspaper
καλύτερος	better
προορισμός  (m.)	destination
παραλία  (f.)	beach
φιλόξενος	hospitable

Read the full story

The Greek island of Astypalaia has been ranked first on a list of seven top European summer destinations by the popular Italian publication iO Donna, which belongs to the Corriere della Sera media group.

The feature, titled “Summer moments in Europe: Seven beautiful and less crowded destinations to escape the chaos”, highlights Astypalaia as an authentic Greek destination that offers a different experience from the more saturated islands of the Mediterranean. The publication describes the island as a “butterfly-shaped paradise” where mass tourism has not eroded its authenticity or peaceful character.

Special mention is made of the island’s main settlement, Chora, with its whitewashed houses spread amphitheatrically beneath an imposing Venetian castle — one of the most distinctive images of the Aegean. The article also highlights the island’s beaches with their clear blue-green waters. According to iO Donna, visitors to Astypalaia can discover “the silence of a Greece from another era”.

The Italian magazine also drew attention to Astypalaia’s internationally recognised strategy for sustainable development and electric mobility, noting that these elements combine harmoniously with traditional architecture, local hospitality and the natural environment.

The Deputy Mayor of Astypalaia, Kostas Kampylis, welcomed the recognition. “Astypalaia has all the ingredients of the secret recipe that the modern traveller is now seeking: authenticity, unique landscapes, distinctive architecture, a rich cultural identity, high-level gastronomy, quality nature experiences and a firm commitment to sustainable development,” he said, adding that the island would continue to invest in strengthening its international presence and attracting high-quality visitors from around the world.

Astypalaia is known for its Chora, which blends Cycladic and Dodecanese architectural elements. The island also offers walking trails, boat trips to dramatic coastal cliffs and nearby islets, and tavernas famed for their fish and lobster.