Kampos Village

On the north of Patmos, a wide, fertile plain lies between the hills and the sea, and its main village is Kampos, also written Kambos. The name simply means plain, and the landscape lives up to it: flat ground with olive groves, orchards, fields and stands of pine, in contrast to the rocky ridges on the rest of the island. For many centuries this was the farming centre of Patmos, supplying the monastery and the town of Chora with olive oil, wine, fruit and vegetables.

The village is quiet and spread out, with houses and small farms along lanes between fields, and a small church at the centre of the settlement. Compared with the busy port of Skala or the walled town of Chora, Kampos has a slower rhythm. Local life, in true Greek island fashion, revolves around the farms and a handful of cafes and tavernas, and mornings begin early with the sound of village routines. The hills behind the plain offer paths for short walks, and the sea is close enough to reach on foot.

A sandy cove, Kampos Beach, lies at the foot of the plain and is the island's main family beach, with calm, shallow water and tamarisk trees. Several tavernas stand by the sand, serving fresh fish, salads and local wine. The beach is easily reached from Skala by road, and in summer it is a popular place to spend the afternoon, particularly for those who want to swim without the effort of reaching more remote coves.

Visitors who walk through the village will notice small chapels dotted among the fields, as is common on the island, and the stone walls that mark terraces and property lines. Wandering the lanes in the evening, when the heat has eased, is a pleasant way to see this quieter side of the island.

The village is easily combined with a visit to Chora and the Monastery of Saint John, and it is a good alternative base for travellers who want a peaceful stay close to the sea. Buses and taxis link it to the port, and the road is easy to drive. Spring brings green fields and wildflowers, while late summer has the strongest light and the warmest sea.