The Greek Island of Patmos is the most underrated place to visit in Europe, according to Buzzfeed. The island is very small and easy to navigate, home to just more than 3,000 people.
Patmos, is an Aegean island in the north of Greece’s Dodecanese island group, and it is also a significant Christian pilgrimage site. Its Cave of the Apocalypse is where John of Patmos (St. John the Theologian) is said to have written the Book of Revelations. It is also known as the “Jerusalem of the Aegean”. The island is home to an 11th-century monastery, which is dedicated to the saint that overlooks the houses of the hilltop capital Chora.
Forbes magazine named Patmos as “Europe’s most idyllic place to live”, stating that “Patmos has evolved over the centuries but has not lost its air of quiet tranquility, which is one reason why people that know it return again and again.”
Many of the Patmians believe they live in one of the most beautiful spots in the world and many choose not to leave the island.
Some believe in the idea that the world ends there and that it resembles the very edge of Christendom.
Pathos is situated only 15 miles to the east of Turkey and the continent of Asia.
Chora, the island’s centre that has a rich history, along with the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
There are mainly sandy beaches and the streets are paved with gorgeous tiling, cocktail bars and cafes.
Patmos is very similar to the other Greek islands, with its narrow and cobbled streets, friendly cats and beautiful architecture.
There’s no airport however, so you will need to arrive via boat. The nightlife is lacking slightly and it’s also said there are strict rules about nudity after some hippies tried to settle in the 1970s.
Big names such as David Bowie have visited the island in the past and it is one of the most beautiful spots in the world, let alone Europe.