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Pátmos
Things to Do in Pátmos
Monastery of St. John

Monastery of St. John, Pátmos: Address, Phone Number, Monastery of St. John Reviews: 4.5/5

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Monastery of St. John

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Monastery of St. John
4.5
685
#2 of 19 things to do in Pátmos
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Massive stone monastery completed in the 11th century in honor of St. John the apostle.
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
69 within 3 miles
Loza Restaurant
218
264 ft$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly
Jimmy's Balcony
261
21 ft$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly
Giagkos Pantheon Patmos
35
73 ft$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Aloni
20
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Greek
Traditional Cafe KATOI
5
0.2 miCafe • Mediterranean • Greek • Beer restaurants
Vagellis Restaurant Patmos
130
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Greek
Astivi
114
0.1 mi$$$$ • Mediterranean • European • Contemporary
Benetos
6
317 ftCafe • European • Greek
Stoa Theo's Bar
8
326 ft
Benetos
332
0.6 mi$$$$ • Seafood • International • Mediterranean
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Attractions
13 within 6 miles
Koukoumavla
19
196 ftArt Galleries
Windmills of Patmos
117
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Cave of Apocalypse
536
0.4 miHistoric Sites
Chora Patmos
341
0.9 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Kapopoulos Fine Arts
0.1 miArt Galleries
Walking in Patmos
208
0.9 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Tourlou
49
0.9 miArt Galleries
Chapel of Profitis Ilias
42
0.9 miChurches & Cathedrals
Psili Ammos Beach
206
2.1 miBeaches
Agrio Livadi Beach
62
2.3 miBeaches
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
685 reviews
Excellent
454
Very good
186
Average
31
Poor
9
Terrible
5
In-Yong H
London, UK657 contributions
An awesome fortress monastery, still functioning
Couples
It really looks more like a fortress than a monastery from below the hill, but inside, you can see some wonderful frescoes and see that it's still very much a functioning monastery. This also means that you're not allowed to take photos in any indoor spaces, including the surprisingly extensive museum they have there. The views you get from the top all they way down the rest of Patmos and the sea are also wonderful. As always, make sure you are dressed modestly. There is a bus that takes you all the way up to Chora from Skala, but it still involves a bit of a walk. If you don't mind a bit more exercise and sweating profusely, you can also walk up from the Cave monastery, which was nice!
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alex J
Melbourne, Australia2,208 contributions
Unmissable, if you visit Patmos !! Combine this with a visit to the cave.
My wife and I were very happy that our ship, the MV Celestyal Olympia, visited Patmos, on a cruise around the Greek Islands. As practising Catholics, we looked forward to seeing the cave where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. We took an optional tour (paid tour). The tour took us first to the cave, then to this magnificent monastery on top of the hill. While the cave had a lot religious significance, this monastery was a real sightseeing gem. Wonderful location, great views, and plenty of history. (it is 1000 years old, whereas St. John lived in the cave, in exile, over 1900 years ago). There is a fantastic little museum, where you can see some very interesting church treasures, including the document signed by the Byzantine Emperor Alexis in 1088, establishing this monastery. As we had taken a paid tour, we had an excellent guide, who gave us an enormous amount of information. She also pointed out the best places to get photos. The views are stunning. One caution: your transport cannot take you right up to the entrance, it will need to park a fair way below. So, there is some climbing involved. If it is rainy, the cobblestones will be slippery and dangerous. Not a place to take a stroller!
Written April 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NatMcN
Brussels, Belgium100 contributions
Brave monk stays open despite COVID
I find this quite moving, that the head monk chose to stay open to tourists despite the threat of the virus to him and his elderly peers. Since they don’t charge admission, it’s not for the revenue. I’m grateful we could visit.
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gramps3421
Chappell Hill, TX246 contributions
Spiritual experience on a beautiful Island
The essence of the Holy Spirit filled my heart and soul both times that I have visited this sacred site. The museum is a site to behold with a wonderful mixture of relics and icons.
Written June 23, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ronderland
Beirut, Lebanon3,125 contributions
A must see
Friends
Visiting patmos without going to this sacred place is meaningless. The church is a jewel by itself and the stunning part of the monastery is the museum rich in icons frescos and many other church items.
Written April 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David R
Cleveland, OH62 contributions
beware of the priest and monk
We were followed around the entire time by the priest who was groping his gentiles and trying to lure us into a back room. This is beautiful and holy place however all travelers should beware of this man. I highly recommend visiting however keep a fair distance from this man. It was awkward and uncomfortable and a disgrace ,
Written December 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
OTT12
London323 contributions
A place you must visit!
Couples
The monastery sits on top of Chora the capital of Patmos island and it is a must visit whether you are religious or not.
Dedicated to St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation is perhaps one of the most important monasteries in the Christian religion and also a very important Byzantine building and architecture.
You can take a bus or taxi to get to the top or even walk if you are fit and have the time.
As with all religious sights dress sensibly.
The entrance fee is modest and it also includes entrance into the museum which contains some of the most important artefacts and scriptures of the Eastern Church.
The Byzantine frescos are simply superb.
After the visit enjoy the view over the island and don't forget to have a walk around the picturesque streets of Chora.
You must not miss the monastery, it's a hugely moving experience.
Written August 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dragon789wv
Agoura Hills, CA5,592 contributions
Worth seeing, esp. the Museum
Couples
My wife and I were here on a Globus tour, and this was part of a 3-day cruise by Celestyal Cruise Olympia and tour is by the cruise ship, which included a trip to the Grotto (whoopeee!).

By the time we got to the Monastery, it was almost 7pm, and don't forget that DST kicked in a week earlier, so ... yeah, we got a lot of terrific shots on the outside! I am amazed at how a cruise ship DARES to charge people to visit the island 'attractions'.
To be honest, if I had known what the island's 2 attractions were, combined with the late hour of arrival to see the Grotto first (arrived there around 6:15pm) ,,, I would probably have skipped the whole tour from the cruise ship ... not worth the price.

However ...
If I were to break up the Monastery and the Museum, the Monastery would be a 3 and the Museum would be a 5.
I don't remember if they allowed photography inside the Monastery, but I think it was NO photography.
To us, the Museum -- Alert - no photography allowed! -- was most interesting. It had many items that were ... very intricate, very well done, and some were so small that you have to really look to see how well done and intricate the work really was. THAT to many of us on the tour was the highlight of the Monastery Shame we were not allowed photography so we could walk away with memories to show others - and have good memories.
Written December 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nemesis🇬🇷
Athens, Greece6,456 contributions
A beautiful monastery
Couples
Has amazing view and totally worth a visit. Very peaceful place, offers the ultimate spiritual tranquility. Also church has a great architecture
Written June 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aussiebooklover
Mundingburra, Australia92 contributions
A thousand photos later.....
Friends
Got the hire car and set off for the monastery and holy cave of St John. The road was very steep amd narrow. Went to the cave first and into the chapel inside it. Couldn't take pictures but bought postcards. Very large comfortable cave with a fairly small building over it. Amazing to think that this where St John dictated the book of Revelations. Great views of Patmos from here.

Then drove even further up this steep road to the top where the monastery is. It's a beautiful building, all white washed walls, brilliant bougainvillea, and little courtyards. Took lots of photos, the view was even better here. The museum in the monastery has some very ancient books with beautiful decorations and pictures.

There are lots of shops on the steep narrow road that leads between old buildings from the car park to the monastery . We browsed in a few, and when we came down, stopped for lunch at a cafe overlooking the view, which was lovely. Had nice omelettes and a salad.
Written November 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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