Astypalea ...more on Astypalea

...On the south side of the exterior walls of the fortress stands the lovely church of Our Lady Portaitissa, definitely worth a visit for its stunning bell tower and interior decoration...

...While ferry service is not terribly frequent, there is a small regional airport with flights connecting to Athens, Rhodes, Kos, and Leros, several times a week.  This is probably your best bet, as the ferry trip from Piraeus takes more than 12 hours, especially with frequent stops along the way.  There is also limited ferry service connecting the Cyclades, about three times a week during high season.  Astypalea does get quite busy during the high summer season, so you need to book early for both accommodation and transportation to and from the island.

Getting about the island is best done by motorbike, though there are some bus services between the main town and several more popular beaches.  Astypalea is a delight to explore, with lots of off-road tracks for your motorbike or for exploration on foot.  Of course, one must explore the old fortress (built, as almost everywhere else on the Aegaen islands, on the ruins of an ancient Acropolis), which has two churches inside the site, including the oldest one on the island, St. George.  On the south side of the exterior walls of the fortress stands the lovely church of Our Lady Portaitissa, definitely worth a visit for its stunning belfry and interior decoration.  In one of the greenest parts of the island is Livadia, a small seaside village with a good sandy beach, and about 2 kilometers south of Chora.  The island’s long coastline offers a variety of beaches, some good ones can also be accessed by caique.