LOCATION
Astypalaia is situated 117 nautical miles south-east of the port of Piraeus, 96 miles from the island of Rhodes, 23 miles west of the island of Kos and another 23 miles from the nearest of the Cyclades as it is the westernmost of the Dodecanese islands. The surface of the island covers 97 square kilometres and its highest peak is 482 meters. The island's permanent population numbers 1113 islanders that in-habit 4 major settlements: Astypalaea or Chora, Livadi, Maltezana and Vathi.
Maltezana village is located in a valley in the Outer Island (Exo Nisi) along a beautiful sandy beach. Vineyards and orchards reach as far as the serene sea. The village's alternative second name 'Maltezana' draws its origins from the pirates that used to loot around the Aegean and then looked for a safe haven in these beaches where now small fishing ships are docked along the village's waterfront. Tour boats offer visitors the opportunity to cruise along the island's beaches and the islets of Hondro, Ligno, Aghia Kyriake, Koutsomytis, Syrna and Kounoupi. The mosaic of the zodiac circle and the important ancient Mathematics of Talaros can be found there. There is also a mosaic in the courtyard of Aghia Barbara (Saint Barbara).