Egiali: Sandy Bay and Ancient Traces

Egiali combines a large sandy bay with historical traces in the surrounding area. The village is a coastal destination on Amorgos, where there is more to discover than the coastline: near Langada and Tholaria, windmills, a church and evidence of an ancient settlement come into view.

A harbour village on the sandy bay

Egiali, also spelled Aegiali and called Giali by locals, is the second harbour on the island of Amorgos. Together with the large sandy bay, this role shapes the character of the village: Egiali can be understood both as a coastal village and in terms of its function within the island. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, this dual perspective can help you decide what particularly appeals to you about the destination. Would you like to plan your stay in a place with a strong connection to the coast, or are the historical remains in the surrounding area more important to you? The answer can help you see Egiali as a destination that suits you.

Historical traces near Langada and Tholaria

In the area around Langada, near Egiali, there are old windmills; the Church of Panagia Epanochorianis is also in the same area. The Acropolis of ancient Aigiali stood on Vigla Hill near Tholaria. The hill is home to remains of the ancient settlement, including parts of an ancient wall, sculptures and statue bases. The names Langada, Tholaria and Vigla locate these historical points in the area around the destination.

The term Acropolis refers to an elevated complex in an ancient city; here, it is associated with Vigla Hill near Tholaria. The remains of the wall can be understood as a structural part of the settlement, while the sculptures and statue bases represent other types of remains. This distinction makes the history of ancient Aigiali more tangible: alongside the name of the settlement, there are concrete forms of its surviving traces.

Getting the place names right

The similar names can also help with orientation. Egiali or Aegiali refers to today’s destination, Giali is the name used by locals, and Aigiali is the ancient settlement on Vigla Hill. This distinction is useful for understanding the history: the harbour village, the area around Langada and the hill near Tholaria are distinct points of reference in the surrounding area.

The places mentioned differ not only in location but also in the types of traces found there. The windmills and church near Langada are named buildings; near Tholaria, the trail leads to the remains of an ancient settlement on a hill. Those interested in architecture can look out for different forms of buildings and building remains; those more drawn to ancient art will find their own point of interest in the sculptures and bases. This makes it possible to focus on the historical themes according to your personal interests.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Schinoussa, Glinado, Apóllon, Melanes, Agkidia, Tholaria, Aghios Prokopios, Kalantos

For the main travel overview: Naxos.