Panormitis is an enclosed bay lying on the south west corner of the Greek island of Simi.  The main attraction here is the huge monastery dedicated to St. Michael – the Dodecanese patron of sailors. The monastery suffered from pillaging during WWII, but there is an attractive central courtyard lit by oil lamps.

There are two small museums, each with a somewhat eclectic collection of antiques, votive offerings, models of ships and a chair piled with messages-in-bottles brought here by Aegean currents. There’s a shop, a bakery and a taverna that’s popular with visiting charterers. Around the island there are a number of secluded coves accessible either by boat or by energetic hikers. Some worth exploring include Nanou, where there’s a decent pebbly beach, seafood taverna, and Ayios Vassilios and Ayios Emilianos.

There are several other monasteries dotted around the island and those who fancy stretching their legs will find plenty to explore on a Pamormitis Greece yacht charter.