The island's main port and capital, Chora is the hot-spot for shopping, dining, and cultural pursuits. With its scenic cascade of white houses which dot the Venetian hilltop castle, windmills, museums, and a plethora of photo-ready locations, this is the epicentre of life on Astypalaia.

Marked by the huge flaming sculpture called 'Wind of May', May Fourth Square is a symbol of the 1919 May Fourth Movement — a key moment in China’s modern history when students led an uprising that sparked a wave of nationalism. The square connects the Qingdao municipal government building with the coast, and it’s made up of two main areas: City Hall Square and Central Square. By day, it’s a popular spot for a stroll, and by night, the square is brought to life with colourful lights and a graceful water fountain.

There are 57 nature reserves within Halmstad Municipality, with different types of flora and fauna. You'll find vast marshes, deciduous woods, steep mountain slopes, rushing waterfalls and a bird sanctuary. Lace up your hiking boots or pump up your bike tires and discover a Halmstad that surprises. If you prefer to explore by water, gently gliding in a canoe is a delightful experience. Distances are short, so you can feel like a true adventurer one minute and be back in your hammock the next. Galgberget, or 'Gallows Hill', just a stone's throw from the city centre, is peaceful despite its name hinting at the site's history. Walking paths, bridleways and fitness trails share space in the beech and mixed woods. With views over Laholms Bay and Halmstad's city centre, it's a perfect spot to rest on one of the benches. Several hiking trails wind through Haverdal's coastal forest reserve. If you listen closely, you might almost hear the gnarled pines lamenting the drifting sands and harsh sea winds. Further north, the nickname of Skipås Nature Reserve, “God’s Green Meadows”, speaks for itself. Venture deeper inland into the heart of the countryside, where meadows and lush mushroom-filled forests offer a bounty of outdoor activities. In Simlångsdalen, tranquil lake waters beckon for leisurely canoeing excursions.