The island’s location, natural resources and harbors sheltered it from the fierce winds of the Aegean and attracted settlers as early as 3000 B.C. 
Traces of prehistoric settlements have been found at Plaka, Makroyiali, Strofila and elsewhere.
Considerably developed since at least the Mycenaean era, that is around 1100 B.C., Andros achieved prominence in the 9th-7th century B.C. During Classical times, Paleopolis served as the island’s vibrant capital. Subsequently Andros came under Roman and Byzantine rule. From the 13th till the mid-16th century Andros was governed by the families Zeno and Sommariva who were backed by Venice.

In 1566, like most of the Cyclades, it fell under Ottoman rule. Providing substantial support to the Greek War of independence it joined the Kingdom of Greece in 1821. Commerce, shipping and shipbuilding flourished and Andros gradually became a Mediterranean shipping power, with Andrian ship-owners opening offices around the world. Reportedly, in themed-20th century Andros’s shipping registry ranked second in Greece, after Piraeus.