Koufonisia Island my special one
Koufonisia Islands part of The Small Cyclades Islands.
Koufonisia Islands consists of three main islands, Kato (Lower) and Pano (Upper) Koufonisia, and Keros. Geographically, it is located on the southeast side of Naxos and on the west side of Amorgos.
Koufonisia (Pano - Upper) It's all about enjoying life,
eating with family and friends, walking, cycling, swimming excellent beaches and making boat trips.Koufonisia (Koufonisi, Koufonissi, Koufonissia). Dreamy and stunning surrounded by the scenic landscapes with the Aegean sea all around.
Peace and quiet, but a bit more sparkling than the other Small Cyclades Islands. Even the nightlife is more vibrant, but still low key.
Population around 400 residents. Pano Koufonisia is the only inhabited island of the three islands, which also includes the uninhabited islands of Kato Koufonisi and Keros.
Agios Georgios (Chora)
The only settlement is Agios Georgios (Koufonisia town-Chora) on the southwest coast of Koufonisia a characteristic example of Cycladic architecture.
Once only a small fishing village. The exterior surfaces of the houses and all other buildings are painted white and blue in order to match with the boundless blue of the Aegean Sea.
A magic atmosphere with a popular harbour a good choice of bars, tavernas and some shops
On one side of the port, the Yacht Marina, and further along the beach road there are several good places to stay.
On the other side of the port follow the beach/sea promenade a wide bay and the towns sandy beach named Ammos. Behind the port and the beach, slightly elevated, lots of accommodation here, tavernas, supermarket and pther shops.
Koufonissia Beaches, Beaches and more lovely beaches
Koufonissi can easily be explored by walking about, actually between 4-5 hours to walk around the whole Island.
A nice and scenic route is to take the track that runs parallel to Koufonissi's eastern coastline it will give you excellent opportunities to select the "best beach for you".
I Followed the coast road along the sea, out from the town, many beaches, with seafront accommodation, heading for the famous Pori Beach area.
Ammos beach Agios Georgios/Chora village sandy beach. Follow the seafront promenade east to
Porta sandy Beach Continue your leisure walk east along the coast footpath from Porta Sandy Beach to
Harakopou/Finikas sandy Beaches Your walking distance so far approximately 1km from Ammos Beach. Follow the coast footpath from Harakopou/Finikas Sandy Beaches to
Fanos long sandy Beach with a beach bar, Follow the coast footpath from Fanos Sandy Beach to
Platia Pounda beautiful with sandy and rocky part, as all the others crystal clear water. Approximately 1.5km from Ammos beach. Follow the coast footpath from Platia Pounda and on your way to Pori Beach
The Caves Milona and beyond the Devils Eye rockpool.
Pori Beach allegedly the island’s most beautiful beach. Long, with white sand and emerald waters, it is justifiably considered one of the top beaches in the entire Cycladic region. Two café-bar-tavernas, and a small shop. On the “back” of Pori beach Xilobatis Bay, Gala and Cavos Pori, photogenic rock, cliff and cave formation.
Picture On the “back” of Pori beach
Xilobatis Bay, Gala and Cavos Pori, photogenic rock, cliff and cave formation.
A few days later I walked to the west from the towm beach Ammos Beach
pass the port the Marina to Spilia and Loutro. Small shingle beaches on your way before you pass the small shipyard and the church. Walk along the coastal beach road a few more small beaches until you arrive in Parianos Bay, nice beach, taverna(s) Aneplora and accommodation available here.
Koufonissi Easy to get around
Walking
Koufonissi can easily be explored by walking about, actually between 3-4 hours to walk around the whole Island.
A nice and scenic route is to take the track that runs parallel to Koufonissi's southern coastline it will give you excellent opportunities to select the "best beach for you".
Cycling
If you preferred to speed up, rent a bike. Places for bike rentals located in Koufonissi town.
(2022 During the high season, a small privately own bus offers regular routes that cover most beaches).
Boating
Organised scheduled boat trips from the port daily in the high summer season.
Charter a boat with the skipper and visit Cape Xylobatis, on the northern coast, which features many sea caves, the isolated beaches of Kato Koufonissi.
Local Boat trips by
A day trip (boat) to Kato Koufonissi to discover small idyllic beaches, and to Keros Island
Koufonisi Get Your Guide
Places with tasty food
A Mezethes lunch plate Pori Beach Koufonisi
Try the local traditional fresh fish, lobsters, and other varied seafood dishes. Lobster pasta is superb. Grilled fish. Greek salad, Lobster salad. Mezethes platter might include a selection of three to five of the following, olives, tomatoes, tzatziki, dolmades, bread, slice of salami, fried cheese pie, something small and appetizing served together with an Ouzo apertif. A few tavernas have live music.
Ouzeri Karnagio at the waters edge (also own Alkionides studios) Ouzo Karnagio 400-450meters from the port. Spilia area of Chora.
Aneplora restaurant, cafe and bar located in the bay of Perianos just under 1.4km from the port. Fish and Seafood.
To Steki Tis Marias is a family-owned ouzo cafe with years of tradition in Loutro area of Chora, southeast of the port walking distance 300 meters, Spilia area of Chora. Open from Breakfast to lunch and evening meals and aperitifs.
Captain Nikolas Taverna approximately 400 meters from the port, Spilia/Loutro area of Chora . The large display of cooked food will tempt your appetite like traditional crusty pies, fish entrées, pasta with seafood and dishes prepared for meat lovers as well.
Where to stay
Image Nostos Studios
Most accommodation are spread out in Agios Georgios (Chora) Koufonissi. Hotel, apartments, rooms for rent.
Nostos Studios 7 independent studios with private terrace , idyllic location only 500 meters from the village.
Windmill Villa unique stay on Koufonissi Islands (500 meters from the village) The only preserved windmill that today serves as a tourist accommodation. (Spilia area of Chora)
Villa Ostria The rooms and apartments are tastefully decorated and furnished by the owner himself, Nikitas. Rooms on the ground floor and 1st floor, 2nd-floor apartments, Free WiFi. Stroubos area of Chora, 350 meter to the port.
Sohoro houses 6 traditional houses (all air-conditioning) well equipped and nicely furnished with a small furnished terrace. Kommunial area with washing machine. 350 meters to the port in Spilia area of Chora.
Arpistis Apartment is a apartment complex of 8 apartments, slightly elevated position. Comfy accommodation. Open kitchen/living room, bedroom, furnished terrace and only 200 meters to the port.
All the above hotels, apartments (in no particular order) can be Book direct or you can find them and more alternatives on
Something local
The Fisherman’s Feast is held on the last Saturday of June. Excellent sea food titbits and wine. Traditional live music, entertainment and you are welcome to join in for a dance in the streets.
Prophitis Ilias Day 20th July.
The Day of the Assumption of the Virgin (Panagia), August 15, all the islanders go by boat to Kato Koufonissi, after mass the celebration starts.
Best time to visit Koufonissi
Book accommodation and ferry tickets early, for the high season (July and August) as accommodation and ferry tickets supply is of high demand. From middle May - June and from the middle of September great time to visit Koufonissi islands, busy, but not too crowded, nice temperature, the sea is warmer in the autumn.
Easy to get here
By Air
Koufonissi has no airport.
The nearest islands with airports are Naxos (JNX) and Paros (PAS) with connections from-to Athens (ATH) airport.
International flights, charter flights, and low fare airlines use Santorini (JTR) and Mykonos (JMK) airports.
Aegean Airlines check availability, book your flights domestic or International flights
By Sea
Ferry services daily from Naxos during the year if weather permits, increase to several ferries a day during high season.
Other Cyclades islands with direct or indirect connection during high season to Koufonissi is Amorgos, Folegandros, Iraklia, Milos Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Schinoussa and Syros.
Island hoppers
Allow plenty of time for your return flight and always plan and arrange an easily accessible final return port of call. Play safe is the name of the game, allow a minimum at least one clear day to spare or more. Ferries can be cancelled due to very strong winds and so on.
Book your ferry tickets, search availability with Ferries in Greece
