I only went once to Koufonisia …… and I must confess you that whenever I am thinking about my best best best Greek destination I always think about this tiny but gorgeous island in the small Cyclades …….
Some info about Koufonisia (Pano Koufonisia) – ελλ. Κουφονισια
Koufonisia is a very small island in the small Cyclades, in the Aegean sea. It is located close to Naxos (below) and Amorgos.
There is no airport in Koufonisia, and the only way to get to the island is with the boat – (have a look at this link to check it out www.gtp.gr )
It’s useless to take your car to Koufonisia since there are no roads – I mean there is one that is maybe 2 km long or even less – the only way to visit Koufonisia is on foot or with a boat.
Let’s go to my trip
I went to Koufonisia about 6 years ago. That was one of the 4 islands we were visiting that Summer (Santorini, Folegandros, Naxos and Koufonisia).
IMPORTANT – If you are thinking to spend your holidays in small Cyclades I strongly recommend you to start looking for accommodation in April – not later. They are called small Cyclades because they are really small ….. imagine, Koufonisia is only 6km2 !!!!!
I didn’t know that at the beginning and when I was looking for accommodation (that was beginning June) all the hotels were replying to me that were already full booked ! I was so depressed … I already had planned my tour ……. and I was really getting crazy since I wanted to visit this island because friend of mine was fanatic about it. So … with my hurt full of desperation I contacted a local travel agency that gave me a good news ! They told me that there was an hotel –a new one – that just opened and that they were sure there was still place there. …. and ….. everything went fine :)
In order to go to Koufonisia we stopped in Naxos and took a small boat and for my great surprise my friend Micaela – the one fanatical about Koufonisia was there !! on the boat !! this was destiny !!!
When we arrived for our great surprise we saw that the island was very very tiny but simply beautiful …. the water of the port was crystal, transparent …… and you can imagine other beaches ….
For the first time in our life the owner of the hotel came to pick us up at the port – they were waiting for us and we didn’t know ….. and we understood that we arrived in paradise !!!
Let’s go to the hotel ……. that I strongly recommend http://www.aeoloshotel.com/ (*)
It was on the right side of the Chora, up in a hill, on the way to the beaches and for our surprise it was really chic for our standards !! When we saw our room …. the bathroom (beautiful shower !!) .. our balcony with view to the sea ……. it was so romantic …… and eating Greek yogurt in the morning with honey was the thing that made our stay there perfect !
I knew that there were no streets and therefore no buses to reach the beaches, the only way to get to the beaches from the Chora was with the boat or on foot. Therefore the first day we went to the port, we saw that there were 2 connections in the morning and 2 in the afternoon in order to get to Pori beach with the colourful tiny fisherman boat …. we checked the price and that it was ! our first trip to Pori Beach was with the boat ! it was a very nice trip :) we could see all the coast, all other beaches and since the distance was not so much – only 20 minutes of walk by the Chora – the next days we decided to go on foot.
The way to Pori Beach is very nice, there is a nice path by the sea, with wonderful natural swimming pools close to the the path, natural caves …. and you can stop in all other beaches to have a rest, have a coffe of just to dive :)
Chora
The Chora is quite small, with one single main paved way that crosses it from the right to the left. All main psari tavernas (fish tavernas) are on the beach or close to the port and if you want to eat you should book them the day before (my recommendation). I strongly recommend Capitan Nikolas Taverna that is always fully booked – if you want you can go into the kitchen to choose your fish !
In Koufonisia there is the ever tasty Souvlakia / Ghiros Pita I ever ate in Greece !!!! Therefore I strongly recommend you to go there and have one. The Souvlakeria is in the chora, on the main street. You will see it, since there will be many people queuing :P
For your nightlife there are also nice clubs in the Chora where you can have your drink and then come back to your hotel / studios
Beaches
All beaches are sandy and the sand is so soft ……. with crystal sea waters – it seems like paradise ! I will just mention the ones I remember the names but there are several other beaches on your way to Pori
Megali Ammos – is the beach closest to the Chora, by the port. It’s a very big beach (Megali) and very nice.
Finikas is the first beach that you find when you leave the Chora (about 1.5 km).
Fanos is the second beach – just after Finikas. There used to be a camping there but I have been told that now it is closed. But I am not sure …. actually I am not very in target for camping ! So I am not the right person to ask !
Pori beach
It is the last beach you will find in Koufonisia – there the island finishes (about 3 km from Chora) and from there you can see Naxos.
Just below Pori Beach many people were diving from the high rocks – quite scary for me but very exciting for the most :)
Our stay in Koufonisia was very romantic, relaxing, we had great time and I strongly recommend this island to families, couples and to very stressed people.
If you cannot afford a trip Maldives in August ….. this is an alternative destination!
Ciao !
φιλακια
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to my friend Alkiviadis that gave me all the beautiful pictures you can find in this article !!! Thanks Alki !!!!
(* ) As you have seen usually I do not recommend hotels unless they are very nice and good !
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