Koufonisia
sandy beaches and turquoise water
Koufonisia
Koufinisia literally means ”hollow islands”. It is the common name of two small adjacent islands - Pano Koufonisi (inhabited) and Kato Koufonisi (not inhabited). Both are known for the fascinating sandy beaches with striking blue water and the weird caves and shapes which the sea has carved into the cliffs.
Koufonisia belong to the Small Cyclades group along with Iraklia, Donoussa and Schinoussa.
General information about Koufonisia
When people talk about Koufonisia, they usually mean Pano Koufonisi which is inhabited and well prepared for tourists. It is relatively flat, with barren landscape and highly indented shore, rich in beaches with turquoise water, sea caves and rock formations.
Pano Koufonisi is easy to travel around because distances are small - the remotest beach is less than 4 km away from the only village. There is no car rental service but you can rent electric bike to explore the island or use water taxi. The roads leading out of the village are in good condition and go to all beaches accessible by land.
Kato Koufonisi is not populated but it also has nice beaches and sea caves which can be toured by boat.
Where to stay in Koufonisia?
The only village in Pano Koufonisi is known as Chora Koufonisi. Although small, it offers everything for short and long holidays, including various hotels, tavernas, cafes, bakery, ATM and a medical center. More hotels and villas are scattered all over the island, especially around the larger beaches.
Kato Koufonisi has no permanent residents. There are just a few buildings on the island, which include a seaside taverna, a church and a villa to rent.
Which are the best beaches of Koufonisia?
The beaches of Pano Koufonisi just blow your mind - numerous coves with fine sand and water so blue that some people compare it to a swimming pool. None of them offers sunbeds and parasols to rent and there are not many trees around, so you need to bring your own umbrella.
Near Chora you will find a sequence of three nice sandy beaches - Finikas, Fanos and Italida. A bit further to the north is the longest and most popular beach of the island, called Pori, with high terraced cliffs at the end. People enjoy jumping from the top and inside the cliffs there is a net of small sea caves accessible from the sea.
Megali Ammos, the beach of Chora, is just next to the port and it is perfect for visitors who come for a half-day trip from neighboring islands.
What to do in Koufonisia?
Points of interest and things to do in Pano Koufonisi:
- The car-free part of Chora around the church of Agios Georgios
- Gala beach which is in fact a sea cave with prolapsed roof and a small pebbled beach, connected to the sea via narrow opening.
- Thenatural swimming pool in a rock, known as Piscina and the Devil`s Eye cave (Το Μάτι του Διαβόλου). These two places are reachable via narrow coastal path between Pori and Italida
- Boat trip to Kato Koufonisi and the nearby islets of Glaronissi and Keros which have impressive sea caves and rock formations.
How to get to Koufonisia?
Both islands of Koufonisia can be reached only by sea. The closest airport is in Naxos.
Pano Koufonisi has regular ferry connections with Naxos, Amorgos, Iraklia, Schinoussa and Donoussa, and a few times per week there is a ferry from/to Piraeus. In the summer one-day boat cruises are organized from Paros and Naxos to the Small Cyclades and that is how most people visit Koufonisia - for a few hours.