Koufonisa Island Guide

Koufonisia Introduction

Saying anything about Koufonisa feels like giving away a secret you’ve promised not to share. I first visited in 2018 after seeing photos of the island online and not quite believing they could be real. Was this a tiny jewel hidden in the middle of the Cyclades? Or would the reality prove to be different? Spoiler alert: it is every bit as amazing as it looks.

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Getting to Koufonisia
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Where to Stay
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Things to do
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Beaches
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Dining
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Videos
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Our Verdict
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Blog Posts

Getting to Koufonisia

Koufonisa – or Ano (meaning ‘upper’) Koufonissi to give it its full name – is a small island south of Naxos. Its name is often a source of confusion: Koufonisia is the collective name given to the two small islands individually known as Ano (Upper) and Kato (Lower) Koufonissi. When people refer to Koufonisa as a single island, they’re typically referring to Ano Koufonissi, which is the larger and only inhabited island of the pair.

Google Map of Koufonisia
Google Map of Koufonisia with Ano Koufonissi and Kato Koufonissi visible in the centre

Koufonisia is only accessible by ferry. A regular service via the Express Skopelitis ferry is available between many of the small Cyclades islands, and Koufonisia is also served by some high-speed ferries during the summer season.

Use the search box below to find ticket prices and availability. Be aware that many ferry companies don’t release their timetables until March-April of each calendar year, so if you don’t see availability for your chosen travel dates, check back again nearer your departure time. It’s generally not necessary to book ferry tickets until a few weeks before you travel.

Where to Stay

Only one ‘resort’ – Chora – spreads out from the ferry port onto the shallow hillside surrounding the main town beach. It’s quite picturesque in a simplistic sense, with just a smattering of white buildings dotting the horizon. If you’re wondering why so many Greek islands have a Chora, it’s because the word literally means “town” and is often the name given to the main settlement and capital of the island.

The island is so small that you can walk around it in a few hours. As such, it’s not the kind of place you’d spend a fortnight – or even a week – unless you really like relaxing in a quiet setting. I spent three nights there in 2018 and found it was a good amount of time to see all the beaches and visit its neighbouring island too. I’m scheduled to return in May 2025, so check back in the summer for a refreshed island guide and consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for videos from the trip.

Things to Do

Koufonisia is all about beach life. The island’s tiny size means there’s not much to do in terms of sightseeing, but its low elevation makes it a great place to explore on foot.

The southeast of the island has the highest density of beaches, though you’ll find small coves in every corner.

Koufonisia Beaches

If you’re looking for fantastic beaches, you’ve come to the right place. Most beaches on Koufonisia come with soft, golden sand and crystal-clear water. The island is often referred to as the Caribbean of Greece for its amazing beaches and relaxed atmosphere.

The port itself has one of the best beaches (Ammos Beach), combining soft sand and turquoise water with the convenience of nearby cafes and tavernas. Head southeast along the coast and you’ll find plenty of equally impressive options.

Koufonisa (Ano Koufonissi) town beach

Finikas Beach

The first beach you’ll find after the main town, Finikas is a sheltered, family-friendly beach with a beachfront taverna. It’s quite narrow, however, and prone to crowding in peak season.

Fanos Beach

Continue northeast from Finikas and you’ll find a similar beach called Fanos. The sand is slightly wider here and, being further from the port, it can be slightly quieter depending on tourist numbers and the time of year.

Italida Beach

Northernmost of the three, Italida is more secluded and has no facilities which tends to attract fewer visitors. A smaller bay further east, known as Alejandra Beach, offers some additional sunbathing opportunities.

Finikas, Fanos and Italida beaches

Pori Beach

The island’s star attraction. Pori Beach is a large, horseshoe-shaped bay offering stunning shallow water and a wide stretch of golden sand.

Koufonissi Pori Beach
Koufonissi Pori Beach

The beach is walkable from Chora, either via a direct route across the island (2.8km, 40 minutes) or using the coastal path (3.8km, 50 minutes), which takes you past the other beaches mentioned above. Alternatively, a minibus runs several times a day between Chora and Pori Beach.

During the summer months from May to September, a water taxi service operates a regular service between the port and the beaches along the eastern side of the island, including Pori Beach. These run approximately every 30 minutes, allowing you to hop on and off at different beaches throughout the day.

At Pori Beach, you’ll find a couple of tavernas, although their prices and service have received mixed reviews, so it’s worth bringing your own food and snacks. Most beaches, including Pori, are unorganised, meaning there are no umbrellas or sunbeds, so you’ll also need to bring your own shade and towels to lie on.

Accommodation

I chose to stay at Dafnis Studios when I visited Koufonisa in 2018. Prices were reasonable, and its location on the hillside but close to the town beach proved excellent. It lacks a pool, but so do most hotels on the island and with such a superb beach nearby, you don’t need one.

View from the side of Dafnis Studios, looking down on the main town beach with the harbour in the background.

Since my visit, quite a few new hotels and apartments seem to have sprung up, so there is no lack of choice available. It does hint at the fact that the island is getting busier as its reputation spreads.

Dining

Despite its small size, Koufonisia offers a good selection of restaurants and tavernas, most of which are in Chora. These should be enough to offer a variety of choices over a 3 – 7-night stay without repetition. My favourite by far was Lavanda e Rosmarino, a superb Italian restaurant with a hillside view:

Lavanda e Rosmarino restaurant

Koufonisa Video Highlights

Koufonisa: Conclusions and Alternatives

If you can’t afford to visit the Caribbean or Seychelles – or you don’t want to travel that far – but you want golden sandy beaches with glistening turquoise waters, this is probably the Greek island for you. It’s best visited for a few days, perhaps with Naxos or even one of the other “little Cyclades” such as Amorgos or Iraklia.

We’re unaware of any comparable alternatives – Koufonisa is quite a unique island, so we recommend putting it on your itinerary. It seems to get busier every year, so we’d suggest seeing it sooner rather than later.

Koufonisa Blog Posts

Learn more about Koufonisa by reading our recent blog posts: