Things to Do in Koufonisia

Koufonisia is one of the smallest and most beloved islands in the Cyclades, a place where time genuinely slows down. There are no cars to hire, no big resorts and no nightlife to speak of. What there is instead is some of the clearest turquoise water in the whole of Greece, a flat coastal path that links one beautiful beach to the next, natural rock pools carved into the coast, and an uninhabited neighbouring island a short boat ride away. This is slow travel at its best, an island for swimming, walking, eating well and doing very little. Here is what to do when you visit.

The best things to do in Koufonisia at a glance

• Walk the coastal path, the flat trail linking all the beaches from Chora to Pori
• Swim at Pori beach, the island’s showstopper crescent bay with natural rock pools
• See the Devil’s Eye, the sea cave with a skylight that makes the water glow blue
• Swim in the natural pool at Pisina, a rock pool with cliff jumping into deep water
• Take a boat trip to Kato Koufonisi, the wild, uninhabited lower island
• Relax on the string of beaches like Finikas, Fanos and Italida
• Cycle or hire a bike to explore the compact island
• Stargaze, thanks to the near total absence of light pollution

The main things to do in Koufonisia

Walk the coastal path

The single best thing to do on Koufonisia is walk the coastal path, a flat, easy trail that runs east along the south coast from Chora and links one beautiful beach to the next all the way to Pori at the far end. You can walk the whole thing in a day, stopping to swim wherever you please, which is exactly the point. This is slow travel at its purest.

The path passes the succession of beaches that make the island famous, each with water more turquoise than the last, and it gives you unbeatable views at every turn across to the neighbouring islands of Keros and Kato Koufonisi. Because the island is so small and flat, this is a walk almost anyone can do, and it is the best way to understand why Koufonisia has captured so many hearts. Take water and sun protection, as there is little shade, and simply follow the coast. For the full picture of what lies along the way, see the Koufonisia beaches guide.

Swim at Pori beach

Pori is the showstopper, and reaching it is the natural goal of the coastal walk, around 40 to 50 minutes from Chora. It is a wide, crescent shaped bay of golden sand with water so clear it barely seems real, one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole Cyclades. Beyond the sandy beach, the coastline is sculpted into natural rock pools and channels of clear water, offering one of the most unique swimming experiences in the islands.

Pori is now protected under Greece’s Untrodden Beaches scheme, which means it stays in its natural state with no commercial sunbeds, so bring your own umbrella and water. There is usually a seasonal cantina for a drink or a snack. You can walk to Pori along the coastal path or take one of the small beach boats from the port in summer, which saves the walk back in the heat.

See the Devil’s Eye

On the way to Pori, a short detour brings you to one of the island’s most dramatic natural sights, the Devil’s Eye, known in Greek as Mati tou Diavolou. It is a sea cave with a skylight in its roof, where the sea rushes in and the light from above makes the water glow an eerie electric blue. It is a wonderful spot for photography, particularly at sunrise if you are willing to set an early alarm, and it is one of the most striking natural features on the island. Take care here, as the waves rush and swirl in the cave and it is not a safe place to swim or dive. See it, photograph it, and move on to the safer swimming at Pori.

Swim in the natural pool at Pisina

Along the coastal path, the natural pool at Pisina is one of the highlights of the island. It is a rock formation that has created a deep, clear natural swimming pool, protected from the open sea, with a rocky ledge that makes a perfect spot to jump into the deep water. On a calm day the water here is extraordinary, and it is one of the most popular swimming spots on the island. It gets busy at midday in summer, so early morning or late afternoon is the best time to have it to yourself.

Take a boat trip to Kato Koufonisi

Just 200 metres across the water from the inhabited island lies Kato Koufonisi, the lower island, which is almost entirely uninhabited and offers some of the wildest, most pristine beaches in the Cyclades. A small water taxi runs across from the port through the day in summer, and crossing to Kato Koufonisi is like stepping into pure, untouched nature, home to little more than goats, a single seasonal taverna and a scatter of wild beaches.

The Nero beach is the most visited swimming spot on the lower island, and the Gala cave beach is a striking little cove scalloped into the rock by the waves. There is one rustic taverna serving simple, perfect meals, and otherwise nothing but wild swimming and total solitude. It is the ultimate escape within an escape. For those who want to go further, longer boat excursions also visit the uninhabited islands of Glaronisi and Keros, the latter famous as the source of some of the most important Cycladic art figurines ever found.

Relax on the beaches

The beaches are the reason most people come to Koufonisia, and they line up along the coastal path east of Chora. Closest to the village is Ammos, the town beach, convenient and sandy. A little further along are Finikas, a family friendly beach with calm shallow water and some shade from tamarisk trees, and Fanos, a golden sandy beach with a taverna nearby that is excellent for snorkelling.

Continuing east you reach Italida, also known as Platia Pounda, a popular beach of soft sand and turquoise water that is a favourite with naturists, and the quieter cove at Ludiko. The sea caves at Xylobatis Cove near Pori are dramatic on a windy day. Most beaches have no loungers, so buy a beach umbrella locally. The full Koufonisia beaches guide covers all of them and the caves around the coast.

Cycle or hire a bike

With no cars to hire on the island, the main way to get around beyond walking is by bicycle, and hiring a bike is a lovely way to explore the compact island a little faster than on foot. The flat terrain along the coastal path makes cycling easy and enjoyable, and it lets you reach the further beaches like Pori without the long walk. For those who prefer not to pedal or walk, the water taxis from the port connect the main beaches through the day. See our guide to getting around Koufonisia for the full picture.

Explore Chora and the port

Chora, the island’s only village, is a small, pretty settlement of white houses and blue shutters wrapped around the harbour. It is the heart of island life, where the tavernas, the shops and the handful of bars are, and where the day begins and ends. Above the village stands an old windmill, a short climb that rewards you with wide views over the whole island chain, across to Naxos and Amorgos, and it is the favourite spot for sunset. In the evening, the bars around the picturesque port are the place to enjoy a drink while the moon rises over Keros and Kato Koufonisi. For more, see our guide to the villages of Koufonisia.

Go stargazing

One of the unexpected pleasures of Koufonisia is the night sky. With almost no light pollution on the island, the stargazing is exceptional, and on a clear night the Milky Way stretches across the sky in a way you rarely see. Lie on one of the beaches after dark, or find a quiet spot away from the village, and let your eyes adjust. No telescope is needed, just a clear night and a little patience.

Eat and drink well

Food on Koufonisia is simple and spectacular, built around the day’s catch and local produce. The island has a strong fishing tradition, so the seafood in the tavernas around the port is excellent, and the slow pace of the island extends to long lunches by the water. Seek out the local cheese and the island’s wine, and do not rush your meals. Eating well and slowly is part of what a stay on Koufonisia is about. One practical note: cash is essential here, as the ATMs on such a small island can be unreliable, so carry enough for the tavernas and shops.

Best things to do in Koufonisia for…

Couples

Koufonisia is one of the most romantic islands in the Cyclades for couples who want peace and natural beauty over nightlife. Walk the coastal path together, swim in the natural pool at Pisina, take the boat to wild Kato Koufonisi for a day of solitude, watch the sunset from the windmill above Chora, and stargaze on the beach at night. The photography opportunities along the coast are superb.

Families

The calm, shallow water of Koufonisia makes it a lovely island for families. The beach at Ammos by the village and the family friendly Finikas with its shade and shallow water are ideal for young children, and the flat, car free island is safe and easy to explore on foot or by bike. Older children will love the cliff jumping at Pisina and the snorkelling at Fanos. Check the Koufonisia weather page before travelling.

Beach lovers

The whole island is organised around its beaches, and every one is reachable on foot along the coastal path or by water taxi. Walk the path from Chora to Pori, swimming at Finikas, Fanos, Italida and Pisina along the way, and take a boat to the wild beaches of Kato Koufonisi for the quietest swimming of all.

Those seeking quiet

Koufonisia is already one of the quietest islands in the Cyclades, and for the most solitude of all, cross to Kato Koufonisi, where the uninhabited beaches and the single taverna give you Robinson Crusoe levels of peace. Even on the main island, walking the far end of the coastal path early or late in the day gives you long stretches of coast to yourself.

Planning your visit

Koufonisia is one of the easiest islands to get around because there is almost nothing you need to get around in. The inhabited island of Ano Koufonisi is so small and flat that you can walk everywhere, the coastal path links the beaches, and bicycles are available for hire if you want to cover ground faster. There are no cars or quads to hire, which is part of the island’s charm. In summer, small boats shuttle visitors to Pori and across to Kato Koufonisi. See our guides to getting around Koufonisia, the bus timetable and taxi and water taxi services for full details.

To decide where to base yourself for the things you most want to do, read our guide on where to stay in Koufonisia. To plan your arrival, see how to get to Koufonisia and the main ferry page. To see how everything on the island fits together, use the Koufonisia map, and for the wider region, the Greek islands map shows how Koufonisia connects to the rest of the Cyclades.