Koufonisia port is the smallest and most relaxed of all the Cyclades ports in this series, and one of the easiest to use. The ferries tie up at the little harbour of Chora on Ano Koufonisi, the island’s only village, so you step off the boat and walk to your room in a few minutes, usually past a crowd of fishing boats and tavernas. There are no cars to speak of here. Instead, a single local bus, small beach boats and bicycles take you to some of the clearest water in Greece. Koufonisia has no airport, so every visitor arrives by sea, most often from Naxos. This guide covers Koufonisia port, getting around the island, the ferries to and from Koufonisia and tips for your trip.
Koufonisia port at a glance
The Koufonisia port is in Chora, the only village on Ano Koufonisi, so most visitors simply walk to their room from the ferry.
- Location: Chora, on the south west coast of Ano Koufonisi
- Getting around: walk, cycle, take the local bus to Pori or the beach boats
- Beach boats: about every 30 minutes in season, with a day ticket of around 5 euros
- Ferries: Naxos, Amorgos, the other Small Cyclades, Paros, Mykonos, Santorini and Piraeus
- Nearest airport: Naxos, 35 to 45 minutes away by fast ferry
Where Is Koufonisia Port?
Koufonisia is a group of small islands in the Small Cyclades, south east of Naxos. The one most people visit is Ano Koufonisi, and its port is right in Chora, the island’s only village. The harbour is home to around 35 fishing boats, an unusually large fleet for such a small place, and the ferries come in alongside them. Everything is close: tavernas, bakeries, rooms and Ammos beach are all a short walk from the quay.
The village sits on the remains of a Roman settlement, and nearby at Epano Mili, early Cycladic chamber tombs date back to around 3200 BC, so the harbour has been in use for a very long time.
Getting Around Koufonisia From the Port
Walk
- Rooms in Chora
- Beaches along the south coast
- Coastal path to Pori
- Best for most people
Local bus
- Chora to Pori
- Stops at the south coast beaches
- Runs in summer
- Best on hot days
Beach boats
- About every 30 minutes
- Hop on and off
- Also to Kato Koufonisi
- Best for the beaches
Bike or scooter
- No need for a car
- Flat, short distances
- One road across the island
- Best for freedom
Local Bus and Taxi
A single local bus runs along the island’s one road from Chora to Pori beach, stopping at Finikas, Fanos and Italida on the way. See our Koufonisia bus timetable. There is also a taxi, which is handy for a very early or late ferry or for rooms on the edge of the village. A short ride from the port costs roughly 6 to 10 euros. See our Koufonisia taxi guide.
Beach Boats From Chora Port
In season, 2 local operators, Mavros G Boat Tours and Prassinos Boat Tours, run small passenger boats from Chora port roughly every 30 minutes. They call at the main swimming spots, including Finikas, Fanos, Platia Pounda and Pori, and cross the narrow channel to Kato Koufonisi. A day ticket costs around 5 euros and lets you hop on and off, which is often easier than walking to the far beaches in the midday heat. Our guide to getting around Koufonisia has more detail.
| From the port to | Best way |
|---|---|
| Ammos | Walk, it is in the village |
| Finikas and Fanos | Walk, bus or beach boat |
| Italida (Platia Pounda) | Walk, bus or beach boat |
| Pori | Bus, beach boat or the coastal path |
| Pisina, Xylobatis and Gala | Walk along the coastal path |
| Kato Koufonisi, including Nero | Beach boat across the channel |
Ferries From Koufonisia Port
Koufonisia is the busiest island in the Small Cyclades, with fast ferries from Seajets and Blue Star Ferries on the main line between Piraeus, Paros, Naxos, Amorgos and Santorini, and the slower local ferry of Small Cyclades Lines, which links Naxos with Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonisia, Donousa and Amorgos.
| Koufonisia to | Fastest ferry | Slower ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Amorgos | 25 to 30 minutes | About 2 hours 30 minutes to Aegiali |
| Schinoussa | 30 to 35 minutes | Small Cyclades Lines |
| Naxos | About 35 minutes | Up to about 2 hours |
| Iraklia | About 50 minutes | Small Cyclades Lines |
| Donousa | About 1 hour 10 minutes | Small Cyclades Lines |
| Paros | About 1 hour 10 minutes | Up to about 3 hours 35 minutes |
| Mykonos | About 1 hour 20 minutes | About 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Santorini | About 1 hour 50 minutes | Varies |
| Ios | About 3 hours | Up to about 6 hours |
| Sifnos | About 4 hours 20 minutes | About 5 hours |
| Piraeus (Athens) | About 4 hours | Up to about 9 hours 30 minutes |
See our guides to the Athens to Koufonisia ferry, how to get to Koufonisia and getting from Athens to the Cyclades.
Flying to Koufonisia via Naxos
Koufonisia has no airport. The easiest way to fly in is to take a domestic flight from Athens to Naxos Airport, then a short taxi to Naxos port and a fast ferry to Koufonisia, which takes 35 to 45 minutes. From the UK, you can also fly direct to Santorini in summer and take a ferry of about 1 hour 50 minutes from Athinios port.
Things to Do Near Koufonisia Port
On Koufonisia, the port is the village, so everything is close. Swim at Ammos, wander the alleys of Chora, then walk the coastal path east to the rock pools of Pisina and the turquoise coves beyond. For more ideas, see our guides to things to do in Koufonisia, the best beaches in Koufonisia, the best caves in Koufonisia and the best villages in Koufonisia.
Facilities at Koufonisia Port
| Facility | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Ticket offices | Small travel agencies in Chora, near the harbour |
| Food and drink | Tavernas, bakeries and cafés a short walk from the quay |
| Beach boats | Leave from the harbour about every 30 minutes in season |
| Bike and scooter hire | Several shops in Chora |
| Beach | Ammos beach, right in the village |
| Places to stay | Rooms and small hotels in and around Chora, see where to stay in Koufonisia |
Tips for Using Koufonisia Port
- Travel light. You will probably walk from the ferry to your room, so a small bag makes life easier.
- Book ahead in July and August. Koufonisia is small and very popular, and both rooms and ferries fill up.
- Leave slack in your plans. The Small Cyclades Lines ferry can be cancelled in rough weather.
- Use the beach boats. A day ticket of around 5 euros is the easiest way to reach the far beaches.
- Arrive 30 minutes before your ferry. The harbour is tiny, but boats come and go quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Koufonisia Port
Where is Koufonisia port?
Koufonisia port is in Chora, the only village on Ano Koufonisi, on the south west coast of the island. Most visitors walk from the ferry to their room.
Does Koufonisia have an airport?
No. Koufonisia has no airport. The nearest is Naxos, about 35 to 45 minutes away by fast ferry, or Santorini, about 1 hour 50 minutes away.
How do I get from Naxos to Koufonisia?
Fast ferries from Naxos take about 35 to 45 minutes. The slower Small Cyclades Lines ferry takes up to about 2 hours because it stops at Iraklia and Schinoussa.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Koufonisia?
The fastest ferries from Piraeus take about 4 hours, while conventional ferries take up to about 9 hours 30 minutes.
How do I get around Koufonisia?
Most people walk or cycle. There is a single local bus from Chora to Pori, a taxi for short trips and beach boats about every 30 minutes in season.
How much are the beach boats on Koufonisia?
A day ticket on the beach boats costs around 5 euros and lets you hop on and off at Finikas, Fanos, Platia Pounda, Pori and Kato Koufonisi.
Is there a taxi on Koufonisia?
Yes, there is a taxi, useful for early or late ferries and rooms on the edge of the village. A short ride from the port costs roughly 6 to 10 euros.
How long is the ferry from Koufonisia to Amorgos?
High speed ferries take about 25 to 30 minutes. The Small Cyclades Lines ferry to Aegiali takes about 2 hours 30 minutes.
How long is the ferry from Koufonisia to Santorini?
The direct ferry takes about 1 hour 50 minutes.
Can I go from Koufonisia to Kato Koufonisi?
Yes. The beach boats from Chora port cross the narrow channel to Kato Koufonisi several times a day in season.
How early should I arrive at Koufonisia port?
Arrive about 30 minutes before your ferry. The harbour is tiny, but ferries arrive and leave quickly.
Final Thoughts
Arriving on Koufonisia is wonderfully simple: the ferry pulls into the village, you walk to your room and the beaches are only a stroll or a short boat ride away. Travel light, book ahead for high summer and leave a little slack for the small local ferry. Before you go, take a look at our guide to the Koufonisia weather, our Koufonisia map and our guide to photography in Koufonisia.
