On the island complex of Ano and Kato Koufonissi, architectural remains, graves and significant movable finds attest to an active community during the Early Cycladic period, from 3200 to 2000 BC. The islands also have beaches with varied landscape features and trails whose distances make them easy to factor into your plans.
Archaeology and Island Culture
The Koufonisia islands are part of the Natura 2000 protected area “Mikres Kyklades: Irakleia, Schinousa, Koufonisia, Keros, Andikeria and Marine Zone,” code GR4220013. It is designated as a Special Protection Area for conservation. The exhibition “ΙΧΝΗ. Η Αρχαιολογία των Κουφονησίων” also explores the islands’ past: it reconstructs the archaeological landscape of Ano and Kato Koufonissi and presents the results of excavations.
The Church of Agios Georgios stands in Chora and is dedicated to the patron saint of Koufonissi. For insights into daily life and craftsmanship, the Koufonissi Folklore Collection preserves household and craft objects, including cooking utensils, agricultural tools, traditional costumes, furniture and embroidery. Another collection, the Nikitas Simos Folklore & Archaeological Collection, is displayed in the garden of Villa Ostria in Agios Georgios.
Beaches and Trails
Pori Beach is a sandy beach at the edge of a large bay, where the water is usually calm. Two distinct, scenic trails lead to the beach, each 3.5 km long. The trail from the village to Profitis Ilias can be walked as a loop and is 3.7 km in total. Conditions on this route may vary. For a different scale of hike, you can walk across Ano Koufonissi in about three hours.
A 550 m footpath leads from Pori Beach to a sea cave near Gala. Detis, meanwhile, is the beach closest to the port of Kato Koufonissi, about a 15-minute walk from the port. These distances describe different routes and locations on the island, so take them into account when planning your walking times.
Hiking on Kato Koufonissi reveals a landscape where nature has largely been left to develop freely, with less human intervention than on other inhabited islands. Nero, the largest beach on Kato Koufonissi, lies on the east coast. The beach has coarse sand and very fine pebbles, while the water has fine sand. Pezoulia is a secluded beach surrounded by impressive rocks and clear water; nearby, the large Aloni plateau is reminiscent of an ancient theatre.
In summer, you can reach the beaches of Kato Koufonissi every day from Ano Koufonissi by private or chartered boat. The marina at Ano Koufonissi is a safe harbour for pleasure boats and offers water, diesel, petrol, electricity, food and drinks.
Food, Getting There and Events
Fresh fish and seafood are the main products of the Koufonissi islands. Visitors from the surrounding islands come to enjoy freshly prepared dishes. Fisherman's Day, also known as the Fisherman's Festival, is celebrated on the last Saturday in May.
Regular ferry services run year-round from Piraeus and Rafina to Pano Koufonissi. A local ferry service runs daily year-round from Koufonissi to Schinoussa, Irakleia, Naxos, Donoussa and Amorgos. Check the timetables before travelling. This will help you coordinate your arrival and island walks with the time available for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Stelida, Schinoussa, Kastraki, Katápola, Tholaria, Ano Potamia, Aperathos, Iraklia.
Return to the main travel overview: Naxos.
