AnafiCyclades · Greece

All About Anafi

Anafi is one of those little-known Greek islands that continues to enamor visitors with its laid-back traditional lifestyle, stunning Cycladic scenery, and unspoiled natural beauty. Taking a ferry to Anafi is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare companies and book ferry tickets.

Unfazed by its superstar neighbor, Santorini, Anafi has retained the essence of simplistic beauty that inspires pictures and postcards. Its iconic sun-bleached architecture, scenic beaches, mountain-side capital, and breathtaking Aegean views offer visitors the chance to indulge in Greek island living at its most authentic. Said to have emerged from the sea to provide shelter for the Argonauts, Anafi continues to awe visitors with a giant monolith on its southeastern side, ruins of an ancient city, and enchanting hiking trails for you to explore.

After a day of swimming in the emerald waters, savor the succulent local cuisine and enjoy traditional Greek music in Chora’s welcoming taverns as you settle into the rhythm of this relaxing island escape.
 

Routes and Ferries to Anafi

There are many ferry routes to Anafi, which lies within easy reach of several islands in the Cyclades. You can book your ferry tickets to Anafi with Ferryscanner from any of these destinations and also sail from the port of Piraeus in Athens. Ferries run regularly from there throughout the year, and ANEK Lines will get you to Anafi in 10-11 hours, with stops at other islands on the way.

If you are already on the island of Santorini, you can book your ticket to Anafi and be there in 2 hours, with boats departing from Thira and Thirassia. During the summer months, you can ferry hop to Anafi from the Greek islands of Crete, Folegandros, Ios, Karpathos, Kasos, Kos, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Rhodes, Sikinos, and Syros, making it a very accessible destination.

If you are arriving at Athens International Airport, you can take a connecting flight to Santorini and then catch the ferry to Anafi from there, or you can depart from the port of Piraeus. Buses run every 30-40 minutes from the airport to the port, with the X96 express bus taking roughly 60 minutes. From Athens center, you can arrive at the port by metro, bus, or trolley in about 20-30 minutes.
 

Ports of Anafi

Agios Nikolaos is the only port of Anafi and it is situated on the southern side of the island about 2km from the capital. The port is a quiet bay tucked between two cliffs and there are few houses, with a lovely sandy beach nearby.

A mule track still leads to Chora, the main village, and bus service is also available for visitors getting to and from the port. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Anafi.
 

Capital & Villages

 When arriving with ferry tickets to Anafi, you will find just one village, which is also its capital and commercial center.

Chora

Chora clambers up the slopes of the mountain at a height of 260 meters above sea level, giving it a prominent position overlooking the surrounding coastline. The oldest quarters go back to Medieval times and a Venetian castle still looms over the village at its highest spot.

The houses are simple Cycladic structures, separated by flowered courtyards and winding narrow alleyways that you can enjoy strolling around. As you do so, you will come across the quaint little churches of Agios Nikolaos, Agios Charalambos, and Agios Georgios on top of the Castle. There is also a Roman cemetery nearby, ruins of the ancient town, and the remains of the temple of Anafios Apollo very close to Chora.

The village has some traditional taverns, a few coffee shops, a bakery, a mini-market, and a few hotels and studios but on an island this small, it is best to book your accommodation well in advance of your visit.
 

Best Beaches

Anafi has some beautiful beaches on its southern coast which are sandy and sheltered, making them very popular with visitors. Those on the northern side of the island are more secluded and not as sandy, but still offer wonderful swimming in crystal clear waters. You can reach all of them on foot, by bus, or by boat from the harbor and as the beaches are not organized, you will need to take provisions with you for your trip. So go and get your ferry tickets to Anafi and start exploring!

Agios Nikolaos Beach

Agios Nikolaos can be found at the port of Anafi to the south side of the island. It is small and sandy, with a cafeteria and some taverns nearby as well as a handful of rooms to rent. It can get busy during the high season, as it is one of the few sandy beaches on the island, but it is still worth a visit.

Klisidi Beach

Anafi is known for its crystal clear waters and Klisidi Beach is a prime example of that as well as offering perfect sunset views. It is about a 20-minute walk from the port and therefore a popular beach, especially in high season. Its long, sandy stretch is bordered by a few tamarisk trees and a rocky landscape, making it a lovely spot for swimming and relaxing.

Roukounas Beach

Roukounas is one of the longest beaches on Anafi with a length of 300 meters and provides a cool shade to bathers with its stretch of tamarisk trees. The beach is popular with campers during the summer months who also practice nudism due to the privacy that it offers. To reach the beach, you need to take the road eastwards from Chora and it will take you about an hour to get there on foot.

Megas Potamos Beach

Megas Potamos (or Megalos Potamos) is a large pebbled beach occupying a secluded position between the hills of Kasteli and Chalepa. Literally meaning ‘large river’, a stream comes down from the gorge into the sea and it is a very beautiful secluded spot. The only way to reach the beach is by taking one of the tour boats from the port of Anafi that make their rounds of the island.

Agioi Anargyroi Beach

Named after the tiny church of Agioi Anargyroi that has been built on a rock close to the sea, it is a nice, sandy beach with crystalline water. You can reach it by boat and it also lies within walking distance of the ancient temple of Apollo on the eastern side of the island.
 

Things To Do

Anafi is an island rich in myth and history, despite its stature, and is well known for its incredible natural beauty and amazing landscapes just waiting to be explored.

Hike to Kalamos

Put on your walking shoes and hike to Kalamos, which is the second-highest monolith in Europe. The trail will take you about an hour and is well worth it, as you ascend this natural landmark to find the Monastery of Panagia Kalamiotissa at the top and some amazing views.

Visit the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi

The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi, or Panagia Kalamiotissa as it is also known, was built on a hilltop and its unrivaled views make it a popular trekking destination. Your 2-hour walk there will also give you the opportunity to see a large part of the island and in the same area, you will discover many remains of the ancient temple of Apollo Aeglitis or Apollo Anafeos.

Explore Kastelli

The archaeological remains of the ancient settlement of Kastelli dating back to the 8th century BCE stand at a height of 327 meters to the east of Chora. Amongst the findings was a burial inscription of the family of Aigides, who probably moved to Anafi from Sparta to escape the Dorian invasions. In the Hellenistic years, this small state even had its own currency, with the symbol of the bee on one side, and you can still find some of the remaining walls and cave tombs.

Hiking Trails

Anafi is a great island for those who love walking in nature, with many trails leading to magical spots and spectacular views. Some of the most popular hikes include the 2-hour walk from Chora to the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi via Roukounas and Megas Potamos; the 3-hour walk from Roukounas to ancient Kastelli, Agios Mamas and Kalamos; from Chora to Stavros, Rachidi and Lakkous (1.5 hours) and Stavros to Vigla, Panagia ton Vouvon and Livoskopos (2 hours).
 

Transportation Around Anafi

The best way to get around the island is by following one of the hiking trails or by riding the local bus, which stops off at several beaches on its way to the Monastery of Zoodochos Pighi. Small boats can also take you to many of the island’s beaches and you should always make sure to take with you food and drink for your time there, as many don’t offer any amenities. Taking a ferry to Anafi is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.