Donoussa

All About Donoussa

An island named after the Greek god Dionysus, who is said to have lived here with his beautiful wife Ariadne. Once you visit Donoussa, you will see why it must have been such a favorite, with its magnificent natural landscape and pristine beaches. A tiny island right in the middle of the small Cyclades between Naxos and Amorgos, it has remained unaffected by mass tourism and retained all of its charms. A precious pearl in the Aegean Sea, the island is only 14 square kilometers long and has a population of about 130 permanent residents. Taking a ferry to Donoussa is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

The impressive shoreline of steep cliffs adds to its beguiling landscape and although famous today for its fabulous sandy beaches, the island’s history goes all the way back to the Geometric Period. It was even once used as a place of exile by the Romans, due to its remoteness and windswept location. The small whitewashed settlements and rural hiking trails make Donoussa a prime example of iconic Cycladic beauty and it is also a sanctuary to the Mediterranean monk seals (monachus monachus), which can be found in the sea cave of Fokospilia at Cape Moschonas.

Routes and Ferries to Donoussa

To sail from the port of Piraeus in Athens, book your ferry tickets to Donoussa with Ferryscanner and enjoy a 6.45-hour journey with Blue Star Ferries. If you are already on one of the nearby Cycladic islands, the ferry to Donoussa leaves on a regular basis all year round. You can sail from Paros (2.15 hr), Naxos (1 hr with the fast ferry or 3.55 hr with stop-offs) and Amorgos (1.15 hr), Astypalea (2.20 hr), Iraklia (2.15 hr), Koufonissi (1.10 hr) or Schinoussa (1.55 hr) with Small Cyclades Lines.

If you are flying into Athens International Airport and need transportation to the port of Piraeus, the X96 express bus leaves every 30-40 minutes. You can also take the train to Monastiraki station in Athens and then take the connection for the Piraeus line. Taxis are also available at the airport to get you to the port of Piraeus in about 40 minutes.

Ports of Donoussa

Donoussa has only one port, which is based in the main town of Agios Stavros on the eastern side of the island. It serves all of the ferries arriving from and going to the Lesser Cyclades, as well as ferries traveling from Piraeus in Athens. Before the arrival of tourism in the 1980s, when the port was built, the local residents were mainly involved in working in the island’s marble mines. Most are now owners of the coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, and tourist amenities you will come across in the port town. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Donoussa.

Capital & Villages

Stavros

The main village of Donoussa island is called Stavros, and is also the location of the port. The local residents always extend a warm welcome to visitors and you can stroll through the pretty little streets, sample the local cuisine, and take a dip in its immaculate beach. The village is crowned by the Church of Timios Stavros; a simple whitewashed church with a classic blue dome and elaborate bell stand. It was built in 1902 to replace a previously existing church destroyed by a storm. According to local legend, the large cross was found by a fisherman, washed ashore miles away on the island of Amorgos. Stavros is a wonderful place to enjoy the wonderful sunsets and untouched simplicity of this peaceful island.

Messaria (Charavgi)

Messaria is a tiny settlement just 3.3 km away from Stavros that is almost uninhabited but worth visiting if you want to see its two old windmills that were once fully functional. The village used to be the island’s main settlement and even had a forgery for metalworking until 1970 when it was almost abandoned. You can still see the remains of the old stone houses and also enjoy the stunning views of Amorgos, Keros, Koufonissi, Makares, and Naxos. A short footpath leads down to the pebbled beach of Vathy Limenari where the remains of an early settlement from the Geometric era were discovered in the 1950s.

Mersini

Mersini is built on the mountain slopes to the northeast of the island and owes its verdant landscape to the many freshwater springs flowing in the area. The village is a lush oasis of fruit and plane trees with astonishing views of the azure Aegean Sea. Pick one of its two family-run tavernas for a wonderful place to try the local cuisine. The quaint church of Agia Sophia can be found close to the village while there is a 20-minute footpath leading down to the wonderful Livadi and Fykio Beaches.

Kalotaritissa

This little fishing village sits on the far end of the island at the foot of Mt. Papas and features low, stone-built houses with colorful blue and green doors. Surrounded by old juniper trees on the hillside, the village boasts a lovely little whitewashed church dedicated to Agios Giorgios with a pretty bell tower. A traditional tavern is open in the summer months serving delicious rooster in red wine and braised lamb. Both are highly recommended after a refreshing swim in the nearby beaches of Sapounochoma, Vlycho, Messa Ammos, Trypiti, and Skoulonissi islet.

Best Beaches

Visitors usually go to Donoussa to enjoy the unspoiled beaches which all offer a sublime swimming experience. Most are unorganized and only those close to the main town have any amenities. The others are quite remote and offer total privacy, reachable on foot, with a private boat, or possibly by shuttle bus from your hotel. Some beaches allow camping but in general, you will find that most beaches have retained all the authentic beauty of their natural surroundings.

Kedros Beach

Kedros is a sandy beach about 1 km away from Starvos village and is the largest beach on the island. Popular with free campers, although it never really gets busy so there are plenty of opportunities for you to wade in its sublime turquoise waters undisturbed. You can also check out the wreck of a sunken German warship on the seabed or enjoy a long walk along the coast where old mines that used to yield zinc and calamine can be spotted in the hillside.

 Livadi Beach

One of the longest beaches on Donousa, Livadi Beach is next to the village of Mersini and offers powdery white sand and crystal clear waters. Although an extremely popular beach by the island’s standards, don’t expect any crowds as tourism is still very low-key here. Well protected from the Meltemi winds, amirikia trees offer some lovely shade and you can enjoy the aquamarine sea in total peace.

Vathy Limenari Beach

This beach offers sheer tranquillity, located in a remote part of the island near the village of Mersini. The deep turquoise waters and white-pebbled sand offer the perfect combination for swimming and sunbathing yet it attracts few visitors due to its location. The remains of an ancient fortified settlement dating back to the Geometric Period have been found in the surrounding hillside.

Vlycho Beach

Vlycho Beach is one of three in the Kalotaritissa cove and is a small stretch of pebbles and serene waters, making it ideal for a romantic getaway. Its sheltered location provides the perfect anchorage position for small boats and visiting yachts and even though it is also accessible by road, not many people can be found there on a normal day.

Fykio Beach

Close to Mersini village, Fykio Beach is a tiny cove surrounded by a rocky landscape with sand and pebbles. The water is extremely clean and you can enjoy total privacy here as the beach is never that busy. Access is via a track from Livadia Beach or with a local boat from Donoussa port, which will drop you off and come back to pick you up later in the evening.

Transportation Around Donoussa

With the island being so small, you can discover much of it via the well-traversed walking trails and footpaths. There is no need for an extensive public transport network although a bus service does run from Chora to Kalotaritissa. Car rental is not available but there are a couple of taxis waiting to serve visitors and local boats leave daily for the most popular beaches, some even offering small tours of the bewitching coastline.