Koufinisia
Overview & Reasons to visit
Koufinisia is a very small island with one small town and a harbour but has a number of good beaches. It is very popular in high season which accounts for the large number of rooms & apartments as well as numerous good restaurants and bars. Out of season it is blissfully quiet and low key,most of the restaurants are still open so you are spoilt for choice. There are some shops including several fashionable clothes & shoe shops on the main street. There are very few vehicles on the island but most of the island can be reached on foot so this is not a problem!
How to Reach
Koufinisia can be reached most easily from Naxos but also from the other small Cycladic islands on the daily Express Skopelitis. This is a small locally run ferry based in Amorgos that shuttles from Amorgos to Naxos via Iraklia, Schinousa Koufinisia & Donousa.
Hellenic Seaways run a service from Piraeus to Amorgos via Paros & Naxos stopping at Koufinisia this replaces the previous Blue Star service
Seajet also offer several services in peak season including from Piraeus. This route is PIRAEUS – MYKONOS – PAROS – NAXOS – KOUFONISSI – NAXOS – PAROS – PIRAEUS.
Travelling Around
Options are very limited due to the size of the island! There is a limited bus service to the beaches in high season and bike rental. I saw no evidence of a taxi service when we visited!
You can walk to any part of the island in a reasonable time!
Sights
Koufinisi is really about the beaches, there is a small port where the fishing boats are moored and the church of Agios Georgios in Hora. The beaches are reached by a track along the coast so you can pick your spot! The last beach is called Pori and is an unspoilt expense of sand, there is a taverna on Pori but this only seems to be open in the high season.
There are several supermarkets and a very good bakery in Hora as well as some tourist shopping and 2 ATMs.
Trips can be made to the 2 uninhabited islands across the bay