Discover Cyclades
Discover Cyclades
Plan your trip to Donousa, Greece: Kendros beach, Livadi bay, Mersini cove and the quiet northern Small Cyclades escape, plus how to get there by ferry.
The most remote of the Small Cyclades. Pristine beaches, zero pretension, and an authenticity money cannot buy
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Donousa is one of the Small Cyclades, a remote and quiet island famous for its sandy beach at Kedros. It's about a 2.5 to 4-hour ferry ride from Naxos. The island attracts hikers, swimmers, and travelers seeking peace far from busy tourist areas.
Donousa is the easternmost and most isolated of the Small Cyclades. It's a tiny island of 13.5 square kilometers floating in the deep blue between Naxos and Amorgos. There are about 160 year-round residents. With no ATM, no nightlife, and ferries that require planning, reaching Donousa is an adventure. Staying here feels like a real privilege.
The main village of Stavros wraps around a sheltered harbor with a sandy beach right next to the port. Three other tiny hamlets, Mersini, Kalotaritissa, and Charavgi, sit in the hills, connected by old footpaths fragrant with wild thyme and sage. The island's best beach is Kedros, a wide crescent of golden sand with incredibly clear water.
Donousa is the kind of place Greece lovers dream about but rarely find. It's a spot where the taverna owner knows your name by your second visit, and the evening's main event is watching fishing boats return to port. At night, the sky is so dark the stars cast actual shadows on the ground. The island asks for nothing but patience, and it gives back memories you'll keep forever.
Donousa is the final dot at the end of the sentence. After this, there's only sea.
Donousa offers distinct neighborhoods for every trip style. Compare areas and live rates on our Donousa hotels page or the detailed where to stay in Donousa guide.
Handpicked hotels with exceptional reviews and local character.
Detailed breakdowns of every neighborhood and village.
Expert Recommendation
"For the first-time visitor, staying in the main Chora provides the best balance of accessibility and atmosphere."
According to Greek mythology, Dionysus hid Ariadne on Donousa after rescuing her from Naxos. The island's ancient name probably comes from this myth. Ancient graves near Stavros confirm people have lived here since the Early Cycladic era.
Because of its remote location, Donousa was a favorite target and hideout for pirates in the Aegean. The island was repeatedly abandoned. Residents built the hilltop hamlets out of sight from the sea, and those old settlements still feel hidden today.
Through the 19th and early 20th centuries, Donousa was one of the most isolated spots in Greece. Islanders lived on goat herding, fishing, and simple farming. caïque boats brought occasional mail and supplies, but many locals eventually left for Athens.
Regular ferries didn't reach the island until the 1980s when the Express Skopelitis boat started running. Tourism arrived slowly through backpackers who stumbled onto Kedros beach and spread the word. Today, the island remains peacefully undeveloped.
Explore the heart of Donousa
This is the island's main village and port. It's a warm cluster of whitewashed houses, family tavernas, and quiet rooms sitting around a sheltered harbor. There's a sandy beach right next to the port. In summer, the village square comes alive in the evening with children playing and travelers sharing stories.
This tiny hamlet on the south coast has a handful of houses, a seasonal taverna, and a quiet swimming bay. It's a pleasant 40-minute walk from Stavros along a hillside path. The place feels completely untouched by time.
Sitting at the southeastern tip of the island, this is the most remote hamlet. Only a few families live here year-round, tending their gardens and goats. The landscape is wild and windswept, giving you a true end-of-the-world feeling.
Boutique villas, cave hotels, and sea-view suites — all in one place.
The best shores of Donousa
Donousa's famous beach is a wide crescent of fine golden sand. The water is incredibly clear, making it one of the finest uncommercialized beaches in Greece.
A sheltered sandy beach near Stavros with natural shade from tamarisk trees. It's the island's best shelter when the summer meltemi winds blow.
A remote, rocky cove on the north coast. It's rarely visited, offering a true castaway feel if you're looking for absolute solitude.
A quiet sandy cove sitting below the namesake hamlet. It's pristine, wild, and almost always empty.
The sandy beach right at the main village. With calm water and tavernas steps away, it's the island's most convenient swimming spot.
Explore every beach and hidden village at your own pace.
Simple, honest island cooking: fresh fish and whatever the garden offers that day.
Caught that morning by local fishermen and grilled over charcoal, served with lemon and olive oil.
Local free-range goat slow-cooked with fresh tomatoes, potatoes, and wild oregano.
Eggplant baked with tomatoes, onions, and local cheese, a traditional Cycladic vegetarian favorite.
A sharp, spicy soft cheese aged in clay pots. It's excellent spread on fresh bread with ripe tomatoes.
Wild greens gathered from the hillsides, boiled and dressed with olive oil and local salted capers.
A strong, clear grape spirit distilled on the island, offered at the end of meals.
From sunrise to sunset in Donousa
Take a morning dip in the calm harbor. The water is exceptionally clear, and you'll share the bay with just the fishing boats.
45 minFollow the trail from Stavros to Kedros. Spend the morning swimming in turquoise water and lounging on golden sand.
3-4 hoursWalk the old footpath to Mersini and Kalotaritissa. The path winds through aromatic thyme with sweeping views of the open sea.
4-5 hoursWalk to the sheltered beach of Livadi. Its calm, protected waters are perfect for exploring underwater rocks and spotting octopus.
2 hoursVisit the whitewashed church in the center of the port. Its quiet courtyard offers a cool, peaceful escape from the midday sun.
30 minGrab a waterfront table in Stavros. Order the daily catch, a fresh salad with local cheese, and enjoy the slow pace.
2 hoursHike north to the remote beach of Fikio. The rugged path offers panoramic views, and you'll likely have the wild beach to yourself.
3 hoursWatch the sun set behind the hills from the harbor. The sea turns gold, and the village begins to glow as the stars come out.
1 hourDine under the stars at a local taverna. Afterward, walk to the edge of the village for some of the best stargazing in Greece.
2-3 hoursWalk the headlands with binoculars. Donousa's quiet landscapes are home to Eleonora's falcons and other migratory birds.
1.5 hoursSailing trips, sunset cruises, diving, cooking classes and more.
Find the perfect time for your Donousa trip
Ferry routes and travel connections
Ferry tickets
Search live ferry schedules from Piraeus (Athens) to Donousa.
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Ferries, hotels, car rental and neighbourhood guides — everything you need after reading this Donousa guide.
Donousa connects to 4 nearby islands by ferry. These are the live island-hopping routes from Donousa, with direct connections drawn from our full Cyclades ferry catalogue.
Hozoviotissa monastery and Big Blue waters, a dramatic neighbor.
The gateway hub with endless beaches, the Portara, and mountain gastronomy.
Curated tours and activities
Guided walking tour covering the island's best beaches and hidden coves, with swimming stops and commentary on local history and nature.
Day trip by local boat to neighboring Koufonisia or Schinoussa, with swimming stops at secluded coves and lunch at a traditional taverna.
Join a local fisherman for an evening fishing trip in the waters around Donousa. Learn traditional line-fishing techniques while watching the sunset, then grill your catch at the harbor.
Insider tips for your Donousa trip
Hand-picked Cyclades photography — refreshed weekly from Pexels.
Photography via Pexels — credit shown per image.
Explore these beautiful Cyclades islands from donousa
Spiritual & Hiking
Main island with monasteries
Parties & Fun
Beach clubs and vibrant nightlife
Culture & Nature
Ferry hub with mountain trails
Isolation & Peace
Tiny island with pristine beaches
Everything you need to know about Donousa
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Escape to the easternmost edge of the Cyclades. Pristine beaches, warm-hearted locals, and a sky full of stars await those ready to venture off the beaten path.