Plan your trip to Anafi, Greece: Kalamos (Europe's tallest sea monolith), a cliff monastery, empty beaches and solitude, plus how to get there by ferry.
9 chapters · 5 beaches· 36.3600° N 25.7700° E
The Last Frontier of the Cyclades
A remote paradise of golden beaches, towering monoliths, and absolute freedom
Island explorer
The villages and beaches that shape the island. Tap a chapter to fly there, then plan it into your trip.
Village · Chora
Chapters01 / 09
Chapter 01
Village
Anafi's tiny capital clings to a hilltop above the port. It's a cluster of whitewashed cube houses, blue-domed churches, and winding footpaths. With just a handful of tavernas, a couple of shops, and a kafeneio, Chora is quintessential Cycladic village life at its most authentic.
Touristas AI checks ferries, stays and timing for your dates.
01 · The island
Anafi's a remote, traditional Cyclades island with a towering volcanic monolith, crystal-clear beaches, and a peaceful car-free Chora. Reached in 7 to 8 hours by a ferry to Anafi from Piraeus, Anafi island, Greece is one of the least-touristed spots in the country, perfect for complete relaxation and total disconnection.
Anafi's the most remote and least developed island in the Cyclades, lying 22 nautical miles east of Santorini at the very edge of the archipelago. Since there are no paved roads beyond the port-to-Chora route, no nightlife, and fewer than 300 permanent residents, it offers a travel experience that feels closer to the 1970s than the modern age.
The island's dominated by the monumental Kalamos rock, a 460-meter limestone monolith that rises from the eastern tip of the island, rivaling Gibraltar in sheer dramatic presence. At its summit sits the Monastery of Kalamiotissa, which you can reach by a challenging two-hour hike. Below Kalamos, some of the finest and emptiest beaches in the entire Aegean stretch for hundreds of meters of golden sand.
Anafi attracts a particular kind of traveler: someone who craves solitude, pristine nature, and the freedom of an island where shoes are optional and schedules are irrelevant. Your biggest decision of the day is which empty beach to call your own. If you're seeking the antithesis of Mykonos or Santorini, Anafi's your island.
“Anafi's where the Cyclades whisper their final secret: paradise needs nothing but sand, sea, and silence.”
02On the map
03 · Where to stay
Anafi offers distinct neighbourhoods for every trip style. Compare areas and rates for your dates on our Anafi hotels page or the detailed where to stay in Anafi guide.
Area 01The Whitewashed Crown
Photo: Man77, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Anafi's tiny capital clings to a hilltop above the port. It's a cluster of whitewashed cube houses, blue-domed churches, and winding footpaths. With just a handful of tavernas, a couple of shops, and a kafeneio, Chora is quintessential Cycladic village life at its most authentic.
Area 02The Ancient Lookout
Photo: Yiorgos Theodoropoulos, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The ruins of the ancient Venetian castle of Kastelli sit on a rocky promontory between Chora and the port, offering some of the best views on the island. The remains of medieval walls and a small church mark this strategic point where guards once watched for pirates.
Area 03The Beach Settlement
Photo: Ellogon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It's not a traditional village, but a loose collection of seasonal rooms, a campsite, and a beach bar near the island's most famous beach. During summer, Roukounas becomes a laid-back gathering point for the island's beach-loving visitors, with a relaxed atmosphere that recalls the island's counterculture past.
The Island Gateway
The tiny port area where ferries dock is the first and last thing you'll see on Anafi. A small cluster of rooms, a taverna or two, and the bus stop form the island's most practical hub. From here, a winding road climbs to Chora and trails lead east to the beaches.
04 · Story
According to Greek mythology, Anafi was raised from the sea by the god Apollo to provide shelter to the Argonauts during a terrible storm. The god Apollo shot an arrow of light that illuminated the island in the darkness, giving it its name from "anafaino" (meaning to reveal or appear).
The island was sacred to Apollo Aegletes (Apollo of the Radiance). A major temple complex stood near present-day Kalamos, drawing pilgrims from across the Aegean. The Monastery of Kalamiotissa was built using ancient temple stones, and you can still see archaeological remains of the sanctuary there today.
In the 19th century, when Athens was being rebuilt as the capital of the new Greek state, stonemasons and builders from Anafi came to work in the city. Many stayed, and on the slope beneath the Acropolis they built "Anafiotika", a cluster of whitewashed houses in the style of their island village that still stands today.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Anafi became a legendary destination for free campers and alternative travelers seeking liberation from mainstream society. While organized camping has replaced wild camping, the island retains its free-spirited atmosphere and attracts those seeking an unconventional island experience.
05 · Beaches
The best shores of Anafi
Legendary & Expansive01Photo: Ellogon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A vast 500-meter sweep of golden sand backed by dunes and cedar trees, consistently ranked among the finest beaches in all of Greece
Convenient & Charming02Photo: Deutsches Bergbaumuseum Bochum, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The closest beach to the port, a sheltered sandy cove with tamarisk shade and a seasonal canteen
A beautiful remote beach beneath the looming presence of Kalamos rock, with golden sand and a sense of the sublime
A lesser-known island tucked between rocky headlands, with soft sand and vivid emerald water sheltered from the wind
A wild, rocky beach near the base of Kalamos, reached only by determined hikers, with sweeping cliff scenery
Car & ATV hire
Reach every beach on Anafi
Compare local agencies with port and hotel delivery.
06 · At the table
Simple, honest island cooking where every ingredient is local, seasonal, and served with pride
Anafi's signature pasta dish: handmade noodles served with local goat cheese and caramelized onions. The recipe is unique to the island.
Octopus hung to dry in the Aegean sun and wind, then grilled over charcoal and served with vinegar. It's a Cycladic classic perfected here.
Fresh handmade pasta tossed with rabbit or rooster slow-cooked in tomato sauce, a dish shared across the southeastern Cyclades
Foraged wild capers, purslane, and seasonal greens dressed with local olive oil, reflecting the island's self-sufficient food culture
Fresh and aged cheeses from the island's free-roaming goats, which graze on wild herbs and give the cheese a unique aromatic quality
Every family on Anafi produces their own raki. The welcoming spirit is offered generously and sipped slowly at every occasion.
07 · A day on the island
From sunrise to sunset in Anafi
The ultimate Anafi experience: climb the 460-meter Kalamos monolith to the Monastery of Kalamiotissa at the summit. The trail passes through ancient ruins of the Apollo sanctuary, and the views from the top encompass the entire Cyclades chain.
Claim your spot on the endless golden sands of Roukounas. Bring a book, snorkel gear, and provisions for a full day of blissful beach life on one of Greece's finest stretches of sand.
Walk the coastal trail from Kleisidi through Katsouni and Roukounas to Megalos Potamos, discovering each beach and swimming along the way. The trail hugs the coastline beneath Kalamos.
The sheltered emerald waters of Katsouni are perfect for snorkeling. The rocky edges harbor marine life, while the sandy center offers easy swimming in warm, protected water.
Wander the labyrinthine whitewashed lanes of Chora, discovering hidden churches, the ruined Venetian castle at the summit, and viewpoints overlooking the sea toward Santorini.
Walk to the ruins of the medieval Kastelli fortress on the promontory between the port and Chora. The panoramic views from here are spectacular, stretching to Santorini and beyond.
Watch the sun set behind Santorini's caldera from Chora's western viewpoints. On clear evenings, the silhouette of Santorini glows orange and red, a view shared by only a handful of visitors.
The peaceful atmosphere and golden light of Anafi's beaches make them natural settings for yoga and meditation. The island's free-spirited vibe attracts wellness practitioners each summer.
Dine at one of Chora's traditional tavernas on spinialo pasta, fresh fish, and local wine. Meals are unhurried, portions generous, and the cook may come out to check you enjoyed everything.
With virtually zero light pollution, Anafi offers some of the best stargazing in Europe. Walk a few minutes from any village and the Milky Way blazes across the sky in stunning clarity.
Tours & activities
Book the best of Anafi
Sailing trips, sunset cruises, diving and cooking classes.
Curated tours
Curated tours and activities
Guided ascent of the Kalamos monolith with an expert who explains the archaeology of the Apollo sanctuary and the island's geology.
Explore the island's wild coastline by boat, visiting sea caves, hidden beaches, and snorkeling spots inaccessible by land.
08 · When to go
Find the perfect time for your Anafi trip
19-24°C
Very Low Crowds
Wildflowers bloom, perfect hiking conditions, very few visitors
23-28°C
Low Crowds
Ideal weather, warm seas, longest days, peaceful atmosphere
26-32°C
Low-Medium Crowds
Peak beach weather, meltemi winds, still remarkably uncrowded
27-33°C
Medium Crowds
Busiest month (still quiet), Panagia festival (Aug 15), strong winds possible
24-28°C
Low Crowds
Warm seas, calm winds return, grape harvest, excellent hiking
19-23°C
Very Low Crowds
Ferry schedule reduces, some services close, sea still swimmable early month
09 · Getting there
Ferry routes and travel connections
From
Regular Ferry
Duration
1.5-3.5h
Price
€12-20
From
Regular Ferry
Duration
9-12h
Price
€40-55
From
Regular Ferry
Duration
3-5h
Price
€20-30
From
Regular Ferry
Duration
2-3h
Price
€12-18
10 · Island hopping
Anafi connects to 1 nearby islands by ferry. These are the live island-hopping routes, drawn from our full Cyclades ferry catalogue.
The caldera, legendary Oia sunsets, and volcanic wines. It's the nearest major island.
from €7.00
11 · Book
Ferries, hotels, car hire and neighbourhood guides: everything you need after reading this Anafi guide.
12 · Essentials
Insider tips for your Anafi trip
Anafi · 2026 updates
FAQ
Everything you need to know about Anafi
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Journey to the edge of the Cyclades where golden beaches, the mighty Kalamos, and absolute freedom await you.
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