Folegandros

Cyclades

Folegandros is a delightful island in the very south of the Cyclades. Indeed, if you headed due south from Folegandros your next stop would be the north coast of Crete.

In the past the island didn't have good ferry connections, which meant that it was slow to develop for tourism. It now has much better ferry connections but getting there still takes a little planning. It fits our belief that if you want to have a more authentic Greek experience, go to an island which doesn't have its own airport.

Folegandros Scenery

One reason to visit the island is to see - and to hike in - its impressive scenery. The main village of Chora stands in a very photogenic clifftop setting and there's a rugged beauty about the rest of the island. In fact it's so rugged that some of its best beaches can only be reached by boat, and fortunately in summer there are plenty of boats to take you there.

Towns and Villages

The population of Folegandros is under 800, and most of these live in the three main settlements. About half of them live in the capital, Chora, which is connected to the port of Karavostasis. There's a road from Chora to the other main village where a couple of hundred people live, and that's Ano Meria in the north of the island.

Chora is definitely the best place to stay. It's not only charming and beautiful, it has the best range of accommodation options and places to eat. It's also easy to explore the rest of the island from here because of the bus service that can take you down to the port or north to Ano Meria. There are few attractions as such, other than the remains of a Venetian fortress. The most stunning sight is the church of Panagia which is above the town and reached by a dramatic and much-photographed zigzag path. 

Karovostasis makes a good choice if you want to spend most of your time on the beach. There are several beaches within easy reach and of course as this is the main port you can take boats from here to other beaches around the island. There are a handful of places to stay and to eat, though you can also take the bus from here to Chora, or walk it if you're feeling energetic. It's just over 2 miles (about 3.5 kms), and it's a slow but steady uphill climb. You can also get a taxi to take you up there and walk down, if you like.

Ano Meria is 3.7 miles (6 kms) from Chora, and a bus connects the two. It's very much a farming community but you will also find places to stay and to eat, as well as a small folklore museum. It's called the Ecomuseum and shows you what life is like in a farming community, in a building that was itself originally a farmhouse. Parts of it date back to the 17th century.

Public Transport

In high season there's a regular bus service between Chora and Ano Meria. The bus also goes from Chora to the port whenever ferries are due in, so keep an eye on the timetables. You can also take a taxi, rent a car, rent a motorbike or rent a bicycle. 

Renting a car is a little extravagant as there's basically just the one main road that goes from the port in the south to the north of the island, though there are a few side roads that are drivable if you want to be totally independent and explore the island. There's a good road that goes down to the tiny community at Angali Beach, which the island bus also visits.

Getting to Folegandros

Flights to Folegandros

Folegandros does not have an airport so you would have to fly to one of the neighbouring islands such as Milos or Santorini and take a ferry from there.

Ferries to Folegandros

Folegandros is reasonably well-served by ferries, and there are daily connections with Piraeus (anything from 3-9 hours), Milos (1 hour) and Santorini (from 40 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the service). There are also less frequent ferry connections with other islands in the Cyclades, with Ios being only 20 minutes away while Sikinos is only a 45-minute ferry ride.

Ferries in Greece

Ferries in Greece has an excellent and very thorough website where, in addition to checking ferry schedules and times, you can also book tickets and get lots of useful information about travelling by ferry in Greece.

Where to Stay on Folegandros

There are only a few options on where to stay in Folegandros, and you can see the main places above under Towns and Villages. In addition to the three main places, there are some rooms to rent at Angali Beach.


Other Cyclades pages

  • The island of Tinos in the Cyclades has several daily ferry connections from Rafina on the Greek mainland and is most famous for the Feast of the Assumption.

    Tinos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

    The island of Tinos in the Cyclades has several daily ferry connections from Rafina on the Greek mainland and is most famous for the Feast of the Assumption.

  • There are plenty of things to do on Mykonos, one of the most popular Greek islands, such as nightlife, beaches, churches and visiting the ancient site of Delos.

    Things to Do on Mykonos

    There are plenty of things to do on Mykonos, one of the most popular Greek islands, such as nightlife, beaches, churches and visiting the ancient site of Delos.

  • Syros is in the Cyclades islands, with Ermoupoli as its main town and some good beaches, described here on the Greece Travel Secrets website.

    Syros

    Syros is in the Cyclades islands, with Ermoupoli as its main town and some good beaches, described here on the Greece Travel Secrets website.

  • Surrounded by bigger and better-known Cyclades islands such as Ios, Naxos and Santorini, Sikinos is a delightfully untouristy island.

    Sikinos

    Surrounded by bigger and better-known Cyclades islands such as Ios, Naxos and Santorini, Sikinos is a delightfully untouristy island.

  • Sifnos is one of the smaller islands in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea.

    Sifnos

    Sifnos is one of the smaller islands in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea.

  • Serifos is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, a rugged and mountainous island with a small population.

    Serifos

    Serifos is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, a rugged and mountainous island with a small population.

  • This is the first travel guide to Schinoussa and Iraklia, two tiny islands in the Cyclades, published by Real Greek Experiences.

    Schinoussa and Iraklia Travel Guide

    This is the first travel guide to Schinoussa and Iraklia, two tiny islands in the Cyclades, published by Real Greek Experiences.

  • The island of Paros in the Cyclades is famous for its marble, and on this page you can also see information about flights and ferries to Paros.

    Paros in the Cyclades Islands in Greece

    The island of Paros in the Cyclades is famous for its marble, and on this page you can also see information about flights and ferries to Paros.

  • The island of Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and on this page you can see information about flights and ferries to Naxos.

    Naxos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

    The island of Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and on this page you can see information about flights and ferries to Naxos.

  • Mykonos in the Cyclades islands in Greece has cheap and luxury hotel accommodation, car rental, ferries from Athens, Santorini, Crete and other Greek islands.

    Mykonos

    Mykonos in the Cyclades islands in Greece has cheap and luxury hotel accommodation, car rental, ferries from Athens, Santorini, Crete and other Greek islands.

  • The island of Milos in the Cyclades in Greece is noted for its museums and beaches, and read about flights and ferries to Milos.

    Milos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

    The island of Milos in the Cyclades in Greece is noted for its museums and beaches, and read about flights and ferries to Milos.

  • Kimolos is in the Cyclades islands of Greece, close to Milos.

    Kimolos

    Kimolos is in the Cyclades islands of Greece, close to Milos.

  • Kythnos is a small island in the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, with easy access from Athens and popular with Athenians on summer weekends.

    Kythnos

    Kythnos is a small island in the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, with easy access from Athens and popular with Athenians on summer weekends.

  • Kea is in the Cyclades group of Greek islands and this page from Greece Travel Secrets shows how to get there by ferry and what to do when you've arrived.

    Kea

    Kea is in the Cyclades group of Greek islands and this page from Greece Travel Secrets shows how to get there by ferry and what to do when you've arrived.

  • The island of Ios in the Cyclades group of islands in Greece is noted for its nightlife in summer, as well as its beaches, churches and the grave of Homer.

    Ios in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

    The island of Ios in the Cyclades group of islands in Greece is noted for its nightlife in summer, as well as its beaches, churches and the grave of Homer.

  • You can get from Mykonos to Santorini, and of course from Santorini to Mykonos, by ferry, by plane (sort-of) or even by helicopter.

    How to Get from Mykonos to Santorini

    You can get from Mykonos to Santorini, and of course from Santorini to Mykonos, by ferry, by plane (sort-of) or even by helicopter.

  • The island of Delos in the Cyclades islands is a unique archaeological site, taking up the whole island, and a popular day trip from nearby Mykonos.

    Delos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

    The island of Delos in the Cyclades islands is a unique archaeological site, taking up the whole island, and a popular day trip from nearby Mykonos.

  • Travel information about the Cyclades group of Greek islands including Mykonos, Santorini (Thira), Naxos, Paros, Delos, Tinos, Siros, Milos, Amorgos.

    Cyclades

    Travel information about the Cyclades group of Greek islands including Mykonos, Santorini (Thira), Naxos, Paros, Delos, Tinos, Siros, Milos, Amorgos.

  • The best time to visit Mykonos depends on if you want crowds or quiet, heat or cooler temperatures, all of which affect when is the best time to visit Mykonos.

    Best Time to Visit Mykonos

    The best time to visit Mykonos depends on if you want crowds or quiet, heat or cooler temperatures, all of which affect when is the best time to visit Mykonos.

  • Travel information about Antiparos near Paros in the Cyclades Islands of Greece from the Greece Travel Secrets website.

    Antiparos

    Travel information about Antiparos near Paros in the Cyclades Islands of Greece from the Greece Travel Secrets website.

  • The island of Andros in the Cyclades has fast ferries from Rafina. There are some good beaches and the main town has two interesting museums.

    Andros in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

    The island of Andros in the Cyclades has fast ferries from Rafina. There are some good beaches and the main town has two interesting museums.

  • Travel advice and information on Anafi in the Greek Cyclades islands with good beaches, walking, accommodation, tavernas.

    Anafi in the Cyclades islands of Greece

    Travel advice and information on Anafi in the Greek Cyclades islands with good beaches, walking, accommodation, tavernas.

  • Travel advice and information on Amorgos in the Cyclades, a dramatic and growing holiday destination with ferries from Athens and other Greek islands

    Amorgos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

    Travel advice and information on Amorgos in the Cyclades, a dramatic and growing holiday destination with ferries from Athens and other Greek islands

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Spetses: The Ultimate Autumn Guide

    Timeless hangouts, useful addresses and cool tips for an unforgettable weekend on the Saronic island of Spetses, just two hours by ferry from Athens.

    Read More

  2. Recipe: Soumada, the Drink of Happiness

    Traditionally served at happy occasions, this sweet almond drink scented with orange flower water is easy to make, and a wonderful treat for guests.

    Read More

  3. Samothraki: Another Greece, Forgotten by Time

    With its rugged, untamed beauty and rich history, Samothraki in the northern Aegean doesn't fit into any of the familiar molds.

    Read More

  4. 8 Excellent Athens Restaurants for Sharing Food

    These restaurants in the heart of Athens celebrate the quintessentially Greek tradition of bringing people together to share plate-loads of delicious food.

    Read More

  5. The Best Hotels in Athens

    Greece Travel Secrets gives its choice of the best hotels in Athens from budget and moderate options through to 5-star luxury choices.

    Read More

  6. Athens listed as a Top 10 most beautiful city for the second time

    Greece has not stopped breaking one record after another in recent years - from tourism to important economic indicators that testify to the enormous dynamics that the country has developed in recent…

    Read More

  7. Jet2 Adds New Routes to Greece, Increases Seat Capacity to 1.3 Million

    UK airline and tour operator to Greece Jet2 on Tuesday announced that it was expanding its 2023 program for the country even further with the addition of new routes, increase of seat capacity and seas…

    Read More

  8. Ultra-runners to Set Off for the 40th Spartathlon from the Acropolis on Friday

    Nearly 400 super athletes from across the globe will set off from the foot of the Acropolis in Athens on Friday, September 30, morning to run 246km (153 miles) to the Peloponnesian town of Sparta for…

    Read More

  9. ‘Athens Full of Tourists’ as Greece Extends Tourism Season

    International travelers are still visiting Greece in the shoulder season which validates the Tourism Ministry’s efforts to extend the season and keep visitors coming into the fall and winter, said Tou…

    Read More

  10. A Walk around Kolonáki

    This walk around the Kolonaki neighbourhood of Athens starts and ends in Syntagma Square and takes you to several museums, Kolonaki Square and Mount Lykabettos.

    Read More