Anafi

Anafi lies east of Santorini and is one of the least visited islands in the Cyclades. It has nothing to do with the island; it has to do with the bad boat connections. Despite tricky boat connections, Anafi has some fans, some returns year after year and the last thing they want is more tourists. Many who like Anafi do it because it really is out of the way. Of course there are other things that attract fans of Anafi: partly for the peaceful atmosphere, partly for the lovely village of Chora, partly for the beautiful beaches. It lives almost 300 people on the island; some make their living from agriculture and fishing. In recent years, many have changed profession and focused on tourism instead. It is particularly noticeable on all new pensions in Chora.

For many years ago, I met a Danish couple who were sold on Anafi, which for me were a totally unknown island at that time. They talked enthusiastically about an island that had stopped in time. There were no roads; there was only one taverna, one café, one pension and one phone. Tourists were an unknown phenomenon. Since I was a young man in those days, I thought that it sounded dull as dishwater. Now I regret that I didn't visit Anafi at that time, it had been exciting.

GETTING HERE
The best option is to fly to Santorini, and then continue by ferry to Anafi. You can also go by air to Karpathos who has boat connections to Anafi a couple times a week. If you like to go by boat, you'll fly to Athens and then you'll take the ferry from Piraeus (the port of Athens) to Anafi. The voyage can take up to fifteen hours.

GETTING AROUND
There are bus connections from Chora to the port and to Klissidi beach. From the port there are bath boats to all the beaches on the south coast. Mopeds can be rented.

The port beach on Anafi.

View from Chora.

VILLAGES
The only village on Anafi is named Chora and it is located approximately 10 minutes by bus from Agios Nikolaos, which is the port of Anafi. In the port there are a few tavernas, one bar, one travel agency, one shop, a few pensions and the island's only ATM. Behind the port lies an electricity producing diesel unit and hums. If the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, the sound from the power station can be disturbing. Almost all inhabitants on Anafi are living in the pedestrian Chora about 260 meters above sea level. It is a super cute village with narrow alleys and whitewashed houses. Chora is so unreal, beautiful and charming that you might think that it is a movie backdrop. There are shops, pensions, cafes and several tavernas, most offering divine sea views.

BEACHES
There are several of beautiful beaches along the southeast coast. The most popular one is Klissidi beach (see picture on top) about ten minutes walk from the port. Here are several of pensions and tavernas. After Klissidi ones can continue to Katsouni, Roukouna, Katalimatsa and Mega Potamos. All the beaches are reached by bathing boats from the port. Nudism and wild camping is common. There is also a pretty nice beach in the port.

SIGHTS
Anafi has no sights, apart from the beautiful Chora. If you like to hike, then you can walk to Moni Kalamiotissas, a monastery that stands high on a cliff on the eastside of Anafi. Take the bath boat to Kalamos beach and then follow the trail along the mountain up to the monastery. You will be rewarded for your pain when you look over the sea. The view is simple delightful.

ACCOMMODATION
There are relatively plenty of rooms for such a small island. People that have rooms for rent usually meet up in the port when the ferries put in, except in August when all the rooms on the island are booked. If you're going to Anafi in August, you must book ahead, there is no point in taking chances, believe me, I've tried. Most pensions lies in Chora, but there are also some accommodation in Klissidi beach.

MORE ABOUT ANAFI
Geographical location »
Map of Anafi »
Anafi.se »
Ferry timetable »

OTHER LINKS
Santorini - nearest island »
Weather in Greece »

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