Small Cyclades · turquoise coves · slow island days
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Koufonisia is often called the Caribbean, or the Seychelles, of Greece, and one look at the water tells you why. Little Pano Koufonisi, between Naxos and Amorgos, is ringed by sandy coves in shades of turquoise you have to see to believe, all within walking distance of its whitewashed village, Chora. Across a narrow channel, uninhabited Kato Koufonisi has even quieter beaches, reached by small boat.
Getting there is easy. In summer a high-speed boat from Piraeus takes about 4 hours; the conventional ferry runs all year and takes 8–9½ hours. You can also hop over from Naxos, Paros or Amorgos.
Walk off the ferry to your room, with tavernas, shops and Ammos beach on the doorstep.
Quieter coves along the coast; ask your host to collect you from the port.
Most travellers reach Koufonisia from Piraeus or from Paros. In summer the Seajets high-speed boat is the quickest way; Blue Star's conventional ferry runs all year, costs less and carries cars.
Children travel at reduced fares on every company. Other discounts, such as for students, large families or people with disabilities, apply only to Greek citizens. For a car, motorbike or group booking, ask us for a quote.
Related guides: Piraeus–Koufonisia routePiraeus portChoosing an Athens portAll ferry routes
Koufonisia sits right in the middle of the Cyclades, so it is easy to combine with other islands. Here is where you can sail next, and how quickly.
1 h 15 mLively harbours, Naoussa and great beaches.
35 minThe big neighbour, with an airport and long sandy beaches.
20 minDramatic cliffs and the Hozoviotissa monastery.
45 minHiking trails and quiet coves.
30 minA tiny island of sandy beaches.
40 minThe most remote of the Small Cyclades.
1 h 20 mWindmills, nightlife and famous beaches.
1 h 50 mCaldera views and the famous sunsets.
Times are the quickest crossing; fares are the lowest one-way adult fare. Separate tickets on different ferries don’t protect you if one sailing is delayed by weather, so leave a buffer before a flight.
All inter-island ferries use the quay on the southwest coast of Pano Koufonisi, right beside Chora (also called Agios Georgios). Chora, the waterfront and Ammos beach are a few minutes’ walk away.
Kato Koufonisi is a separate island and is not a stop for the big ferries.
The fastest way to Koufonisia and the choice of most summer travellers. Usually leaves from gate E9 or E7; this can change, and Seajets usually sends you an SMS with the gate.
Cheaper, carries cars, often overnight. Usually leaves from gate E7; this can change, and Blue Star confirms the gate at check-in.
Getting to Piraeus from the airport or city centre: Piraeus port guide →
Yes. The ferry docks at the edge of the village, so most people walk to their room. If you are up the hill or out along the coast, ask your host for a pickup, especially at night.
You don’t need a car on Koufonisia.
Chora has shops, bakeries and tavernas, plus an ATM, a pharmacy and a doctor’s surgery. Outside summer, shops and boats keep shorter hours. Don’t plan your last beach-boat trip on the same day as an afternoon ferry or flight.
Local information: Harbour & coastTransportWalking routesPano Koufonisi
Turquoise coves line the south and east coast of Pano Koufonisi, linked by an easy coastal path, and beach boats leave the harbour all summer.
Next to ChoraThe village beach, a few minutes from the ferry: shallow water with tavernas right behind it.
East coastSheltered sandy coves with clear, shallow water. Little shade, so bring an umbrella.
3.5 km from ChoraThe biggest beach: a wide sandy bay, by coastal path or beach boat. Windy on north-wind days.
Rock formationsA natural rock pool and a sea cave. Wild spots with no lifeguards; go in calm weather.
Day trip by boatUninhabited island with quiet beaches (Nero, Detis, Lakki). Take water and shade, and check the last boat back.
In summer, the Seajets high-speed boat from Piraeus takes about 4 hours (from €89.70 in June 2027). The conventional Blue Star ferry takes about 8 h 20 m to 9 h 35 m, often overnight, but costs less (from €43 in October 2026). Check the arrival time for your sailing before you book a room.
One way for 1 adult in economy: from about €43 on the Blue Star conventional ferry from Piraeus (8–9½ hours), from €89.70 on the Seajets high-speed boat from Piraeus (about 4 hours, summer) and from €64.10 on Seajets from Paros (1 h 15 m). Search your dates above for the live price.
Yes. Blue Star runs from Piraeus all year, up to three times a week, and the local ferry Express Skopelitis links Koufonisia with Naxos and Amorgos. The fast Seajets service runs only in summer (29 May to 14 September in 2026).
All inter-island ferries dock at Pano Koufonisi, next to Chora. Kato Koufonisi is visited on a separate local boat trip.
Mainly Piraeus, the main port for direct ferries from Athens to Koufonisia. On some dates there are also sailings from Rafina, so always check the departure port on your ticket.
Flying into Athens? Rafina is much closer to the airport than Piraeus (roughly 25–30 minutes by taxi, compared with about an hour to Piraeus), so a Rafina sailing can be the easier option when there is one.
Our tip: leave at least 4 hours between your flight’s landing time and the ferry’s departure. Flight delays, baggage and Athens traffic add up quickly, and a missed ferry can cost you a day.
Take the local ferry Express Skopelitis (about 2½ hours with stops at Iraklia and Schinoussa) or, in summer, a high-speed boat (about 35 minutes). Blue Star sailings from Piraeus also stop at Naxos on the way.
Blue Star ferries to the Cyclades usually leave from gate E7, and Seajets usually from gate E9 or E7. Gates can change from one sailing to the next: Blue Star confirms the gate at check-in, and Seajets usually sends you an SMS with the gate before departure.
Open MarineTraffic (website or free app) and search for the name of your ship, which is printed on your ticket. The live map shows exactly where the ship is berthed in the port, so you can walk straight to it instead of searching from gate to gate.
Yes. After booking, the ferry company sends updates by SMS or email, so any schedule change or delay reaches you directly. Make sure the mobile number and email in your booking are correct, and that your phone can receive texts if you are using roaming.
No. The island is small and most visitors walk, cycle or use the beach boats. If you do need a vehicle, contact us before booking so we can check space on your sailing.
No. The trip to Kato Koufonisi is a separate local boat, paid on the spot. Confirm the time of the last boat back before you go.
Most companies offer web check-in on their own sites; the links are in the box on this page. To change or cancel a ticket you bought from us, contact FerryTickets Greece with your booking reference. What’s possible depends on the fare conditions.
Photo credits: Georgios86 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Carlo Pelagalli / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Tomisti / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · A.Savin / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Carlo Pelagalli / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ceccomaster / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Sisyphos23 / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Zde / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
