Schinoussa

Schinoussa, or Schoinoussa, is a small island in the Small Cyclades east of Naxos, just 9 square kilometres and 230 permanent residents, with two villages — Chora inland and Mersini as its port — linked by a single road. Low-lying and soft-shaped, with 16 beaches tucked into its indentations, it is known for quiet coves like Tsigouri, Livadi and Almyros where shallow turquoise water stretches far out.

Part of the former community of Amorgos until recently, Schinoussa lives off fishing, a little farming and summer tourism that is low-key and family-run — rooms to let, small tavernas and no nightclubs. It is the kind of island people go to to do nothing: sandy beaches, tamarisks, donkeys and the slow rhythm of the Small Cyclades ferry.

The 9 sq km Small Cyclades island between Naxos and Amorgos with 17 beaches for 200 people

Schinoussa, also Schoinoussa or Shinousa, is an island and former community in the Cyclades, part of the complex of the Small Eastern Cyclades southeast of Naxos between Iraklia and Koufonisia, with Iraklia, Donoussa, Koufonissia, Keros and others. It lies south of Naxos and is probably the wildest of all the Small Cyclades.

It is a tiny island with a total surface area of 9 square kilometres, also listed as 8 to 8.5 square kilometres or 3 square miles, with rolling hills and a relatively smooth landscape where most places can be reached on foot. The tallest peak is Mylos at 133 metres. Population is around 200 to 250 inhabitants, currently about 206 residents, living in three villages: Chora at the centre of the island, Mesaria and Mersini, the harbour which is considered one of the best shelters for small boats in the entire Aegean. Surrounding islets include Ofidoussa or Fidou only a few metres away, Argilos in the south and Aspronisi in the southeast. The island has been inhabited since antiquity and takes its name from the bushy plant lentisk, Schino in Greek, which thrives on the island. Mersini port sits about 1.5 kilometres from Chora with yachts bobbing on calm waters.

The main characteristic is the diversity of its beaches: 17 incredible beaches despite small size, both sandy and rocky all around the coastline. Almyros, Fikios, Liouliou and Psili Ammos are sandy on the east coast, with indented coves creating inviting coves. Locals are occupied with fishing, and the semi-arid climate brings mild winters 8 to 12°C and low annual rainfall causing water supply difficulties.

This is for you if you want total escape, sailing base for day trips to Paros, Naxos, Koufonisi, Donousa, Amorgos and Ios, with slow lifestyle and green scenery. It is not for nightlife or large resorts; Schinoussa is a haven for sailing and walking.

The lentisk name, the Venetian Schinoza theory, and why it has more beaches than people

FYI the name origin is actually debated — most sources say Schinoussa comes from Schino, the lentisk bush, but another version traces it to a Venetian nobleman called Schinoza who ruled during Venetian Occupation, so both stories circulate. ICYMI even though the island is only 9 sq km, it officially has 17 beaches, meaning almost one beach per 12 residents, and Mersini harbour down at the port has only a narrow stretch of pebbles you can just about call a beach — the real beaches are reached on foot from Chora. Nuance: as part of the Small Cyclades back islands with Donoussa, Koufonissi and Irakleia, Schinoussa functions as a central anchorage with Naxos as the ferry hub, so its semi-arid, low-hill geography makes it unusually walkable compared to steep Cycladic islands, but water scarcity remains the hidden limitation.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schoinoussa | Schoinoussa or Schinoussa island former community Cyclades part municipality Naxos Lesser Cyclades lies south island Naxos Lesser Cyclades group between Irakleia Koufonisia
https://www.hri.org/por/Islands/Cyclades/small_cyclades.html | complex consists Iraklia Schinoussa Donoussa Koufonissia Keros Andikeros Drima Makaries Daskalio Agios Ioannis Only four islets currently inhabited Iraklia Ano Koufonissi 250 each Schinoussa 200 Donoussa 280 total surface area 9 sq km one settlement locals two settlements occupied fishing
https://panoramicgreece.com/islands/schinoussa/ | petite island covering approximately 8 square kilometers 3 square miles situated between Naxos Amorgos rolling hills hidden coves coastline adorned traditional villages
https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/schinoussa/geography/ | along Iraklia Koufonissia belongs complex Small Eastern Cyclades tiny island south Naxos few inhabitants small villages recent history main characteristic diversity beaches sandy rocky Almyros Fikios Liouliou Psili Ammos sandy eastern coast
https://guletbookers.com/sailing-guides/greek-islands/schoinousa-cyclades-island-of-greece/ | small island area 9 sq km population 200 three villages Chora Mesaria Mersini inhabited since antiquity named bushy plant lentisk Schoino Greek thrives island Mersini harbour considered one best shelters small boats entire Aegean Chora very centre
https://blog.ferriesingreece.com/schinoussa-island-guide/ | tiny gem lies south Naxos Small Cyclades near Iraklia Koufonisia inhabited since antiquity origin name debatable some argue named bushy plant lentisk schino others argue named Venetian nobleman Schinoza ruled island Venetian Occupation despite small size features 17 incredible beaches

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Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by admin