Thymaina

Thymaina

Thymaina is a small island in the Fournoi archipelago between Ikaria and Samos in the East Aegean, 10 square kilometres of low hills and scrub with a population of around 140. Its main settlement is Thymaina village on the east coast facing Fournoi, with a smaller hamlet at Keramidou, and its coastline is rocky with small pebble coves and clear water typical of the Fournoi cluster.

Part of one of Greece’s least visited island groups, Thymaina is known for its quiet fishing life, its views to Fournoi and Ikaria, and for its position on migratory bird routes. No cars beyond a few local vehicles, limited accommodation, and access only by small ferry from Fournoi or Ikaria keep it off the main tourist circuit.

The thyme-covered 10 km² where 191 people guard a 60-ship graveyard off Fournoi

Thymaina is a small Greek island in Ikaria regional unit in eastern Aegean Sea, located just west of Fournoi Korseon and administratively part of its municipality. Its name is said to be derived from thyme that grows throughout island. Area 1002 hectares or 10 square kilometres or 3.9 square miles or 10 sq km, part of Fournoi Korseon cluster of 52 islands and rocky islets where largest is island of Fournoi with area 2995 hectares followed by Thymaina 1002 hectares and Agios Minas 219 hectares, total area complex 4484 hectares total coastline 162 km of which 87 km Fournoi 30 km Thymaina 16 km Agios Minas. Two largest islands complex main isle Fournoi 31 sq km and isle Thymaina 10 sq km are inhabited, as is Agios Minas 2.3 sq km east, municipality area 45.247 km2.

Population 191 inhabitants according to 2021 census 179 in Thymaina settlement and 12 in Kerameidou or Keramidou, also 143 inhabitants 2011 census 136 settlement 7 Keramidou, earlier 156 Thymaina 147 Kerameidou 9 in 2001. Has two settlements Thymaina settlement and Keramidou Kerameidou. Capital city Thymaina. Main island Fournoi town is main ferry harbour with ferries also landing on Thymaina, tiny island located just west of Fournoi Korseon between Ikaria Samos and Patmos.

This is for you if you want island that smells like thyme and has no tourism machine. It is not for resorts; it is protected area along with all Fournoi cluster belongs to network Natura 2000.

Why this speck matters more for shipwrecks than beaches

The nuance: Fournoi Korseon cluster is shallow-water ship graveyard containing nearly 60 ships lying off Fournoi — largest collection in Aegean, because Thymaina and Fournoi sit on ancient trade route. Fournoi town has 1,149 population as 2021 census 86 percent municipality, only other inhabited islands are Agios Minas and Thymaina, with 8 more settlements some uninhabited rest between 3 and 150 inhabitants — Chrysomilia Kamari Agios Minas Keramidou Thymaina Plagia Agios Ioannis Thermastis Mpali.

Directory critical: Thymaina is not standalone ferry destination; you transit via Fournoi main town. Main settlement Fournoi area 30.5 km2 approximately 1400 inhabitants reaching 4000 summer due tourism. Thymaina village traditional houses, 30 km coastline mostly rocky, protected Natura 2000 so no large development. If you want beach holiday, this is not it — if you want to see island where 191 people live west of famous Fournoi and name comes from thyme covering island, this is edge-of-map Greece.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fournoi_Korseon | two largest islands complex main isle Fournoi 31 square kilometres 12 square miles isle Thymaina 10 square kilometres 3.9 square miles are inhabited Agios Minas 2.3 municipality area 45.247 km2
  2. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/3/1234 | cluster 52 islands rocky islets largest Fournoi area 2995 hectares followed Thymaina Island area 1002 hectares Agios Minas area 219 hectares total area complex 4484 hectares total coastline 162 km 87 km Fournoi 30 km Thymaina 16 km Agios Minas
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thymaina | population 191 inhabitants 2021 census 179 Thymaina settlement 12 Kerameidou protected area along all Fournoi cluster belongs network Natura 2000
  4. https://trek.zone/thymaina | small Greek island Ikaria regional unit eastern Aegean Sea located just west Fournoi Korseon administratively part municipality name derived thyme grows throughout island two settlements Thymaina settlement Keramidou population 143 inhabitants 2011 136 settlement 7 Keramidou
  5. https://www.broadreachmaritime.org/fournoi-korseon | Fournoi Korseon small archipelago lies between Ikaria Samos Patmo two small inhabited islands complex main island Fournoi 31 sq km Thymaina 10 square km Fournoi town main ferry harbour ferries also landing Thymaina tiny island located just west
  6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fournoi_Korseon | shallow-water ship graveyard containing nearly 60 ships lies off Fournoi main island Fournoi population 1149 as 2021 census only other inhabited islands Agios Minas Thymaina

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Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by admin