Donousa

Donousa

Donousa is the most northerly of the Small Cyclades, a 14-square-kilometre island east of Naxos with just over 150 year-round residents, and it feels like the end of the line in the best way. The only real village is Stavros where the ferry comes in, a handful of white houses, a couple of tavernas and rooms, with three other tiny settlements — Kalotaritissa, Mersini and Messaria — scattered over dry hills and terraces that drop to wild beaches.

The beaches are the reason people keep coming back: Kedros with its tamarisks and clear water that attracts free campers, Livadi, and the more hidden Fokospilia with its sea cave. Donousa has no big hotels, no nightlife, just hiking paths, goats, and a slow rhythm that used to define all the Small Cyclades — you come to swim all day, eat at the harbour, and sleep early under a sky with no light pollution.

Small Cyclades off-grid favourite

You’ll love it here if you want to get off the beaten track and find peace and quiet. Main attractions are the beaches and hiking and a couple of small villages, including main harbour village Stavros. Low-key, peaceful and quiet, exactly what seekers look for, so happy to spend extra time even though ferry takes longer. Beaches are unorganised, no sunbeds and umbrellas, very relaxed location. Stavros Beach by settlement probably best village beach in all of Greece together with Ammos Koufonissi. Kedros Beach maybe most beautiful of island, wonderful waters colours seductive exotic, most frequented, people in various stages of undress, lots of nudists mingle with bathing suits but atmosphere very relaxed civilised. Kalotaritissa Beach very beautiful, spectacular walk from port to Kalotaritissa, relaxed, in theory forbidden for nudists but many without suits. Livadi most stunning for some. So it mainly attracts visitors who want to relax on island that is low-key, want peace, nudist-friendly, free camping past but now more controlled. Less ideal if you need organisation, shops and nightlife, it’s simple beauty.

The slow boat to the edge

Ferry only way, and that’s part of charm. From Piraeus Athens direct 6h45 to 9-10 hours with Blue Star Ferries, about 50 euro, leaves 3 times per week off season 4 times peak twice daily some seasons, fastest Blue Star Naxos. Or fly to Naxos then ferry, most common route. From nearby islands, Small Cyclades Lines Express Skopelitis legendary local boat, 3 times per week year-round, travel time Naxos to Donousa 1 hour fast ferry or 3h55 with stop-offs, 4 hours local, 2 hours regular, cost about 7 euro per hop. Also from Paros 2h15, Amorgos 1h15, Astypalea 2h20, Iraklia 2h15, Koufonissi 1h10, Schinoussa 1h55. Water taxi in summer stops at different beaches. Location small peaceful island Small Cyclades east of Naxos, farthest of Small Cyclades from Naxos, east Aegean. Best time May to September, high season daily connections Blue Star, Seajets, Skopelitis. July August busiest but still quiet, June September ideal for hiking and beach without crowds. Base in Stavros harbour village, rooms simple, book early, no cars needed really, hiking trails connect villages. Bring cash, good shoes for spectacular walk to Kalotaritissa, and expect simple tavernas. If you want fully relax in simple beauty, get booking.

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Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by admin