Kato Koufonisi

Kato Koufonisi

Kato Koufonisi is the uninhabited sister of Ano Koufonisi in the Small Cyclades, separated by a narrow 200-metre strait that you can swim or wade across at low water. At just 4 square kilometres it’s bare, rocky, almost flat, with no villages, no electricity grid, only a tiny church of Panagia, a couple of seasonal tavernas, and a handful of rooms that run on generators — a place where goats outnumber people all year.

It’s famous for its beaches, which are among the best in the Cyclades: Pori, Nero, Pezoulia, Détis, long strips of white sand and turquoise that feel Caribbean, all reachable on footpaths across the island. Most people visit for the day from Ano Koufonisi by boat, but if you stay overnight you get complete silence, stars, and water so clear you can count the fish from the shore.

Best for wild beach lovers who want to feel off the map

Kato Koufonisi is the smaller of the twin Koufonisis, an uninhabited island with rugged charm that lures visitors with stunning beaches and opportunities for dispersed camping. Think breathtaking aquamarine waters surrounded by ochre cliffs, paradise for nature lovers and photography.

It feels well off the beaten track. Wild island — there is one taverna, camping places, several houses only. Beaches are truly wild with gorgeously clear waters, all of them nudist-friendly, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, ruin of an ancient temple, and a traditional taverna with tastiest moussaka. Many beaches to choose from — Nero is the big one but limited shade, Laki is very beautiful small bay pebbles and stones even inside water near tavern, Detis, Hawaii, Gourounaki. Quiet calm beaches, sky full of stars, time to relax.

You’ll love it if you want to hike with boots, find clean beaches you have to yourself for the day, don’t mind no sunbeds, love nudism, goats and total freedom. Not for you if you need facilities.

How to visit and what to bring

Nearby island of Kato Koufonisi is uninhabited except for people at only tavern and some farmers and goatherds that come for day, but only 20 minutes by small boat from port of Ano Koufonisi. Perfect for day trip.

There is a boat that leaves Koufonisia and goes to Kato Koufonisia every hour and stops in 2 places: Nero and Taverna. Cost only 5 euro for return, journey short across the Steno, the 400m wide straight that separates two islands, about 15 minutes. From Nero some people walk up towards Taverna to see other beaches, you can walk 5-10 minutes to find Laki. Easy to get to — take boat from Ano Koufonisi.

To get to Koufonisia itself, fly to Naxos then ferry — Koufonisia are part of Small Cyclades. No cars on Kato, bring water, shade, hiking shoes. A lot of free-campers so expect basic.

Sources

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Last Updated on August 28, 2026 by admin