Anafi
Chora and the south-coast beaches on Day 1, the monolith hike on Day 2.
Two hours by ferry east of Santorini, Anafi gets a fraction of the visitors and asks nothing of them. There's one Chora at 200m above the sea, around 300 year-round residents, no airport, no resorts, and a silence that feels like it must be illegal somewhere. The defining feature is Mount Kalamos — a 460-metre limestone monolith that's the second-largest in Europe after Gibraltar, with a clifftop monastery you reach by a 90-minute hike. The beaches on the south coast are wild, sheltered from the meltemi, and almost always empty. Come here when you've had enough of being entertained.
2-day itinerary for Anafi
Day 1: Chora & the Beach Path
- · Agios Nikolaos Port
Tiny harbour with a few tavernas and the only ATM on the island. The bus to Chora meets every ferry. There is no taxi rank — only two taxis exist on Anafi. - · Chora
The only proper village on the island, perched at 200m. Whitewashed amphitheatre of vaulted-roof houses called kamares. A small Venetian castle at the top with sunset views to Santorini's silhouette on the horizon. Three mini-markets, a few tavernas, no ATM. - · Klisidi Beach
The closest beach to the port — 15 minutes' walk down. Sandy, tamarisk-shaded, family-friendly. Margarita's at the back serves the best lunch on the south coast: simple, fresh, honest. Free camping was banned a few years ago; now there are a handful of small hotels. - · Katsouni Beach
15-minute walk east along the path from Klisidi. Smaller, quieter, fine sand and clear water. Often nudist. No facilities — bring water. - · Roukounas Beach
The longest beach on Anafi and the favourite of summer campers. Tamarisk trees for shade, a single rustic taverna inland, golden sand, no organised facilities at all. The bus from Chora stops here. - · Sunset & Dinner in Chora
Back to Chora for dinner. The sunset over the Aegean from the Chora terraces is one of the best in the Cyclades — better than most of Santorini, and you don't need a reservation to see it.
Day 2: The Monolith & Kalamiotissa Monastery
- · Zoodochos Pigi Monastery
10th-century monastery built directly on the foundations of the ancient Temple of Apollo Aeglitis — parts of the original masonry are visible in the walls. Known locally as Kato Panagia. The bus from Chora ends here. This is also the trailhead for the Kalamos hike. - · Kalamos Monolith Hike
1.5-hour ascent up the second-largest monolith in Europe (460m). Steep, exposed, with railings on the dangerous sections. Don't attempt in strong wind. Time it for late afternoon — the heat is brutal in midday and the view is best in the warm light. - · Panagia Kalamiotissa (Summit)
Single-domed white chapel from 1715 perched on the very edge of the summit. Locked except for the September 7-8 feast — the most important on the island, when locals climb up at night for the celebration. The view is the reason to be here: 360° over the Aegean, Santorini visible to the west. - · Megas Potamos Beach
On the way back, the wildest beach on Anafi with the best view of the Kalamos monolith from sea level. One huge tamarisk tree for shade. The bus passes nearby — 10-minute walk down. No facilities at all.
Top beaches of Anafi
Roukounas Beach
The longest and best beach on Anafi — wide, sheltered, sandy, with natural tamarisk shade. Beloved by free campers in August but never crowded by mainstream Cycladic standards. The taverna inland (Popi's) does a single daily lunch and runs out by 3pm.
- Type
- Fine golden sand
- Length
- 600 m
- Depth
- Shallow to medium — gradual sandy entry
- Facing
- South-facing — sheltered from the meltemi north winds
- Facilities
- Minimal: one rustic taverna inland, tamarisk trees for shade, no sunbeds. Bus from Chora.
Klisidi Beach
The closest beach to the port and the easiest base if you don't want to climb to Chora every day. Sandy crescent with a small white chapel above. The water is calm and shallow, the food at Margarita's is genuinely good. A bit busier than Roukounas but still empty by mainland standards.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 300 m
- Depth
- Shallow — safe for children
- Facing
- Southeast-facing — sheltered, calm most days
- Facilities
- Light: Margarita's all-day taverna and Vivi's traditional taverna. Tamarisk trees, a few rooms behind. 15-minute walk from the port.
Megas Potamos Beach
The wildest beach on the south coast and the one with the best view of the Kalamos monolith looming above. Clear water, sometimes a bit of swell. Pack everything you need for the day — there is nothing here, which is exactly the point.
- Type
- Fine sand and pebble
- Length
- 200 m
- Depth
- Medium — clear, sometimes choppy
- Facing
- South-facing — open to the sea, can pick up swell
- Facilities
- None. One enormous tamarisk tree for shade. 10-minute walk from the bus stop.
Katsouni Beach
Small, secluded sandy cove a short walk from Klisidi. Common nudist beach. The size and seclusion make it the quietest of the easily-walkable beaches on the south coast.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 150 m
- Depth
- Shallow
- Facing
- Southeast-facing — sheltered
- Facilities
- None — bring water. Often nudist. 15-minute walk east of Klisidi.