Anafi

Anafi is a small island located in the south of the Cyclades between Santorini and Astypalaia. It is a top destination for relaxing holidays, well-known for its wild landscape and amazing views of the Aegean Sea. Here, you can find all the information you need about Anafi: its beautiful beaches, activities available on the island and ferry schedules. Book cheap ferry tickets to Anafi on Ferryhopper and begin your island hopping in the Cyclades!

A square in the picturesque Chora of Anafi

Vacation in Anafi

Anafi is a true gem of the Aegean Sea that has remained largely unspoiled by tourism. The small Greek island is famous for its untouched beaches, breathtaking hiking trails and picturesque capital, Chora. Take a stroll around the beautiful traditional village to marvel at the simplicity of the Cycladic architecture, taste delicious food at the restaurants and enjoy spectacular views of the Aegean.

While Anafi is an ideal destination for peaceful holidays, it boasts a vivid nightlife during the summer, with Chora being the center of the action. The island is also home to the second highest monolith in Europe after Gibraltar, the so-called vrachos ("rock")!

How to get to Anafi

You can easily travel to Anafi from Athens, as there are regular ferry crossings from the port of Piraeus. There is also a ferry connection from the port of Lavrio, a small town in northeast Attica that is close to the airport.

You can find more information about ferry schedules and tickets to Anafi here.

Things to do in Anafi

Anafi is an ideal destination for relaxation. During the day, swimming and sunbathing are the main activities. However, ιf you are looking for adventure, the island has many stunning hiking trails, while its big monolith is perfect for rock climbing. And when night falls, you can head to the local bars and tavernas for an unforgettable evening!

Sounds exciting? Read on to find out all you need to know about your vacation in Anafi.

Beaches in Anafi

What better way to spend your vacation in Anafi, than to swim in the turquoise waters and relax on the island's golden beaches! Don't forget to bring water, snacks and an umbrella with you, as you will not find amenities on most beaches.

The best beaches in Anafi are:

• Roukounas: long and sandy with crystal-clear waters, Roukounas is a nude-friendly beach and a popular camping spot. The most famous beach in Anafi, it is usually quite busy in July and especially in August. After your swim, head to the nearby taverna for some good local food.
• Klisidi: this beautiful sandy beach has turquoise waters and tamarisks that offer plenty of shade. It is located close to the port of Agios Nikolaos and is easily accessible. Next to the beach, you will find 2 restaurants, Klisidi and Margarita; the former serves traditional Greek dishes, while the latter has more modern cuisine and a great view.
• Katsouni: you can reach this small, clothing-optional sandy beach with a 15-minute walk from Klisidi. The beautiful spot also attracts campers.
• Flamourou: this is an amazing beach with golden sand, turquoise waters and imposing rocks. It is located next to Katsouni beach and is ideal for relaxation and quiet moments.
• Megas Potamos ("great river"): it takes quite a long walk to reach this beach, so it is perfect for those seeking isolation and calmness. Megas Potamos has sand and white pebbles, as well as a beautiful view to Kalamos.
• Livoskopos: this a rather remote sandy beach that is located on the northern coast of the island and can be reached on foot. We recommend going when there is a south wind.

The turquoise waters of Roukounas beach

Sightseeing and activities in Anafi

Anafi has a rich history and is even mentioned in Greek mythology as the island responsible for saving the shipwrecked Argonauts. During your holidays in Anafi, we urge you to discover its past, local traditions and unique natural sights.

Ferryhopper suggests the following sights and activities in Anafi:

• Visit the ruins of the Venetian castle just above Chora to watch the sunset and marvel at the stunning view.
• Go to the panigiria (traditional festivals) to dance to Greek music and try delicious local food. Don't miss the panigiri in Chora on the 15th of August and at the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi on the 7th and 8th of September.
• Discover Kasteli, the ancient city of Anafi, which probably dates as far back as the 8th century BCE. You can see parts of the fortification and the cemetery as well as ancient Roman finds.
• Visit the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi, see the ruins of the ancient Temple of Apollo Aiglitis and enjoy the beautiful landscape. 
• Go rock climbing on the island's monolith, preferably from April till June or from September till November.

Hiking in Anafi

If you feel like taking a break from sunbathing and swimming, Anafi has some spectacular trails that lead to magical beaches and spots with stunning view!

The most popular trail leads to Kalamos, the top of the second highest monolith in Europe. The huge rock located in the southeast of the island is a unique natural monument. There, you will also find the Monastery of Panagia Kalamiotissa.

The trail to Kalamos is not too difficult and the hike takes approximately 1 hour. The magnificent wild landscape and the breathtaking view are definitely worth the trouble! As there is no shade, we recommend that you go early in the morning or in the evening. In the latter case, you can watch the glorious sunset and spend the night there. Remember to wear proper shoes and to bring water and snacks with you.

Some popular hikes in Anafi are:

• Chora - Roukounas - Megas Potamos - Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi (2.5 hours)
• Roukounas - Kasteli (ancient city of Anafi) - Agios Mamas - Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi - Kalamos (3 hours)
• Chora - Stavros - Rachidi - Lakkous (1.5 hours)
• Stavros - Vigla - Panagia ton Vouvon - Livoskopos (2 hours)
• Chora - Agios Georgios - Milies - Kallista - Kasteli (2 hours)

The crystal-clear waters of the Aegean and the impressive monolith of Anafi

Nightlife in Anafi

During your trip to Anafi, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the island’s exciting nightlife. In Chora, you will find several bars and tavernas, which stay open until late and often have live music or DJs.

If you're looking for a truly wild night out in Anafi, you can dance till dawn at the bar-club Madres. Watching the sun rise over the Aegean as you step out of the bar, is a moment that you'll never forget. Keep in mind that Madres is open only in July and August.

Food in Anafi

As in most islands of the Cyclades, the cuisine in Anafi is delicious, with local dishes made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. You can try traditional recipes at the restaurants and  kafenia (traditional Greek cafés) in Chora. We recommend the taverna Armenaki, which has great food, live Greek music and a beautiful view.

There are also tavernas next to some of the island’s beaches and in Agios Nikolaos, the port of Anafi. There, you can enjoy your food right next to the sea surrounded by beautiful scenery. The taverna in Roukounas is very popular, while in Klisidi you will find 2 restaurants, Klisidi and Margarita; the former serves traditional Greek dishes, while the latter has more modern cuisine and a great view.

During your vacation in Anafi, we suggest trying the following local delicacies:

• pitaria (local pasta served with tomato sauce and cheese)
• tzonari (salt-cured pork cooked with wine, onions, potatoes and spices)
• psomi zaforisto (bread with feta cheese and local saffron)
• skordompalota (local pasta served with tomato sauce, garlic and cheese)
• gemista (fried sweet pastries with sesame, orange, cinnamon and almonds)
• melitera (sweet pastries filled with the local cheese mizithra)
• kokkinisto katsiki (goat cooked in tomato sauce)
• strofyliatiko (local white wine)

Villages in Anafi

Anafi’s capital is Chora, one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades. Built on the top of a hill, it is full of charming white-washed houses, little churches and picturesque squares. You should definitel walk down Chora’s kalderimia (narrow alleys) and relax at the local bars and kafenia.

Apart from Chora, Anafi has only 2 other villages: Agios Nikolaos, which is the island’s port, and Klisidi. Agios Nikolaos is a small village with a few shops and rooms to let, while Klisidi is a little seaside village in the south of Anafi. Right next to Klisidi is the village’s beach, one of the most popular of the island.

Swim and enjoy great food with a view at the beach of Klisidi

Useful information about Anafi

Most amenities for visitors in Anafi can be found in Chora: a mini market, grocery store, bakery, post office and a medical center. The only ATM machine on the island is at the port. As for accommodation, you can find rooms to let in the capital. There are also some available rooms in Agios Nikolaos and Klisidi. It is advisable that you book your accommodation in Anafi as early as possible, since availability can be very limited in the summer.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Anafi

Here are some useful contacts to keep handy during your trip to Anafi:

• Anafi Port Authority: +302286061220
• Anafi Medical Center: +302286061215
• Municipality of Anafi: +302286061266
• Anafi Police Station: +302286061216
• local bus: +302286061266
• Anafi citizen service center (KEP): +302286061390

Transportation in Anafi

During the summer, there is a local bus that connects Chora with the port and the main villages of Anafi, though services are infrequent. We, therefore, recommend that you bring your own vehicle by ferry so that you can explore the island hassle-free. You will find a gas station on one of the roads connecting the port to Chora.

Ports in Anafi

Anafi has one ferry port in Agios Nikolaos. It is located on the south coast of the island, 3km from Chora and 1km from Klisidi. Ferries to Anafi depart regularly from Athens.

Island hopping from Anafi

There are regular ferry crossings from Anafi to many other islands of the Cyclades as well as to some islands of the Dodecanese and to Crete. In just 1.5 hours, you can be in Santorini, one of the most popular destinations in Greece!

There are direct ferry routes from Anafi to the following ports:

• Santorini (or Thira)
• Thirasia
• Mykonos
• Naxos
• Paros
• Folegandros
• Sikinos
• Ios
• Milos
• Kythnos
• Syros
• Kea
• Chalki
• Kasos
• Rhodes
• Karpathos
• Heraklion (Crete)
• Sitia (Crete)

If you are overwhelmed by how many islands you can travel to from Anafi, don't worry! You can see all ferry routes from and to Anafi on our Map of ferries. Organizing your island hopping in Greece with Ferryhopper is fast and easy!

Anafi ferry: schedules and tickets

Anafi is one of the southernmost islands of the Cyclades and is located close to Santorini. The port is on the south coast of the island, 4km from the capital. Anafi is connected to Athens with regular ferry crossings from the port of Piraeus and Lavrio.

More specifically, the ferry routes from mainland Greece to Anafi are the following:

• Athens - Anafi from the port of Piraeus: There are usually 4 weekly sailings, while more ferry journeys are added in the summer to satisfy the increased demand. The duration of the trip from Piraeus to Anafi is 10.5 hours on average.
• Athens - Anafi from the port of Lavrion: There is 1 weekly crossing and the ferry trip lasts approximately 10 hours.

Tip: Ferries that travel from Athens to Anafi usually have a car deck, so that you can transfer your vehicle. We also suggest that you book a cabin for a more comfortable journey, since the ferry trip to Anafi can be long.

Compare companies, ticket types, prices and ferry schedules to Anafi on Ferryhopper and book your trip with no hidden fees!

View of the Agean Sea from Anafi

Where to book ferry tickets to Anafi online

Book ferry tickets for Anafi online on Ferryhopper and get the best prices for your summer holiday on the Greek islands. Find all ferry schedules and crossings to and from Anafi, compare prices and choose the most convenient travel itinerary in just 4 clicks!