The 9 things to do in Anafi

Visiting Anafi will lead you in the heart of the Cyclades. If you ask that to do in Anafi, here are the 10 essential things of this Greek island!

Greece is full of beautiful places, and the island of Anafi is one of the most incredible! A true exotic and natural paradise with its 400 inhabitants on an area of 38 km3, it is a small island that, according to legends, would have been one of the stages of the Argonautes in search of the Golden Toison!

Few known to tourists, the island has preserved its splendour of ancient times and has an extremely quiet and relaxing environment that few places in the world have, especially in Europe. If you have decided to go to this beautiful island and ask yourself to do in Anafi, we have selected the 10 essential things to do on the island to make your stay unforgettable!

1. The chapel of Agios Antonios

Located northeast of the island, the chapel of Agios Antonios is one of the monuments to visit if you ask yourself to do in Anafi! It is a hidden chapel in the middle of the cliffs of the island you can access through one of the many hiking trails of Anafi.

It was built in the Middle Ages and has two vaults, as well as a nave located in the north and proudly bearing the frescoes of the Virgin Ypapanti, the Birth and the Ascension that had been saved on the island, these dating from the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century.

2. The beach Roukounas

Certainly the best known beaches on the island, Roukounas is a must if you ask yourself to do in Anafi! This sandbank of more than 500 meters is magnificent and you can see golden dunes lined by tamaris. Roukounas attracts of course the most tourists, especially in the summer, because the wild camping is allowed there, but you can still find in this beach a place of relaxation near the largest city of the island.

3. The port Agios Nikolaos

The Agios Nikolaos port is the main port of Anafi. Located south of the island, it is located in the middle of the surrounding hills and if it is only made up of some white stone houses, it is one of the things to see absolutely on the island.

Especially used for commercial purposes, it welcomes in summer some small ferries filled with tourists coming to stay on the island during their holidays, or visiting it for a day. You can also, from this port, make cruises around the island in order to visit Anafi in a somewhat special way, or rent a sea kayak in order to take a walk on the Azure waters bordering the island.

4. Kastelli

You can admire the vestiges of the old massive walls that once surrounded the city, but also Roman funeral monuments as well as tombs in forms of houses. In addition, you will find ancient objects dating from the Roman era that were left on site, all dating from the 8th century BC.

Finally, you can also find the historic chapel of Panagia sto Dokari descending the hill path. It is dedicated to the Virgin and is one of the 80 religious places on this small Greek island.

5. The beach of Agioi Anargyroi

If the beach of Roukounas is the most popular of the island and attracts the majority of tourists, that of Agioi Anargyroi is probably one of the quietest ones you will find while you are visiting Anafi! Surrounded by high cliffs, this golden sandy beach is an ideal place to relax in a quiet environment typical of the island.

6. Hiking at Mount Kalamos

If you want to visit Anafi by taking advantage of its natural side that makes its fame, then enjoy it to make a hike in the Kalamos Mountain! This mountain, which peaks at just over 460 metres above sea level, has a path that is part of the 18 km of hiking along the island.

If during the hike you can see the surrounding flora and fauna typical of the Greek islands, from its summit you will have a breathtaking view: you can admire the entire island and its villages filled with houses with white walls. It is even possible, in clear time, to see Santorini, Astypalaea or Amorgos on the horizon!

7. The Drakontospilo Cave

If you were wondering that doing in Anafi, the Drakontospilo Cave is one of the most secret and unfamiliar places of tourists all over the island! Accessible from Mount Kalamos, you can admire magnificent colorful stalactites and stalactites, but also groups of seals from the entrance of the cave, these regularly go to the area.

8. The monastery of Panagia kalamiotissa

Located southeast of the island, the monastery of Panagia kalamiotissa is one of the main activities of the island when you are visiting Anafi. It is a small church that, several decades ago, had a few monks.

The monastery is located at the top of Mount Kalamos, 465 metres above sea level. You have to go there on foot thanks to one of the most popular hikes on the island, that of Mount Kalamos, and you can reach it from the monastery of Zoodochos Pigi in just one and a half hour.

9. The Apollo temple Aiglitis

If you were wondering what to do in Anafi to make the most of your vacation and visit the island from a new angle, go to the Apollo Aiglitis temple.

Located near Mount Kalamos, in the course of the monastery of Zoodochos Pighi, this temple dating from the seventh century BC, is centered on the worship of the Greek gods, such as Zeus, Artemis, Aphrodite or Asclépios, as evidenced by the few offerings found there. If its remains content a story, the temple has suffered the effects of time: there is no more, if not some symbolic stones.

Please note: enjoy your passage to discover the church and monastery (Zoodochos Pighi mentioned above), better preserved than the Apollo Aiglitis temple.

See also in Anafi

As you surely know by choosing to visit Anafi, it is an island that is to be preferred for rest and relaxation. It does not have many tourist attractions, but its beaches and hikes are to fall! In addition to the 10 must-sees on the island, you can also:

• Turn around the island on foot thanks to the 18 kilometers of hiking trail, or by boat from the Agios Nikolaos port.
• Spend time in Chora, the main city of the island where you will find some shops, restaurants and hotels in Anafi.
• Visit the Zoodochos Pighi monastery, one of the most impressive on the island.
• Enjoy a pleasant time with family by kayaking the sea from the beaches of the island.
• Going to the best taverns on the island to discover a unique traditional Greek cuisine.

How to get to Anafi?

From France, it is strongly advised to fly to Greece from one of the many airports in France. Our partner Ulysses you will find the most advantageous offers depending on your travel period.

You probably already doubt it, but the island is not served by an airport, and if you want to visit Anafi, you will then have to go by ferry from there Santorini , Paros , Naxos , Syros or Sikinos. Attention, however, some islands do not serve Anafi every day, and you should check the days of passing ferries online where in the ports.

Note that once on the island you will have three possibilities to move: the boat, the bus connecting the villages, and the walk. It is not possible to rent a car, and also the roads of the island are steep enough and sometimes impractical with a vehicle.

Where to stay in Anafi?

Being not touristic and with its relatively small surface, it is not surprising that the island of Anafi does not have many hotels, and it can sometimes be difficult to find the one that can welcome you for the duration of your stay.

Nevertheless, you can book a hotel on Anafi Island , and maybe even enjoy a home housing to learn more about the culture of the island, its traditions and its daily life in the skin of a local.