Greek Islands

Folegandros (Island)

Folegandros

Welcome to Folegandros!

Slightly off the beaten path and situated right between the Western and Eastern Cyclades, this long, rocky island of 32 square kilometers is now beginning to attract some of the tourism that has long been enjoyed by its more illustrious neighbors, Santorini first and foremost among them.

In fact, the main clifftop town of Folegandros, called Chora, does remind one of Fira, as it sits atop a cliff between 200 and 300 meters above the sea! It's a stunning and dramatic town running along the edge of the cliff, and it features outstanding "original" Cycladic architecture of simple whitewashed houses, tiny lanes of crazy paving, archways and tunnels, donkeys and donkey paths! In fact, there are few paved roads on the island and very few vehicles, as the topography of the land prevents its development in that regard.

There is a year-round population of less than 700 inhabitants on the island, and they principally involve themselves with tourism or farming, primarily the growing of barley on the terraced slopes of the northern part of the island. Bus service on the island is limited to connections between the port of Karavostassi and Chora, a distance of four kilometers, and between Chora and the village of Ano Meria to the northwest.

The road also leads further to the southeast, down to the beach of Livadi. The best beach on the island, Agali, on the southwest coast, is accessible on foot from the main road to Ano Meria, about a walk of 20 minutes. There are eating facilities at the beach, marvelous fine sand, and excellent swimming in crystal-clear waters.

While in Chora, if you can tear yourself away from the view down the cliffs toward the sea, do not miss the opportunity to explore the beautiful Church of Our Lady, and the monastery of the same name located at the top of the hill. Tourist services can be found at the main port where you arrive, or in Chora. If you need to change currency, you will have to stop by one of the small travel offices in the town, as there is yet to be a bank established on this island!

If you enjoy walking, you can explore a great deal of Folegandros, and you will come to love and appreciate its raw, rugged beauty and its traditional way of life.

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