3 days in Koufonisia Greece Itinerary: What to Do & See
If you’re here, it’s safe to assume that you are planning an island-hopping adventure in the Greek islands and are interested in spending about 3 days in Koufonisia Greece. But maybe, like me, you are struggling to find information on what there is to do on this island and wondering if 3 days is enough or too much time here.
Well, I’ve been in this same position, and after visiting Koufinisia myself, I can say 3 days is a perfect amount of time to hit the highlights of what this island has to offer. But be prepared it will leave you wanting to come back for more.
To help you with your planning, I’ve put together a perfect 3 day itinerary for Koufinisa that hits all of the top things to do and see on the island. And I’ve even included a bonus 4th day if you decide to stay for longer.
This guide not only includes the best beaches to visit, where to eat and sleep, and how to get around, but I also share eco-travel tips for visiting this island. So if this sounds like what you are looking for, keep on reading! 🙂
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Overview
Situated right in the middle of two bigger islands, Naxos and Amargos, you will find the Koufonisia Islands (also referred to as just Koufonisia). Koufonisia is made up of 2 small islands, Ano Koufonisi and Kato Koufonisi. Ano Koufonisi is the only inhabited island of the two and the one you will spend most if not all of your time on.
These islands are usually looked over by visitors who flock to the more commonly known islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, etc. which is part of what makes a visit here so special. Between its beautiful beaches, insane rock formations, and a vibrant downtown filled with delicious food, Koufonisia really has it all!
3 days in Koufonisia Greece is a perfect amount of time for the highlight reel but you could also easily take things slower and spend an entire week here.
Pisina (AKA Natural Pool)
When to visit Koufonisia
The best time to visit any of the Greek Islands is between May – September with April – May and September – October being the shoulder seasons. I personally really enjoy going in September when the weather is still hot, the water is warm and the major crowds have begun to dissipate.
Koufonisia Coast Line
How to get to Koufonisia
The only way to get to this island is by boat, whether that’s via ferry, a private boat, or a tour from one of the nearby islands.
Ferry – The most common way is through one of the various ferry providers. For being such a tiny island, there are a surprising number of ferries that have daily stops on the island making it relatively easy to get to. You can take a ferry from one of the other islands in the Cyclades or from Athens.
For more information or to book your ferry go to ferryhopper.com.
Private Boat – On many of the Cyclades islands you can rent private boats with a skipper to explore for the day. If you’re doing this on one of the nearby islands, you can easily add a stop to Koufonisia to your day or you can even talk to your boat provider and see if you can bring your luggage with you and have them just drop you off in Koufonisia at the end of the day.
Group Tour – On Naxos you can find various tours that go to Koufonisia for a day trip. Although this is a great way to briefly see the island, I highly recommend spending a few days in Koufonisia to really experience it!
If you want to do a group tour from Naxos and spend extra time on the island, you could talk to your tour provider and see if you can bring your bags and just not get on the boat back. I can’t guarantee they will let you do this and that you won’t miss anything on the way back but could be something to look into.
Plane – Although you will still need to use one of the other previously mentioned forms of transportation, there are a few nearby islands with airports including Naxos and Paros if you do not want to take a ferry directly from Athens.
Side Street in Chora Koufonisia
Getting Around Koufonisia
With the island being only about 2.2 miles long, having a car isn’t necessary and honestly, there are extremely few cars available to rent even if you wanted to. Most visitors rent e-bikes, regular bikes, or walk. I personally rented an e-bike while I was there and thought it was the perfect option. Not only are they fun, but they also make the hills way more manageable.
Walking/Hiking – With there being very little traffic and this island being less mountainous compared to others (there are still some hills though) hiking or walking is a great option for getting around, especially around Chora.
There’s also a coastal hiking trail that runs between Fanos Beach and Pori Beach. This trail is the only way to get to some of the cool less traditional beaches on the island.
Bike or E-bike – This form of transportation is the most common on the island. You can get almost everywhere this way. A regular bike is a great option but you will have a pretty big climb heading to Pori Beach from Chora. If you’re staying near Pori or elsewhere outside of town an e-bike might be a better option for you.
For more information on renting a bike check out my Bike Rentals in Koufonisia Guide.
Boat Taxi – There are 2 boat taxi services on the island that have daily stops at many of the well-known beaches in Ano Koufonisi as well as stops in Kato Koufoinsi. Prassinos Boat Tours or Marvos G. Boat Tours.
In Ano Koufonisi, the boats stop at the harbor in Chora, Finikas, Fanso, Italida, and Pori which you can hop on and off throughout the day. In Kato Koufonisi, they have stops at the Taverna and Nero Beach.
Make sure to check out the schedules ahead of time so you know when you can expect them to come and when the last stop of the day is. You especially don’t want to get stuck in Kato Koufonisi without a way home.
Private Boats – Renting a private boat for a day to explore around the islands and some of the other smaller islands nearby is a great option to see more than you would just on land. We did this one of the days we were there and we were so glad we did! I go into more detail about this on Day 2 of the itinerary.
Hotel transportation – Some but not all hotels or BnBs on the island offer transportation if you want to schedule drop-offs and pick-ups. I wouldn’t count on this being your only plan to get around though as you might end up waiting for a while which can get frustrating when you only have a few days on the island.
Taxi – There is one taxi on the entire island so don’t count on this as a transportation option but if an emergency comes up and you have no other option you can try calling them at +30 6987 337290.
Car – I have only found one place on the entire island that rents 1 single car. If you feel you really need to rent a car you can see if the one that Aries Suites rents is available. It is an electric vehicle and can be charged at one of their properties. However, I highly recommend renting a bike and/or using the boat taxis to get the real Koufonisia experience!
Aries Suites Pori – where I stayed during my 3 day trip to Koufonisia
Where to stay
There are a lot of great options for places to stay for your 3-day adventure in Koufonsia and most options are relatively affordable especially compared to some of the other islands. Most people opt for staying right in Chora (the main town) or near the southern beaches but there are also some really beautiful places outside of town as well.
When we went, we stayed near Pori Beach at the Aries Suites Pori and absolutely loved it! Their customer service was 10/10 and the place was so beautifully designed, we felt like celebrities without having the expensive price tag. Although this place is a bit more remote, since we rented e-bikes, it was easy to get into town.
Whenever I travel I always try to prioritize staying at places that are doing their part in operating their businesses in a more eco-friendly and socially continuous way that are directly supporting the locals. On this island, it wasn’t hard to find some amazing lodging options that were doing just that.
Here are some great options to consider that are not only highly rated by guests but also conscious about operating their businesses in a more sustainable way.
Aries Suites Pori
Google Rating: 5 stars
If you’re traveling with a bigger group or just want a dash of luxury, this is your place! After their electric Volkswagen bus picks you up at the port you will feel like a celebrity when you pull up to your gorgeous pool overlooking Pori Beach and then even more so when you walk in and see how beautifully designed these places are!
Portes House
Google Rating: 4.7 stars
Perfectly positioned between the beaches and Chora this oasis has it all! Beautifully designed with homemade breakfasts from locally produced ingredients, you won’t regret splurging a bit for this one. Just make sure to book a room that isn’t an underground room if you want the views.
Oceanides Residence Koufonisia
Google Rating: 4.9 stars
Not only is this place doing a lot of work to reduce their environmental impact, they are also fairly priced, especially for the quality of hospitality you get. Conveniently located in Chora, with ocean views and free bikes available to rent. You can’t go wrong with Oceanides Residence Koufonisa.
Now Let’s Dive into our 3 days in Koufonisia Greece Itinerary!
Italida Beach
Day 1: Explore Chora and Hit Some Beaches
Depending on what time you get to Koufonisia will determine what all you can do on day one. So this day is built to be a bit more flexible depending on your arrival time. However, I recommend trying to get there as early as possible so that you can really make the most out of your 3 days on the island.
Once you get to Koufonisia and handle your logistics like getting checked into your hotel or airbnb and getting set up with your e-bikes (if you are renting them), you can start your visit by hitting a nearby beach or wandering around Chora for some lunch and shopping.
Check out Chora and Grab Some Lunch
Start by getting your bearings and checking out the main town, Chora. As you wander along the streets you will find lots of cute shops and delicious places to eat and drink. Here you can also book excursions and rent bikes and e-bikes if you haven’t already done so.
Grab some lunch at the walk-up gyro window, Souvlaki Sti Strofi, for the best gyro pita on the island or you can wait to eat at one of the beach bars if that’s more the vibe you are looking for.
Head to the Beach!
After you’ve eaten lunch it’s time to head to your first beach! There are tons of beautiful and unique beaches in Koufonisia all with insane turquoise water. All are on the south and east sides of the island. If you’re staying in Chora Ammos Beach or Finkas Beach are great options for your first dip in the Aegean Sea on the island. If you’re staying on the east side of the island, Pori Beach is also a great option.
Check out my Complete Guide to Koufonisia Beaches to help you decide where to go first as well as which beaches have restaurants and bars.
Dinner and Drinks in Chora
For being such a small island, I was shocked to see how many great restaurants and bars there are in Koufonisia. Especially ones that have the quintessential Greek Island vibe.
Once you get cleaned up from your first beach hang, head to Rastoni Koufonissia for sunset cocktails and appetizers before dinner. This is a great spot to watch the sunset over Chora with a glass of refreshing white wine.
Then head into town and enjoy the vibrant energy of a night out in Chora. Check out any of the shops you may have missed and have dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants in town. Koufoinisa is known for its fresh fish and seafood so if you see it on the menu, get it! Some notable dinner options include:
- Mikres Cyclades
- Armira Kai Pioto
- Lavanda e Rosmarino Trattoria Italiana – I know it’s not Greek food but this place has such amazing Italian food that you just can’t miss it!
- Ca Chi Ca
- Laska – make sure to get the Green “Skordalia” if it’s on the menu, we were basically licking the bowl when we were done!
Inventure’s Bay
Day 2: Beach Hopping Day!
On day 2, it’s time to do what you likely came to the Greek Islands to do, beach hop! Koufonisia has some really amazing diverse beaches ranging from quintessential sandy beaches with crystal clear water to more adventurous places to lounge and swim.
There are 3 ways you can get around to the beaches, by road on your bike, by boat taxi, or hiking. The mode or modes of transportation you decide to take will determine what beaches you can go to.
I’ve put together three itinerary options but you can definitely mix and match these depending on which beaches seem most exciting to you. Or if you have more than 3 days in Koufonisia you can spread your beach visits out and not cram them all into one day.
For more in-depth details on planning your beach hopping day, again make sure to check out my guide to Koufonisia Beaches.
Sandy Beach Day
Pori Beach – Fanos Beach – Finikas Beach – Ammos Beach
If sticking to beaches that have places for food and drinks and quintessential sandy beaches is your idea of an ideal beach hopping day, then these are the beaches for you. All are accessible by road or boat taxi making them easy to get to as well.
Start your day up at Pori Beach and work your way down the coast back to Ammos Beach in Chora by walking, biking, or boat taxi.
Adventurous Beach Hopping Day
Pori Beach – Ksylompatis Caves – Gala Beach – Natural Pool – Inventure’s Bay – Italida beach
If you love a good adventure and moving your legs a bit, this is the itinerary for you. These aren’t your typical beaches but super unique places to swim and spend some time enjoying. This itinerary includes a bit of rock scrambling, hiking, and the option for cliff jumping in a few spots.
Boat Taxi Tour
Pori Beach – Italida Beach – Fanos Beach – Finikas Beach – Ammos Beach
The boat taxis are a great fun way to beach hop. Not only do they get you from beach to beach, it’s also a great way to see the gorgeous coastline from the water.
There are two boat taxi operators both with the same stops. Prassinos Boat Tours or Marvos G. Boat Tours You can buy all-day tickets through either company and jump on and off at each stop as you please.
I recommend starting at Pori and then working your way back to Chroa to end your day at Ammos Beach. (Or do this in reverse if you are staying near Pori)
Ksylompatis Caves on Ano Koufonisi – best seen by boat
Day 3: Boat Day
Having a boat day is one of the best things to do in the Greek Islands and Koufonisia with all of the beautiful small islands nearby is a perfect activity to include in your 3 days in Koufonisia!
It’s not often you can have a beach to yourself anywhere in the world let alone the Cyclades Islands. But since Koufonisia and its surrounding islands are significantly less traveled compared to its neighbors, it definitely a possibility here especially if you go to the beaches only accessible by boat.
There are a few places on the island that rent boats. You can rent them and skipper the boat yourself if you have a boating license or you can hire a skipper for the day. I recommend hiring a skipper because they can bring you to the best spots for that day’s weather and teach you about the places you are visiting.
When I went we rented through Prassinos Boat Tours. They didn’t take rentals over the phone but we stopped by their office on our first day to set up the boat trip.
For more details on renting a boat in Koufonisia check out my guide.
Faraglioni Kato Koufonisia
Bonus Day 4 or Alternate Day 3: Kato Koufonisia
If a boat day doesn’t sound like something you want to do or if you are spending 4 days instead of 3 days in Koufonisia, a trip to Kato Koufonisia is a must!
This mostly uninhabited island is a short boat ride away from Ano Koufonisia. Here you will find one small taverna, more beautiful beaches and potentially run into some wild goats that call the island home. This is a great spot for hiking and a beach day. Just make sure to bring enough water and food especially if you plan on hiking to one of the remote beaches.
Prassinos Boat Tours and Marvos G Boat Tours both have boat taxis that go there with stops at the Taverna and Nero Beach.
Chora Koufonisia
Final Thoughts on Spending 3 Days in Koufonisia Greece
Overall spending 3 days in Koufonisia Greece gives you the perfect amount of time for the highlight reel of the island. But it will surely leave you wanting to come back for more. You will experience some of the most beautiful beaches, get some adventure in, and experience the charming white-washed village of Chora.
And please always remember to respect the places you are visiting and the people who call them home. Treat this beautiful island well, practice leave no trace rules, and be kind to all the amazing people you will meet.
