Summary
- 1. The Chapel of Agios Antonios
- 2. Roukounas beach
- 3. The port Agios Nikolaos
- 4. Kastelli
- 5. Agioi Anargyroi Beach
- 6. Hiking on Mount Kalamos
- 7. The Drakontospilo Cave
- 8. The monastery of Panagia kalamiotissa
- 9. The Temple of Apollo Aiglitis
- Also to be seen in Anafi
- How do we get to Anafi?
- Where to stay in Anafi?
Visiting Anafi will take you to the heart of the Cyclades. If you are wondering what to do to Anafi, here are the 10 must-do things to do on this Greek island!
Greece is full of beautiful places, and Anafi Island is one of the most incredible! A true exotic and natural paradise with its 400 inhabitants on a surface area of 38 km³, it is a small island which, according to legends, was one of the stopovers of the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece!
Little known to tourists, the island has retained its former splendour and has an extremely calm and relaxing environment that few places in the world have, especially in Europe. If you have decided to visit this beautiful island and are wondering what to do on Anafi, we have selected 10 must-do things to do on the island to make your stay unforgettable!
Also to be read :
The 15 most beautiful places to visit in Greece
Visiting the Cyclades: the 14 islands to be made absolutely
1. The Chapel of Agios Antonios
Located in the north-east of the island, the chapel of Agios Antonios is one of the monuments to visit if you were wondering what to do in Anafi! It is a chapel hidden in the middle of the island's cliffs, which you can access through one of Anafi's many hiking trails.
It was built in the Middle Ages and has two vaults and a nave to the north, proudly bearing frescoes of the Ypapanti Virgin, the Birth and Ascension, which were saved on the island at the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th centuries.
2. Roukounas beach
Certainly the best known of the island's beaches, Roukounas is a must if you were wondering what to do in Anafi! This sandbank of more than 500 meters is magnificent and you can see golden dunes bordered by tamarisk trees. Roukounas attracts of course the most tourists, especially in summer, because 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 port Agios Nikolaos is the main port of Anafi. Located in the south of the island, it is in the middle of the surrounding hills and although it consists of only a few white stone houses, it is one of the must-see things on the island.
Mainly used for commercial purposes, in summer it hosts a few small ferries full of tourists coming to stay on the island during their holidays, or visiting it for a day. You can also, from this port, take cruises around the island to visit Anafi in a special way, or rent a sea kayak to go for a ride on the azure waters bordering the island.
4. Kastelli
Located on the top of the hill bearing the same name, the Kastelli ruins are the remains of the ancient city of Anafaion and are definitely one of the first things to see if you were wondering what to see in Anafi!
Here you can admire the remains of the massive ancient walls that once surrounded the town, as well as Roman funerary monuments and tombs in the shape of houses. In addition, you will find ancient Roman artefacts left behind, dating from the 8th century BC.
Finally, you can also find the historical chapel of Panagia sto Dokari on your way down the hill path. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is one of the 80 religious sites on this small Greek island.
5. Agioi Anargyroi Beach
If the beach of Roukounas is the most popular of the island and attracts the majority of tourists, the beach of Agioi Anargyroi is probably one of the quietest 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 on Mount Kalamos
If you feel like visiting Anafi and enjoying the natural beauty for which it is famous, then take the opportunity to take a hike to Mount Kalamos! This mountain, whose summit is a little over 460 meters high, has a path that is part of the 18 km of hiking around the island.
If during the hike you can see the surrounding fauna and flora typical of the Greek islands, from its summit you will have a breathtaking view: you can admire the whole island and its villages full of white walled houses. It is even possible, on a clear day, to see Santorini, Astypalaea or Amorgos on the horizon!
7. The Drakontospilo Cave
If you were wondering what to do in Anafi, the Drakontospilo cave is one of the most secret and little known places for tourists from all over the island! Accessible from Mount Kalamos, you will be able to admire magnificent stalactites and colourful stalactites, but also groups of seals from the entrance of the cave, which regularly visit the area.
8. The monastery of Panagia kalamiotissa
The monastery of Panagia kalamiotissa, located in the south-east of the island, is one of the main activities on the island when you are visiting Anafi. It is a small church which, several decades ago, was home to a few monks.
The monastery is located at the top of Mount Kalamos, at 465 meters above sea level. It is one of the most popular hikes on the island, the Kalamos Mountain hike, and you can reach it from the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery in only an hour and a half.
9. The Temple of Apollo Aiglitis
If you are wondering what to do in Anafi to make the most of your holiday and visit the island from a new angle, head for the Apollo Aiglitis Temple.
Located near Mount Kalamos, in the courtyard of the monastery of Zoodochos Pighi, this temple, dating from the 7th century BC, is centered on the worship of Greek gods such as Zeus, Artemis, Aphrodite and Asclepius, as evidenced by the few offerings found there. If its remains tell a story, the temple has suffered the effects of time: there is not much left except a few symbolic stones.
Note: take advantage of your visit to discover the church and the monastery (Zoodochos Pighi mentioned above), better preserved than the temple Apollo Aiglitis.
Also to be seen in Anafi
As you surely know by choosing to visit Anafi, it is an island to be privileged for rest and relaxation. It does not have many tourist attractions, but its beaches and walks are to die for! In addition to the 10 must-see places on the island, you can also :
- Go around the island on foot thanks to the 18 kilometres of hiking trails, or by boat from the port of Agios Nikolaos.
- Spend some time in Chora, the main town of the island where you will find the few shops, restaurants and hotels of Anafi.
- Visit the Zoodochos Pighi monastery, one of the most impressive on the island.
- Enjoy a pleasant time with your family by sea kayaking from the beaches of the island.
- Visit the best taverns on the island to discover a unique traditional Greek cuisine.
How do we get to Anafi?
From France, it is highly recommended to come to Greece by plane, from one of the many airports in France. Our partner Skyscanner will help you to find the most advantageous offers according to your travel period.
You probably already know this, but the island is not served by an airport, and if you wish to visit Anafi, you will have to go there by ferry from Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Syros or Sikinos. Be careful though, some islands do not serve Anafi every day, and you should check the ferry days online or in the ports.
Note that once on the island, you will have three possibilities to get around: the boat, the bus linking the villages, and walking. It is not possible to rent a car, and moreover the roads on the island are quite steep and sometimes impassable with a vehicle.
Read also: How to get around by ferry in Greece
Where to stay in Anafi?
Being not very touristy and with its relatively small surface area, it is not surprising that Anafi Island does not have many hotels, and it can sometimes be difficult to find the one that will be able to accommodate you for the duration of your stay.
Nevertheless, you will be able to book a hotel on Anafi Island, and perhaps even take advantage of homestay accommodation to learn more about the island's culture, traditions and daily life as a local.
