Folegandros island

General info
Folegandros, the southernmost ilsland in Cyclades cluster, covers 30 square km and has 700 residents approximately.

As an authentic Cycladic Island, Folegandros has a mountainous relief covered here and there by bushes, olives trees and vineyards.  The herbs and the colourful wild flowers which are scattered on the island and fill the fresh air with their scent, give life to this barren landscape, with their discreet charming presence.  Its coastline of 32 Km is rugged, particularly on the eastern side of the island.

Folegandros’ virginal, nature, is ideal for trekking, as there are many footpaths that lead to hidden beautiful places which are inaccessible to vehicles and to spots of archaeological interest.  It is also ideal for bird-watching, since it accommodates rare bird species and is also a passage for migrating birds.

Folegandros has recently started to develop its tourist industry and the visitor will find descent accommodation facilities, while the entertainment choices are not provided in abundance,   but they do have either a sophisticated or a traditional character.

To visit   Folegandros is something more than just  a  chance to relax on you vacations in a genuine Greek  island; in fact it is an  opportunity to enter in a small world  which  follows a healthy -literal and metaphorically-  way of living; a way  in which  human communication and the harmonious coexistence between human and nature are still prevalent values.

Neighbouring islands to Folegandros are Sikinos, Ios and Santorini.

Historical profile
According to mythology, the island took its name by Folegandros, the son of the king of Crete, Minoas.

Excavation brought to light an ancient settlement that prove the inhabitation of the island since  Protocycladic Period (around 3rd millennium BC) and  first  settlers are considered to be the Carians, the Phoenicians, the Dorians and the  Ionians. Throughout centuries, Folegandros was dominated by the Romans, who turned the island into a place of exile, followed by the Byzantines and the Venetians.

In 1566 Ottomans occupied the island and in 1770 Folegandros was dominated by the Russians. In 1828 the island was incorporated to the Greek State. In modern times, the economy of the island was helped to a great extent by resident who had emigrated to the Minor Asia, while today the growing tourism is becoming gradually an important source of Folegandros.

Villages
Chora (Hora) is the capital of Folegandros and one of the most genuine, picturesque settlements in Cyclades. Built amphitheatrically on a hill, it offers a breathtaking view to Aegean.  
Chora is an amazing place for one to wander, since access to vehicles is prohibited. Take a stroll to its cobbled streets and admire the white-washed houses, the interlinked idyllic squares where traditional coffee-shops, cosy coffee-bars, taverns, churches are found.  

In the evening you will frequently see old people to sit outside their front door or   in their yards and don’t feel surprised if they jovially smile to you. After all, residents of Folegandros are known for being hospitable, open-hearted and also for their liking to seize every opportunity to enjoy themselves.

As the night comes, Chora becomes more cheerful and livelier, and also more enchanting as the lights on the streets add an idyllic and romantic colour to its beauty.
On the northwest side of Chora, lies Kastro (Castle), a preserves medieval settlement built around an impressive Venetian Castle of the 13th century.

Just 3 km southeaster to Chora is Karavostasis, the main port and also a picturesque coastal village. The village has its own small beach, and there are several accommodation and entertainment facilities. It is also an ideal spot to explore the inaccessible to vehicles beaches or to sail around the island, since there are daily trips by boat.

Beaches
Folegandros has several beaches with magnificent clean blue-green waters. Some of them are accessible only by boat but the definitively worth a visit due to their splendid shimmering waters and their serene environment. 

On the eastern part of the island the amazing beach of Karavostasis becomes crowded during high season, partly because of its proximity to Chora. It has thick pebbles and crystal clear waters, rather shallow which make it ideal for families and offers tree-shadow.

On the western part and just 4 km to Chora is found the popular beach of Aggali, a sandy, equally family friendly beach, with crystalline waters and impressive rock formations.

South-eastern is found the lovely beach of Katergo with thick pebbles and turquoise clear waters while Livadaki beach is a small remote beach with amazing azure waters and also nudist friendly.  

Access
Folegandros is connected directly by scheduled trips with Piraeus Port, especially during summer season.

There is also regular connection with the islands of Sifnos, Santorini, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Syros, Amorgos, Kythnos, Serifos (Seriphos), Kimolos, Sikinos and Ios.