Schinoussa island

General info
Schinoussa belongs to the Small Eastern Cyclades cluster. Covering approximately 8 square km and with a population of 200 residents, Schinoussa is an unrefined diamond in Aegean.
 
The island is absolutely untouched by  tourism and is among the favour destinations of those that the term “holiday” is synonymous to relaxation, getting away from the crowd and escaping from the urban way of life. Its virginal hilly inland has amazing footpaths, perfect for trekking and is surrounded by fabulous shores, beaches of crystal clear blue-green waters which are adorned with idyllic caves and remote lovely coves.

Schinoussa has few accommodation facilities and as far as entertainment is concerned, this is adapted to the island’s natural rhythms of life. That is to say, the choices are limited only to a few coffee-bars and one or two pubs. However, the Schinoussa Cultural Society frequently organizes cultural events in which not only you will have the chance to enjoy traditional live music and dances but you will also be initiated to the Cycladic culture.

Historical profile
There is little information about the history of Schinoussa, though according to archaeological finds, it is assumed that the island has been inhabited since the Early Cycladic Period (about 3rd Millennium BC).

Throughout centuries, Schinoussa was dominated by the Byzantines followed by the Venetians. During the Ottoman occupation of Aegean, the island was uninhabited and its inhabitation begun again in the 19th century, when people from Amorgos decided to move there.  The island came under Italian and German rule from 1941 till 1944, when it was liberated.

The ancient remains of Messaria (Mesaria) settlement, the medieval village at Tsigouri site, the remains of the Venetian Castle and the remains of an early Christian Basilica are the most worth-visiting sightseeing in Schinoussa.

Villages
Schinoussa is a small picturesque village and also capital of the island. Perched on a smooth hill,  it represents the absolute simplicity of Cycladic landscape with its few  traditional whitewashed houses, tiny squares and the narrow alleys.  It is also called Panagia, due to the beautiful church of Panagia Akanthis where a rare icon of Virgin Mary is saved. Mersini (just 2 km about west to Schinoussa) is the small port of the island and Messaria (Mesaria) is an agricultural settlement where the remarkable Temple of Annunciation (Virgin Mary the Evangelistria) and the ruins of a medieval fortress are found.  

Beaches
Compared to its size Schinoussa has a wide variety of beaches (15 in total).  Some are sandy and others pebbled with grey sand and incredible crystal clear waters.

The best of them are the Mersini beach, an idyllic beach with few trees to offer a pleasant shadow, the Tsigouri beach, a sandy tree-shadowed beach with excellent blue waters and also the most popular one, the Almyros beach a fine family-friendly sandy beach with few tamarisks and the Psili Ammos beach, located in a delightful small bay.  Those who like diving will appreciate the Fykio (Fikio) beach with its blue-green waters and its interesting sea bottom.   

Access
There are scheduled trips to Schinoussa from Piraeus Port, especially during summer season.
It is also reachable from Naxos via local connection.

Schinoussa is also connected with the islands of Iralkia (Irakleia), Koufonissia (Koufonisia), and Paros.