Where Should I Stay on Koufonisia?

Koufonisia keeps the decision simple, since nearly every hotel, apartment, and taverna on the island sits in or around a single settlement rather than spreading across separate villages.

Koufonisia centers on Chora, the only real town on Ano Koufonisi, the inhabited half of the island group. The port, the cafes, the restaurants, and most of the accommodation all sit within a short walk of each other, and the beach right below town, Megali Ammos, gives an easy first swim without needing to go anywhere else. For most travelers, especially first-timers, staying in or close to Chora is the straightforward choice, since it puts everything within walking distance and removes any need for a car.

A few properties sit slightly outside the center toward Italida and Pori, both still an easy walk from town but closer to those specific beaches for anyone who wants to wake up nearer the water than the harbor. Kato Koufonisi, the neighboring island, stays largely uninhabited and wild, with a single taverna and open beaches, and works better as a day trip by boat than as a base, since accommodation there is essentially nonexistent.

Once a base in or near Chora is settled, hotels, apartments, and rooms on Koufonisia fill up quickly in July and August given how few properties the island actually has, so booking well ahead matters more here than on larger islands.

Koufonisia has no airport, and the only way in is by ferry through Naxos or Amorgos, so it's worth taking the time to check ferry schedules and book tickets before a summer trip, since seats on the smaller boats go fast.

Chora suits nearly everyone, especially first-time visitors, and staying near Italida or Pori works well for anyone who wants to wake up closer to a specific beach rather than the harbor itself.