Getting from Athens to Folegandros

If you are heading to Folegandros from Athens you are going to one of the most beautiful and most perfectly formed islands in the Cyclades. Folegandros is small, clifftop and dramatic, with a Chora perched on the edge of a sheer drop above the sea that is one of the finest in the Aegean. The main square of the Chora, with its church and its views, is the kind of place you sit in for hours without noticing the time passing. The beaches require a walk or a boat to reach, which keeps them from being overwhelmed. The island has no airport, no mass tourism and an atmosphere of genuine calm that is increasingly rare in the Cyclades.

Take the ferry

The Piraeus to Folegandros ferry runs year-round with several weekly crossings in winter and up to daily sailings in summer. The crossing takes around 4 to 5 hours on the fast catamaran and around 7 to 8 hours on a conventional vessel. Most sailings stop at Milos or Sifnos along the way. Folegandros is also well connected to Santorini, Milos and Ios for onward island hopping. Book ahead in July and August as the island's limited accommodation fills up fast and ferry spaces follow.

Getting there by air

Folegandros has no airport. The ferry from Piraeus is the only option from Athens.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Piraeus. The fast catamaran at around 4 to 5 hours is a manageable daytime crossing. Check Ferryhopper for the schedule and note that frequency increases significantly in summer. Give Folegandros at least three nights. The island opens up slowly and rewards those who stay long enough to find its rhythm.