Getting from Athens to Kimolos

If you are heading to Kimolos from Athens you are going to one of the quietest and most authentic islands in the Cyclades. Kimolos sits just off the northwestern tip of Milos and is largely ignored by the international tourism circuit. It is small, hilly and white, with a Chora of closely packed houses built around a Venetian castle and a coastline of beaches that see a fraction of the crowds you find anywhere nearby. The island produces a white clay called kimolia, from which chalk gets its name, and that geological quirk shapes the colour and texture of the landscape. People who find Kimolos tend to keep very quiet about it.

Take the ferry

The Piraeus to Kimolos ferry runs a few times a week year-round, taking around 4 to 5 hours on the fast service. Most sailings stop at Milos along the way, and Kimolos is also connected to Milos by a very short crossing of around 25 minutes which runs several times daily. The most flexible approach is to take the frequent Piraeus to Milos ferry and cross to Kimolos from there.

Getting there by air

Kimolos has no airport. The nearest airport is Milos, which has daily connections from Athens taking around 45 minutes. From Milos Airport the short ferry crossing to Kimolos takes around 25 minutes. Total travel time via Milos is around 2 to 3 hours and is the fastest overall approach.

Your best option

Fly to Milos and take the short crossing to Kimolos. It is the fastest approach by a significant margin and the Milos to Kimolos crossing is one of the most effortless short hops in the Cyclades. If you are not in a hurry, the ferry from Piraeus is a good crossing and gives you more flexibility with timing.