Getting from Crete to Donoussa

If you are heading to Donoussa from Crete you are going to the most remote of the Small Cyclades, a small island northeast of Naxos with good beaches, a single main settlement and an atmosphere of genuine isolation that is increasingly hard to find in the Cyclades.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Donoussa. The most practical approach is to take the seasonal direct ferry from Heraklion to Naxos, which runs in summer and takes around 3 to 4 hours, and then connect to Donoussa from Naxos, with the ferry taking around 2 to 3 hours. Outside of the summer season the connection goes via Piraeus.

Getting there by air

Donoussa has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos, which has daily connections from Athens. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Naxos takes around 45 minutes, followed by the ferry to Donoussa taking around 2 to 3 hours. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Naxos via Athens and take the ferry across to Donoussa. It is the fastest approach. Give yourself at least two nights on Donoussa and come prepared as facilities on the island are limited. The isolation is the whole point of being there.