Getting from Santorini to Lipsi

Lipsi is a tiny island tucked between Patmos and Leros in the northern Dodecanese, small enough to walk across in an afternoon and quiet enough that most people who visit feel like they have discovered something the rest of the world has not. The main village is built around a pretty harbour with a church at the centre and a handful of tavernas along the waterfront. The beaches are uncrowded and the water is clear. There are no cars available to rent, no major tourist infrastructure and an atmosphere of complete calm that contrasts sharply with anywhere you might have come from in the Cyclades.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Santorini to Lipsi. The island is connected to the wider Greek ferry network primarily through Patmos, Leros and Rhodes in the Dodecanese, and through Piraeus for longer journeys. The most practical approach from Santorini is to fly to Leros via Athens and then take the short ferry from Leros to Lipsi, which takes around 20 minutes. Alternatively the ferry from Patmos to Lipsi takes about 40 minutes. Getting to either Leros or Patmos from Santorini means going through Athens.

What about flying?

Lipsi has no airport. The nearest airport is Leros, which has domestic connections from Athens. The journey from Santorini goes Santorini to Athens and then Athens to Leros, followed by the short ferry to Lipsi. Total travel time is around 5 to 6 hours. It is worth knowing that in Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights. Almost all island to island travel goes through Athens.

Your best option

Fly to Leros via Athens and take the ferry across to Lipsi. It is the most time efficient approach and the crossing from Leros takes only 20 minutes. Give yourself at least two nights on Lipsi. The island is small but it reveals itself slowly to those who stay.