Anafi Greece is a very beautiful and wild-looking island, mostly undiscovered by mass tourism. Anafi is perfect if you love low-key vacations, authentic Greece, wild terrains, crystal-clear blue beaches, and unique volcanic landscapes.

Kalamos Rock in Anafi Island Greece.
Kalamos Rock in Anafi

One of the best things to do in Anafi Greece is hiking. The island’s most impressive feature is a gigantic and intimidating rock, Kalamos, 460 m high, only second in size to Gibraltar rock.

Anafi and Santorini are located in the southeast part of the Cyclades group of Greek Islands and from Santorini, it is very easy to get to Anafi by ferry.

Roukounas Beach. Credit: Hellas Beach

The island’s population is just 479 (census 2021) permanent residents but it increases significantly during summertime. Some of the best things to do in Anafi are to swim on its “virgin” beaches, walk by small remote chapels, and hike picturesque paths, and imposing hills.

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Up next I am going to tell you about the best things to do in Anafi Greece!

Where Best to Stay in Anafi Greece

Mid-Range

Golden Beach Resort Anafi is 1.4 km from the center of Anafi, with great views, lovely spacious rooms, and a gorgeous Infinity pool. Ideal for couples and for those who want a peaceful rest.

Budget

Meltemi Rooms and Studios in Chora Anafis has lovely Cycladic-looking rooms minutes away from all the restaurants.

Best Things to Do in Anafi Greece

Arriving at Anafi’s Port, Agios Nikolaos

Anafi port with a few fishing boats in Anafi Island Greece.
Anafi Port – Pierros Zevolis

As soon as you arrive at Agios Nikolaos, Anafi’s main port, you will need some means of transportation to get to Chora, Anafi’s capital town.

Chora stands 200 meters on the hill right above the port and getting there is quite impressive especially at night as it is nicely lit offering a spectacle of the route.

The Anafi port and the Anafi Chora on top of the mountain in Anafi Island Greece.
Anafi Greece Port and Chora

There is a local bus that runs around the island but not so frequently so if this is possible, I suggest you rent your own car to best explore Anafi island.

Walk Around Picturesque Anafi Chora

Chora Anafi Greece during the day in Anafi Island Greece.
Chora Anafi © Loukas Efthimiou

Anafi’s capital, Chora, is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades. Amphitheatrically built upon the ruins of the Venetian castle and 3 km from the port of Agios Nikolaos is full of charming white-washed houses, little churches, and picturesque squares.

One of the best things to do in Anafi is to walk around the kalderimia (cobblestone alleys) and taste the local Greek cafe and sweets at the kafenion (cafes).

The main square of Anafi island with many tables and hairs set for a wedding  in Anafi Island Greece.
Anafi Square
A rugged mountain with a whitewashed  church and a Greek flag in Anafi Island Greece.

At the top of Chora lie, the remains of a once-mighty Venetian castle. The view from there is really captivating, ideal for romantics and dreamers who want to enjoy the stunning sunset.

Apart from Chora, Anafi has only 2 other villages: Agios Nikolaos the port, and Kleisidi.

Old WIndmills in Anafi Island Greece.
Old Windmills in Anafi

Check out the traditional old windmills scattered on Chora Hill and look for the small archaeological collection inside the Chora.

Discover the Best Beaches on Anafi Island

The sandy beach of Roukounas and some people in Anafi Island
Roukounas Beach

Set in the south of Anafi, Roukounas is, without a doubt, the most beautiful beach on the island. It is a large sandy beach with golden sand and clear blue-azure crystal clear waters. It is not an organized beach however, it has showers and toilets.

There are also tamarisk trees to hide under their shade and nearby there is a tavern for food or water supplies.

Kleisid Beach in Anafi Greece
Kleisidi © Sergio Panic

On the south of Anafi, close to the port of Agios Nikolaos, you will find the small settlement of Kleisidi with a few rooms for rent and 2-3 taverns above the beautiful beach of the same name. The Kleisidi beach is sandy, with trees for shade, and fantastic blue crystal clear waters, with easy access, from the asphalt road.

Kleisidi Beach

Just opposite Kleisidi are the islands of Makra, Ftena, and Pachia which you can visit while doing the round of the island with a small local boat.

The Livoskopos Beach with some tree and two people
Livoskopos Beach

If you like challenging beaches then you should go to the northeast of Anafi where you can find Livoskopos beach. You can leave your car in the parking lot but, getting to the beach itself is a handful of downhill, bare-terrain hiking. There are also two chapels on the nearby hill that are worth visiting.

Sandy Agioi Anargyroi Beach with a whitewashed church and many campers
Agioi Anargyroi Beach

There are 14 beautiful beaches in total all around Anafi island that you can visit and find your own favorite one. Most of them have no water or food or shade, so be prepared especially if you are visiting during the hot July and August months.

Explore Anafi’s Best Sites

Panagia Dokari church with some ancient ruins in Anafi
Panagia Dokari church

According to Greek Mythology, Anafi emerged through the raging waves of the god Apollo to save the shipwrecked Argonauts. There are traces of its ancient past, scattered all around the island. You can visit Kasteli, the ancient city of Anafi, where you can see the ruins of the city founded in the 8th century BC.

An alley with steps in Kasteli village with flowers houses and sea view
Kasteli

Located at the foot of the Kasteli hill you will also find Panagia Dokari church and a marble sarcophagus of the Roman period.

White chapel of Agios Antonios on the steep north shores of Anafi
Agios Antonios

Perched on the steep north shores of Anafi, is the white chapel of Agios Antonios with the typical double arch on the roof. It is the only Byzantine church on the island and inside it, you can admire the amazing frescoes dating from the 14th century.

A beautiful sunset in Kalamos Rock
Kalamos Rock © Madres Bar sunset views

If you’re looking for a wild night out in Anafi Greece, then you should go to the bar-club Madres, set on the hill (open only in July and August). While dancing, you will be able to see the lights of Santorini in the distance.

Taste Anafi’s Local Cuisine

Skaltounia Greek traditional sweat and Greek coffee
Skaltsounia and Greek Coffee © Margarita’s restaurant

The local cuisine of Anafi is simply delicious!

Freshly caught fish and seafood and local traditional Anafi dishes with fresh ingredients will make you just love the food. While you are on the island taste the local dishes:

  • Pitaria & skordompalota (local pasta served with tomato sauce, cheese, and garlic)
  • Psomi zaforisto (bread with feta cheese and local saffron)
  • Gemista (fried sweet pastries with sesame, orange, cinnamon, and almonds)
  • Melitera (sweet pastries filled with the local cheese mizithra)
  • Local goat cheese and thyme honey
  • Do not miss to combine all dishes your dishes with strofyliatiko, an aromatic local white wine

Hiking Anafi Greece Impressive Trails

 Panagia Kalamiotissa, a beautiful whitewashed chapel, built in 1715 in Anafi
Monastery Panagia © Mauro de Brassi

In the east of Anafi, stands the imposing Kalamos rock. If you climb it, towards its top, you will find the Panagia Kalamiotissa, a beautiful whitewashed chapel, built in 1715.

Remote and rugged coastline in Anafi Greece
Remote and rugged coastline in Anafi © Kostis Papaioannou

From there, you will be thrilled by the sea vistas and if you go late in the afternoon, you will be dazzled by one of the best sunsets in the Mediterranean.

A cave called Drakontospito (house of the dragons) in Anafi
Drakontospito

On the north side of Kalamos Rock, with difficult access, there is a cave called Drakontospito (house of the dragons). Inside, the walls have beautiful golden-green colors and the stalactites and stalagmites make the cave a fascinating spectacle.

If you are lucky, you may see the sea seals that according to the inhabitants appear very regularly in the area.

A rocky terrain, volcanic-ash granite, and limestone from the Santorini volcanic eruption paths, steep cliffs, and cove-scalloped morphology in Anafi
Wild Anafi Terrain

Anafi island has rocky terrain, volcanic-ash granite, and limestone from the Santorini volcanic eruption paths, steep cliffs, and cove-scalloped morphology.

The terrain is barren of trees or large plants with its peak being Vigla, at 582 m located in the center of Anafi.

One of the wild paths in Anafi with cloudy blue sky and sea
Wild Anafi

There are a few paths to choose from on the 18km trail very old network and well-signposted, but if you had to choose one trail it could be:

Chora – Ancient Kastelli – Kalamos peninsula all the way to the top of Panagia Kalamiotissa church (around 7 km)

Check here for Hiking Trails of Anafi from Wikiloc

How to Get to Anafi Greece

Anafi Greece with a fishing boat
Anafi Port© Christian Rieke

Anafi to Santorini (Can I fly there?)

There is no airport in Anafi but you can fly to Santorini and take from there the 60′ to 90′ ferry to Anafi. There is a connection throughout the year but in high season there are quite a few lines that connect the two islands. Check out Ferryscanner for routes.

By Ferry: Most of the ferries leave from Athens’ main port, Piraeus, 3-4 times per week and the trip lasts 9-11 hours! I would recommend you book a cabin so that you can rest and make the trip less tiring if you go by ferry. As you can imagine, the cabins are the first to be booked so you better book them fast.

There is also a ferry leaving from Lavrio Port in Athens to Anafi once a week.

When is Best to Go to Anafi Greece

A white washed Greek church surrounded of green on the mountain in Anafi

Anafi never gets as busy as the other very popular islands like Mykonos, Santorini, or Paros but August might be also a busy month.

Agios Nikolaos sandy beach and a fishing boat in the sea in Anafi
Anafi Beach Agios Nikolaos in summer

If you are wondering when is the Best Time to Go to Greece and to Anafi island, I would say all year round is great to visit. The most popular months are during the summer as the beaches are wonderfully clear with sand, ideal for children. However, in August it will be windy – as it is in the whole of the Cyclades. For the very adventurous, or travelers who love remote and quiet places, Anafi will be open and working all year round, even in the winter.

Related Articles:

Greece in April

Greece in May

Greece in October

Greece in November

If you love hiking, and you are fine with quiet places, I would say go during Greek Easter.

The countryside will be full of flowers, shoulder season prices for your hotel and the weather will be just perfect for hiking or long strolls on the island. You will also be able to watch closely the biggest religious celebration in Greece and all the customs related to Greek Easter. You can read here about Greek Orthodox Easter on Tinos Island.

The Monastery of Zoodochou Pigi, in Anafi
Monastery of Zoodochou Pigi

Another great time to visit Anafi would be at the festival of Panagia Kalamiotissa on September 7 and 8, at the Monastery of Zoodochou Pigi, where dinner and lunch with local food are offered.

Anafi Festival with many people sitting and dancing and a lot of food
Anafi Festival

Note: The Monastery of Zoodochou Pigi, (open 11 am–1 pm & 4–6 pm until 7 pm in summer), is one of the oldest Monasteries in the Cyclades, built around 10th c AD.

In the same place used to be the ancient temple of Apollo Aigletis, parts of which were used to build the Monastery.

Plan My Trip to Greece

Do you need a custom travel itinerary for Greece? Are you traveling solo, with your family or your friends and you need a tailor-made multi-day tour or a transfer within Greece?

If yes, please visit my dedicated Plan My Trip Page for a free itinerary!

What to Wear in Anafi

This, apparently, depends on the season you are visiting but anytime between May and October, essential things to have in Greece are:

How to Get Around Anafi Greece

Besides the municipal bus, there are also 2 taxis that work 24/7 on the island. If you need one their numbers are:

  • Giannis, +30 6987 950445
  • Roussetos, +30 6970 848622

ATM and Medical Center in Anafi Greece

  • There are no banks in Anafi but there is 1 ATM in Agios Nikolaos Port (Piraeus Bank) and 1 in Chora, next to the post office (Eurobank)
  • There is a local medical center at +30 2286061215
  • Gas Station: +30 6908098033 & +30 2286061350

Where is your dream summer destination? Would you go to Anafi?

I’d love to hear about where you’re spending your vacation this year, especially if you have any exciting travel plans! There are so many things to do on Anafi Island. I hope that you get the chance to try as many as possible. Till next time, Evgenia❤️

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Hi! I am an Athens-based Greek obsessed with exploring Greece and bringing you the best travel experience ever!

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