This week's article is focused on the rugged but naturally beautiful island of Folegandros. Part of the Cyclades Island Group, Folegandros is located in the south of the island's circular shape. Only 8 miles long and 3 miles wide, it is one of the smaller islands yet it is known as an island of peace, for it’s tranquil way of life those who live on the island experience. So here at The Greek Specialist we’ve put together some of the best places to go and things to do on the island so that you make the most of your trip or think of putting it on your holiday list. Katergo BeachFolegandros has a number of beautiful beaches such as Fira, Agios Nikolaos or Agios Georgios but Katergo beach has to take the top spot. Unlike some of the other beaches mentioned, Katergo isn’t the easiest to reach, yet that makes it even more worth it. You can only get to Katergo on foot or via boat from the island's port of Karavostasi. These run roughly every 10 minutes. The beach itself is surrounded by rock formations, and some nearby inlets which you can swim to. The water is crystal clear and makes it perfect for snorkeling and playing around in the water. KaravostasiThe port of the island, Karavostasi is a low key resort with the typically Cycladic accommodation of whitewashed houses with blue shutters covered in bougainvillea. It lies on a beach and it’s beautiful blue waters stretch out into the Aegean, it’s also a great place to sit and watch the ferries come in. These ferries operate on the western Cyclades route which you can get from the nearby islands of Santorini and Milos or from Athens Piraeus port. There are a few boutique properties, accommodation and a 5 star hotel here along with a smaterring of tavernas and a bakery not to mention car rentals and other amenities. Church of PanagiaLooking down over Chora and out across to the Aegean, the Church of Panagia provides some of the best views on the island. This Greek Orthodox church is one of the island’s most famous spots and it’s easy to see why. The zigzagging path up to it takes the steepness out of the hill and when you get to the top the view is spectacular at anytime of the day, especially sunset. Little is known about the church itself apart from that it was reconstructed in the 19th century and was possibly built on top of the remnants of an ancient marble temple. It has a tall and very impressive bell tower just next to the church. ChoraChora, which means town in Greek and you will find this the name of many main towns on the Greek islands, is the largest settlement on Folegandros. Perched high on a cliff, there has been a settlement on the site of Chora since ancient times and the modern town is full of many winding roads and beautiful whitewashed buildings. The town itself is closed to motor traffic which makes it perfect for wandering around sampling many of the tavernas, bars and shops. Most of the accommodation on the island is in Chora and ranges from larger hotels to small boutique ones. KastroKastro is the oldest part of Chora and was originally built in the Medieval period as a castle to protect the town from pirates. Later the walls of the castle were used to create tightly packed Cycladic houses that are still there to this day. These very thin winding alleys are the most picturesque part of Chora and are very instagram worthy. We hope that this has helped give you a bit more of idea about what you can do on Folegandros whether you’re just there for a short period or an extended stay. Check out the rest of the website for more information on over 80 of the Greek islands and mainland destinations. If you’re looking for holidays to Greece and her islands get in touch on 0115 784 3388 or email [email protected]. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your Greek Holiday needs. If you've been to Folegandros, where was your favourite place, thing to do or if there's anything we missed? Let us know in the comments or on social media Categories All
2 Comments
Heather McConville
7/6/2023 04:13:22 pm
Already sent
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorGreece is a love affair for The Greek Specialist. Our first visit to the country came in 1997 and since then Blog Destinations
All
Archives
August 2023
|