5 best places to go in Folegandros

Looking towards Chora with the Church of Panagia up the hill

'This week’s Island of the Week is the rugged but naturally beautiful island of Folegandros. Part of the Cyclades, Folegandros is located in the south of the island chain. Only 8 miles long and 3 miles wide, it is one of the smaller islands yet it is known as the island of peace, for it’s tranquil way of life those on the island experience. So here at The Greek Specialist we’ve put together some of the best places to go on the island and things to do to make the most of your trip.
 
Katergo Beach
Folegandros 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 though so don’t worry. 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.    

Looking down on Katergo Beach

​Karavostasi
The port of the island, Karavostasi is a low key resort with the typically Cycladic accommodation of whitewashed houses with blue shutters and covered in bougainvillea. It has 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 scattering of tavernas and a bakery not to mention car rentals and other amenities. 

The view from Karavostasi Pier looking into the harbour

Church of Panagia
Looking 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.

Chora
Chora, 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. 

The sun setting on Chora and the Church of Panagia

Kastro
Kastro 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. If you’re looking for holidays to Greece and her islands or just want to ask a question don’t hesitate to get in touch on 0115 784 3388 or email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk. 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

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