Koufonisia is a beautiful island with a small but very sheltered port. Large ferries come in and drop people off during the day but our boats in the harbor barely move. It is an island of the normal beaten tourist route and has more more down to earth homely feel. The pace of life here is very different to the likes of say Symi.
The marina/port is very tight and if you are stuck in a corner then other moored boats may stop you from getting out easily.
It was such a chill vibe we had there that we decided to stay an extra day there, to let the wind and seas calm down a bit outside.
Sunsets like the food were amazing.
Sunsets & Siestas in Koufonisia.
Koufonisia is actually the name of two little islands: Ano Koufonisi and Kato Koufonisi that are separated from each other by a 200 m. wide narrow strait Amorgos with its strong katabatic winds is found to the west.
Ano Koufonisi (meaning Upper Koufonisi) is the only populated island of the two and where the port is located and the ferries service. It is a lot less touristy than the other islands and restaurants serve excellent fish & seafood dishes. It only takes 3 hours to explore the entire island on foot, by bicycle.
Festivals;
- St. George’s feast day, a person who carries the icon of the saint on a tour around the island, while local boats follow him along the coastline, in honour of the saint.
- The ‘fisherman’s festival’ takes place on June 24th, where kakavia soup containing small freshly caught fish is served.
- The feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on August 15th sees locals visit Kato Koufonisi for the religious festival in honour of the Holy Virgin.
