Anafi

Introducing Anafi

Be ready to linger in this persuasive little island that lies well outside the mainstream and offers a perfect antidote to Santorini’s fast-paced glitz. The rewards of Anafi include there being few other visitors (outside busy August, at least), a slow-paced traditional lifestyle and striking Cycladic landscapes.

The island’s small port is Agios Nikolaos, where recent work has improved the quay. From here, the main village, Hora, is a 10-minute bus ride up a winding road, or a steep 1km hike up a less-winding walkway. In summer a bus runs every two hours from about 9am to 11pm and usually meets boats. Hora’s main pedestrian thoroughfare leads uphill from the first bus stop and has most of the domatia, restaurants and minimarkets.

There is a postal agency that opens occasionally, next to Panorama rooms at the entrance to Hora. In 2007 it was announced that Anafi is to have an ATM installed in the near future.

Jeyzed Travel (22860 61253; jeyzed@san.forthnet.gr), halfway along Hora’s main street, sells ferry tickets, exchanges money, can help with accommodation and rents out motorbikes. It also has internet access.

There are several lovely beaches near Agios Nikolaos. Palm-lined Klissidi, a 1½km walk to the port, is the closest and most popular.

Anafi’s main sight is the monastery of Moni Kalamiotissas, a 6km walk from Hora in the extreme east of the island, near the meagre remains of a sanctuary to Apollo. At 470m, Monastery Rock is the highest rock formation in the Mediterranean Sea, outstripping even Gibraltar. There is also a ruined Venetian kastro at Kastelli, east of Hora.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009