Chora on Koufonissi

Chora is the only village on Koufonissi, it is quite small and built in a typical Cycladic architecture. The village is divided into two parts, the large and the small, and they are separated by the extremely nice port beach. The beach is a part of the port where small fishing boats are moored, some are so small and cute that they would qualify in a toy museum.

The port beach is exceptionally good, no other port beach in Greece is as attractive as this one. The beach is so good that many choose to stay here instead of going to the other beaches: it is close to your accommodation, and it is close to tavernas and other facilities. The port beach is also the only "road" between the large and the small village. If you grow tired of the port beach, it is close to the beaches of Finikas and Fanos, and if you want to swim at the islands best beach Pori, you can take the bus, or walk.

The "small village" and the port beach.

The "big village" and the port beach.

If you stand with your nose towards the sea, you have the small village to the left, and naturally enough the large village to the right. In the small village is several pensions, one small ouzeria, one taverna and one bar. Most facilities are in the large village: post office, ATM, travel agency, hotels and pensions, supermarkets, bakery, ouzeries, some bars and surprisingly many restaurants.

The restaurant located above the beach in the port.

Kafé To Kyma in small Chora.

The nightlife is quiet, there are a few music bars and one disco in Parianos that is open during high season, otherwise there is a poor selection of what is generally called "entertainments". You will probably spend the days on one of the beaches, in the evenings you sit down at any of the tavernas or ouzerias, and you will most probably be seated there until it's time to go home to bed.

Kafé To Kyma in the evening.

Beautiful house along the main street in Chora.

There are plenty of tavernas and restaurants. Given how few people that lives here you will immediately ask yourself: Why so many? The answer is that they are needed, all of them, during high season, the island is so filled with tourists that there is even a queue outside the tavernas. Along the main street there is a gyros place with delicious gyros.

This "little hole in the wall" has insanely good gyros.

Some of my personal favourites is located along the main street, including Melissa right at the beginning of the main street. To Steki Tis Marias is a nice place if you want to drink an ouzo with mezé (simple side dishes). To Steki Tis Marias lies at the bay of Loutra, follow the main street until it ends and then go left. The sunset is fabulous from here. Next door is the fish taverna Capetan Nicolas which has the same great view and great food.

Taverna Melissa.

Ouzeri To Steki Tis Marias.

The fish taverna Capetan Nicolas.

The main street and one of the restaurants in the "big village".

Restaurant further up the main street.

Cozy bar on the main street.

If you want to go shopping, you won't get much out of Koufonissi, along the main street are a few souvenir shops and a few clothes shops, as well as three large supermarkets.

In this shop you can buy local products from Koufonissi.

Souvenir shop in Chora.

Supermarket Kolonaki in Chora.

Pizzeria next to Supermarket Kolonaki.

Another supermarket in Chora.

Cafe Kalamia in Chora.

Considering that the tourist season on Koufonissi is short, it is a mystery to me how all the shops can go around. The same also applies to how there can be so many restaurants, cafes and bars. Chora is probably experienced as a ghost town during the winter.

Post office and ATM in Chora.

Excursion boat from Naxos in the port of Koufonissi.

One of the few cars on Koufonissi.

The port beach is called Ammos beach and is very child-friendly.

Ammos beach 2007.

Ammos beach 1997.

There is a great shortage of water throughout Koufonissi. Sometimes salt water gets into the water system and then it's not fun to brush your teeth. In fact, Koufonissi is one of the few islands where I don't drink tap water, it tastes salty. I always buy water when I'm at Koufonissi.

Despite the lack of water, there are hotels with large swimming pools, and not only that, there are hotels with large green lawns with tall palm trees and lots of cacti. How badly that rhymes with the lack of water!

ACCOMMODATION IN CHORA

Almost all of the island's hotels and pensions are in Chora. The selection is huge for such a small island, and the standard is surprisingly high. Where in Chora you choose to stay does not really matter because it's close to everything. We always stay at Glaros Rooms, a small pension in the small village. Below are tips for good hotels in Chora.

Book Glaros Rooms here »

Book Melissa Rooms here »

Book Myrto Hotel here »

Book Petros Rooms here »

Book Aeolos Hotel here »

More pictures from Chora can be found here »

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