Greece

How to get from Naxos to Koufonisia

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
2h 5min
💶
From
7€
📍
Distance
27 km
Powered by 12Go system
⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Naxos to Koufonisia: Ferry, about 2h 5min – 2h 30min, from €7. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Blue Star Ferries, Small Cyclades Lines, Mikres Kyklades N E; main departure point: Naxos Port.

Distance: 27 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Naxos to Koufonisia

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Ferry
2h 5min – 2h 30min
7 – 8 €
View
🚌 Departure from Naxos
📍Ferries depart from the port of Naxos Town (Chora), the island's main harbour, beside the waterfront and the Portara. Ticket offices and cafés are nearby. Check your ticket for the exact quay and boarding time on the day, as berths can change.
🚇The port is right in Naxos Town, so most visitors simply walk from their hotel or the old town. From farther beaches such as Agios Prokopios or Plaka, take the local bus, a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer to the harbour.
⏰Departures are not guaranteed every day and vary by season, with fewer sailings outside summer. Check the available dates and times on the booking page before planning your stay on Koufonissia.
💸 Transport from 7€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h 5min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 4, 2026 for a departure on November 25, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Blue Star Ferries Ferry Naxos Port €7 2
Small Cyclades Lines Ferry Naxos Port €8 2
Mikres Kyklades N E Ferry Naxos Port €8 1
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Practical tips

💡
Book early in summer

Boats to the Small Cyclades are far less frequent than those to Santorini or Mykonos, so summer seats can sell out. Book your ticket online as soon as your dates are fixed and keep the confirmation on your phone.

💡
Check the sailing days first

This link may not run every day, especially outside peak season. Look at the available sailing days before booking accommodation on Koufonissia, so you are not stuck on the island or forced to shorten your stay.

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Right port in Athens

If you are coming from Athens to Naxos first, check whether your ferry leaves from Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio. They are far apart, and going to the wrong one can mean missing your boat. Always read the port on your ticket.

💡
Leave a buffer for connections

Wind can delay or cancel sailings in the Cyclades. If you have a flight or a long-distance ferry afterwards, return to Naxos a full day early rather than on the day of your onward travel.

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Arrive at the port in good time

Naxos port gets busy when several boats depart close together. Arrive early, locate your boat and boarding gate, and keep your ticket handy. Confirm the departure quay on the day, as berths can change.

The journey experience

Naxos to Koufonissia is a classic hop into the Small Cyclades, and the answer to "how do I get there?" is simple: you go by ferry. Between two islands there is no coach or train to weigh up, so you can skip the comparison and concentrate on picking the right sailing. The table on this page puts duration, price range and frequency side by side.

Your boat leaves from the port of Naxos Town (Chora) and arrives at Koufonissia's main harbour, next to the village of Ano Koufonisi. Onboard you will usually find indoor seating, open deck space for the views and a small snack bar. Conventional ferries are the relaxed, budget-friendly option, and the crossing is a pleasant way to watch the smaller Cyclades slide by. Always check which company actually runs your chosen date, as operators and boat types vary by season.

The real challenge on this route is not the crossing but the schedule. Greek ferry timetables change with the season, and links between smaller islands often run only a few days a week, so a missed boat can leave you waiting. Check the sailing days before you fix your hotel dates, book online for instant confirmation, and keep some flexibility in case strong winds disrupt services. If you are arriving from Athens, double-check which port your boat uses (Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio) before you travel.

Frequently asked questions — Naxos → Koufonisia

Why visit Koufonisia?

  • ✓ Swim in the turquoise, shallow waters of Pori Beach and its hidden coves reached on foot
  • ✓ Walk the Finikas–Pori coastal path past Fanos, Italida and Platia Pounta beaches
  • ✓ Explore the sea caves and cliffs of Ano Koufonisi by boat or kayak, including the Blue Cave and Xylobatis natural arch
  • ✓ Take a day boat trip to the uninhabited islets of Keros, Kato Koufonisi and Pano Koufonisi's neighbouring coves
  • ✓ Dine on fresh lobster pasta and grilled fish in the harbour tavernas of Chora at sunset
🌙
Recommended stay
3 to 5 nights — small island, best enjoyed slowly with beach hopping and boat trips

When to visit Koufonisia?

MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND CLIMATE

Late May to late September — hot, sunny and dry, with calm seas; July–August is busiest and windiest

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😞
Apr 😐
May 😐
Jun 😊
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😊
Oct 😐
Nov 😞
Dec 😞
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In Koufonisia — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Koufonisia
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Koufonisia?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🏖️
Pori Beach turquoise shallows
Pori, on Ano Koufonisi's east side, has fine sand and waist-deep turquoise water far from the shore. It's about 25 minutes on foot from Chora along the coastal path. Go before 10am or after 5pm to avoid crowds, and bring water and sun protection: there is little shade.
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Coastal walk to Fanos Beach
The footpath along the south coast links Chora to Fanos, Finikas and Italida beaches, with rocky coves and clear water for swimming. The full walk takes about 40 minutes one way. Wear sturdy sandals, start in the morning, and carry water, since the path is exposed to the wind and sun.
🛥️
Boat trip to Kato Koufonisi
Small boats leave from Chora harbour for the uninhabited island of Kato Koufonisi, with sandy beaches such as Nero and Parianos. Day trips usually cost 20-30€ per person with a swim stop. Book the day before, check the meltemi wind forecast, and bring snacks, as there is almost no infrastructure.
🕳️
Sea caves of Pano Koufonisi
Boat tours circle Koufonisi to visit its sea caves, including the Blue Cave and the Cave of the Heads, where the rock and light create vivid colours. Tours typically cost 25-40€ with swimming included. Choose a calm morning departure for better light and sea conditions, and take a mask for snorkelling.
🐟
Fresh fish and lobster pasta
Koufonisia is known for its fresh catch, served in tavernas around Chora's harbour. Try astakomakaronada (lobster pasta), often shared between two, or grilled fish sold by weight. Expect 15-25€ for a main dish. Ask the price per kilo before ordering, and reserve a waterfront table in July and August.
🌅
Sunset at Chora's windmill area
Walk to the edge of Chora's western shoreline at the end of the day to watch the sun set over the Aegean and the neighbouring islands. Arrive about 45 minutes early to find a spot on the rocks. Then stroll the whitewashed lanes, where many bars and restaurants open after dusk.
⛪
Agios Georgios chapel and lanes
Beyond the beaches, wander Chora's narrow lanes of whitewashed houses with blue shutters and small chapels. Agios Georgios, close to the harbour, is a pleasant stop for photos and a quiet break. Go early in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive, and dress modestly if you enter a chapel.
🤿
Snorkelling at Platia Pounta
Platia Pounta, at the far east end of the coastal path, is a quieter spot with clear water and rocky seabed ideal for snorkelling. The walk is about 30 minutes from Chora. Bring your own mask, as rentals are limited, and go on a day with little wind to enjoy better visibility.

How long to visit Koufonisia?

2 to 4 days

Koufonissia is tiny: 3 to 4 days is ideal to enjoy the beaches of Pori, Fanos and Finikas at your own pace. With 2 days you can walk the coastal path from Ano to Kato Koufonisi by boat, swim and eat in Chora. Book ferries and accommodation well ahead in July-August, and avoid visiting between November and March when many services are closed and ferries are infrequent.

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