Folegandros info?
Aug 1st, 2014, 07:30 AM
#1
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Folegandros info?
My friend and I have fallen in love with the idea of visiting Folegandros for a few days (5 or 6) NEXT September. Hoping to find a place that is not overrun and still has a sense of the Cyclades. (I have visited Mykonos, Rhodes, and Santorini -- all of which I loved for different reasons, but all quite touristy.)
My questions: is Sept too late in the season? Will restaurants still be open? Will there be decent ferry connections. Do we need to rent a car or motor bikes?
Coming from Boston, we'd fly into Athens, overnight, then ferry (or fly?) out to the closest connections. We'd probably make it a 10 day trip.
Love the looks of the Anemomilos Apartments!
This is all very preliminary so forgive me for asking very basic questions... and thanks in advance for your advice!
My questions: is Sept too late in the season? Will restaurants still be open? Will there be decent ferry connections. Do we need to rent a car or motor bikes?
Coming from Boston, we'd fly into Athens, overnight, then ferry (or fly?) out to the closest connections. We'd probably make it a 10 day trip.
Love the looks of the Anemomilos Apartments!
This is all very preliminary so forgive me for asking very basic questions... and thanks in advance for your advice!
Aug 1st, 2014, 09:29 AM
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Folegandros is certainly lovely ... it will be quieter in September, but the first half at least, things will be open. I visited there in 2010, also off-season (last 3 days of May) and several restaurants were open. I have stayed on probably 25+ Greek islands (some of them multiple times), and I believe that Chora in Folegandros is the most beautiful single village I've ever stayed in. I remember wandering with my camera for an hour, thinking, aha! I might find something ugly... but no. Everything is gorgeous.
A very enjoyable relaxing 3 days -- 5 or 6 may be a bit long, unless you're seriously into hikes. I stayed in a hotel but a friend & her husband lived there (he taught at local school) and they drove me around the island, but yes, otherwise you might need a car rental to do more than get to the port & back from Chora; bus service quite limited. BTW, I stayed at Anemousa Hotel, and felt as if I were in a Major Motion Picture ,,, infinity pool with same glorious views. rates are about half what Anemomilos' ://www.anemousahotel.gr/en/article.php?cat=2 This year double room rates range from 50-75, (lower price is after 9/14). Only thing to ask about is the steep path descending from road to entry... when I was there, there was no handrail, and scary to negotiate after dark. I trust they've added one by now.
If u have a 10 day trip and do not need more than a day in Athens, I suggest you combine Folegandros with Milos. Land in Athen & immediate take domestic flight to Milos (it can be a real bargain if you sign up for an e-mail "alert" to promotional prices). There's a daily flight or 2 to Milos, and daily ferry (1 hour) to Folegandros, from which you can get a fast-ferry back to the mainland and 1-2 days of Athens landmarks.
Milos is not that touristy altho it has over TWENTY stunning beaches ... fascinating landscapes, ancient sites, fab small museum and good island for renting motor bikes. You could stay in port town of Adamas -- good nightlife & restaurants -- and bike around to ancient sites & beaches. Also, possible to take a sail around (or half-aroiund) rim of island; remarkable views (this was a volcanic island too). We took a catamaran (vs small boat) and it was a real thrill. You get to paddle into natural caves, picnic in coves etc.
I could see spending 3 days in each island without feeling rushed, having different experiences, stimulating AND relaxing. Here's a good link to Milos highlights, beaches, lodging etc: http://www.milos-island.gr and a good photo gallery http://www.milos-island.com/photos/
Enjoy planning... helps me get thru Northeast winters!
A very enjoyable relaxing 3 days -- 5 or 6 may be a bit long, unless you're seriously into hikes. I stayed in a hotel but a friend & her husband lived there (he taught at local school) and they drove me around the island, but yes, otherwise you might need a car rental to do more than get to the port & back from Chora; bus service quite limited. BTW, I stayed at Anemousa Hotel, and felt as if I were in a Major Motion Picture ,,, infinity pool with same glorious views. rates are about half what Anemomilos' ://www.anemousahotel.gr/en/article.php?cat=2 This year double room rates range from 50-75, (lower price is after 9/14). Only thing to ask about is the steep path descending from road to entry... when I was there, there was no handrail, and scary to negotiate after dark. I trust they've added one by now.
If u have a 10 day trip and do not need more than a day in Athens, I suggest you combine Folegandros with Milos. Land in Athen & immediate take domestic flight to Milos (it can be a real bargain if you sign up for an e-mail "alert" to promotional prices). There's a daily flight or 2 to Milos, and daily ferry (1 hour) to Folegandros, from which you can get a fast-ferry back to the mainland and 1-2 days of Athens landmarks.
Milos is not that touristy altho it has over TWENTY stunning beaches ... fascinating landscapes, ancient sites, fab small museum and good island for renting motor bikes. You could stay in port town of Adamas -- good nightlife & restaurants -- and bike around to ancient sites & beaches. Also, possible to take a sail around (or half-aroiund) rim of island; remarkable views (this was a volcanic island too). We took a catamaran (vs small boat) and it was a real thrill. You get to paddle into natural caves, picnic in coves etc.
I could see spending 3 days in each island without feeling rushed, having different experiences, stimulating AND relaxing. Here's a good link to Milos highlights, beaches, lodging etc: http://www.milos-island.gr and a good photo gallery http://www.milos-island.com/photos/
Enjoy planning... helps me get thru Northeast winters!
Aug 1st, 2014, 10:06 AM
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Folegandros is a favorite of ours but my information is not current. I can't be much help other than to say "GO"....you will not regret it! We stayed at Anemomilas Apartments and loved every minute of it.
Aug 3rd, 2014, 12:59 AM
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I hope you do visit Folegandros it is a little gem. The main town of Chora is simply beautiful. I too stay at hotel Anemousa whenever I visit and think it excellent value for money and to answer Travelerjan no there is still no hand rail although with each visit the incline from hotel to main road seems a little easier.
Another hotel option worth consideration is Fata Morgana which sits right next door to Anemousa but on a flat level with no incline at all. It is more expensive but this is reflected in the high quality room decor.
Ferry connections are not as easy as some other islands and would suggest you use the openseas backtrack facility to look at last year to give you some idea although some routes do change each year.
Another hotel option worth consideration is Fata Morgana which sits right next door to Anemousa but on a flat level with no incline at all. It is more expensive but this is reflected in the high quality room decor.
Ferry connections are not as easy as some other islands and would suggest you use the openseas backtrack facility to look at last year to give you some idea although some routes do change each year.
Aug 3rd, 2014, 04:18 AM
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I have stayed in Folegandros many times over about 30 years. There are now daily ferries (1 or 2 per day) from Piraeus to Folegandros it is not as difficult as some imply.
Services in the summer have improved a lot over the years, enough to create a recent spate of holiday home building.
For a small island quite comprehensive bus services 1. Port <> Chora, 2. Chora <> Agali beach, 3. Chora <> Ano Meria. Timetables in the bus square and usually in the ferry ticket agencies. The Chora <> Port bus usually syncs with ferry departures/arrivals. Using the bus along with some hiking you can cover the island quite comprehensively without hiring any transport.
Other islands you can easily combine with Folegandros either before or after are Serifos, Sifnos, Anafi equally worthy of a visit and relatively less touristy. Folegandros is perhaps the most popular of the western Cyclades island group now. However nothing like the tourist saturation of Mykonos/Santorini.
Services in the summer have improved a lot over the years, enough to create a recent spate of holiday home building.
For a small island quite comprehensive bus services 1. Port <> Chora, 2. Chora <> Agali beach, 3. Chora <> Ano Meria. Timetables in the bus square and usually in the ferry ticket agencies. The Chora <> Port bus usually syncs with ferry departures/arrivals. Using the bus along with some hiking you can cover the island quite comprehensively without hiring any transport.
Other islands you can easily combine with Folegandros either before or after are Serifos, Sifnos, Anafi equally worthy of a visit and relatively less touristy. Folegandros is perhaps the most popular of the western Cyclades island group now. However nothing like the tourist saturation of Mykonos/Santorini.
Aug 4th, 2014, 12:58 PM
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We are thinking of combining this with some time on Milos (for the beaches as recommended) or Naxos. We are two soon-to-retire age women who are hardly grannies, but not hikers either. I have been to Santorini and thought it was fabulous, but like the idea of a smaller more intimate version.
Thoughts/preferences re/combining w/ Naxos or Milos?
Thanks!
Thoughts/preferences re/combining w/ Naxos or Milos?
Thanks!
Aug 4th, 2014, 03:05 PM
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From someone who's been trotting around greece for 15 years now,AND hiking (tho retired ), I would say it's a win-win situation ... I would say combine either Milos or Folegandros with Naxos. All are less touristic than Santorini, Naxos & Milos have more historic/ancient highlights ... of the 3, Naxos has the best bus system no car hire needed.
Aug 4th, 2014, 04:56 PM
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I got around both Naxos and Milos on public buses. Beaches, sights, everywhere I wanted to go. Folegandros too. Before that I was in Serifos and Sifnos and after in Sikinos before I ended up in Santorini. Much preferred the quieter islands.
Aug 25th, 2014, 04:01 AM
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We have just come back from a week in Folegandros. We cannot recommend it enough. Here are some tips:
- We stayed at the Provalma studios: http://www.provalma.gr. It is in Ano Maria about 15 mins from Chora but being on the ridge of one of the hills it has the best view on the island. For us it was the most stunning views we have had in a hotel anywhere in the world.
- The room we stayed in - Vorino had sea views on both sides and in the morning you can watch the sun rise out of Sikinos. It only has five rooms but the attention to detail of the family that runs it is exceptional and puts it firmly in the boutique bracket.
- We like walking and the island is covered in donkey tracks which allowed us to walk from Provalma to two of the most inaccessible beaches in 40 mins - 1 hour. If you walk you get the beach almost to yourself for an hour as the boats from Agali beach start dropping people off at around 11.
- There is a bus service which connects Ano Meria, Agali and the Port to Chora. It is on time but runs only every 1 to 2 hours. We did not find this a problem but you may want to rent a car or motorbike, or use the island's taxi.
- The restaurants in Chora are very good, but there are also four or five reasonable options in Ano Meria, some with sunset views which are within walking distance of Provalma.
- Peak season is mid August, when we left the businesses said they were expecting a drop off.
- We would advise taking the ferry from Piraeus rather than the Seajet as although its much shorter and runs less often the Seajet can be a rough ride when its windy.
- There is also an excellent dive shop in town - SeaU.
- Anemomolis is also a beautiful hotel from what we saw of it. It is more of a full service offering with a restaurant and bar. It is above the main square so close walking distance to many restaurants but being a bit set back and up the hill is a bit quieter than the centre of town. You are however reliant on buses or transport to get to the beaches.
Hope this helps
- We stayed at the Provalma studios: http://www.provalma.gr. It is in Ano Maria about 15 mins from Chora but being on the ridge of one of the hills it has the best view on the island. For us it was the most stunning views we have had in a hotel anywhere in the world.
- The room we stayed in - Vorino had sea views on both sides and in the morning you can watch the sun rise out of Sikinos. It only has five rooms but the attention to detail of the family that runs it is exceptional and puts it firmly in the boutique bracket.
- We like walking and the island is covered in donkey tracks which allowed us to walk from Provalma to two of the most inaccessible beaches in 40 mins - 1 hour. If you walk you get the beach almost to yourself for an hour as the boats from Agali beach start dropping people off at around 11.
- There is a bus service which connects Ano Meria, Agali and the Port to Chora. It is on time but runs only every 1 to 2 hours. We did not find this a problem but you may want to rent a car or motorbike, or use the island's taxi.
- The restaurants in Chora are very good, but there are also four or five reasonable options in Ano Meria, some with sunset views which are within walking distance of Provalma.
- Peak season is mid August, when we left the businesses said they were expecting a drop off.
- We would advise taking the ferry from Piraeus rather than the Seajet as although its much shorter and runs less often the Seajet can be a rough ride when its windy.
- There is also an excellent dive shop in town - SeaU.
- Anemomolis is also a beautiful hotel from what we saw of it. It is more of a full service offering with a restaurant and bar. It is above the main square so close walking distance to many restaurants but being a bit set back and up the hill is a bit quieter than the centre of town. You are however reliant on buses or transport to get to the beaches.
Hope this helps
