Fresh Air › Instead of Mykonos
Folegandros
Folegandros is a small, steep island in the western Cyclades that has resisted development by virtue of having no airport, limited accommodation, and a topography that is mostly cliff face. The Chora sits on a ridge 200 metres above the sea with views across to the other islands. The village tavernas serve food from the island's small agricultural production. The visitors Folegandros attracts tend to be Greeks who know what they want and international travellers who have been to the famous islands and are looking for what those islands used to be.
Why visit
A clifftop Chora village that is arguably the most dramatically situated in the Cyclades, genuine quiet, excellent local food.
Crowd level
Limited by ferry access and accommodation capacity. Even in August, the Chora maintains a human scale that Mykonos lost decades ago.
Best time
May to June and September — July and August see the island fill up
Getting there
Ferry from Piraeus (4-6hrs) or from Santorini. No airport.
Tradeoffs
Very limited accommodation means advance booking is essential in summer. Almost nothing to do beyond beaches, walking, and eating.
Direct comparisons
Layers
Region
At a glance
- Country
- Greece
- Region
- Cyclades
- Fresh Air Score
- 87/100
- Cost level
- $$
- Distance from Mykonos
- 120 km