Anafi (which means without snakes) is a quiet, unspoiled island of the Cyclades group east of Santorini. It had 271 residents in 2011. Mass tourism hasn't hit Anafi yet unlike its volcanic sister Santorini so don't expect vibrant nightlife if you go there. If you are after a laid-back holiday Anafi might be the place to go. According to a legend, Anafi was created by ancient god Apollo as a gift to the Argonauts.
The usual way to get to Anafi is to take a ferry from Santorini. There are daily connections in high season and at least one every two days in low and mid season. Ferry schedules are very unreliable (delays of two hours and more are very common) so don't go to Anafi if you are on a tight schedule, e.g., if you have to catch a plane. Ferry tickets are around €7 one-way. It takes about 2–3 hours depending on weather conditions.
There is also ferry link from Pireaus and Lavrio to Anafi. It will take about 15 hours depending on weather conditions.
Ferries from Santorini to Anafi (2007):
For updated information regarding the schedule visit the website.
Anafi has only one village (Hora) and a few houses located around the island's port. The port and the village are connected by a road. Buses from the port to the village operate twice per day. (morning/afternoon) You can get to Hora on a scenic footpath (starting at the port) as well. (1½ hour) Further roads connect Hora with the east and the west of the island. Anafi is quite mountainous and numerous footpaths link all places (especially the beaches). There is also the possibility to rent motorbikes in Hora to get around the island. A good place to do so is Moto rent Margarita (+30 22860 61292 ) which has bikes for €12 daily. Anafi has only one petrol station (500 m east of Hora, just follow the road to the port) which is only open in the afternoon, so make sure you have enough petrol left when starting your explorations.
Anafi is mainly a place for recreation, not a place to do sightseeing, so there is not much to see except:
Besides fantastic walks on the numerous footpaths Anafi has excellent beaches. Some of them are:
At the port there are two general stores, a bakery and a small souvenir shop (mainly selling hats, T-shirts and postcards) in Hora. Opening times are limited at least in mid and low season.
Hora has a couple of Greek taverns. If you don't like Greek food, Anafi is definitely not the place to go, although those taverns serve pizza and pasta as well.
In Klisidi Beach is a rock bar, Madres Bar (dead link: January 2023), which stays open until dawn.
Unlike the other islands within the Cyclade group, Anafi has no campsites. Though many people just camp out on one of the beaches, this is generally forbidden by law, though the people living on Anafi seem to have a quite relaxed attitude towards this.
Nudism and wild camping are frowned upon in Greece.
Though you might see campers on Anafi, it's forbidden to camp in any place on the island.
Ferries leave Anafi for Santorini, Sifnos, Paros and Pireaus. All ferries have stop-overs in Santorini.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division