Here are some tips and practical information to help you plan your vacation on the island of Schinoussa in Greece.
Where’s Schinoussa?
Schinoussa is a tiny Greek island located between Iraklia and Koufonisia. It is part of the so-called Little Cyclades.
How do I get there?
The only way to get to Schinoussa is by boat. There are direct ferries from the port of Piraeus in Athens (the Blue Star Naxos) as well as from the islands of Naxos, Amorgos and the other Lesser Cyclades.
From Naxos, the Skopelitis Express ferry links the Lesser Cyclades to Schinoussa. It runs every day except Sunday.
To book your ferry tickets, we recommend the Ferry Hopper website, as the platform is in French and, above all, it doesn’t charge any extra fees (tickets are the same price as if you bought them at the port).
How long can I stay?
That’s not an easy question to answer. It seems to us that a day trip is a bit short to fully enjoy the island. Especially as ferry timetables are not very suitable for this.
Ideally, we recommend spending two or three days in Schinoussa. But if you like the beach, lounging and walking, you can easily stay for 5-7 days.
Where to sleep?
There’s plenty of choice of accommodation if you want to spend a few days in Schinoussa. High season runs from mid-July to the end of August, so it’s essential to book well in advance if you’re visiting the island during this period.
We personally recommend staying in Chora. It’s a good choice because the beaches are within walking distance of the village, and in the evening you’ll find several restaurants and bars on site. We particularly recommend the following accommodations:
- Africanis Suites: clean, modern, elegant rooms and friendly hosts
- Paralos Lodging: on Chora’s main street, a clean, modern establishment with a superb view.
If you’re in the mood fora seaside getaway, we’ve spotted this friendly beachfront hotel: the Villas Grispos, above Tsigouri beach.
For a seaside vacation, we recommend staying on Livadi beach. Here, for example, you can opt for Notos Studios.
We were also repeatedly advised to stay at Hotel Mersini, on the harbor, which is said to be perfect, with lovely owners.
Getting around Schinoussa in Greece Should I rent a car?
Schinoussa in Greece is a tiny island of less than 9km². Most of the roads are not paved, and even when they are, they are generally narrow (you can’t pass with two cars).
You can easily explore the island on foot. Apart from the heat, there are no particular difficulties, as Schinoussa is relatively flat. Distances are not great (about 2 hours to cross the island).
You can also rent a scooter, a bike or even a car if you wish.
What to see and do in Schinoussa?
Beaches, villages, hiking trails: we explain it all in our article “Schinoussa, the secret island of the Cyclades“.
2024 Laure M.
