Hello fellow Greek Island lovers! Welcome to my travel guide on the fabulous Folegandros of Greece. My name is Radostina Ganeva. I was born and raised in a small town in Bulgaria called Silistra, near the Danube River. I’ve been living in Sofia, the amazing capital city of Bulgaria, for 20 years.
Around ten years ago, when I met my husband, we started taking small trips in Europe. But the travelling accelerated pace after our first son was born. The feeling was like eating a delicious dessert. After the first bite, you just can’t stop eating more and more. I am a dessert and travel addict!
During the years that followed, we visited amazing places all around the globe such as the Philippines, Norway, South Africa, Australia, Tasmania, Japan, Taiwan, Cappadocia, Turkey, Scandinavia and many more places. One of our favourite places is Greece and the beautiful Greek Islands.
Inspiration to Visit Folegandros
It was amazing. Like nothing I have ever seen before. This was the moment when I thought to myself: “there is so much more to see in Greece”.
Four Fabulous Days in Folegandros
We spent four days in Folegandros as we didn’t have many vacation days. Most of our vacation days (22) were spent in Australia in January which made another holiday during the year short. Given our experience, I would suggest staying for at least seven days as it’s such a beautiful spot.
The island is small and accessible only by boat. But it’s definitely worth visiting! Folegandros has secluded beaches, laid back restaurants with great food and it somehow brings up this relaxing and easygoing feeling you need for vacation. Chora is charming and has kept its old spirit.
The island is unaffected by the popularity of other islands. This means it’s the ultimate destination for people who want to avoid crowds. If you are looking for a place to chill out and have no stress then this is one of the best Greek Islands for you. Not to mention the island is utterly stunning.
My Favourite Places of Folegandros: Chora & Agali Beach
Probably my favourite place on the island was the Chora town – a small, charming town with a beautiful church on top. It was simply amazing to wander around, take photos and experience this romantic place.
We saw one of the most gorgeous sunsets ever on this island and it was at Chora! Agali Beach was a lovely spot as well to sit on the tables at night and just watch the sun go down with a glass of Greek wine. These local wines are a must-try as part of your Folegandros experience.
5 Best Things To Do in Folegandros
- Walk to the Church on Top of the Chora – The Church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Folegandros is a 20 minute walk to the top of the hill but is so worth it for the million dollar views. The sunset here is extraordinary.
- Explore the Small City of Chora – Wander around the city during the day and then sit on a table at one of the town squares and just look around at the local Greek people going out and enjoying the nightlife.
- Go Swimming at Agali Beach – This popular sandy beach is a great place to go for a swim, sunbathe near the umbrellas and sunbeds, and enjoy the beautiful views of the bay. You can access the beach on land.
- Discover the Hidden Gem Beaches – Some of the best beaches in Folegandros can only be accessed on a private boat trip for the day. This is a great way to see the island from the water and find epic beaches.
- Try the Local Food and Wine – When in the Greek Islands, food and wine are an absolute given. Folegandros has some fantastic restaurants, tavernas, cafes and bars to enjoy from the early hours to the late hours.
Meeting the Lovely Locals
We stayed in a boutique hotel in Folegandros and had the pleasure of meeting the owner’s family. They were great hosts like everyone in Greece and somehow passed on this family vibe to the guests. We felt at home.
There aren’t many people living permanently on the island. I think it’s a little over 500 people if I can recall correctly. We felt at home everywhere we went in Folegandros. It was such a relaxing and positive experience.
Superb Food Scene of Folegandros
Food in Folegandros is spectacular. This island is characterised by small restaurants and fresh ingredients. We tried “Mpourekakia” which is mini cheese pies with local cheese and “Fava” – beans popular in the Cyclades.
I can recommend Eva’s Garden in Chora and the restaurant at Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites (our hotel) for fantastic restaurants to eat at. There are many great places if you just wander around and see what you find.
Staying at Blue Sand Boutique
We recommend the hotel we stayed in called Blue Sand Boutique Hotel. It was a phenomenal place with an amazing restaurant and quality view over Agali Beach. I am sure in Chora there are good Airbnb’s and hotels but unfortunately we didn’t get the chance to stay on this part of the island.
Favourite Experience: Boat Trip
The private boat trip we took on our second day in Folegandros was really great. It was such a pleasure to float as a celebrity on a small yacht, to dive into the turquoise water and relax under the sun. We visited the Georgitsi Cave and all the small beaches like Katergo, Ambeli and Livadaki.
Need to Know Before you Go
Please keep in mind that Folegandros is a small island and doesn’t have an airport. The only way to access the island is with a ferry that departs from the mainland or another island nearby in the Cyclades. The ferry goes to all islands in the Cyclades, so you can combine Folegandros with other islands. You can book ferries to Folegandros and other islands with Ferryscanner.
I recommend spending at least 5-7 days here in order to feel the tranquility and beauty of this island. Thanks for reading and enjoy Folegandros!
