A small island, chances are you’ll get the opportunity to visit all of Donoussa’s delightful beaches. Here are the 5 you shouldn’t miss.
It’s no wonder that – as legacy tells – pirates sought refuge on the island of Donoussa. And, according to Greek mythology, it is where Dionysus chose to hide his beloved, Ariadne, from her estranged husband, Theseus.
In the far distance, yet discernible on clear days, are Amorgos (south), Mykonos (north), Ikaria (northeast), Patmos and Lero, Kalymnos (east).
Just 13 square kilometres, Donoussa is home to about 200 permanent residents. In the summer, the population rises with the addition of tourists seeking to escape to the faraway and remote with non-cosmopolitan beaches and wholesome traditional venues, some with a modern, hip twist.
Several of the beaches are easily accessible directly by car via the main asphalt coastal road with some requiring a little bit of light trekking to reach the actual shoreline.
The network of numbered trails throughout Donoussa’s mountain (highest peak is Mt. Papas at 383 metres) and hilly terrain means you can hike to most of the island’s breathtakingly beautiful sandy and pebbly beaches; all with spectacular views onto the vast big blue of the Aegean.
A small island, chances are you’ll get the opportunity to visit all of Donoussa’s delightful beaches. Here are the 5 you shouldn’t miss.
- Stavros beach – Welcoming guests, (practically right off the boat) is the island’s main and largest beach located at the port and main town of Stavros. An exquisite golden sandy beach it is quite popular with families and those wanting access to the shops and tavernas nearby.
- Kedros beach – “Tagged” by the visible sunken WW2 ship, Kedros is considered one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Located southeast of Panagia, in a protected inlet, it is a sandy beach with crystal clear waters. Access: Kedros beach is about a 15-minute walk from town and just a few minutes by car via the coastal road and then down a stone-paved path towards the shore. Another path connects to the village of Messaria. Local passenger boats leaving the port also make stops (5 minutes from town).There is a cafe-bar at the beach.
- Livadi-Fykio beach – The beach of Livadi and the smaller, more secluded, Fykio, are white sandy beaches with deep turquoise waters that are connected by a small path (5 minutes on foot). Located south of the village of Mersini, Livadi, has trees that offer natural shade, while, Fykio is a small cove ideal for couples.
Access: Livadi is about a 1 hour 30 minute walk/trek from town via the village of Mersini. Accessible via the coastal road to the village of Mersini and then a 30 minute walk to the shore via trails (numbered route #3); or by car to the village of Messaria and then an hour via trail to the shore. Local passenger boats leaving the port also make stops (duration 20 minutes). There are tavernas at Mersini.
- Kalotaritissa The beaches at the bay of Kalotaritissa (off the northeast tip of the island) at the picturesque fishing village at the foot of Mt. Papas (12 km from Stavros) are essentially three beaches-in-one with the added value of views of the islet Skoulonissi. Access: The beaches are about 1 hour and 30 minutes by foot (numbered trail #1) and approximately 20 minutes by car. Local passenger boats leaving the port also make stops (duration 45 minutes). In between the first two beaches is a dock for small boats. There is a charming and popular local taverna above the main beach at Vlycho.
- Sapounochoma beach – is the first of the three beaches in the bay. No more than 10m wide, the beach is covered by coarse pebbles. Its waters are crystal-clear and cool. Access: direct via the coastal road
- Vlychos beach – is the main beach of the three. Located in the middle it is covered with fine pebbles and features turquoise waters. Usually windless, it is an ideal anchorage spot. Access: direct via the coastal road, on foot via walking trail or by passenger boat.
- Messa Ammos beach, a sandy beach, is the largest and most remote of the three beaches at the Kalotaritissa cove. Access: via the coastal road to Vlychos beach and then 5 minute walk across to the beach
- Vathy Limenari beach This small and quiet beach with green waters and white rocks is an historic site as it is where excavations carried out between 1968 and 1973 brought to light part of a Geometric Settlement from the Bronze Age. Access: By coastal road to Messaria and then 20 minutes by trail; by passenger boat (10-15 minutes) from Stavros; by foot from Stavros about 1 hour and 20 minutes; there is also a trail from Kedros beach (about 40 minutes).
