Iraklia

Map pf Koufonisia

Iraklia the westernmost of the Lesser Cyclades and with the least spoilt scenery has just over 150 permanent residents and 18,078km² extension. As the first stop on the ferry service from Naxos, the island is hardly undiscovered by tourists, but with fewer amenities than some of its neighbours, it retains the feel of a more secluded retreat.

The port of Ayios Georgios is a small but sprawling settlement behind a sandy tamarisk-backed beach that gets quite crowded in August. Livadi, a big, shallow beach, is 2km southeast of the port and its crystal-clear waters are the main tourist attraction of the island. The asphalted road continues 3km on to the tiny capital Panayia(Hora), which has no lodgings to speak of. In season, a local boat sails from the port at 11am to make a tour of the island, stopping at the small sandy beach at Alimia and the nearby pebble beach of Karvounolakos.

Iraklia

Transportation

By ferry: Ferries dock at Ayios Georgios.

Destinations: Ano Koufonisi(1-2 daily, 2hr), Amorgos(1-2 daily, 1hr 45min), Donousa(1-2 daily, 3hr), Naxos(1-2 daily, 1hr), Paros(2-4 weekly, 2hr), Pireas(2-3 weekly, 7hr), Schinoussa(2-3 daily, 15min), Syros(2 weekly, 7hr).

Useful Numbers

Municipality of Iraklia: 22850 71545

Medical Center(Panayia): 22850 71388

Medical Center(Ayios Georgios): 22850 71177