The tiny, unspoilt island of Folegandros is one of the southwestern Cyclades, which dot the jewel-toned Aegean sea. Anemi Folegandros is perched on the isle’s east coast.
Planes
The most convenient airport is on Santorini, 45 minutes from Folegandros via boat or 18 minutes away by helicopter. Fly to Santorini National Airport (www.santorini-airport.com) from international destinations including London, Manchester, Rome, Paris and Barcelona.
Automobiles
If you choose to rent a car (or a scooter) to explore the island, there’s free parking on-site (rent on the mainland and bring it over on the ferry). If you choose not to drive, the local bus should be all you need to get around tiny Folegandros.
Other
Room rates include hotel transfers from the local port (five minutes away) or the nearby helipad. Boat journeys from the port of Piraeus in Athens take from four to six hours, and if you’re coming from Santorini the daily catamaran takes less than an hour (the hotel are happy to book transfers in advance, including a five-minute transfer between the port and the hotel). Check www.openseas.gr for up-to-date timings – the catamaran runs daily between June and 15 September. There are also daily connections between Folegandros and many of the neighbouring islands.
Worth getting out of bed for
Folegandros is a relatively unspoilt island, where the main attractions are the views and the pristine beaches. The nearest shore to Anemi is a pebbly swimming spot, but there are plenty of sandy beaches surrounding the island, ranging from popular sun traps to hideaways you can only reach by boat.
The island’s mediaeval settlement, Kastro, is an amazing clifftop spot with spectacular views. Or, get a glimpse of Chrysospilia, on the northeast side of Folegandros. The 300m cave, tucked in the edge of a cliff 30m above the Aegean, has ancient names scrawled into its walls, but currently it can only be viewed by boat.
Local restaurants
The fresh fish on offer at the Good Heart, a very traditional, 100-year-old taverna, is excellent. Tucked away in an alley behind the port, the Good Heart is run by four generations of one family, including the great grandmother. For a fancier dining experience, Eva’s Garden is a beautiful restaurant in Folegandros town, which spills out on to the lane and into its small garden, scented with jasmine, lavender and herbs. The gourmet Mediterranean cuisine (made with locally grown ingredients) and stylishly romantic setting make Eva’s Garden an ideal date-night hideaway.