Cyclades
Donousa
The Small Cyclades island with nothing to do — which turns out to be everything.
Getting around
Walkable
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
Jun – Sep
From Athens
9h ferry
In pictures
Donousa
Donousa is the most remote of the Small Cyclades, a tiny island with around 160 residents, one main beach (Kendros), one village, and a handful of tavernas. It has excellent hiking, clear water, and the kind of enforced simplicity that people spend years looking for and rarely find. The backpacker crowd that discovered it in the 1990s has been slowly replaced by a quieter, more discerning visitor.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Infrequent ferry connections. Very limited accommodation — book well ahead.
Where it sits
Cyclades, Greece
Donousa — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Donousa? +
- The best months to visit Donousa are June to September. It's calm and uncrowded most of the year, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Donousa from Athens? +
- Donousa has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, which takes about 9 hours. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Donousa good for couples? +
- Donousa is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Donousa good for families with kids? +
- Donousa is not the easiest island for families with young kids.
- Is Donousa expensive? +
- Donousa is affordable by Greek-island standards.
- Do you need a car on Donousa? +
- Donousa is small and walkable — you don't need a car or scooter for most stays.
- What's the catch with Donousa? +
- Infrequent ferry connections. Very limited accommodation — book well ahead.