ANAFI

In mythology, Anafi was raised above the waves by the god Apollo to rescue the Argonauts, whose ship was caught in a storm.

It has kept its name unchanged since antiquity, while in recent years it has become more easily accessible than it once was. Anafi sits at the confluence of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, east of neighbouring Santorini, and is a popular destination among visitors looking for places as yet untouched by mass tourism. The island’s history begins in antiquity, and archaeological findings confirm that it has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It’s worth noting that in the ^20th century, Anafi was a place of exile during the Metaxas dictatorship and in the Civil War.

The island’s main settlement, Chora, is constructed amphitheatrically above the port and represents the classic style of Cycladic architecture, with its picturesque alleyways and whitewashed, flat-roofed and blue-domed houses. The Venetian castle stands at the settlement’s highest point, offering spectacular views of the Aegean. Nearby is the pretty church of Agios Georgios. The island is home to the famous Kalamos monolith, the second largest after that of Gibraltar (though this is hotly debated), and is an ideal destination for hiking and rock climbing. Organised hiking trails criss-cross the island, rewarding visitors who explore them with scenes of authentic beauty amidst a truly captivating environment.

Anafi offers spectacular beaches, as well. For the most part untouched by commercial exploitation, the island’s beaches are unspoiled and feature calm, clear waters. Roukounas, Kleisidi, and Agios Nikolaos beach in the port are some of the most well-known. However, even the more remote beaches are idyllic and well worth the effort to get there.

Gastronomy

Anafi’s culinary culture is founded on minimalism. The island’s most popular product is its thyme honey, known for its exceptional quality and distinctive flavour. It is sold both plain and mixed with almonds. The island also produces an abundance of herbs, such as thyme, oregano, savory and sage. Local cheeses include anthotyro, ladotyri and vrasto, while in recent years there have been efforts to establish vineyards. ‘Strofyliatiko’ is a characteristic local wine with an extremely interesting flavour profile. As far as sweets go, ‘koufeto’ – bite-size portions of almonds with honey, traditionally served at weddings – is among the most popular. Other sweets include melitera, a local variety of sweet myzithra pie, and sisamomelo, sesame seeds mixed with honey and cinnamon. Some of the dishes served at the island’s taverns and restaurants include goat in red sauce, cheese bread, freshly baked breads and aromatic xerotigana.

How to get there

Anafi is an island in the Cyclades, east of Santorini. It is serviced by ferry from the port of Piraeus.