The island’s beaches are a must-visit, while its traditional architecture and narrow streets are perfect for a leisurely stroll. It is also a great place to try the local cuisine, which includes fresh seafood and grilled meats.
For lunch closer to the town, head to Captain Nikolas for delicious fish bites and a lovely sea view, or Karnagio for a more authentic Greek ouzerie experience next to the water.
Aneplora
Koufonisi consists of two small heavenly islands and is considered to be a secret paradise, especially for those looking for a quiet beach holiday. There are only a few accommodation options on the island, but some very good taverns and comfortable aparthotels in Chora.
The most covetable places are barbecue To Palio Telephonio and seafood restaurant Aneplora, both with a high customer rating. In addition, the bakery of Giorgoula, the cheese pie of Kalamia and the ice cream at Fistiki are all worth trying out.
Pano Koufonisi has several stunning beaches, the most impressive of which is Italida. It is a long sandy beach with shallow emerald waters that are protected from fierce meltimi (seasonal summer north winds affecting the Cyclades). Alternatively, visit Pori, a popular bar-restaurant beach with golden sand and amazing blue waters or Gala (“milk”), where seawater passes through an opening in the rocks forming a tiny pebbly beach. All of these beaches can be reached on foot or with a short boat ride.
Remezzo
The Koufonisia islands are a small and charming cluster of two pristine beaches, a pretty town, and quaint hotels and tavernas. The group consists of Pano Koufonisi, Kato Koufonisi, and Keros, the latter being an uninhabited island with herds of goats that supply meat and milk to the local dishes.
The sizeable fishing fleet in the area ensures an abundant supply of fresh fish, which is used to make grilled and fried fish, fish soup, vinegar-marinated octopus, and stew. The tavernas also serve up succulent goats that are brought over from neighboring Keros.
Among the best places to eat in Koufonisi is Remezzo, which serves the best cooked meat on the island. It has a beautiful setting and lounge music, which makes it the perfect place to relax with a cocktail or meal. The food is fresh and tasty, and the service is friendly. Many visitors come to Koufonisi solely for this restaurant! You can even enjoy a traditional raki here.
Kapetan Nikolas
A sizeable fishing fleet is responsible for the island’s bounty of fresh seafood including grilled and fried fish, fish soup, vinegar-marinated octopus and stew. A variety of baked foods including souvlaki, tzatziki and cheese pie are also available. Succulent goats sourced from the uninhabited neighboring Keros and Kato Koufonisi islands are also a highlight of the local cuisine.
A few low-key beach bars provide shade, inexpensive typical Greek food and frappe, the refreshing coffee-based drink that goes with anything in Greece. They are a perfect stopover for a relaxing lunch or a pre-dinner glass of wine in the evening!
The traditional taverna of Captain Nikolas on the west side of the main settlement offers sea-view dining and seafood. The restaurant is run by a family and focuses on preparing dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Besides fish and seafood, it serves delicious fried summer salads! The place is popular among locals. It is recommended to book a table in advance to avoid disappointment.
Michalios
A great pit stop for freshly squeezed juices, healthy snacks or a killer pizza roll! They also make a good choice for vegetarians. The fried zucchini sticks are light and crispy, the Greek salad adorned with local Xinomyzithra soft cheese adds a touch of locality to your meal. The pinnacle of our experience, however, was the 1kg of grilled lamb that was succulent and perfectly seasoned.
While days revolve around embracing the irresistible allure of Koufonisi’s pristine beaches, evenings are for leisurely strolls through Chora or savoring the island’s culinary treasures. This unique ode to pure relaxation is a reminder of what it means to truly enjoy the finer things in life.