FOLEGANDROS
(Area 32 sq. km. distance from Piraeus 106 nautical miles).
Folegandros is a small and rocky island between Sikinos and
Milos. Visitors will be struck by the wild beauty of the barren
landscape, where huge rocks alternate with sandy beaches. On a
flat expanse above the pretty harbour of Karavostassis is Hora
or Folegandros, which consists of two sections. In the old
settlement in the Kastro area, the outer walls of the houses
form the sort of defensive precinct to be found elsewhere in the
Cyclades. The new quarter is just as pretty, with narrow alleys,
stepped walls, courtyards, wooden balconies and typically Aegean
churches. The finest church on the island, that of Our Lady,
stands above a section of the ancient wall. Chrissospilia,
nearby to the north, with stalactites, stalagmites and traces of
ancient occupation, and the small settlements in the Ano Meria
district are the sights to be seen around the island's main
village.
Ano Meria also has the Ecological and Folklore Museum,
with exhibits which reconstruct the farming practices of the
islanders. Among the best beaches for swimming are
Karavostassis, Livadi and Agios Georgios bay. Although
Folegandros has little in the way of tourist amenities or roads,
it attracts more and more visitors each year - chiefly those in
search of solitude close to nature. There are a few rooms to
rent.
How to get there: By ferry from Piraeus
Information: Piraeus Port
Authority, tel.: 01/422.6000.
Useful telephone numbers: Automatic
dialling code: 0286.
Police and Port Authority 41249.