Why Visit
Most popular beaches are located around the port and include Agios Nikolaos and Kleisidi. This is also where some taverns and studios can be found. To go to the other beaches on the island, you need to walk. Distances are short on Anafi.
The only village and capital is Chora, only 20 minutes walk from the port. Chora is built among high mountainsides and gives nice view to the sea and the wild landscape of the island. This is where some activity is concentrated and where most amenities and services can be found. Another settlement is also gradually being created around the port, but it consists only of summer houses.
History
Anafi is a small island in Cyclades, located to the east of Santorini. According to mythology, Anafi emerged from the Aegean Sea when the Argonauts prayed to Apollo, the god of music and light, to save them from the angry sea. That is why the Argonauts built a temple dedicated to this god, whose worship was widespread on the island. Remains of this temple can still be found near the Monastery of Panagia Kalamiotissa. It is said that Anafi was first occupied by the Phoenicians and later by the Dorians. Following them, in the 5th century BC, it was conquered by Athens.
During the Middle Ages, it became part of the duchy of Naxos and, later on, the stronghold of several Venetian royal families. In 1207 AD, Anafi came under Frankish rules The Castle of Krispi built on the top of the hill of Chora was characteristic of this period, as it used to be the shelter of the inhabitants against pirates and enemies. In the 14th century, the Ottomans took control over the island and established a severe regime. In 1537, the history of Anafi is marked by the attack of pirate Barbarosa, who sold all the male inhabitants as slaves and slaughtered the women and children.
The island was liberated by the Turkish occupation in 1830, along with the other Cyclades islands. Since then, its economy is poor due to its small size and few inhabitants. That is why most of the inhabitants in the 1830s-1940s moved to the capital and settled in the district of Plaka, right in the centre of Athens. Their new neighbourhood was named Anafiotika and today it is the loveliest and most picturesque area of Plaka. Today, Anafi bases its economy mostly on fishing, agriculture and tourism. In fact, only over the last years has tourism developed in Anafi and the tourists that go there are looking for extreme peace and quiet, as the tourist amenities on the island are few.
Museums - Archeological
The only museum in Anafi is the Archaeological Collection that is found in Chora village, the capital of the island. The Archaeological Collection displays exhibits from the excavations made in the ancient town of Anafi. These exhibits include coins, pieces of jewerly, pieces of ancient vases and other valuable objects.
If you are interested in history, you can also visit some ancient sites on the island. The remains of the Ancient Town of Anafi, for example, stand on top of the hill Kasteli and was probably built in the 8th century BC. This ancient town reached its peak in the Roman times and you can see a Roman cemetery on the sides of it. It was abandoned in the early Christian times, probably from a natural disaster or from a piracy attack.
Another archaeological site on Anafi is the sanctuary of Apollo, close to the monastery of Zoodochos Pigi. The remains of this temple are found on the foot of Kalamos hill. The sanctuary included the temple of Apollo and a building for the pilgrims.
Beaches
Kleisidi, Agios Nikolaos, Agioi Anargyri, Agios Ioannis, Agios Spiridon, Flamourou, Kameni Lagkada, Katsouni, Megas Potamos, Prasa, Roukounas
Religious Monasteries and Churches
A walk in the small island of Anafi reveals numerous remarkable sites, among which are the beautiful whitewashed churches that stand in Chora and quite amazing is the fact that they are not easily distinguished from the traditional houses that spread around them.
Some of the most noticeable stone-built chapels and churches that dot the landscape of Anafi is the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigis which stands on top of a hill. Close to this famous pilgrimage site on the island is Panagia Kalamiotissa, worth seeing for its impressive view. In Chora you will find the church of Agios Spyridon standing right at the entrance. At the central square is the church of Agios Athanasios. Small and picturesque chapels spread throughout the most peaceful and remote locations of Anafi.
