Schinoussa is one of the smallest islands in the Cyclades. It belongs to the Lesser Cyclades complex—or Small Cyclades—together with Donoussa and Koufonissia. Despite its size, there are various things to do in Schinoussa (Greek: Σχοινούσα), and this travel guide will tell you everything you need to know before visiting it.
Please remember that this is a small island, and you shouldn’t expect exhausting itineraries or extensive sightseeing. The charm of the smaller Greek islands like Schinoussa is that you visit them to relax, spend time at the marvelous beaches, and hike if it’s not too hot. It’s all about the local life and the stunning landscape.
Therefore, in this travel guide, you will read about the best beaches on the island and the nicest places to stay. Moreover, you’ll find the top restaurants and my budgeting tips. Navigate through the article’s sections and find all the info you need for a relaxing vacation.
So, let’s start with the travel guide to Schinoussa and the best things to see on the island.
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How to get to Schinoussa & how to book your tickets
There are actually three ways to reach Schinoussa, and I will break down all of them.
To Schinoussa from Piraeus
The first option is to take the ferry from Piraeus. During the summer months, the ferries from Piraeus reach Schinoussa almost every day. The journey takes approximately 8 hours, and you should expect a cost of 35-40 euros per route. The ferries that start from Piraeus are in excellent condition, and the trips are pleasant: you’ll see several other Cycladic islands before reaching Schinoussa.
From Athens Airport to Schinousa
The second option is to fly from Athens to the island of Naxos and then take the ferry to Schinoussa. It is a short flight, and it won’t take more than 30 minutes to land in Naxos. Several buses and taxis will take you from the Naxos airport to the port. There you can catch the ferry to Schinoussa (you’ll spend a couple of hours in Naxos, though). The journey with the ferry is short, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to Scinoussa. That’s definitely a more expensive option, but it can be helpful for people on a tight schedule.
Island-hopping to Schinoussa
The third option is for people island hopping in the Cyclades. If you are on the nearby islands, like Donoussa or Koufonissia, you can also reach Schinoussa with the most legendary Greek ferry. Its name is Skopelitis, and it reaches the Small Cyclades all year long. However, keep in mind that the ferry is small and can be extremely shaky when it’s windy. If you get easily seasick, you’ll probably have to take a pill before traveling.
Tip: If you happen to be on vacation in Paros, you can also visit Schinoussa on a sailing trip. The yacht starts from Piso Livadi in Paros and will take you to two of the Small Cyclades: Schinoussa and Iraklia. You can check the tour from Paros here.
How to book your ferry tickets
You can find the best prices for ferry tickets between the Piraeus port and Schinoussa by using the search engine below.
However, if you prefer to fly to Naxos and then take the ferry, Aegean Airlines offers several flights daily. Check the best prices with Aegean to Naxos here.
Where to stay in Schinoussa Greece
There are just two settlements in Schinoussa: Chora and Messaria. Most of your accommodation options will be in Chora, which is the island’s main settlement, within a short distance to the port. Messaria is more like a small village with scattered houses. For a more convenient stay, book a room in Chora.
Where I stayed
I stayed at the Ailouros Hotel, and it was a wonderful place. You should not expect something fancy, though: the rooms are simple, and the breakfast is basic. However, this is one of the cheapest accommodation options in Schinoussa. Be sure to request a room with a sea view; the sunset views are breathtaking.
The hotel also has a minibus that will pick you up from the port and drive you back on the day of your departure. The same minibus is offering free lifts for the hotel’s guests to the beaches of Schinoussa; make sure to check the board at the front desk. Ailouros Hotel is located just off the main street, where you can eat and drink at night. Last but not least, the distance to the nearest beach, Tsigouri, is just ten minutes on foot.
You can see prices and availability for Ailouros Hotel here.
Other great hotels in Schinoussa
The island is attracting lately mid to upscale tourism; therefore, everything comes at a price. There are significantly better accommodation options, but you should expect to raise (or even exceed) your budget. If you’d like to have a more stylish room in Schinoussa, I can highly recommend the following:
- Armonia by Grispos villas. The hotel is located very close to Tsigouri Beach. Every room comes with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, which is a fine option if you’d like to have a wonderful view of the Aegean Sea. The proximity to the beach is also a great advantage.
- Schinoza Hotel. This hotel is probably the best accommodation option for couples visiting Schinoussa. The Hotel Schinoza has a swimming pool, and it’s one of the most luxurious places you can stay on the island. Of course, its rooms come at a price, but you won’t regret staying there.
- Ailouros Scenic Guesthouses. A stylish accommodation option for your Schinoussa visit. The hotel is located in the heart of the Chora, and you’ll be close to the eateries and bars. The rooms are cozy, and they all have fantastic verandas.
For all other accommodation options on the island, you can use the interactive map below.
Where to eat and drink in Schinoussa
Schinoussa has a bunch of restaurants and tavernas, and all of them serve delicious food. The island is known for its meat as well as for the traditional fava (yellow split peas dip). It goes, of course, without saying that the fish is a must here, too.
However, keep in mind that Schinoussa is not the cheapest island; therefore, get ready for some pricey meals. The fish can easily cost up to 60 euros per kilo, but it’s one of the best meals you can have if you can afford it. On the other hand, the cheapest option is, of course, the traditional souvlaki.
- Beer-aki. The coolest cafe/restaurant/bar on the island, next to the church of Chora. Beer-aki is just off the main street, and it was hands down my favorite place in Schinoussa. The owners are extremely friendly, and the food is delicious. Beer-aki has moderate prices and probably the best handmade fries of the Cyclades. It offers a small selection of daily dishes, and the meat quality is outstanding. I highly recommend this place if you’d like to enjoy good food and Greek hospitality.
- Kyra Pothiti. A mixture of restaurant and taverna with excellent dishes. Slightly pricey, in my opinion, but you will remember the meal for quite a while. Don’t miss the carpaccio. Located on the main street of Chora, like most of the eateries.
- Deli. Another nice and tasty option on the main street. The restaurant is located on a lovely veranda with excellent views of the sea and the landmark windmill. The service is good, although I found it a tad faceless. Don’t miss the chance to taste some fish -and be prepared to pay for it accordingly.
- Plateia. The cheap and decent option of Schinoussa. Obviously on the main street, in the small square of the Chora. Souvlaki and all the typical Greek dishes are on the menu.
The beaches of Schinoussa & other things to do
In my opinion, Schinoussa has some of the best beaches in Greece. The majority of them are accessible by car, but I preferred to walk to each one. If you decide to walk, you won’t need more than 45 minutes to reach even the most distant one. Schinoussa is surprisingly flat in comparison to the other islands of the Cyclades, and walking will give you a better impression of the landscape. However, avoid walking between 12:00-15:30 because the sun is very intense.
So, the best beaches of Schinoussa are:
Tsigouri
Tsigouri is the closest beach to the Chora. The water was crystal clear, and it wasn’t as crowded as I expected. There is a beach bar in the middle of the beach if you need water, coffee, or cocktails. To reach Tsigouri from Chora, all you have to do is follow the path that starts from the main street. It’s a ten-minute walk down to the beach, but be prepared for 5-10 minutes extra on the way back because the path is steep.
Psili Ammos
Psili Ammos is hands down one of the nicest beaches of the Cyclades. It takes approximately thirty minutes to walk from Chora, and the landscape is unique. Off-season might be empty; however, during the peak months, it attracts crowds. This is an isolated beach, therefore bring with you adequate provisions (water and food). If it’s possible, bring an umbrella, too. There are only a few trees, and they get occupied pretty quickly.
Lioliou beach
One of the most distant beaches of the island, the Lioliou beach, looks like a swimming pool when there is no wind. The water is turquoise and not particularly deep. There is a nearby restaurant where you can eat delicious food and get some water bottles. You’ll need approximately 45 minutes to reach it, but it deserves the walk. Don’t miss it!
Almyros
A big beach that actually splits into two. There are just pine trees on the left side, while on the right side, you’ll find some built-in umbrellas. There is a restaurant at the top of the hill serving decent food, and there you can also buy water and drinks. However, keep in mind that even though the distance to the restaurant is approximately 200 meters, if you walk it at noon in the summertime, it would easily be the toughest 200 meters you have had in your life.
Almyros beach is sandy, and the water is as clear as everywhere on the island.
Livadi
This is a family beach, where you will find lots of tamarisks and a taverna for lunch and provisions. It’s just one kilometer away from the Chora, and it’s easy to reach. If you are a family visiting Schinoussa, then Livadi will be an excellent option for the kids. However, it’s not the most scenic beach in Schinoussa, and if you want to see the real beauty of the island, you should visit the ones I mentioned above.
Schinoussa beach essentials
Before listing some other things to do in Schinoussa, I added a short section about two must-haves for your Greek vacation.
As is often the case in the Cyclades islands, the beaches of Schinoussa have no sunbeds or umbrellas (apart from Tsigouri). Also, Schinoussa is a dry island, and heatwaves are not uncommon during the summer—even in September. Therefore, if you get easily sunburned, you should definitely have with you a pop-up beach tent and sunscreen (and bottles of water, of course).
Most pop-up beach tents will fit easily in your suitcase. That’s a lightweight item, and apart from offering you some shadow, it can save you from sunburns. Here’s my preferred pop-up tent, and here’s a relatively bigger one. Check them out and see if any other models fit your needs.
I’m not an expert on sunscreen, but I always have one with me. It’s a must, especially for the initial days of your holidays in Greece. Sunscreen like this one should be good for your vacation on the island.
Hiking in Schinoussa
Apart from the stunning beaches, Schinoussa has some beautiful hiking trails. The island is relatively flat (well, compared to other Cycladic islands, at least); therefore, you can spend the day walking around the island. However, you should never forget that if the sun is too intense, it’s better to skip hiking between 12:00 and 16:00.
As far as I know, there’s not a dedicated map with the trails. That said, your best option is to save this map for your journey to Schinoussa. However, most of the paths are clearly designated, and since the distances are short, you won’t have any problems. I didn’t use a car in Schinoussa, and I hiked to every beach on the island.
So, if you want to have a better idea of the island, I recommend the following paths:
1. Chora-Vargies-Gerolimnionas
This 3,5 km route leads to the island’s highest point, at approximately 133 m. There, you will see an old windmill and enjoy spectacular views of the open sea. From there, you can go down to the beach of Gerolimnionas.
2. Chora-Messaria-Psili Ammos
I wrote earlier about the beautiful beach of Psili Ammos. Apart from being one of the prettiest beaches in Schinoussa, the hiking trail is also an experience by itself. On your way to the beach, you pass a windmill at Messaria and some old stone-made houses. After leaving Messaria behind, you will come across vineyards, followed by the flat area of Kampos. Finally, the 2,7 km route finishes at the beach of Psili Ammos.
Other things to do in Schinoussa
Other than that, there’s little sightseeing to do on the island. However, there’s a famous church in Schinoussa, the Panagia Akathi. The church is a typical Cycladic church, and you will most likely come across it while walking around the island.
Last but not least, there’s also a small boat offering tours around the island. Its name is Aeolia, and it starts from the port of Schinoussa. The schedule seems to vary depending on the season; therefore, ask your hotel owner for its schedule. Sometimes, Aeolia offers tours to nearby islands too.
How to budget for Schinoussa
Schinoussa is not as cheap as one might expect. The island attracts mid to upscale tourists, and together with the lack of facilities, it has become a rather pricey destination. Of course, you don’t expect something as costly as Mykonos or Santorini, but the prices are often on the steep side for an island this size.
That said, a double room will cost you a minimum of 80-90 euros per night. The food is also relatively pricey (about 30-35 euros per person), and the only cheap option is the souvlaki. From daily provisions to cocktails, Schinoussa is definitely not the cheapest island. But it’s a destination off the beaten path (at least for now) and, as such, deserves the extra cost, in my opinion. Keep also in mind that the prices tend to be reduced by the end of August. Therefore, it will be cheaper and even quieter if you can go on an autumn vacation.
You won’t need a car in Schinoussa, and if you feel tired one day, you can always hitchhike. If you can cope with the heat, make sure to walk instead of using a car and enjoy the spectacular views. Buy some water, and always have a light snack in your bag. Schinoussa is one of these rewarding destinations that you discover at an easy, relaxed pace.
More about Schinoussa: A balcony to infinity & Iraklia, the island I couldn’t visit
Check also my Aegean Airlines Business Class Review.
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Last Updated on June 6, 2025 by George Pavlopoulos