Donoussa is one of the smaller islands that lie around the much larger island Naxos. This group of islands has been given the name "Small Cyclades". Donoussa is the most isolated of the group and is situated on the eastside of Naxos. It is te most quiet of them all and not frequently visited by ferries. If the ferries go on strike, like they did during our visit, it can become too small.

Donoussa does have its charms though. First of all I have to say that it is not really an island designed for the tourists and that most people don't speak English. The two restaurants and the supermarket in the village (with one piece of goat-cheese and one bottle of ouzo - but I did get updates that the supermarket is much better utilised nowadays) are limited for choice. Consider yourself lucky if you find the ticket-office for the ferries open on the time that it is supposed to be open.

But on Donoussa we did make what I concider to be the most beautiful walk we ever made. We walked for three hours along the coastline and back for two hours through the mountains, and we did not see anybody except for a couple of people that lived in a little village that we passed (just a couple of houses and a church). Next to that village we found a small dream-beach with little rocks in the water, which overlooked the most gorgeous small island Skoulonissi, surrounded by crystal clear turqoise water. We stayed there for a couple of hours to rest from the walk and to take a dip into the water. We had the beach to ourselves all the time. This is where we ate a piece of dry toast with some sweaty cheese, and drank some water....the most delicious meal I ever had.

Donoussa is nice to visit for a day or two and make walks. Other people like it so much they want to spend a couple of weeks or their whole holiday here, because they think it is the most beautiful small island in the whole bunch of the small Cyclades. If you like it quiet you came to the right place. The sunsets were along the most beautiful I've ever seen. It goes down over the mountains of its bigger neighbour, the island of Naxos. We would make sure to be at home at the time it was about to go under and have a cup of coffee while looking at it.

The main village of Donoussa where the ferry sails in looks inviting with a big, quiet sandy beach, but the sand is rather hard. You will find a couple of quiet beaches in the south of the island (Kendros and Livadi) and in the north (Kalotaritissa - the one we visited) but you have to be prepared to walk. There is also space for people that like to swim in the sea without their textiles on since a lot of the beaches are mixed or they are taken over by the naturists. There are no busses and you can't rent a car or a motorcycle (at least not when we wre there).

There is a water tap in the village / harbor Agios Stavros with fresh natural water that you can drink (we didn't try, but stuck to the bottles as usual). We had a hard time finding a public telephone (usually in the front of a harbour, but here it was situated somewhere in the back of the village - we did not have mobile telephone yet) and the baker (in the harbour next to the restaurant). I have been told that there were some more tavernas on the island by now, so you have some more choice if you want to go out for diner. Summarized it's not too bad for having a look around.

Stavros - Clear, shallow, transparent turquoise sea water and golden sand on the beach of the harbour. This beach is in centre of the village of stavros and it is clean.

Kedros - The maps and the visitors call it Kedro but the inhabitants call it Kentro. It is the largest beach of the island with very green sea water and a lot of people are gathered daily. It is at a 1 km distance from the harbor of the island, Stavros, which is a twenty minute walk on foot. There was a German ship from the second World War on the seabed which was pulled up a few years ago. A part of its hull still stands out on the bottom. A small bar two minutes far away from the beach, provides you with drinks to quench your thirst on a hot day.

Livadi - A large light coloured beach with turqoise sea water. You have two alternatives to reach it. One of them is the traditional launch which departs from Stavros daily in the morning and returns in the afternoon. The other one is by road up to Mersini following the path. It is a fifteen minute journey.

Fikio - This is a small beach next to Livadi with a particullar feature the seaweed at the bottom of the sea near the beach.

Sapounohoma - The first beach of Kalotaritissa. It is near the road a, a few metres away from the village. Very small but pretty good.

Mesa amos - Mesa Amos is the main and the second beach of Kalotaritissa. It's got very green sea water and golden sand.

Tripiti - At the end of Mesa Amos there is a path that leads to Tripiti within 10 minutes. It is the last beach of the village. You have no access by car and it's ideal for those who prefer the isolation. It's name derives from the holes on the rocks.

Limni - Another isolated beach of the island. It's on the northest area of the island. A little bay with a small beach. It's a half an hour walk on a path but if you want to find it, you should ask the locals.

Vathi Limenari - A little bay next to Kedros beach. The access to this beach is through the path which starts from a district road.

The beach at Kendros / Kedros that is located at a 1 kilometer distance of the capital Stavros is a swimwear optional beach, but actually a nude beach. It is regarded by many people as one of the best naturist beaches of Greece. A little bit more away the beach Livadi is largely a naturist beach as well. Probably there are still more small beaches on Donoussa outside the villages where you can discretely swim without swimwear, like the little beach that we have found (opposite the island Skoulonissi).

Makares Apartments Donoussa is a self-catering accommodation located on the island of Donousa. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Stavros Beach lies within 100 metres. Accommodation will provide you with a flat-screen tv, and air conditioning. Complete with a refrigerator, all studios and apartments have a kitchen or kicthenette. Private bathrooms also come with towels. You can enjoy a sea view. Extras include a seating area and satellite channels. At Makares Apartments Donoussa you will find free shuttle service, a garden and barbecue facilities on request. A bakery, restaurants, bars and a mini market are at a distance of 100 metres. Kedros Beach is 500 metres away. The property offers free parking on request.

Check availabilities and prices & book Makares Apartments in Donoussa - click here.

For even more hotels on the island of Donoussa - click here.

Althea Studios is a self-catering accommodation located in Donoussa. At Althea Studios you will find a garden. The property offers free parking.

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For the people that want to visit the island and would like to reserve a room ahead, these studio-rooms Aposperitis look very good. There is not much accommodation on the island and especially in the high season it is better to be safe.

Right by the main beach of the island, at the Stavros harbour where the endless blue of the Aegean begins, sit the rooms and the restaurant of "Aposperitis". Our resort comprises of double rooms and flats with two rooms each, which are available all year round. On the ground floor you will find the restaurant by the same name, where you will enjoy the best home-made meals. There are double rooms and two-room flats. Each room has Each room has an air-conditioning unit, shower, T.V. set, small refrigerator and private balcony. The two room flats have air-conditioning units in both rooms, shower, T.V. set, fully equipped kitchen, refrigerator, private balcony, and it can accommodate up to 4 visitors.

Check availabilities and prices & book Aposperitis Studios in Donoussa - click here.

A traditional newly built chain of appartments, situated in a quiet, pleasant location just 150 meters away from the sea and the village centre. It consists of studios and apartments. There is a capacity of additional beds for families with young children. All rooms are equipped with independent balcony, unlimited sea view, a fridge, a small cooker, a bathroom with 24-hour hot water, TV and some rooms have airconditioning. The rooms are accesible by car using the ring road for transporting your luggage. There is a private space available for parking.

Check availabilities and prices & book Firoa Studios - click here.

Featuring air conditioning, Pothiti Studios offers accommodation in Donoussa. Náousa is 50 km away. Free WiFi is offered throughout the property and free private parking is available on site. The accommodation features a TV. A refrigerator and coffee machine are also featured. There is also a kitchenette in some of the units, equipped with an oven. Towels are available. Santa Maria is 46 km from Pothiti Studios. The nearest airport is Naxos Island National Airport, 38 km from Pothiti Studios.

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