What to see & do

Donoussa Koufonissia Schinoussa Iraklia

Apart from the beautiful beaches, there is much more to see in Small Cyclades. The distance between various sites is so short that it would be a shame not to get to know them all.

Donoussa
Donousa’s beaches bare a unique natural beauty and their deep blue waters enchant you from the very first moment.

• Holy Cross’ church: protector of the island. The church was built in 1902, close to the port. If you find yourself on the island on 14th September you can      celebrate along with the locals at the festival (panigyri). Pilgrims arrive in their boats from the surrounding islands along with musicians from Naxos and           Amorgos. It is then that you can taste ‘‘patatato’’ (braized meat with potatoes).
• Panagia’s church: on your way to Kedros, with the spectacular  view of the sunset. On 15th August there is a great feast that takes place, when all the           women of the village start cooking fine seafood dishes in the early morning which are offered in the evening at the port to all.
• Messaria’s deserted settlement: Mrs Sophia, as the unique resident, will welcome you there and will retell you stories of the past times.
• Pano and Kato Mylos(mill): 2 windmills at Messaria’s area. Unfortunately there are not in use any more.
• Ruins of geometric settlements: at Messaria’s area, over Vathy Limenari.
• Mersini’s spring with its plain tree and running water. An oasis, soothing area on the Cycladic islands.
• Saint Sofia’s church in Mersini. On 17th September a great feast takes place, at the closing of which all the locals are gathered around the spring and under    the perennial plane tree  to eat, drink and dance.
• Fokospilia (Seal’s cave): a cave of an extraordinary natural beauty at the seaside on Moschonas’ cape on the eastern side of the island. One of the last          seals’ resorts that can be accessed only by the sea.
• Cave of the Wall: with stalactites, on the northwest side of the island, on Xylobatis’ cape.
• Saint John’s church: southeast.

Koufonissia

• Sea caves: on Pano Koufonissi’s North Cape.
• Saint Goerge’s church: the protector of the island. On Saint George’s day (normally celebrated on 23rd April, but if it coincides with Lent then it is      celebrated on Easter Monday), there is a litany/procession of his icon on the seaside street, while the streets are covered with rose petals. They put on         fireworks and all the small boats of the island are sailing alongside. Tripe soup with vinegar and a stew or pasta is offered to everyone and then the feast             starts.
• Saint Nicholas’ small church: over Karnagio with a view to nine islands!
• Mylos (Mill): A traditional windmill that has been renovated into a beautiful bar
• Panagia’s (Virgin Mary’s) church on Kato Koufonissi: situated on Deti’s pier and built on ancient ruins. On August 15th a big festival takes place there. At            the end of the Mass, food is offered to everyone and then people are transferred by boats which are competing in the race to get to Pano Koufonissi first,     where the feast is held .
• Fishermen feast: on June 24th the captains of the caiques cook for everybody on the pier the traditional cacavia (boulliabaisse-a soup made with different types of fish). A feast follows with traditional music and dance.
  

Schinoussa

• Annunciation of Virgin Mary’s church: on the area of Mesarias. The celebration takes place on March 25th where cod and wine are offered
• Panagia Akathis’ church (Standing Virgin Mary): in Chora. It is named after the rare icon of Virgin Mary from the Standing Hymn. In Schinoussa, there is a             custom according to which many girls are named after Virgin Mary, Akathi. The celebration takes place on the 4th Friday of Lent. The following day there is       a big feast with lots of Lenten food (octopus, shrimps, rice, split peas and wine). The church before it hosted the famous miraculous icon of Panagia Akathi was dedicated to the Presentation and the Assumption of Virgin Mary. On August 15th a big feast takes place that starts the day before and lasts for two days. The whole island sits at the same table where roasted veal is offered. ‘‘Panigyras’’ takes care of all the food expenses.
• Folklore Museum: in Chora, where one can admire traditional costumes, tools and utensils of ancient times.
• Three Mills: The first one is situated in the middle of the island, in Vardies’ area. The second is in Messaria and the third one in Tsigouri.
• Two caves: Maniatis’ cave and Fishermen’s cave. Both situated near the port

Heraklia

• Saint John’s cave: a unique work of nature with rich decoration from stalactites, stalagmites and columns of natural shades. Although it has not been developed, it is the biggest cave in Cyclades and one of the most important ones in Greece. According to tradition Saint John’s icon was found by a  shepherd in the first main room, where the Christian icon stand was built. On august 28th a great Mass takes place where pilgrims from all the islands gather.
• Cyclops’ cave: Nearby Saint John’s cave. It has two rooms, not as impressive as those of the great cave, but spacious and bright. According to tradition it was where the mythological Cyclops used to live. The locals are willing to show you the rocks that the Cyclops was supposed to be throwing in the sea. For the past centuries it was used by hermits.
• Cape ‘‘Merichas’’: surrounded by imposing rocks that rise steeply over 100 metres and it’s a renown shelter to wild sea-birds.
• Livadi’s Castle: fortress of the Hellenistic era, with amazing view to the surrounding islands. Up to 1930 there was a settlement. On that spot ruins of Zeus’   & Goddess of Luck Temple were found.
• Index-‘‘Bousoules’’: Indicators of orientation they are scattered around the rocks of the area between Agio Giorgo to Agio Athanasio. Archaeologists are   studying them in order to determine their date and exact use.
• Three Mills: One in the area of Ai Mama-Panagias that was used until 1969, when it was replaced by a motor one. The second one in Ai Giorgis-Rachidi’s        area belonged to Evaggelo Koveo until 1950. The third one, ‘‘Kalogerikos’’ is situated 800m to the west side of the previous one and was built before 1830    and was used until the end of 19th century.
• The church of the Presentation of Virgin Mary in Panagia village: an important church thanks to its great size. It was built between 1919 and 1930 next to an       older smaller church which was later dedicated to Saint Nectarios. On November 21st there is a celebration with traditional dishes, whereas on August 15th   a great feast takes place with food, wine and violinists that play traditional music.
• Saint George’s church: in the homonym village. It was built in 1834 and renovated in 1898. On April 23rd or Easter Monday the local festival takes place.
• ‘‘Taxiarchis’’ private church: It belongs to Manoli Simo. It was built in the end of the 19th century and has a masterly icon screen. A festival takes place on            November 8th.
• Profitis Ilias’ church: built in 1960 by the Union of Heraklia’s inhabitants living in Athens.
• ‘‘Saint Paraskevi’’: Owned by Sophia Vidali. Commemorates on July 26th when one can taste traditional sweets.
• -Mamas’ church: On the eastern side of Chora, on a hill opposite the village