Description of the attraction
Anafi is a small Greek island in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. The island is located about 19 km east of Santorini and is part of the Cyclades archipelago. The area of Anafi Island is only 38, 4 sq. Km, and the length of the coastline is about 33 km. The landscape of Anafi Island is predominantly mountainous, and its highest peak is the Vigla peak, whose height is 579 m. Despite the arid climate, the flora of the island is quite diverse, and here you can find many different plants, including quite rare ones. The population of Anafi does not exceed 300 people, while the main occupations of local residents are fishing and tourism.
The island has been known under the name "Anafi" since time immemorial, and there are several versions about its origin. According to ancient Greek mythology, when the Argonauts were returning from Colchis to their homeland and were caught in a violent storm, they turned to Apollo with a request to save them. Apollo, heeding their pleas, fired an arrow, and the sky was illuminated by lightning, and an island appeared in front, where the wanderers found their salvation. The Argonauts named the island "Anafi", which can be translated as "appearing."
Anafi Island is famous for its magnificent natural landscapes, many excellent beaches (Kleisidi, Kattsuni Mikros, Megalos Rukunos, Mega Potamos, Agia Anargiri, etc.) and the absence of an excessive number of tourists and it is perhaps today one of the best islands of the Cyclades archipelago for a quiet and measured rest.
The only port of Anafi - Agios Nicholas - is located on the southern coast of the island, and just a few kilometers from it, on the slopes of a picturesque hill with stunning panoramic views, is the administrative center of the island - the town of Chora, which is definitely worth a visit. It is a charming village with narrow cobbled streets, traditional white houses, old churches (Agios Nikolaos, Agios Haralambos, Agios Georgios, etc.), windmills and the ruins of an old Venetian fortress.
After Hora, you can go to the so-called Kastelli hill, where the ruins of an ancient city lie, presumably founded by the Dorians in the 8th century BC. and existed until the end of the ancient era (unique artifacts collected during the excavations of Kastelli, as well as other areas of the island, can be seen in the small but very interesting Archaeological Museum of Chora). The Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, built on the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, and then the picturesque Kalamos Peninsula are also worth a visit.
