Schinoussa, with just 9.5 square kilometers, belongs to the Small Cyclades complex. We find it south of Naxos and northeast of Iraklia. It has a permanent population of just 206 people. Schinoussa has two settlements, Chora and Messaria. The settlement of Chora is built on a hill, in the interior of the island, and is 1.2 km away. from the island’s port, Mersini, which is considered one of the best small boat shelters in the entire Aegean. The second settlement of the island, Messaria, is 3 km away. from The Country. In a previous Forbes magazine poll, it was one of the six places one should visit in Greece. Let’s see why…
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Schinoussa, with its enchanting beaches
The truth is that Schinoussa is home to some of the most amazing beaches in the entire Aegean Sea, beaches with clear blue waters and golden or white sand. Most of them are not organized, so you should make sure you have the necessary supplies with you. Note also that on the most secluded beaches of the island it is very likely that you will meet nudists. Some of the most beautiful beaches of Schinoussa are:
Aligaria: It is located near Chora, it is sheltered, and has sand and a beautiful seabed. It lacks natural shade.
Lioliou: Beautiful sandy beach with turquoise, shallow waters, and tamarisk trees that offer shade. It has a restaurant and rooms to let and is ideal for families.
Tsigouri: The most popular beach of the island and the closest to Chora (5 minutes). It is long and sandy, with many trees for shade. It has a beach bar, rooms to let, and a tavern with spectacular views of Iraklia and Ios.
Livadi is 1 km away. From Chora, it has golden sand and large tamarisk trees and is ideal for families. There is also a tavern in the area.
Psili Ammos: Beautiful beach with exotic beauty and views of Amorgos. Turquoise waters, white sand, and a dune compose the impressive scenery.
Where to stay in Schinoussa
Most of the hotels, rooms to let, studios, and apartments are located in the main settlement of the island, Chora. But you will also find rooms in the port, Mersini, Almyros, and the settlement of Messaria. Studios and suites (more expensive though) are located on the beaches of Tsigouri, Livadi, and Lioliou. Some hotels and studios offer free shuttle service to the beaches via minibus daily.
Where did Schinoussa get its name from? History
For the name of the island, there are two versions. Some claim that it owes its name to the shrubby plant Schino that thrives throughout the island. The other version is that the island took its name from the Venetian lord Schinoza. The archaeological findings on the island testify that Schinoussa has been inhabited since ancient times and had a great participation in the creation of the Early Cycladic Greek Civilization centered on the neighboring island of Keros.
Ruins of destroyed Christian churches and many ceramic finds are still preserved on the island, evidence that during the Byzantine years, the island thrived commercially. Schinoussa was raided by pirates, like most of the Cyclades, which forced many inhabitants of the island to abandon their place. The island began to be inhabited again by a population coming from Amorgos from the mid-19th century onwards.
Sightseeing in Schinoussa
Folklore Museum. A visit is probably necessary, since in its halls you will see the rural past of the island, but also old portable icons, traditional costumes, a wonderful wood oven in the yard, and dozens of agricultural tools, which nowadays we are close to forgetting what they did. But we are reminded of them by their carefully placed explanatory signs.
Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary. It is the center of tourism of Schinoussa with the double and large blue dome standing out from everywhere. It is dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary and the Akathistos Hymn, while inside the church is kept the icon of Panagia Akathi, which presents the Virgin Mary in a rare depiction from the Akathistos Hymn.
Church of Evangelistria. It is located almost at the entrance of the settlement of Messaria. It has an ornate bell tower built by a Santorini craftsman. The church is believed to have been built on the site of an older one in 1887. The icon of the Annunciation adorns the church along with the beautiful colored iconostasis and the old icons.
Fortress of Prophet Elias. It is located at the top (120 m) of the homonymous hill. Archaeological research revealed that the fortress occupies an area of 90 X 17 m. approximately, with large boulders on both sides and a core of small stones and soil. Two towers were found, one on the northeast and one on the south side of the acropolis, many walls of buildings inside, and ruins of a single-aisled basilica, covered by later constructions, while an older wall is preserved, adjacent to the apse of the sanctuary.
Tastes in Schinoussa
The most popular dish of Schinoussa is its fava beans. Note also: xinomizithra, kopanisti, and ladotyri are among the musts of the island, as are fresh fish, prickly pears, and excellent grapes. A good choice for food is at Kyra Pothiti’s restaurant in Chora, where you can taste fava tart, grilled tuna fillet, and bruschetta with sardines. Also, the fish tavern of Akathi is located on the beach of Lioliou, where, after your dives, you can enjoy linguini with crayfish, eggplants with mizithra cheese and tomato sauce, and many other fine flavors that smell of the sea. A combination of sunset and sea with cocktails in hand at the beach bar in Tsigouri. A nice night out for drinks is the one at Vrachos bar just outside Chora overlooking Livadi beach.
Ferry schedules and ferry tickets to Schinoussa. The direct route Piraeus – Schinoussa runs at least 3 times a week throughout the year, and the trip lasts about 7 hours. From Piraeus, you can also go to Schinoussa with an intermediate stop in Naxos and from there take either the ferry or the legendary “Express Skopelitis”, which serves daily routes to the Small Cyclades. The trip from Naxos to Schinoussa lasts about 1.5-2 hours, and the ticket is very economical.
Schinoussa is a small island belonging to the Small Cyclades complex in Greece, located south of Naxos and northeast of Iraklia. With only 9.5 square kilometers and a permanent population of just 206 people, it is one of the most peaceful and undiscovered destinations in the Aegean Sea.
Schinoussa has several stunning beaches including Tsigouri (the most popular), Lioliou with its turquoise shallow waters and tamarisk trees, Psili Ammos with white sand and views of Amorgos, Livadi with golden sand ideal for families, and Aligaria near Chora. Most beaches are unspoiled and feature clear blue waters and natural sand.
Most beaches in Schinoussa are not organized, so visitors should bring their own supplies. However, some popular beaches like Tsigouri and Lioliou have beach bars, taverns, and accommodations. It's important to note that the more secluded beaches may have nudist areas.
Most accommodations are located in Chora, the main settlement, but rooms are also available in Mersini port, Almyros, and Messaria. Studios and suites can be found on beaches like Tsigouri, Livadi, and Lioliou. Many hotels and studios offer free daily minibus shuttle service to the beaches.
Schinoussa's name comes from either the shrubby plant 'Schino' that grows throughout the island or from Venetian lord Schinoza. The island has been inhabited since ancient times and played a significant role in Early Cycladic civilization. It was later raided by pirates, causing many inhabitants to leave, but was repopulated by settlers from Amorgos in the mid-19th century.
Schinoussa offers the Folklore Museum showcasing rural heritage, traditional costumes, and agricultural tools, and the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary with its distinctive blue domes. The island is also ideal for beach hopping, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and experiencing authentic Greek island life away from crowds.
Chora, the main settlement, is built on a hill in the island's interior, 1.2 km from the island's port Mersini, which is considered one of the best small boat shelters in the Aegean. Messaria, the second settlement, is located 3 km from Chora, and Tsigouri beach is just 5 minutes from Chora.
Schinoussa was featured in Forbes magazine as one of six places to visit in Greece. It offers enchanting, unspoiled beaches with amazing clarity, a authentic Greek island experience with only 206 permanent residents, traditional villages, historical churches, and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for those seeking alternative holidays away from mass tourism.
