Cycladia | Island Practical Info

CLIMATE
The Small Cyclades islands except for Donousa, are located between the “triangle” formed by Naxos, Amorgos and Ios, Eastern Cyclades. Donousa is located east from Naxos and north from Amorgos.

The locals are generally engaged in fishing, livestock and agriculture and during the last couple of decades in tourism. Winters are mild and rainy and summers are hot. Especially during August the weather usually turns windy. Like most of the Cyclades, they generally lack vegetation and water resources.

TELEPHONE
The national prefix for Greece is +30 if you are calling from abroad. All numbers in the capital Athens start with the prefix 210 and are followed by 7 digits (e.g. 210-3227400).

The Area Code for Small Cyclades is: +30 22850.
If you wish to call abroad, you have to start by dialing the other country’s national prefix (i.e. 0049 for Germany, 0044 for England etc.) and continue with the area code and the number where you wish to call.

CURRENCY
Euro €
Euro Coins: 1 and 2 euro coins (gold and silver color), 10, 20 and 50 cents (gold color) 1, 2 and 5 cents (copper color)
1 euro = 100 cents / centimes.

Euro Bank Notes: Are available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. It is not always easy to receive change for 200 and 500 Euro Notes.

BY BOAT
The Small Cyclades are connected directly with routes from the port of Piraeus. The trip lasts 8 to 10 hours depending on the itinerary.
There is a route operated by “Express Skopelitis” connecting the island of Naxos to Amorgos with stopovers at the Small Cyclades.
Small Cyclades are interconnected as well (Info Tel.: +30 22850 71438).

Blue star ferries
For accurate timetables and ticket costs please visit: www.bluestarferries.gr
Tel.: +30 210 8919800
E-mail: [email protected]

Skopelitis Lines
Skopelitis Lines Agency Tel.: +30 22850 71256, 71390, 71519

Piraeus Port Authority Tel.: +30 210 4226000, 210 4147800
Naxos Port Authority Tel: +30 22850 22300
Amorgos Port Authority Tel: +30 22850 71259

The Small Cyclades, as indicated by their name, are so small that neither taxis nor buses are operating routes there. The distances are relatively short and in most cases the destinations are within walking distance.

Especially on Koufonisia you will not need a vehicle for every destination is within walking distance. There is though the option of renting a bike or hiring a small boat at a reasonable price.

Take under consideration that there are no gas stations on these islands except for Upper Koufonisi.

BANKS & ATMs
You must be prepared carrying mainly cash because on those islands there are no bank branches except for Donousa and Koufonisi which have each an ATM.

MONEY EXCHANGE
Post offices exchange cash, but not traveler’s cheques, and usually charge lower commissions than banks. On Small Cyclades, though, you will not find a post office. Travel agencies and larger hotels exchange cash and traveler’s cheques but usually charge a higher commission. Credit cards are accepted in shops and restaurants, however, you will probably have to pay in cash.

POST OFFICE
The Greek post office is called ELTA. Post Boxes in Greece are YELLOW for normal post, usually with 2 slots for INTERNAL POST (meaning inside Greece) and post for ABROAD. RED Post Boxes are rarer and they are used for URGENT mail. REGISTERED mail is always handled and given a receipt for at the POST OFFICE.

Post Office facilities are operating on Naxos
Post Office
Naxos Tel.: +30 22850 72228
Filoti Tel.: +30 22850 31226

POLICE STATION
Koufonisia Police Station Tel.: +30 22850 26057

Tourist Police: 171
Hellenic National Meteorological service: +30 210 9699101-3
Elpa (Car breakdown tourist information service): 174
Naxos Port Authority: +30 22850 22300
Amorgos Port Authority: +30 22850 71259
Piraeus Port Authority: +30 210 4226000, 210 4147800

INTERNATIONAL PRESS
International Press can be found in the main settlements of the Small Cyclades but we suggest that you take it with you from Piraeus and Naxos.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Police: 100
Fire Department: 199
Ambulance: 166

HEALTH
Naxos Health Centre Tel.: +30 22850 23333
Donousa Health Centre Tel.: +30 22850 51506
Schinousa Health Centre Tel.: +30 22850 71385
Iraklia Health Centre Tel.: +30 22850 71388, 22850 71545
Koufonisia Health Centre Tel.: +30 22850 71370

PHARMACY
There are no pharmacies on the islands of the Small Cyclades. In case of emergencies you will be serviced by the health centres. So, take with you any first aid and indispensable pharmaceutical products.