Schoinoussa Island

Address: Schoinoussa (Small Cyclades), South Aegean, Greece - reachable by ferry from Naxos

Schoinoussa is a small Cycladic island in the Aegean Sea, part of Greece’s South Aegean region and one of the islands known as the Small Cyclades. The island covers only a few square kilometres and supports a very small permanent population.

On the island visitors find compact whitewashed settlements, short walking routes and a handful of beaches including the coarse-sand Psili Ammos. Amenities are modest - small hotels, family-run tavernas and beach access - and the island’s scale means most points are a short walk apart.

Historically the island has been used for fishing and small-scale farming; it developed as part of the Cycladic island network and has retained a low-density, rural character into the present. Modern tourist infrastructure expanded mainly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries to serve seasonal visitors.

Schoinoussa sits in the Small Cyclades group between Naxos and Amorgos in the South Aegean. The island is reached by regional ferry routes from larger Cycladic ports and lies in open Aegean waters with a typically dry Mediterranean landscape.

• Ferry access: Ferry services are infrequent outside July and August, so plan crossings and check schedules in advance.
• Seasonality: Population is very small and services are limited; facilities peak in summer and many businesses close in low season.

What to See#

• Chora: The island’s main settlement, traditionally called Chora, contains the primary shops, cafes and accommodation on a very small scale.
• Psili Ammos Beach: Psili Ammos is a well-known sandy beach on the island, noted for its fine sand and clear water and reachable by short local roads or footpaths from the main settlement.

Schoinoussa is a small Cycladic island reached by sea. Regular ferries and seasonal high-speed catamarans call at the island from nearby islands such as Naxos (and from other Small Cyclades/Ionian routes); check current ferry timetables as services are seasonal. On arrival the island is small-the harbour and main village are within a short walk-so no further driving is required.

• Schoinoussa has infrequent ferry connections; plan around published ferry timetables and book ahead if traveling in high season since same-day return options can be limited.
• Most services on the island (cafés, tavernas, rental shops) have shorter hours and fewer days open than on larger islands - check opening times in advance, especially outside July-August.
• Visit beaches like Psili Ammos early in the morning for calmer water and fewer day-trippers, and use the island's network of short walking paths to reach quieter coves in the late afternoon.