Donoussa, the refuge of the Aegean

Donoussa is the northernmost island of the Small Cyclades. It is located east of Naxos and north of Amorgos. It has an area of 13.5 sq. Km. It has many bays, among which are excellent beaches.

It is an ideal destination for lovers of peaceful holidays. According to mythology, Dionysus hid Ariadne in Donoussa, in order Theseus not to find her.

The island, which has an area of just 14 square kilometers and its highest point it is the Papa, at 383 meters, is a paradise for walkers and nature lovers, since in a few hours someone can walk from end to end or just to reach some of the beautiful sandy beaches. The first thing you see arriving on the island is Stavros, which is the main port of the island. It is built in amphitheater style with whitewashed houses, colorful doors and windows and cobblestone streets with fuchsia bougainvillea.

Donoussa has been excavated settlement from the Geometric period and housing relics of the Bronze Age. It has 160 residents and is composed of four beautiful settlements Donousa or Stavros (the largest village and port of the island), Mersini, Charavgi and Kalotaritissa.

Donoussa is the island you will not need a car. During the tourist season the local minibus goes back and forth all day on the asphalt road of the island, and you can always follow the paths that connect Stavros with the settlement of Kalotaritissa or Mersini.

It is worth exploring the two magnificent caves of the island, the Fokospilia (in the point of Moskonas), former pirate's hideout and today's gathering point of seals, and the Cave of Wall (in White Cape) with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.

The local cuisine is a small revelation for unsuspecting visitors: try the cream made from wheat, patatato, pasteli, the aranista, xerotigana, the pickly pear jam and drink raki made of dried figs!