Fourni island Greece, the nicest beaches and hotels

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Fourni - Fournoi
Detailed map of Fourni
Fourni or Fournoi is the name of an archipelago of twelve small islands in Greece, which lie between Ikaria, Patmos and Samos. The two largest of this island group, Fourni and the Island Thimena (or{ Thymena) are inhabited, as well as the smaller eastern island Agios Minas. On the main island is the largest village, which has the same name as the island, namely Fourni. Fourni has about 2000 inhabitants. The second largest village on the island Fourni lies in the north and is called Chryssomilia. It is slightly smaller than village of Thimena on the nearby island. In Fourni the ferries sail in. Most inhabitants live of fishing, agriculture or farming, and part of them work in the tourism industry. On the main island there are a number of beautiful beaches such as Vlychada, Vitsilia, Petrokopio, Elidaki and Bali. In earlier times Fourni was called Korseon and it was the site of pirates. Thimena island has a population of about 140 people and owes its name to the large quantities of wild thyme that grows on the island. On Thimena lies the beautiful Agios Ioannis monastery. The other smaller islands in the archipelago are destined as a scenic area for wildlife and the special nesting seabirds such as the Aegean seagull (Aigaioglaros). On Fourni there are many small bays and fun sandbeaches that can be reached on foot or with a kaik. In the small fishtaverna's in the village Fourni you try the speciality of the island, the grilled lobster. In the village, you can also, for example, hire a kaik or a small boat to explore the more remote beaches. The island is ideal for people who like peace and quiet. There is no extensive road network on Fourni and the island is ideal for making walks. There are not a lot of cars and there is only 1 taxi. It is possibly to hire a motor bike, but there is no car rental on the island. More people have a fishing boat than a car. A few kilometres outside Fourni town the asphalt road stops and turns into footpaths. However, the island is on the move and with tourism in the back of the heads they are working quickly on the road network and asphalt will appear on more roads pretty soon. In 2008 we saw that large pieces of the road were widened and probably it will soon be done with the "walking only" on the island, and the number of cars will also increase. Personally I think that for this island it would only be good if some of the beaches could be more easily reached. The greatest treasures of the island in my point of view will still be the residents, who are so very friendly and hospitable, and the atmosphere of the village of Fourni which is so cosy and full of character, with all its small churches, shops and good restaurants.

In the southwest at about 20 minutes away, are the two bays of Kampi with some windmills, a tavern and two beaches. South of Kampi are many unspoiled bays and beaches and the island is as good as abandoned. If you take the road that leads out of the village on the other side than you end up at Psili Amos Beach (with a few trees on it for shade) and another beach with a small church on it. On the last beach some small trees have been planted but they don't give much shade yet (2008). Both beaches are very quiet and they are clean. The walk takes about 10 - 20 minutes. In the north the village of Chrisomilia can be reached via a footpath (we never made it but we estimate it is about two and a half hours walk, maybe three). Fourni town and particularly the harbour front of the village is a bit livelier and there are some shops and tavernas. The tavernas serve mainly fresh fish, but also the ovendishes are a speciality of the island. The food is traditionally Greek and is served with fresh bread. Because most residents have a fishing boat, and there is an extensive fleet on the island of Fourni fresh fish and lobster often costs a fraction of what you pay at other Greek islands. The village has a bakery, a supermarket, a butcher, a pharmacy, a post office and there is a hairdresser. On Sundays normally all the shops are closed. For the lovers of naturist beaches there is also a place to be found on the island. At the beaches at the north side of the village you can sometimes find a spot on the edges of the beach and also on the more remote beaches and coves like for instance the quiet beach of Vitsila you can plunge into the sea without your textiles.

The ferries to Fourni
Fourni has good connections with the other islands in the area, and five times a week there is a ferry from "Samos Ships" from Samos to Fourni leaving the capital Vathi at 14.15 o'clock, and that sometimes also calls on the smaller island of Thimena, on its route Vathi (Samos) - Karlovassi (Samos) - Ikaria - Thimena - Fourni. For the exact route see the picture on the left. The trip from the capital of Samos (Vathi of Samos Town) takes a little less than 4 hours. Also from the town Karlovassi on Samos you can get on on these ferries. Note: schedules of ferries can change depending on the season and they vary from year to year, so always check. For Fourni you check the website of "Samos Ships" and GA Ferries. GA Ferries makes several connections each week, sometimes leaving early in the morning, sometimes leaving in the afternoon. This journey is a bit shorter because the ferry goes directly from Samos to Fourni, than to Ikaria and after that to the Cylades (Naxos, Paros and Piraeus). See schedule / route on the picture on the right side. If you check and cannot find any schedules on than you are probably too early and the timetables haven't been approved yet. Please try again later in the season. Sometimes the owner of the hotel you booked knows best and you can ask him / her.
Plane tickets and travel to the islands of Samos and Fourni
If you want to visit Fourni and stay there your entire vacation or a portion of it, it is the easiest to fly on Samos. It would also enable a combination of a number of days at Samos, which is also very nice, and some days at Fourni. Another option is to fly to Athens and then hop on the ferry in Piraeus, but that trip takes of course much longer.

Fourni Hotels, Archipelagos Hotel.
Fourni was planned for a visit in the year 2008 or 2009 combined with a visit to our beloved Samos, and we have made it. There are not that many accommodations on the island of Fourni, but I we found this hotel that looked very nice. It is a just new (2007) three-star superior hotel and is is called Archipelagos. It is a small hotel with 12 rooms (9 doubles, including 1 especially for the disabled, and 3 tripples). All rooms have a balcony with a beautiful view of the harbor and the bay. The hotel is open all year. There is a reception and there's a bar and a restaurant. All rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, safe and a refrigerator. The hotel is located on the harbor a bit on the side of the city and overlooks the bay and the port. The hotel is very nicely designed, with lots of natural stone and wood. On the stone tiles on the ground and the staircases show fossil remains of ferns. The rooms are decorated with a beautiful modern design bathroom, good beds and a flat screen TV. It's very pleasant on the balcony, especially with a cup of coffee in the morning or with a drink in the evening, because of the nice view over the village and the bay. Below is the reception and there is a good restaurant with chairs and a terrace in front of the hotel and on the pier in the port opposite the hotel. No expences have been spared to decorate the hotel. You can have a cheap breakfast in the hotel starting at 3 euros 50. We usually had the continental breakfast with orange juice, a pot of real coffee (no nescaf�) and sandwiches, but you can also order fried eggs, croissants and other things. The restaurant was excellent. For more photos and information on the Archipelagos Hotel on Fourni click here. On Fourni you will not find big hotels and there is no swimming pool on the island. Most accommodations are small and in the form of small family hotels and guesthouses. In August usually everything is booked out, because the island is popular with the Greeks themselves.
Check availabilities and prices & book the Archipelagos Hotel - click here.

The Festival of Greek Turkish Friendship 2008
Take a look at the pictures of the festival

Hans Huisman, www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/ 2008