Fourni

Not to be confused with Phourni, archaeological site of an ancient Minoan cemetery in Crete.

Fourni

Fournoi Korseon is a Greek archipelago in the Aegean Sea. Fourni contains a well-known archaeological site for the Minoan civilisation. The cemetery at Fourni is perhaps the most important discovered Minoan burial site to date.

Understand

The archipelago is in the eastern Aegean south between Samos and Ikaria. Fournoi is a formation of over 20 small barren islands, of which only two are inhabited: Fournoi and Thymaina. The centrally located 30 km² main island consists of two almost equally large parts, each about 9 km long. Due to the heavily indented coastline with numerous small bays, the width varies from less than 300 m to a maximum of 3.5 km. The main islands have a hilly to mountainous character. The coastline is heavily indented, cliffs interspersed with caves alternate with rocky coasts and deep bays with sand and pebble beaches. Fournoi was an ideal base for pirates in the Middle Ages. Because of the hundreds of small fjords and hidden beaches where their ships could hide, they were named after corsairs.

With the increased tourism on the neighbouring island of Ikaria, Fourni also benefits from day trippers. Few vacation on the island for more than a few days, as it is too remote and quiet for most. For sailors, however, the many secluded bays are a paradise.

Get in

The nearest airports are in Ikaria and Samos.

By ferry

Fourni can only be reached by ferry. There is a connection to Piraeus three times a week via the Cyclades islands of Mykonos, Paros and Syros. Otherwise Fourni can be reached via Samos or Ikaria. In addition, Flying Dolphins operate from Samos (Pythagorio), Ikaria (Agios Kirykos), Patmos and Lipsi in summer. There are several daily connections between the main island and Thymena.

Get around

If you want to explore the beautiful beaches and bays, you need an all-terrain vehicle or quad, since they can only be reached via dirt roads. Rentals are available in the main town. Most day-trippers stay in town and don't need a vehicle. Alternatively, trips to the beaches in small fishing boats are highly recommended.

There is a ferry from the port to the even lonelier neighbouring island of Thimena.

See

The town

There are no real sights on the island. The real attractions are the originality of the island and of course the beaches and many bays. Ancient finds from the Ionian, Classical and Hellenic periods are scattered throughout the island. The cyclopean wall with traces of an acropolis on the hill of Ag. Giorgis , the ruins of the ancient temple of Kamari and the remains of houses on the seabed, the shrine of Poseidon in Agia Triada in Chryssomilia , the ancient quarry of Petrokopi o.

• 1 Fourni (Φούρνοι (πόλη)). The main town has about 1200 inhabitants.  
• 2 Chrysomilia (Χρυσομηλέα Φούρνων). The second largest village with about 100 inhabitants.  
• 3 Thimena (Θύμαινα Φούρνων). The main town on the island of Thimena with around 140 inhabitants  

Do

• Beaches
• Dive. About 60 shipwrecks have been found around the island. Most shipwrecks date from Greek, Roman or Byzantine times.
• Snorkelling. In the bays, the water is very clear and ideal for snorkelling.

Buy

In the main town you get all the basic necessities. Pharmacy, baker, butcher, supermarket, etc. For other things you have to go to the larger neighboring islands.

Eat

There are several restaurants and cafés in the main town that cater to day trippers. There is also a restaurant at the port of Chrysomilia and at the beach of Kampi.

Drink

The village nightlife takes place in the cafes or restaurants and is very quiet.

Sleep

There are only apartments and rooms, but no hotel. However, the offer is sufficient and inexpensive and it can be booked via the well-known Internet portals.

Stay safe

If you are traveling on the island, you should take enough water with you, as most of the island is practically uninhabited.

There is no hospital, only a health station. In more serious cases, transport to the nearest hospital is by helicopter or ferry.