The Donoussa Astypalea ferry route connects Cyclades Islands with Dodecanese Islands. Currently there is just the 1 ferry company operating this ferry service, Blue Star Ferries. The crossing operates up to 4 times each week with sailing durations from around 2 hours 40 minutes.
Donoussa Astypalea sailing durations and frequency may vary from season to season so we’d advise doing a live check to get the most up to date information.
Forming one of the Cyclades group of islands, the Greek island of Donoussa is roughly 16 km to the east of the island of Naxos and 25 km to the north of the island of Amorgos. Donoussa is quite a small island measuring around 14 sq. km, with its highest point 385 m above sea level. Due to its small size, the island has remained a virgin place for summer holidays, with few tourist facilities and much privacy. The island's main town is also called Donoussa.
Many visitors to the island while away the hours by swimming in the warm, crystal clear waters off the island's beaches. Most of the beaches are not organised and are mostly accessible on foot. For the more energetic visitor, the island is an ideal destination for trekking.
Donoussa can be reached by ferry from Piraeus or with local boat from Naxos and Amorgos. The small ferryboat Express Skopelitis works the route between Naxos, Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissi, Donoussa and Amorgos three to five days a week during the summer months.
The Greek island of Astypalea lies in the eastern Aegean Sea and is one of the 12 islands that make up the Dodecanese group of islands. The island, which sits at the point where the Dodecanese meet the Cyclades islands, has a long history and is characterised by typically Greek whitewashed villages and lovely beaches. Astypalaia is also the westernmost island of the Dodecanese and is naturally separated into Mesa Nisi (the inner island, western part) and Exo Nisi (the outer island, eastern part) by a thin strip of land less than 100 m wide.
The island's capital, and home to its port, is Chora and is regarded as one of the most picturesque towns in the Aegean. The town sits atop a rock that protrudes into the sea, forming two bays. Towering above Chora is a castle with the white domes of Evangelistria and Agios Georgios churches visible above its walls. Around the castle lie Chora’s houses with whitewashed walls, blue doors and windows, and wooden balconies.
The island is connected to the port of Piraeus and also to the other islands in the Dodecanese, the Cycladic islands and to Crete.