Where to Stay in Folegandros

Wondering where to stay in Folegandros? Here’s a guide to the island’s best hotels, villas, and areas to base yourself.

Folegandros remains one of the Cyclades’ more understated islands and one of my most loved. Smaller and less developed than neighbours such as Santorini and Milos, it has built a loyal following thanks to its dramatic landscapes, excellent food scene, and beautifully preserved villages.

It’s the sort of place that beautifully embodies summer, where days revolve around swimming, long lunches, sunset walks, and unhurried evenings in the main square.

For a relatively small island, there is a surprising variety of places to stay. Chora is the obvious choice for first-time visitors, thanks to its restaurants, cafés, and lively atmosphere. Agkali appeals to those who want to be close to the beach, while Ano Meria offers a quieter, more rural experience.

Around Karavostasis, the island’s port, you’ll find some of Folegandros’ best hotels and convenient access to ferries and boat excursions.

Accommodation has also evolved considerably in recent years. Alongside family-run guesthouses and traditional apartments, there are now several excellent boutique hotels and design-led retreats, as well as a growing number of private villas positioned to take advantage of the island’s sweeping sea views.

From luxury cliffside resorts to charming boutique stays and private rentals, here’s where to stay in Folegandros and the top hotels and rentals worth booking.

*This ‘where to stay in folegandros’ guide may contain affiliate links, meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free. 

Read more: The Best Restaurants in Folegandros

The Best Hotels in Folegandros

For a small island, Folegandros has a very good amount of choice when it comes to design-led stays. You won’t find sprawling mega-resorts here. Instead, the best hotels in Folegandros lean into Cycladic minimalism, dramatic sea views, and a strong sense of place.

From polished boutique properties overlooking the Aegean to one of Greece’s most talked-about luxury openings, these are the hotels in Folegandros worth booking right now.

Anemi Hotel & Spa – Set just above Karavostasis Port, Anemi Hotel & Spa is Folegandros’ original luxury hotel. Whitewashed buildings are scattered across landscaped gardens filled with olive trees and native plants, creating the feeling of a Cycladic village. Rooms and suites pair clean-lined design with natural materials, while the expansive pool, excellent spa, and outdoor gym and yoga facilities make it a destination in its own right. Where I stayed.

Read more: Checking In: Anemi, Folegandros

Anemomilos Boutique Hotel – Perched on the edge of Chora, Anemomilos Boutique Hotel offers one of the island’s best locations. The traditional Cycladic architecture remains intact, but interiors feel fresh and contemporary, with crisp white spaces and understated furnishings. Many rooms enjoy sweeping views across the cliffs and sea, while the short walk into Chora makes it ideal if you want restaurants, bars, and sunset viewpoints on your doorstep.

Blue Sands Boutique Hotel – Just steps from Agali Beach, Blue Sands Boutique Hotel is one of the island’s most charming boutique options. The design is simple and elegant, with whitewashed walls, soft blue accents, and sea-facing terraces that frame the bay below. Its intimate scale creates a relaxed, personal atmosphere, while the beachside location offers easy access to swimming, boat trips, and some of Folegandros’ prettiest coastal scenery.

Spina Folegandros – Among the island’s newer arrivals, Spina Folegandros brings a more contemporary design sensibility to the Cyclades. Suites are defined by earthy tones, built-in furnishings, natural stone, and private outdoor spaces that maximise the island’s dramatic landscape. The property strikes a careful balance between luxury and local, delivering a peaceful retreat that still feels deeply connected to Folegandros’ rugged character.

Gundari – The most luxurious hotel on Folegandros, Gundari has quickly become one of the most sought-after stays in the Cyclades. Built dramatically into the island’s remote southeastern cliffs, the property combines striking architecture with a strong sustainability ethos. Suites and villas feature private infinity pools overlooking the Aegean, while the wellness programme, farm-to-table dining, and spectacular setting make it one of Greece’s standout luxury retreats.

The Best Rentals in Folegandros

While Folegandros is best known for its boutique hotels, there are also some exceptional private villas and rental properties scattered across the island.

Unlike destinations where rentals cluster around a particular beach or village, Folegandros’ best villas tend to be found along the island’s main spine road that runs between Chora and Ano Meria, where elevated positions deliver sweeping views across the Aegean and some of the island’s most dramatic sunsets.

Many of these properties are designed with privacy in mind, featuring infinity pools, expansive terraces, and minimalist Cycladic architecture that blends into the rugged landscape.

Staying in a villa offers a more secluded experience than the island’s hotels, though you’ll almost certainly want a rental car to make the most of your stay and explore Folegandros’ beaches, villages, and restaurants at your own pace.

Seascape Suites – A stylish collection of contemporary suites with uninterrupted sea views, Seascape Suites offers the privacy of a villa with the convenience of hotel-style amenities. The minimalist interiors and expansive outdoor terraces make it particularly appealing for couples seeking a quieter side of Folegandros.

Anatoli Apartments – Located not far from Ano Meria, Anatoli Apartments combines traditional Cycladic architecture with panoramic views across the island. The location strikes a sweet spot, offering a peaceful setting while remaining within easy driving distance of Folegandros’ best restaurants and bars.

The big Mill – One of the island’s most distinctive rental properties, The Big Mill transforms a historic windmill into a unique place to stay. Full of character and island charm, it’s a memorable choice for something beyond the standard villa experience.

Hill of Jewels – Set on a hillside overlooking the Aegean, Hill of Jewels offers an elegant apartment designed around Folegandros’ spectacular scenery. Private terrace, thoughtful design details, and sweeping sunset views are the main draw here.

MYLOI Folegandros Studios – These beautifully restored studios blend traditional Cycladic elements with clean, contemporary interiors. Their peaceful setting and authentic character make them a great option for travellers wanting a more local and understated stay.

Venue Villas – Venue Villas delivers the sort of private luxury increasingly sought after in the Cyclades, with spacious layouts, modern design, and generous outdoor living areas. Ideal for families or groups, the villas offer seclusion while remaining within easy reach of Chora and the island’s beaches.

Best Areas to Stay in Folegandros

Despite its small size, Folegandros can be easily divided into four distinct areas when deciding where to stay in Folegandros. Each offers a completely different experience, whether you’re looking for lively evenings, easy ferry access, beachside relaxation, or a quieter taste of traditional island life.

The four main areas to consider are:

• Chora – The island’s picturesque capital and the best base for restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and sunset views.
• Karavostasis (The Port) – A convenient waterfront area with ferry access, a handful of hotels, and a relaxed seaside atmosphere.
• Ano Meria and the North – A traditional rural village offering tranquility, authentic island life, and access to some of Folegandros’ wildest landscapes.
• Agkali – The island’s main beach area, ideal for travellers wanting to stay close to the sea and within easy reach of several beautiful coves.

While distances between these areas are short, each offers a noticeably different experience, making your choice of base an important part of planning a trip to Folegandros.

Chora

If you’re visiting Folegandros for the first time, Chora is undoubtedly the best place to stay. Perched dramatically on the island’s cliffs, it is one of the most beautiful village centres in the Cyclades, with whitewashed lanes, bougainvillea-draped courtyards, and a maze of pedestrian-only streets designed for wandering.

Most of the island’s best restaurants, bars, boutiques, and cafés are found here, creating a lively atmosphere that lasts well into the evening without ever feeling overcrowded.

Chora is also home to some of Folegandros’ most iconic viewpoints, including the clifftop path leading to the Church of Panagia, where sunset draws pretty much everyone on the island. Staying here puts you at the heart of island life while still being just a short drive or bus ride from the beaches.

If you’re not planning on renting a vehicle to explore the island, this is where I’d stay, as you have the easiest access to the public bus system and everything else in town is a short walk away. Geographically, Chora is also pretty central on the island, so even if you do have a vehicle, it never feels too far from anywhere.

While staying in the Chora is the most practical option on the island, apart from Anemomilos Boutique Hotel, there isn’t a massive selection of great places to stay. You’ll find mostly resort-style options or simple apartment rentals, which are fine for the everyday, but not much here stands out in terms of design.

Again, Anemomilos Boutique Hotel is the best option, so if you can snag a room here, perfect.

Accommodation Recommendations: Anemomilos Boutique Hotel,

Karavostasis (The Port)

Karavostasis is Folegandros’ main port and the island’s arrival point, but it offers far more than just ferry connections. Set around a sheltered bay with crystal-clear water, it has a laid-back seaside atmosphere ideal if you prefer being close to the beach rather than in the centre of village life.

The area is home to some of the island’s best hotels, including Anemi Hotel & Spa, along with a handful of waterfront tavernas, cafés, and small beaches within walking distance. It’s also one of the most convenient bases for exploring the island, with regular bus connections to Chora, car rental and easy access to boat trips that visit Folegandros’ more remote coves and swimming spots.

Accommodation Recommendations: Anemi Hotel & Spa, Sirokos, Vrahos Boutique Hotel

Agkali Beach

For travellers dreaming of waking up steps from the sea, Agkali (also known as Agali or Angali) is one of the most appealing places to stay in Folegandros. The crescent-shaped bay is home to some of the island’s best swimming, with calm turquoise water and easy access to nearby beaches such as Agios Nikolaos and Livadaki, both reachable by boat or on foot.

The biggest advantage of staying here is the beachside setting, but there are a few trade-offs. While you’ll find a small collection of very good restaurants and tavernas in the area, dining options are more limited than in Chora.

Realistically, you’ll be rotating between four or five excellent spots during your stay (read my guide to the Best Restaurants in Folegandros for more).

If you choose to stay in Agkali, I’d strongly recommend renting a car/scooter, even if only for a day or two. Having your own transport makes it much easier to explore the rest of the island, from the dramatic clifftop views in Chora to the rural landscapes of Ano Meria and some of Folegandros’ more remote beaches.

Accommodation Recommendations: Blue Sands Boutique Hotel (book early as it’s small and books up fast)

Ano Meria & The North

If you’re looking for a quieter, more authentic side of Folegandros, Ano Meria and the island’s northern reaches are hard to beat. This rural part of the island feels a world away from the buzz of Chora, with scattered farmhouses, dry-stone walls, grazing goats, and some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Cyclades.

Staying here offers a slower pace and a stronger connection to local life, making it particularly appealing for couples, walkers, and anyone seeking privacy. The trade-off is convenience.

Restaurants, shops, and services are more spread out, and you’ll almost certainly need a rental car to make the most of your stay. That said, you’ll be rewarded with easy access to some of Folegandros’ most beautiful and least-visited beaches, along with spectacular sunset views and a sense of seclusion that’s increasingly rare in the Greek islands.

Accommodation Recommendations: Spina Folegandros, Seascape Suites, Anatoli Apartments, Hill of Jewels

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