Introduction & General Information

Fourni is a complex of islands that lie between Samos and Ikaria, Eastern Aegean islands. The complex includes two large islands, Fourni Korseon, and Thymena which are the only inhabited islands of Fourni, and 10 smaller islands. Fourni Town is the largest settlement of the complex with a population of 1,500 inhabitants, while few people also leave in Thymena village, on the opposite island.

The history of Fourni island begins from at least the 1st century B.C. and one of the greatest findings on the island is a Roman sarcophagus excavated in 1927. In the Byzantine and the Roman times, the island was gradually deserted as it became a shelter for pirates. Today, the majority of the villagers are fishermen, although during the summer season they are occupied in tourist activities, like rental accommodation. Actually, the fishing activity of Fourni has accentuated the island as one of the best fishing fleets in Greece.

Almost hidden from the rest of the islands and far from the port of Piraeus (long ferry trip, no airport), Fourni is at first the ideal destination for backpackers, romantic couples and families who want to escape the noisy crowd of the city center. The port of Fourni is filled with fishing boats and as the ferry approaches, you see a small town built amphitheatrically along the mountain slopes till the port side. The waterfront is filled with taverns and restaurants that serve incredible dishes from their local cuisine. You can sit in one of the tree-shaded tables outside and enjoy the magnificent view of the sea and watch the people passing by in the one and only busy street of the village.

Few shops are available in Fourni but facilities are enough for the limited number of tourists it receives every summer. The ideal place for true relaxation, Fourni has more than 30 beaches and coves all around and in many of them it is likely to be alone all day long. Due to the small distances, many beaches in Fourni can be reached on foot. Others can be also reached by boat, but most visitors usually rent a bike so that they travel long distances. Psili Ammos is a nice beach close to the town, Kambi is the most popular beach, while Petrokopio amazes visitors with its natural beauty.

Koumara is another lovely beach but requires some walking to get there. Other nice places to swim include Agia Triada, Bali, Chrissomilia, Vlihada and Elidaki, some sandy and others pebbled. Fourni is also a nice island for trekking. Distances are small, the landscape is interesting and cliffs lead you to get the best view of the vast Aegean Sea and the close Greek islands.

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT FOURNI