Schinoussa is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Cyclades, and this short hop from Naxos is how most visitors reach it. There is no airport and no direct link from Piraeus worth the detour, so Naxos, with its own frequent connections to Athens, is the natural gateway. The crossing itself is unfussy: a run south through the Small Cyclades, sheltered for most of its length by the islands themselves rather than exposed to open sea, so it rarely feels rough even when the meltemi is up elsewhere.
Naxos Town's ferry port sits right at the edge of the old quarter, a short walk from the Kastro and the seafront promenade, so there is no need to arrange transport before boarding. Schinoussa's harbour, Mersini, is little more than a jetty and a handful of buildings; from there it is a walk or a short taxi ride up to Chora, the island's only real village. Service holds at roughly a sailing a day right through the season, which suits the island's character – Schinoussa was never built for high footfall, and the modest ferry frequency keeps it that way. Check the schedule box above for the latest confirmed dates and departure times before you travel, since operators file each stretch of the season in stages rather than publishing the whole year at once.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars