How to Get There
The ships of the main ferry line of the Dodecanese connect the major port of Piraeus with Agathonisi, which is 202 nautical miles from Piraeus. In the summer, there is also a daily connection to Patmos via the seaworthy local ferry Nisos Kalymnos, run by the Kalymnos Nautical Company Limited (ANEK Kalymnos), which connects the islands of Kalymnos, Leros, Lipsi, Agathonisi, Arki, and Samos. Between these two lines, there is an almost daily connection with Agathonisi in the summer.
Patmos is 163 nautical miles from Piraeus; the trip usually takes 9 hours. Agathonisi is only 32 nautical miles from Patmos, a distance covered in 90 to 180 minutes, via Lipsi or Arki, depending on the ferry. The Dodekanisos Seaways speed boats (which do not transport cars) also connect Agathonisi with Patmos daily during the summer.
For more information about routes, schedules, and reservations, visit www.digitickets.gr.
NOTE: The ferry routes for each season are usually finalized shortly before Easter or in May.
Useful Information
1. The island does not have many accommodations, so it is a good idea to reserve early, especially for a visit in July or August.
2. The contribution of the Municipality of Agathonisi to the promotion and development of this border island is significant. The use of solar energy for lighting and the programs for water treatment and waste management/cleanliness are noteworthy.
3. The island has a good little seven-kilometer road network that connects most parts of the island. If you do not have your own vehicle, you will either have to walk or arrange for the owners of your accommodation to take you to the very beautiful beaches of the island in their own car or boat.
4. There is no pharmacy on the island, only a community clinic in Megalo Chorio.
5. There is no permanent Port Station, but there is a Coast Guard.
6. The only gas station on the island belongs to the municipality. Located at the port, it is open only at specific times of day.
7. The island's only bakery belongs to the municipality. Located at the northwestern edge of Megalo Chorio, next to the playground, it is open from morning until midday.
8. There are no signposted paths for hikers. However, because the vegetation is low and sparse, if we proceed carefully we do not expect particular problems. Most areas are easily accessible via the main road network or the dirt roads that branch off from it. We can hike to the beaches of Tsangari, Gaidouravlakos, and Palos.
9. Between Katholiko and the islet Nero or Nera to the north, we will find the fish farming facility of the island's sole business, Ellinika Psaria AEBE (Hellenic Fish SA), which employs 25 people on the island and produces 500 tons of fish each year. It exports mainly to USA, but also to other countries.
10. The only archaeological site on the island, Kastraki, is located in the Maistros area in the northeastern part of the island. It is a fortified settlement whose walls were built with the local stone of the island. The settlement mainly developed between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. In the area of the acropolis, a cistern was carved into the rock to store water. Today (2019) the site is not accessible. The building built with funds from EU co-financing programs to house the archaeological museum of the settlement and the island is not visited by tourists, but by the area’s hundreds of wild goats.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Health Center +302247029049
Town Hall +302247029007
Citizens’ Service Center (KEP) +302247029204
ELTA Post Office +302247029115
