Lost in the heart of the Aegean Sea, Donoussa is one of the most peaceful islands in the Small Cyclades. Located north of Amorgos and east of Naxos, it is the northernmost island in the eastern Small Cyclades group. Covering just 13.65 km² (5.3 sq mi), the island appeals with its unspoiled landscapes, turquoise waters, and peaceful atmosphere.

Between the village of Stavros, small sandy beaches, secluded coves, and trails crossing the island's interior, Donoussa is best discovered at the pace of walking and swimming. Its heritage is also remarkable, including Toichou Cave and the remains of an ancient fortified settlement at Vathy Limenari, evidence of an island history that is much older than it may appear.

Stavros is the main village of Donoussa and its harbor, where ferries arrive from the other Cycladic islands. Set along the sea, the village retains a simple Cycladic architecture with whitewashed houses, narrow lanes, and the small Church of Panagia. The waterfront is home to several tavernas and accommodations while retaining a peaceful atmosphere, even during the summer season.

From Stavros, several trails lead on foot to different parts of the island and some of its beaches. Donoussa's small size makes it easy to explore on foot, particularly along paths crossing the dry landscapes scented with thyme and sage. The island's other, smaller villages offer an even more rural glimpse of island life.

In the southeast, Mersini is a small village built on the island's slopes. It is known in particular for its spring and greener surroundings, as well as the Church of Agia Sofia. From Mersini, a trail descends to Livadi and leads to one of Donoussa's most popular beaches.

At the northern tip of the island, Kalotaritissa is centered around a sheltered bay with several small beaches. The village is connected to Stavros by road and is another pleasant stop for discovering Donoussa, particularly when the wind makes some of the more exposed beaches less comfortable.

Located near Stavros, Kedros Beach is one of the best-known beaches on Donoussa. Its light-colored sand and turquoise waters make it a popular place for swimming. It can be reached on foot from the harbor via a trail, making it easy to reach the coast while leaving the village behind.

Farther south, below the village of Mersini, Livadi offers a more secluded setting with light-colored sand and clear waters. The beach can be reached on foot from Mersini via a marked trail or by sea, depending on the seasonal services available. The small beach of Fykio, nearby, adds an even quieter setting to this part of the coast.

The bay of Kalotaritissa is home to several small beaches, including Sapounochoma, Vlychos, and Trypiti. Their location in a relatively sheltered bay makes it possible to enjoy calmer waters when conditions are rougher along the island's exposed coasts. Trypiti, accessible via a short trail, offers a particularly secluded setting.

Donoussa also has several smaller, more secluded coves, such as Limni and Vathy Limenari, accessible on foot or by sea. The variety of these small beaches and coves is one of the island's main attractions: rather than looking for a single large beach, you can discover different parts of the coastline as you hike.

With a total area of just 13.65 km² (5.3 sq mi), Donoussa is particularly well suited to hiking. A network of marked trails crosses the island, connecting villages, beaches, and several wilder stretches of coastline. The routes include trails from Stavros to Kedros, from the island's interior to Mersini, and from Mersini to Livadi.

These trails offer another way to discover the landscapes of Donoussa, among dry hills, stone walls, Mediterranean vegetation, and views over the Aegean Sea. The island's small size makes it easy to combine a hike with a swim at one of the coves encountered along the way, provided you carry enough water and take the summer heat into account.

Hiking also provides access to less-visited parts of the coastline, particularly around Vathy Limenari and the northwestern coast. Some areas have more rugged terrain and cliffs, while the paths leading to the southeastern beaches offer more open views of the sea. The trail network is therefore one of the best ways to discover the island's different sides.

Exploring the island on foot does, however, require taking into account the undeveloped nature of some sections of the trails. Distances may seem modest, but the terrain and heat can make walking more demanding in summer. For a full-day hike, it is best to bring water, sun protection, and suitable footwear, especially when the route reaches coves far from the villages.

On the northwestern coast of Donoussa, Toichou Cave is one of the island's remarkable natural sites. This sea cave is particularly notable for its stalactite formations and wild rocky surroundings. It is easier to explore from the sea, on a boat excursion that also allows you to observe Donoussa's rugged coastline.

Another cave, Fokospilia, is located on the eastern coast of the island. Its name recalls the monk seals that once sought refuge there. These caves illustrate the rugged nature of Donoussa's coastline and offer a different perspective of the island, seen from the sea rather than from its trails.

Donoussa also has an important archaeological heritage. At Vathy Limenari, an ancient fortified settlement from the Geometric period was established on a promontory overlooking a sheltered bay. Founded in the second half of the 9th century BC, it is the oldest known fortified settlement of the Geometric period in the Cyclades.

The settlement's position near a natural anchorage reflects Donoussa's importance along the Aegean's maritime routes. Excavations have uncovered pottery from different workshops, revealing exchanges with other parts of the Greek world. The remains at Vathy Limenari therefore provide an interesting insight into the ancient history of an island now known for its tranquility and unspoiled landscapes.

Donoussa can only be reached by sea, and Naxos is one of the main connections for reaching the island. From Athens, a flight of about 45 minutes takes you to Naxos Airport, near Chora. From there, continue by ferry to the port of Stavros, Donoussa's main village and arrival point. The crossing from Naxos takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes on some ferry services, while the small local ferry Express Skopelitis takes about 4 hours.

Naxos also makes it possible to combine Donoussa with the other islands of the Small Cyclades. Ferry services connect Donoussa with Koufonissi and the other islands in the group, depending on the routes operated. Since schedules and crossing frequencies may vary depending on the time of year, it is best to check available services before departure.

Another option is to travel to Paros from Athens before continuing by ferry to Donoussa. Visit Greece indicates a flight time of about 45 minutes between Athens and Paros, followed by a sea crossing of 2 to 2.5 hours to Donoussa. This option can be useful for including the island in a broader Cyclades itinerary.

Donoussa is also served by ferries from Piraeus, with stops in the Cyclades, particularly Naxos. Direct services or services with connections depend on the ferry companies and the season. When planning your trip, it is therefore better to check the latest ferry schedules rather than relying on a fixed frequency throughout the year.