The Greek island of Anafi is a hidden gem of the Cyclades archipelago, in the Aegean Sea, unknown to the masses, and it has an area of just over 40 square kilometers. The territory is mainly hilly, with the highest peaks being those of the Sant'Elia and Kalamos mountains, which measure respectively 582 and 420 meters in height. The southern coast has several sandy coves and the area, which is not very urbanised, is ideal for nature lovers and hikers. The beaches, often with sloping seabeds, are of golden sand and the blue of the sea is spectacular; the most popular ones are located on the south coast, because the coves to the east and north are often exposed to strong winds. One of the most popular is Kleisidi beach, partially shaded by palm trees and tamarisks, connected by coastal paths to those of Katsouni, in whose area a fresh water spring flows, and Flamourou. The beach of Agioi Anargyri takes its name from the small church on the ridge behind it, while that of Roukounas is very large. Nightlife is almost non-existent.
Much less known than the nearby island of Santorini, it is also called Nanfio in Italian, while in transliterated Greek it would be Anáphe. The township, as well as the capital of this small island inhabited by less than 300 people, is Chora Anafis, with its characteristic domed white houses, which alternate with bread ovens, which create narrow alleys. On the facing hill there are the ruins of a Venetian castle. Two kilometers away from the center there is the bay where the ferry terminal is located, Agiou Nikolaou, on the south coast; the area is populated, even by residents, only in the summer months, as also happens in the village of Kastelli. In addition to the statues found in this area of the east coast, visible in the Archaeological Museum of Chora, remains of the Hellenistic or Roman era are present in various locations, such as those of the temple dedicated to Apollo near the monastery of Our Lady of Kalamo of Panagia Kalamiotissa, those in Kastro and those of an ancient submerged port in Katalimatsa.
Together with another islet, Anafi constitutes the municipality of the same name, belonging to the Greek periphery (region) of the Southern Aegean, which includes all the approximately 220 Cyclades islands. The not very fertile land is devoid of tall trees. In addition to wheat and oil, goat cheese is produced and, thanks to fairly developed beekeeping, an excellent thyme honey. The fishing activity means that fresh fish and shellfish abound.