Amorgos, the easternmost of the Cyclades, has no airport, so the way there is the boat from Piraeus: roughly five hours on the fastest services, and up to nine on a conventional ferry that works its way through the Small Cyclades first. Two lines reach it, a direct-ish run that sometimes calls at Naxos or Paros, and the slower Small Cyclades line through Koufonisia, Schinoussa, Iraklia and Donousa, which is much the more interesting boat. The length of that crossing is precisely why it is still the island it is.
Amorgos is long and thin, with ferry ports at both ends, so check which one your sailing uses, in both directions. Katapola in the west is the bigger one, closer to the Chora and to the Hozoviotissa monastery; Aegiali in the north-east is a separate resort with its own beaches and the walking country behind it. The road between them takes about half an hour.
Diagram by Greece Trips. Free to reuse with credit - CC BY 4.0.
The crossing
From Piraeus, roughly five hours on the fastest services and up to nine on a conventional ferry that works its way through the Small Cyclades first.
Two lines reach it:
- The direct-ish run, sometimes via Naxos or Paros.
- The Small Cyclades line, calling at Koufonisia, Schinoussa, Iraklia and Donousa, which is slower and much the more interesting boat.
Two ports, and this decides your trip
Amorgos is long and thin, and it has ferry ports at both ends.
- Katapola, on the west, is the bigger one, and closer to the Chora and to Hozoviotissa.
- Aegiali, on the north-east, is a separate resort with its own beaches and the walking country behind it.
The road between them takes about half an hour, and buses connect them, but arriving at the wrong end with rooms at the other is the classic Amorgos mistake. Check which port your sailing calls at, in both directions.
What is there
Hozoviotissa, a white monastery built into a sheer cliff face 300 metres above the sea, reached by a stepped path, and one of the most extraordinary buildings in Greece. Modest dress, and they give you a shot of raki at the top.
The Chora, a windmill-topped hill village that is among the finest in the Cyclades.
Agia Anna below the monastery, and the wreck of the Olympia on the western shore, which appeared in the film The Big Blue and made the island briefly famous with divers.
And the walking: Amorgos has a restored network of old paths and is one of the best hiking islands in Greece. See hiking in Greece.
Diagram by Greece Trips. Free to reuse with credit - CC BY 4.0.
Practical notes
- Give it four nights minimum. A two-night trip is one night of boat.
- Check both directions before booking. Sailings are not symmetrical, and the return may leave from the other port.
- Wind matters here. Amorgos is exposed, and cancelled sailings strand people. Do not plan a tight connection to a flight home.
Last checked August 2026. Ferry schedules change every season - see our editorial policy.
Common questions
How long is the ferry from Athens to Amorgos?
Roughly five hours on the fastest services, and up to nine on a conventional ferry that calls at the Small Cyclades on the way.
Does Amorgos have an airport?
No. Every visitor arrives by ferry, which is a large part of why the island stays quiet.
Which port on Amorgos should you arrive at?
It depends where you are staying. Katapola in the west is nearer the Chora and the monastery; Aegiali in the north-east is a separate base with its own beaches.
What is Hozoviotissa?
A white monastery built into a sheer cliff 300 metres above the sea, reached by a stepped path, and one of the most striking buildings in Greece.
Is Amorgos worth the long crossing?
For anyone who wants walking, a dramatic landscape and few crowds, yes. It is a poor choice for a short trip, because the travel eats the days.
Next
Read Amorgos, Koufonisia, or Naxos.