Vehicle Choice Summary Beaches Klisidi, Roukounas, Megas Roukounas, Katsouni, Monastiri — which you reach by 2WD, which need ATV or 4×4, and which only by foot or bus. Unlike many Cycladic islands, Anafi lacks a coastal ring road. The main paved road runs east-west along the island's spine, connecting the Chora at 260 m elevation with the monastery at the eastern tip 9 km away. Accessing the famous southern beaches requires descending steep, winding lateral roads that branch off this main artery. Crucially, the final 200 to 500 meters of these access roads are often unpaved dirt or gravel tracks. This single factor determines your vehicle choice. Your decision to choose between car, ATV, or scooter should be driven entirely by which coves you want to reach. This matrix breaks down the access details for Anafi's most popular southern beaches, ordered from west to east. Use it to match your beach wishlist with the right mode of transport. Beach Walk from Chora (est.) 2WD Access Last 200m Surface ATV Viable Bus Stop Parking Shade Klisidi 30-40 min Yes Paved Yes Yes Yes Yes (Tamarisk) Katsouni 45-55 min Partial Footpath Yes No Limited (roadside) Minimal Mikros Roukounas 55-65 min Partial Dirt/Gravel Yes Nearby Yes (dirt lot) Minimal Megas Roukounas 50-60 min Partial Dirt/Gravel Yes Yes Yes (dirt lot) Yes (Tamarisk) Katelimatsa 75-85 min No Rocky Track Yes No No Minimal Megas Potamos 75-85 min No Footpath No Nearby At Monastery No Monastiri 90-100 min Yes Paved Yes Yes (Terminus) Yes (Monastery) Minimal Prasies ~2 hours No Footpath No Nearby At Monastery No If you prefer to go without a rental, you can still enjoy two of Anafi's best beaches. The island's port, Agios Nikolaos, sits directly below the Chora at sea level. Information on port pickup and ferry arrival can help you plan your first steps on the island. Klisidi is the most accessible beach on Anafi. A 20-minute walk from the port brings you to this sandy cove. It has several rooms for rent, a couple of excellent tavernas, and a line of tamarisk trees for natural shade. There is a bus stop right at the beach, making it effortless to reach from the Chora. 💡 Tip: Klisidi is the easiest beach on Anafi — a 20-minute walk from the port with tamarisk shade and a summer bus stop. You don't need any vehicle to reach it. From the eastern end of Klisidi, a clear footpath leads over a small headland to Katsouni beach. The walk takes about 15 minutes. Katsouni is a quieter, more secluded cove popular with nudists and offers very little natural shade. These are the beaches where having an ATV makes a significant difference, allowing you to drive almost to the sand. Megas Roukounas, often called simply Roukounas, is Anafi's most famous beach. The main paved road passes nearby, and a bus stop ("Megalos Roukounas") lets you off at Papadia Taverna. From there, a 300-meter unpaved track leads to a large dirt parking area, followed by a 5-minute walk to the beach. While a 2WD car can handle the main road, the final dirt track is best suited for an ATV. 🚗 Local insight: Megas Roukounas has the best shade on Anafi — a thick grove of tamarisk trees lines the back of the beach. Arrive early in July-August to claim a shaded spot. Further east, Katelimatsa is a rugged and remote cove accessible only by a rocky dirt track. A standard 2WD rental car should not attempt this road. It is strictly for ATVs or those prepared for a long, hot walk from the main road. For a guaranteed smooth ride, head to the far eastern end of the island. The main paved road continues for 9 kilometers from the Chora, ending at the magnificent Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, which is built below the towering Kalamos monolith. Monastiri beach is located directly below the monastery. The asphalt road goes all the way to the monastery's large parking forecourt, from which a short 50-meter path descends to the pebbly beach. This is the final stop on the public bus route, making it easily accessible for everyone. For the adventurous, Anafi offers several stunning beaches reachable only by trail. From the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, a well-marked trail continues east. About 30 minutes of hiking will bring you to Megas Potamos, a wild and secluded beach at the mouth of a gorge. Continuing on the same trail for another 45-60 minutes leads to Prasies. This route is part of the famous trek to the top of the Kalamos monolith trail from Zoodochos Pigi. On the island's wild northern coast, Livoskopos beach requires a steep 150-meter descent via a footpath starting near the Chora cemetery. Access is challenging and only recommended for experienced hikers. These beaches have no facilities, so bring at least 2 liters of water per person and supplies. It is critical to understand your rental agreement. Standard Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance on rental cars in Greece is almost always voided if you drive on unpaved roads. This means driving a regular car down the final 300-meter dirt track to Roukounas beach or the rough track to Katelimatsa puts you at 100% financial liability for any damage to the tires, chassis, or undercarriage. For more details on local driving etiquette, see our guide to Anafi's road conditions and driving tips. ⚠️ Warning: The last 300m to Roukounas is unpaved gravel. Driving a rental car here voids your CDW. Park at the dirt lot behind Papadia Taverna and walk 5 minutes to the sand. Vehicle Choice Summary If your priority is... Your best vehicle is... Klisidi & Monastiri No vehicle needed (use the bus) Roukounas (with caution) 2WD Car (park and walk the last 300m) Roukounas & Katelimatsa ATV / Quad Bike All Beaches ATV / Quad Bike Renting an ATV offers the most freedom to explore all of Anafi's southern beaches without restriction or insurance worries. You can compare all operators and prices. Compare Car Rental Deals