Anima apartements

Anima Apartments is a small, owner-designed complex of three self-catering units sitting a few metres from the main squares of Chora, the clifftop capital of Folegandros. The property was originally conceived as a private home — the owners built it themselves, then opened it to guests. That origin shows in the detail: the apartments feel lived-in and considered rather than assembled from a hotel catalogue.

Beyond the Chora complex, Anima also operates a separate apartment at Karavostasis, the island's small port, 3.5 km downhill from the village. That unit sits on the first floor of its building with a balcony overlooking Chochlidia beach and the bay, making it a practical base if you want to be close to ferry arrivals or prefer waking up at sea level.

With a 5-star average across 29 Google reviews, the property punches well above its modest size. For a small Cycladic island where accommodation options are limited and fill quickly in summer, that consistency matters.

What to Expect

The Chora complex consists of three independent apartments, each fully self-catered — meaning a kitchen or kitchenette setup that lets you shop at the village and cook on your own schedule. Folegandros has a handful of small grocery options in Chora, so stocking basics is straightforward. The location within the village puts you within walking distance of Chora's interconnected squares, the kafeneions, and the main restaurant strip, yet the complex itself is described as quiet — which is achievable in Chora because the old town's lanes absorb sound and restrict vehicle access.

The Karavostasis apartment adds a different experience: port-level access, proximity to the small pebble beach of Chochlidia, and the kind of sea breeze that makes afternoon heat manageable. Karavostasis is where the ferry from Piraeus, Santorini, and other Cyclades islands docks, so arriving and leaving without a taxi ride uphill is a practical advantage for guests staying there.

Both units are suited to couples, small friend groups, or families who want privacy and autonomy over a hotel-style stay. The self-catering format also fits Folegandros's rhythm — the island has limited late-night dining options, and being able to prepare meals gives you flexibility.

How to Get There

Folegandros is served by ferry from Piraeus (roughly 5–8 hours depending on route and vessel), and by faster connections from Santorini, Milos, and Sikinos. All ferries dock at Karavostasis. From there, a local bus runs the 3.5 km road up to Chora — the bus meets most ferry arrivals, and the fare is minimal. Taxis are available at the port as well.

For the Chora apartments, once in the village the complex is a short walk from the central plateia. Chora's lanes are pedestrian-only, so you will carry luggage on foot for the final stretch — pack accordingly or use a wheeled bag that handles cobblestones. There is no on-site parking in Chora's old quarter; a small public parking area sits at the village entrance where drivers can leave cars.

Guests choosing the Karavostasis apartment step off the ferry and are effectively already there, which eliminates the uphill transfer entirely.

Best Time to Visit

Folegandros has a compressed tourist season. July and August are the busiest months — accommodation books out weeks or months ahead, and Chora's squares fill with visitors each evening. If you want the Anima apartments during peak summer, contact well in advance.

June and September offer the best balance: warm sea temperatures, long daylight hours, and noticeably fewer visitors. The Meltemi wind that sweeps the Cyclades in July and August is still present in late June but less intense; by mid-September it eases considerably. Spring (late April through May) suits walkers and hikers drawn to Folegandros's trail network — the island's interior paths are some of the best-preserved in the Cyclades, and the heat is mild.

Winter sees most accommodation and restaurants on the island close. Verify availability directly with Anima before planning an off-season visit.

Tips for Visiting

• Book early for July and August. Folegandros has limited accommodation island-wide, and a highly rated small complex fills faster than larger hotels. Email [email protected] or call +30 2286 041412 directly — the owners are also reachable via WhatsApp and Viber on +30 6972 409921.
• Choose your unit based on how you plan to move around. The Chora apartments put you at the social and dining heart of the island; the Karavostasis apartment gives you immediate beach and ferry access. They suit different travel styles.
• Pack a portable shopping bag. Self-catering works best if you do a small shop on arrival. Chora has grocery stores and a bakery; buying local cheese, tomatoes, and bread means you can eat well without planning around restaurant hours.
• Expect cobblestones in Chora. The old village is pedestrian-only and paved with traditional stone. Hard-sided roller luggage is harder to manage than a soft backpack or soft-shell wheeled bag on these surfaces.
• Rent a vehicle for day trips. Folegandros's more remote beaches — Agkali, Livadaki, Katergo — require either a boat excursion or a rental car or ATV. Anima's location in Chora puts you close to the main rental options in the village.
• The Karavostasis apartment balcony faces Chochlidia beach. If a sea view from your room is a priority, that unit delivers it directly. The Chora apartments offer village atmosphere rather than water views.
• Contact the property about check-in logistics. As a small owner-run complex, arrival coordination is typically handled personally. Confirm your ferry arrival time so they can plan accordingly, especially if arriving late on an evening ferry.
• The Facebook page (facebook.com/AnimaApartments) may carry seasonal updates about availability and any off-season closures. Check it alongside a direct email if you are planning outside the main June–September window.

Facilities and Location

Anima operates three apartments in Chora and one at Karavostasis — four units in total across two separate sites. All are self-catered, meaning each has its own kitchen facilities, giving guests independence from restaurant schedules. The Chora complex is positioned a few metres from the village centre, offering walkable access to Folegandros's main social spaces: the interconnected squares, the church of Kimisis tis Theotokou on the promontory above, and the majority of the island's restaurants and cafes.

The Karavostasis unit is on the first floor of a building at the port, with a private balcony overlooking Chochlidia beach. Chochlidia is a pebble bay immediately adjacent to the ferry dock — calm, swimmable, and without the boat-trip logistics required to reach Folegandros's more secluded southern beaches.

The complex is family-run and small enough that communication is direct with the owners rather than filtered through a front desk. That structure suits guests who prefer a degree of personal contact with their accommodation rather than anonymous hotel check-in.