Iraklia Katapola ferry

Iraklia Guide

The small Greek island of Iraklia is one of the Cyclades group of islands and is located in the Aegean Sea. It measures around 18 sq. km and lies between the island of Naxos and the island of Ios, and is close to the islands of Schoinoussa, Koufonisi, Donoussa and Keros which together for the Small Cyclades group of islands. The island has many artefacts that have been found confirming that ancient settlements and tomb were located on the island. Finds include evidence of the Early Cycladic civilisation (3rd millennium BC) and the ruins of the temples of the Goddess Luck and the Goddess Zeus, dating back to the 4th - 2nd century BC. The islands coastal terrain, characterised by coves and naturally formed caves, were good hiding places for pirates and smugglers during the Turkish Occupation.

Agios Georgios is the island's port from which ferries operate to Piraeus with a crossing time of between 8 and 10 hours, depending on route. Ferry services are also available to the other islands of the Small Cyclades and also to Naxos and Amorgos.

Katapola Guide

Amorgos is a Greek island that is part of the Cyclades group of islands and is the closest island to the Dodecanese island group. Due to Amorgos' position opposite the ancient beaches of Ionian towns such as Militos, Alikarnassos and Ephesos, it became one of the first places from which the Ionians passed through to the Cyclades Islands and onto the Greek mainland. A popular attraction on the island is the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa and is located on the cliffs to the north east of Chora. The monastery was constructed in the early part of the second millennium in order to protect a religious icon that dates back to 812, and is on display inside the monastery.

The island's main harbour is located at Katapola and is also home to the famous church of Katapoliani that was built on the site of an ancient temple that was dedicated to Apollo. From the port there are regular ferry connections to the mainland port of Piraeus with a crossing time of between 7 and 9 hours by conventional ferry, and 4 - 5 hours by high speed ferry. The island also has ferry services to the rest of the Cyclades, the Dodecanese islands and with the island of Astypalaia.