Essentials
- City
- Chora, Folegandros, Cyclades, Greece
- Population
- 765
- Internet Speed
- Average 45 Mbps; Starlink is increasingly common in boutique rentals
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. National Bank of Greece ATM is located in Chora.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; desalination plant used. Buy 1.5L bottles at Perigiali Supermarket for €0.50.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Cosmote (best coverage on island), Vodafone Greece. Basic 10GB plan approx. €15.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise widely used; Alpha Bank or Piraeus for local accounts.
- Accommodation
- Blue Sand Boutique Hotel (Agali), Anemi Hotel (Karavostasi). High demand in summer.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major restaurants and hotels accept cards, but small cafes prefer cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com. Typical studio approx. €80-120/night in shoulder season.
- Budget Accommodation
- Livadi Camping (Karavostasi) - approx. €12-15/night per person.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Chora (Main Town) for its historic Kastro and cliffside views.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Ano Meria for quiet, authentic agricultural vibes and larger stone houses.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None (No formal spaces). Most nomads use the lobby of Blue Sand Hotel for its views and Wi-Fi.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Pounta Garden Cafe (Chora) - Quiet garden area, decent Wi-Fi, great coffee (€4).
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at Beez Cocktail Bar; no formal tech meetups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Local religious festivals (Panegyria) in August; village squares in Chora.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Call Local Taxi (+30 694 469 3957).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Folegandros Moto Rentals (Karavostasi). Scooters approx. €25/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Katergo Beach (Accessible by boat from Karavostasi, €10 return).
- Top Regional Airline
- Aegean Airlines / Olympic Air (Fly to Santorini/Milos then ferry).
- Top International Airline
- Lufthansa, British Airways (to Athens or Santorini).
- Highway Access
- None. Only one main asphalt road connecting Karavostasi, Chora, and Ano Meria.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Port of Karavostasi (Ferry connections to Piraeus and Santorini).
- Public Transport Passes
- Local bus (KTEL). Tickets bought on board, approx. €2.00 per trip.
- Regional Travel
- SeaJets Highspeed Ferry to Santorini (50 mins, approx. €60).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Multipurpose Regional Medical Center (Chora). Serious cases evacuated to Santorini/Athens.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Folegandros Yoga Retreats (seasonal at Blue Sand Hotel).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Outdoor hiking trails. No commercial indoor gyms on the island.
- Laundry Services
- Ask at your accommodation; self-service laundromats do not exist.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Order directly from local tavernas via phone.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Matsata (Handmade pasta with rooster or rabbit) at Mimis in Ano Meria (€12).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- BaRba Kostas (Chora) - offers great fava and stuffed vine leaves.
- Best Dessert Spots
- To Spitiko (Chora) - Famous for 'Kalasouna' cheese pie and 'Karpouzenia' (watermelon cake).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Supermarket Perigiali (Karavostasi/Chora).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Skroutz.gr (Greek Amazon equivalent); deliveries take 3-5 days via ferry.
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available through apps; some local shops may deliver for large orders.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Chora Squares (Piatsa, Dunavi, and Kontarini squares).
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; local 'Rakomelo' (honey-raki) is the specialty.
- Wine Bars
- Merkouri Wine Bar (Chora) - Excellent selection of Cycladic wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Souvlaki Club (Chora) - Gyros starting at €4.50.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Dal Capo (Karavostasi) for Mediterranean/Italian fusion.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Church of Panagia (The zig-zag path overlooking Chora).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Ecological and Folklore Museum of Folegandros (Ano Meria).
- Historical Sites
- The Kastro (Medieval fortress district in Chora inhabited since 1212).
- Religious Sites
- Agios Nikolaos Church at the center of Chora.
- Annual Events
- Easter Procession (The Icon of Panagia is carried around the whole island).
- Cultural Districts
- Ano Meria (Traditional farming village).
- Theater Venues
- Open-air summer screenings and events in the Chora squares.
- Local Markets
- Sporadic local produce sold by farmers in Ano Meria.
- Music Scene
- Live Rembetiko music at Taverna To Goupi.
- Street Art
- Limited; focus is on traditional whitewashed Cycladic architecture.
- Cooking Classes
- Organized privately by families in Ano Meria regarding Matsata making.
- Art Galleries
- Small seasonal pop-up galleries in Chora shops.
- Historic Buildings
- The Themonies (Traditional stone farmhouses) in Ano Meria.
- Local Heritage
- The 'Aspra Spitia' (white house) aesthetic strictly regulated by law.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Chrysospilia Cave (Accessible by boat/expert permit only).
- National Parks Nearby
- None; the entire island is part of the Natura 2000 network.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Hiking Path #3: Chora to Agali Beach (~45 mins trek).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sunset from the Panagia Church cliffside.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Eleonora's Falcon nesting sites on the western cliffs.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited due to wind and fire risk on the island.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- ELTA Hellenic Post (Chora); ACS Courier depot.
- Tech Repair Services
- None. Nearest tech repair centers are in Santorini or Athens.
- Table Tennis Spots
- None available publically.
- Language Classes
- Private Greek lessons possible via Hellenic Culture Centre (seasonal).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Small municipal library section in the Chora school.
- Community Centers
- The 'Cultural Association of Folegandros' organizes local dances.
- Gaming Lounges
- None.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €6,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €195,000 for a Kastro unit).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €135,000 in Ano Meria).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €6,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €300,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €200,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €440,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €304,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 22% in Greece.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for tax residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 44% for income over €40,000.
- VAT
- 24% standard; 13% for basic food/hotels.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under EU/Greek law.
- Property Tax
- ENFIA (Uniform Real Estate Property Tax), based on zone and square meters.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3.09% transfer tax plus notary fees.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Greek Digital Nomad Visa offers 50% income tax reduction for 7 years for eligible remote workers.