Fourni Korseon

Fourni is a group of about a dozen islands and islets of which three are inhabited, with a total population under fifteen hundred, and it remains one of the few Greek islands where fishing is still the main economy rather than a memory: the fleet is large for the size of the place and the fish market on the harbour is the centre of the day. Its position on ancient sea routes, combined with steep coasts and sudden winds, made it a graveyard for ships, and surveys since 2015 have located 58 wrecks around the islands, from the fourth century BC to the nineteenth century AD. Above the port, footpaths lead toward Chrysomilia and empty coves, and small boats cross to Thymaina.

What's there

• The fishing fleet - a working harbour and daily fish market.
• The wreck field - dozens of ancient wrecks surveyed offshore, not open to visitors.
• The empty coves - beaches reachable on foot or by small boat.
• The village life - a small island economy with few visitors.

When to go

Late spring and September for warm sea and open tavernas without the August crowd of Greek holidaymakers; ferry connections thin sharply in winter. The meltemi affects sailings in July and August.

Good to know

Ferries are infrequent and weather-dependent, and getting stuck is a real possibility. Accommodation is limited to small rooms and fills in August. The wreck sites are protected and closed to recreational diving, so there is nothing to see of them.

Nearby

Ikaria lies west and Samos northeast, both connected by the same ferry routes.

Key facts