Tucked into a steep valley overlooking dazzling Agali Beach, this pretty little 15-room hotel tumbles down the craggy hillside straight into gin-clear waters. With a white and hushed-grey palette, Blue Sand is the epitome of Cycladic chic. Cosy rooms have killer views, there are wicker “bowl” chairs, and designer parasols dance in the breeze. If you want to simply chill out, bronze up and sink into alluring azure seas, this is the spot; a salty-hair-and-sand-between-your-toes kind of place. Lazy days are spent flopping beachside on the terrace's comfy bean bags, then sampling Greek salad and stuffed vine leaves at local tavernas before watching the sun set from your balcony.
Take a short walk (or shorter boat taxi) along the coast and you’ll find a string of other stunning coves to explore (clothes optional). We particularly liked Agios Nikolaos, where a blissfully low-key taverna provides chilled wine and fresh seafood, served by grizzly locals living life in the slow lane. It all retains that elusive laid-back island vibe. Chuck in mellow afternoons pottering around pretty Chora, the island's capital, and you've got yourself the Greek ideal.
Highs
- Killer sea views from all bedrooms and the restaurant - you won’t want to bat an eyelid
- We loved the décor: stylish, but relaxed and informal. A step above your average Greek cube
- The best beaches on the island are just a short walk along the coast (only accessible on foot or by boat, creating a wonderful bohemian feel)
- Staff are genuinely friendly and charming
- Relaxed evening meals under the stars - pizzas, pastas and fresh salads
Lows
- Service can be a bit haphazard, but once you mellow out and get into island time, you won't mind
- Buses to Chora (a 10-minute drive away) don’t run in the evening and taxis are rare; most guests hire a quad or moped
- No pool but you're just a hop, skip and jump from the beach and sea for swimming
- Some room terraces are compact and lack privacy; no twin rooms
- Families are welcome, but there aren't any kids' facilities - we think their hideaway villa is more family-friendly
Best time to go
May, June and September are pleasantly warm and delightfully uncrowded - an island this size fills up quickly. In July and August, the temperatures rise and there’s a friendly buzz in the tavernas and bars.
Our top tips
You can easily combine a stay on Folegandros with a couple of nights on Santorini - although we found the crowds there slightly overwhelming, and hankered for lazy quiet afternoons on Folegandros.
If you know someone who claims, “seen one sunset, seen them all”, take them to Panagia church. With giddy views overlooking Chora and dramatic cliffs, sunsets don’t get much better.
If you know someone who claims, “seen one sunset, seen them all”, take them to Panagia church. With giddy views overlooking Chora and dramatic cliffs, sunsets don’t get much better.
Location
Blue Sand overlooks Agali Beach, on the small island of Folegandros. Chora, the little island capital, is a 10-minute drive away.
By Air & Ferry:
There is no airport on Folegandros. Instead, fly into Santorini (30km) then take a ferry / hydrofoil / catamaran to Folegandros (1-3 hours). Alternatively, fly to Athens and take a ferry / hydrofoil from Piraeus (4-8 hours). Ferries are daily during summer; 3 times a week for the rest of the year.
From Folegandros Harbour
The hotel provides complimentary transfers to and from the harbour (a 15-minute drive).
Getting Around
The most popular way to explore the island is by hiring a scooter or quad bike.Public transport is limited. Buses to/from Chora run during the day; an evening out in town requires a taxi (the hotel can arrange).
By Car:
You might want to hire a car to explore the island. There's a car park a 2-minute walk away.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Greece and getting around
Airports:
- Santorini 30.0 km JTR
- Athens 252.0 km ATH
Other:
- Beach 0.3 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 8 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Room was great, had everything we needed, idyllic view, good value for money and lovely location. Excellent food, amazing value, everything we ate from breakfast to evening meals was faultless. Restaurant staff were amazing, nothing was too much trouble. Extremely friendly and chatty without being over bearing. Seemed to genuinely care that we had the best experience possible. Only issue was checking out and paying. Was told that my debit card had not gone through on 2 attempts and had to use my Husbands card. On returning to the UK found that my card had been debited and had to get them to refund.
My friend & I had a really delicious time with Blue Sand. The most beautiful island, scrummy simple food, uncrowded white sand beach and wonderful team looking after us. Total peace and happiness. We will definitely return to Folegandros soon. Thankyou
We had a wonderful 6 night stay at Blue Sands hotel. The view from the terrace and bedrooms is beautiful as it looks out onto a quiet bay. Breakfast was healthy and plenty of options to order from, staff very attentive and hotel spotless. Would highly recommend a stay here. The walks along the cliffs to other bays were lovely and beaches very clean .
We visited the island to make use of the numerous local walking trails (one passes the hotel door!), which are all excellent. We received courteous treatment from the delightful staff and enjoyed their famed 'Blue Sands Breakfasts'. The outstanding view from the restaurant was sublime. The Pasithea restaurant immediately next door was more rustic but sold excellent food.
A word of warning for 'shoulder season' travellers (like we were). Whilst there is a daily ferry to the island from Santorini, this is significantly more expensive than the less frequent services provided by 'Maestros Santorini' and 'Zante'. By fortunate coincidence we were able to catch the Maestros boat outwards (a really lovely on deck trip), but couldn't manage the same on the return trip. Worth checking timetables before booking accomodation at such times of year as it could add considerable expense.
Wonderful stay at this lovely boutique hotel right on the beach. We loved our stay here and the staff and family were just awesome as well. Lots of good restaurants literally next door to the hotel and the hotel restaurant also very good (especially the delicious breakfasts). We stayed in one of the standard rooms that overlook the restaurant and my only negative was that the room had no natural air circulation. It was very humid and the aircon only had one setting which was very cold so, you have to keep switching it on an off.
We had a wonderful time. Folegandros is unspoilt and beautiful. Blue Sands is on one of the most popular beaches. Sitting having breakfast overlooking the beautiful clear waters is a joy. The food is excellent, they now do eggs for breakfast (no extra charge!) and the service is very warm and friendly. We didn't want to leave.
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