Introduction

Folegandros was the smallest and quietest island I visited during my Greek island-hopping trip. (I was there from October 26–28.)

If you’re looking for nightlife, swimming at the beach, guided tours, or packed restaurants, honestly, late October isn’t the best time to visit Folegandros. 

But if you enjoy slow-paced travel, empty viewpoints, and quiet evenings, it’s absolutely magical.

If you’re planning a trip to Folegandros in late October, here’s what to expect when it comes to weather, crowds, accommodations, and getting around the island in the off-season.

Ferries to Folegandros 

There were still ferries running to Folegandros in late October — I took one with Seajets from Milos to Folegandros. 

However, by this point in the season, the cheaper ferries were only running about once a week.

Seajets was still operating daily routes to Folegandros, but it was more expensive.

If you’re trying to save money on ferry travel, it’s worth planning ahead. By late October, the cheaper sailing times become more limited, so you’ll want to plan your island-hopping route carefully in advance.

That said, the more expensive Seajets ferries are still running daily, so you can still get between islands easily—it just comes at a higher price.

I used DirectFerries to look up ferry routes between islands. You can book with DirectFerries too, but I actually booked directly with the ferry operator since the tickets were slightly cheaper that way.

Weather in Folegandros in October (Temperature & What to Expect) 

The weather in Folegandros in late October was warm during the day but cool at night.

During my visit, daytime temperatures were around the mid-20s°C (75°F to 79°F). When there was no wind and I was walking in direct sun, it can still feel hot.

In the evenings, it cooled down quite a bit, so I’d definitely recommend bringing light layers for nighttime.

I was there during a pretty windy period. In Chora, it wasn’t too bad, but the Church of Panagia viewpoint was very windy. 

Of course, weather patterns vary from year to year, so I can’t say late October is always windy—but I’d still recommend packing a light jacket or windbreaker just in case.

The water definitely wasn’t what I’d call warm, so if swimming is your main priority, October would not be the best time for a beach-focused trip. But I did see a few locals sunbathing and swimming at the beaches, so it’s not cold enough that swimming is completely off the table.

I don’t swim much myself, so October was still a great time for me to visit. I enjoyed sitting by the beach, looking out over the deep blue Aegean Sea and taking in the quiet atmosphere.

Crowds in Folegandros in October (Is It Busy or Quiet?) 

It was really, really quiet.

A local told me that during peak summer months, Chora is packed and it can be hard to even get a table for dinner. But by late October, the island feels empty. 

A lot of seasonal workers had already left, and in Chora, I only saw a handful of lunch spots open during the day, though more places did open in the evening.

One thing to keep in mind: don’t rely too heavily on Google Maps for restaurant opening hours during the off-season. When I visited, many listings weren’t updated, and I went to restaurants marked as “open” only to find them closed. 

Souvenir shops were closed as well — I didn’t come across any that were open — so there isn’t much shopping available in October.

Folegandros in October isn’t bustling, but I wouldn’t call it a ghost town either. There are still locals living there year-round, and you’ll see people going about their daily routines—it’s just very, very quiet.

There wasn’t much tourism either. Only a handful of passengers got off the ferry with me in Folegandros. Over my entire stay, I think I saw just 8 or 9 small groups of tourists in total—mostly a few couples, families, and the occasional solo traveler.

That empty atmosphere may not be for everyone, but it’s actually what I loved most about Folegandros.

Crowds overwhelm me, and I crave the calm that comes with a quiet experience. When I was at the Church of Panagia viewpoint for sunset, there were only 3 other people there with me. I didn’t have to fight for a spot like I’ve had to in places like Santorini or Florence. It felt like I had the whole view to myself.

At one point, while walking through Ano Meria, I was literally the only person on the road. I stopped, sat down, and just watched the sea. It felt like I had the island to myself at times, which suits my travel style.

If you’re looking for a lively, social atmosphere, October is definitely not the best time to visit Folegandros.

Where to Stay in Folegandros in October 

In late October, there were only two accommodation options that I could find online—most places had already closed for the season.

I found one hotel and one private rental (Yiayia’s Place) available, and ended up choosing the private apartment.

It was a simple one-bedroom apartment with a kitchen and a renovated bathroom located just outside the main unit. You literally had to step out the backdoor and walk a couple of steps to get to it—but it wasn’t a big deal.

The place was clean, comfortable, and had a large, functional kitchen. It wasn’t luxurious, but it was charming staying in a traditional Greek home (it was the owner’s grandmother’s house, now rented out).

If you prefer luxury hotels or more accommodation options, October isn’t ideal. There were only two places available at the time of my trip; they were both simple and functional accommodations, and prices were similar between them (around $100 USD/night). 

How to Get Around Folegandros (Bus & Transport Tips) 

You can still rent a car in Folegandros—there were a few car rental places still open when I visited.

There’s also a taxi driver on the island; their number is posted by the bus stops. You can also ask your accommodation to arrange a driver for you to get you from the ferry port to Chora.

I relied entirely on the public bus system, and it worked fine for me. 

The island is small, and most of the main points of interest are either walkable or easy to reach by bus. 

If you want to explore the beaches further out, you might want to consider a car rental. I was able to walk to two nearby beaches (Livadi Beach and Paralia Karavostasis) from the ferry port, but I couldn’t reach the more remote ones by bus.

The bus connects:

• the ferry port
• Chora (the main town)
• Ano Meria (the small village on the other side of the island)
• Livadi
• Agali

The bus fare was €2–2.50 per trip (depending on the route) when I visited in 2025. You’ll need to pay the fare in cash.

Take a picture of the updated schedule when you arrive because you can’t rely on Google Maps for bus times.

I found the buses to be very reliable—the bus always arrived on time.

The bus stop is very easy to find after arriving by ferry. As you walk off the pier, you’ll see a seating area—that’s the bus stop—and right behind it is an ATM.

The bus is essentially a small minivan. You pay the driver in cash, and if you’re heading to Chora, you’ll be dropped off just outside, since the streets are too narrow for vehicles. From there, you continue on foot to your accommodation.

The bus schedule is more limited in late October. The driver mentioned there are usually two bus drivers during the summer, but in winter, he’s the only one operating. Even so, I was still able to get everywhere I needed—I took the bus to and from the ferry port, to Ano Meria, and to Chora without any issues.

Things to Do in Folegandros in October 

Aside from one walking tour, no guided tours were running during my visit. If guided tours are important to you, then October is not a good time to visit. 

I enjoy independent travel, and I was happy to explore the island on my own. If that’s also what you enjoy, Folegandros in October can definitely be a good time to visit.

Here’s what I did in Folegandros in October:

• Explored Chora
• Walked up to the Church of Panagia for sunset views
• Took the bus to Ano Meria and explored the village (there are great views from here)
• Walked from the ferry port to Paralia Karavostasis and Livadi beach
• Sat at quiet viewpoints overlooking the sea

There is also the Folklore Museum of Folegandros in Ano Meria that opens in the evenings, but the opening hours didn’t line up with the bus schedule back to Chora, so I skipped it. If you want to see this museum, you’ll need to arrange a taxi or rent a car. Same goes for the more remote beaches—if you want to see these, you’ll need to rent a car. 

Important Note About Water in Folegandros 

There were signs around the island asking visitors to conserve water.

The water supply on Folegandros is limited, so visitors are encouraged to take shorter showers and be mindful about water usage.

Is Folegandros Worth Visiting in October?

For me, Folegandros in the off-season was perfect.

You can wander around alone, sit quietly overlooking the sea, or spend hours at sunset viewpoints without any crowds around you. 

Folegandros in late October isn’t a destination packed with things to do. It’s more of a place to slow down, enjoy the views, and meander.