The name, Schinoúsa, comes from the word schíno, which is a plant that used to grow extensively on the island.
Schinoúsa was initially inhabited during the 4th millennium BC by Cycladítes, and was part of the group called “little Cyclades” together with Koufonísia, Kéro and Irakleiá, Kéros being the capital.
In the years of AD, the island was continuously abandoned because it suffered many piratic raids. It was inhabited briefly during the Byzantine years, as a matter of fact there are findings supporting major commercial activity. However, it was abandoned again up until the 19th century AD, when settlers from the neighbouring island of Amorgós came and built the village of Myrsíni.
Schinoúsa, except its many beaches, offers an very good trekking network, which helps the visitor to go around the island.
Pirate’s cave: Lies on the NW side of the island
