The Friends of Mount Athos Daphni and Karyes Most visitors to Athos will pass through the port of Daphni, either on their way in or on their way out, though, as explained above, this is not strictly necessary. It has a post office, a police station, a few shops, and a restaurant.
Telephones are available at the shops, and a card telephone has recently been installed.
Daphni is animated for about one hour each day either side of midday when the boat arrives. Otherwise Daphni has all the characteristics of a tiny Greek fishing port of about fifty years ago except that it has no women. Karyes is more of a town. Holy Ghost Street, which leads from the bus stop to the church of the Protaton, is lined with shops, though most operate more as centres of gossip than of business. The headquarters of the Holy Community is the grand building opposite the Protaton.