Kythira (Kythera) Island is known for its connection with the goddess of love, Aphrodite. The island of Kythira is located north of Crete and south of the Peloponnese. It is technically an Ionian island, but in reality it looks more like a Cycladic Island based on its architecture and landscape. Kythira is best known for its medieval architecture, pristine beaches, and quaint fishing villages.
Visiting Kythira
Kythira is a small island that is ideal for Greek island visitors who want peace and quiet. Visitors get to enjoy small town Greece, without as many tourists when compared to the more popular Greek islands.
Kythira was never as rich as islands like Mykonos and Santorini, so it has maintained the traditional style which makes it an ideal vacation location in Greece. This is why the island is still a great value for the money you spend, especially when traveling with the family. There are 3000 permanent residents on the island of Kythira, so you are likely to find a slice of this paradise all to yourself.
What to do in Kythira
One popular activity on the island of Kythira is hiking. Many paths go across the island and take you to chapels, small villages, beaches, and expansive views of the Mediterranean sea. The best time to hike in Kythira is the autumn and the spring, when the weather is not so hot. In the summer on Kythira, it can be uncomfortable to hike. Two of the trails on Kythira are marked as “Green Flag Trails,” meaning that they are actively maintained and responsibly managed. In total, the island has 30 kilometers of trails.
Kythira Lighthouse
One of the most popular places to visit on Kythira island is the lighthouse in Cape Spathi. You can find it on the north tip of the island, and it is the largest lighthouse which the British built in Greece. It was first constructed in 1857 and is a wonderful place to watch the sunset on Kythira.
Mylopotamos Waterfall
The most well-known waterfall in Kythira is called Neraida, and it is in the Mylopotamos area, as the name tells us. The green landscape has a lot of local greenery and is pleasant to walk through. The Mylopotamos waterfall itself is 20 meters tall, and at the bottom there is a small pond where both locals and tourists enjoy swimming during the hottest months of the summer.
Kapsali Beach
What would a Greek island be without a beach? Kythira’s most famous beach is called Kapsali Beach. It is found near the beautiful village of Kapsali and it can be seen from the Chora Castle. There are two sandy bays at Kapsali Beach. The smaller bay has a rocky beach and is more remote, and the bigger section is known especially for its crystal clear waters.
The Kapsali area has many restaurants and cafes, making it a safe and enjoyable place for families. In the background, you will see Kythira’s mountains. Off the shore, you can see the rocky island of Avgo (which translates to “egg”). This is where locals say Aprodite was born on Kythira.
Antikythira Island
Antikythira island is very small and it found southeast of its “big sister” island, Kythira. Antikythira is also part of the Ionian islands and has 50 permanent residents. Most of them are elderly. The economy of Antikythira is based on fishing. Only a few rooms for rent can be found, because not a lot of tourists come this far south. In the largest village, Potamos, you will also find a doctor and a policeman. The biggest festival on Antikythira is for Saint Myronas on August 17th. You can get to Antikythera on a boat from Kythira in 2 hours.
Food in Kythira
No matter what form of travel you choose, be sure to relax and enjoy a meal in one of Kythira’s traditional tavernas when you arrive. Kythira’s tavernas serve local seafood and Kytherian favorites like spinach pies, Kytherian pasta with eggplant, and eggplant flowers stuffed with rice. Another specialty of the island of Kythira is Barbounia, also known as the red mullet. This is a popular fish in the Greek islands and is fried or grilled. Restaurants will likely serve it with a combination of lemon and olive oil.
Getting to Kythira
Kythira can be reached from the Peloponnese, south of Athens. The ferry leaves daily from the town of Neapolis. The trip lasts one and a half hours. You can also reach Kythira island from Gythio, which is also in the Peloponnese. This boat takes the route three times per week. Rarely, boats also go to Kythira from Kissamos in Crete. It is also possible to travel to Kythira from Athens, but only one boat per week leaves in the summer.
