Kythera is a land long forgotten by any conventional sense of time. Sea blasted fresh air, green-grey rolling hills, pristine empty beaches, white churches and, of course, the deep stillness of silence make it differ from anything else you have seen. Time has a peculiar way of being gauged here on Kythera. Its cyclical nature draws of Aphrodite and other mythological archetypes as well.
So take a break from the tediousness and everyday life and visit this peaceful heaven. It is a very quiet island, so don’t expect big parties.
Stay
Gerakari Suites: built of stone bathed in light and shaded by age-old olives. The architecture is perfectly in line with the environment. Gerakari, tel 02736038184, 06944431859, from 100€
Villa Lemonia: excellent architectural elements of the island’s tradition. Vamvakaradika, tel 06972406698, 02736033552, from 50€
Corte O. Suites: modern and colourful suites in a restored building. Chora, tel 02736039139, 06947627353, from 65€
Eat and Drink
Filio: one of the best restaurants on Kythera in a beautiful garden in three levels offers honest delicious home cooking based on fresh ingredients most of them come from their garden. Don’t miss the “xinohontros with aubergines” and the “kaltsunia with spinach”. Friendly service. Kalamos, tel 02736031549
Panaretos: on the picturesque square of Potamos where one can enjoy excellent Greek dishes. They use local vegetables and meat cooked with home care. Potamos, tel 02736034290
Skandia: Lovely terrace with delicious food. We had a selection of perfectly cooked fish. Must-try the divine sardines. Paleopoli, tel 02736033397
Manolis: here you can taste traditional food next to the sea. Try the excellent cooked red mullets. Diakofti, tel 02736033748
Fish Tavern Sotiris: in the beautiful village of Avlemonas you will meet the fish tavern of Sotiris. Fresh fish and seafood from local fishermen, perfectly cooked. Avlemonas, tel 02736033722
O Magos: a tavern offering fresh fish and other dishes from the Greek, situated at an excellent spot at Kapsali beach. Don’t miss “thripsallo” (big “kala
mari”), “spicy gavro” and fried zucchini. Excellent service. Kapsali, tel 02736031407
Pierros: classic tavern since 1950, which offers excellent meat and traditional dishes. Friendly service. Livadi, tel 02736031014
Banda Landra: this café/bar is located on the beach of Kapsali. Life here starts early in the morning serving breakfast and all kinds of coffee and come on late night for those who want to have fun with musical rhythms or enjoy a unique night view. Kapsali, tel 02736031904
Koukos bar: as a location is really hard to beat. It rests inside a hairpin of the road that connects Chora and Kapsali offering a grandiose view of the castle and the Myrtoon sea. With friendly “no frills” ambience and service. Tel 02736031983
Beaches
Kaladi: it is, according to many, the best and most popular beach on the island with crystal clear turquoise water, the one that shouldn’t me missed
Melidoni: it is one of the best three coastal destinations. You will be impressed by this little bay with the fine sand, crystal clear waters and a view of the island of Chytra
Chalkos: it has dramatic cliffs and a bay that looks like a natural bathing pool
Kakia Langada: the beach has large pebbles, but this doesn’t seem to bother the tourists who prefer to swim in crystal clear waters. Mouragio Beach Bar is a plus as the owner is famous for his postive energy and vibe who makes sure everyone gets involved in the party that could follow
Lykodimou: the beach that combines sand and pebbles. Its position is on the northwest side makes it a very special place to see the sunset
Palaiopolis: the beach of Palaiopolis is the longest of the island with crystal clear waters. Legend has it that goddess Aphrodite emerged at the sea of Palaiopolis (even though us Cypriots say that it emerged from Petra tou Romiou)
Diakofti: the water is shallow and turquoise and the color of the sand is white. A nice bar on the beach offers drinks and coffee
Highlights
Kapsali: it is a tourist village and main point of reference which has restaurants, bars and small shops
Avlemonas: perhaps the most beautiful village of Kythera. It is a coastal village with picturesque bays
Potamos: it is the largest village on the island with a beautiful square with small shops around
Milopotamos: a village of legends and traditions. Start your visit with a morning coffee and cake in the square, under the planes. The traditional cafés, the church, Kamari with the running waters and ducks offer a pleasant and familiar feeling
Kythera: also known as Chora, as in most Greek islands, it is the island’s capital with picturesque castle
Getting there
By plane from Athens (35 min) or on a ferry from Neapolis or from Pireus
