Attractions, Beaches & Things to Do in Kythira
Port of Kythira, Diakofti
The wind-protected main port of the island which provides ferry boat routes to the Greek mainland, Antikythra, and Crete.
Diakofti Beach
A white fine-sand shallow water beach that is ideal for families. While next to this blue-green water beach is located the official island port.
Kythira National Airport
«Alex. Ari. Onassis»Named after the son of the Greek aristocrat Aristotle Onassis, it has daily flights to Athens, while it welcomes seasonal international flights.
Kaladi Beach
Probably the most picturesque not organized small pebble & sandy beach on Kythira, which is divided by a huge rock with a gallery in between.
Abandoned Medieval Town of Palaiochora
The Byzantine capital that after its destruction was considered cursed and has never been re-inhabited.
Port of Agia Pelagia, Kythira
The old port of the island that serves as a selter during the bad weather and hosts numerous smaller fishing boats.
Agia Pelagia Beach
The sandy beach of the homonymous settlement it includes numerous beach bars, it has shallow waters, and offers water sport options.
Agia Pelagia, Kythira
One of the most well-known villages of the island, with plenty of accommodation and entertainment choices that attract many visitors.
Mylopotamos, Kythira
Traditional village with population that do not exceed 50 people & revives during summer when numerous immigrants visit their birthplace.
Fourni Beach
A picturesque windless bay at the north hosts a small organized beach with small pebbles and a beach bar that offers all the basic amenities.
Chalkos Beach
A vivid small-pebble beach among the busiest of the island that is organized and offers basic amenities through a small beach bar.
Kapsali Beach
Organized beach located in a wind-protected bay of the homonymous settlement that combines small pebbles on the one and sand on the other edge.
Kapsali
Less than 2 kilometers away from Chora is located the port of Kythira well-known for its cosmopolitan notion and the lively nightlife.
Chora of Kythira
The main settlement and the capital of the island that stands for its amazing views and the Venetian castle that dates from 1503.
Port of Kapsali (Piso Gialos), Kythira
By the coastal village of Kapsali is located the homonymous port and marina that can host more than 40 tourist and fishing boats.
Castle of Kythira Chora
Well-preserved Venetian fortification that was built initially in the 13th century and was restructured in the 16th century.
Mirtidia Monastery of Kythira
«Myrtidiotissa»The biggest monastery of the island that host the miraculous icon, its most valuable heirloom.
Melidoni Beach
Among the most popular of Kythira, a sandy beach located in a wind-protected rocky bay, famous for the parties organized by the local beach bar.
Questions & Answers about Kythira
Why Visit Kythira?
- It can be reached by plane from Athens or by boat from Piraeus or Peloponnese.
- Merging elements from the coexistence of the Venetian and Greek culture.
- The local economy is based on agriculture and lastly on tourism.
Is Kythera the birthplace of Aphrodite?
According to Hesiod's Theogony, Aphrodite was born in the wave foams of the Kythera, when Uranus genitals fell into the sea (his son Cronus has cut off them and throw them into the sea). The waves swept away, and according to the legend, the goddess reached the island. Kythera hosted the first sanctuary of Ourania (Heavenly) Afrodite who then went to Paphos of Cyprus into a shell.
How many churches and religious monuments are there on Kythera?
The Byzantine era on Kythera is related to a strong religious activity, which established more than 300 worship places. There is even a local legend according to which there were 365 churches, one for each day of the year.
When Kythera was united with Greece?
Similarly to the other Ionian Islands (Heptanese) Kythera united with Greece on the 21st of May 1864. The British, who have occupied the Ionian Islands since 1809, "gifted" them to the new Greek King, George I.
Does Kythera have many migrants?
A large part of the modern history of the island deals with the great migration that began in the 18th century and intensified in the 19th century. It was mainly bound to Smyrna in Asia Minor (coast of Turkey), and after the Asia Minor Catastrophe, migrants turned towards major Greek cities and Egypt. The early 20th century marked the second wave of immigration from Kythera with main destinations the US, Australia, and Latin America.
How Kythera became well-known through arts?
The symbolism of Kythera, as a distant and imaginary place, inspired the painter of the 18th century, Jean-Antoine Watteau's painting "The Embarkation for Cythera". While the internationally acclaimed Greek director Theo Angelopoulos in the film "Voyage to Cythera", which is the parallelism of Kythera and Ithaca.
How someone can reach Kythera?
Access to Cythera is easy since it is connected by boat with Piraeus, Kastelli on Crete, as well as Githeio and Neapolis which are located at the nearest coasts in Peloponnese. The island has also an airport connection, with flights from and to the airport of Athens during the whole year.