Holidays in Kythira

Kythira (Greek: Κύθηρα, Cythera, Kythera. Italian: Cerigo) is an island of Greece, historically part of the Ionian Islands. It lies opposite the eastern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula. It is administratively part of the Piraeus Prefecture (centered in the Athens metropolitan area) although geographically distant from the prefecture's population center. It has a land area of 279.590 km² (107.950 square miles), the second-largest (after Megara) in the Attica periphery. It is also the second-least densely populated (after neighboring Antikythira) in Attica. The rugged terrain is a result of prevailing winds from the surrounding seas which have shaped its shores into steep rocky cliffs with deep bays. For many centuries, while naval travel was the only means for transportation, the island possessed a strategic location. Since ancient times, until the mid 19th century, Kythira had been a crossroads of merchants, sailors, and conquerors. As such, it has had a long and varied history and has been influenced by many civilisations and cultures. This is reflected in its architecture (a blend of traditional, Aegean and Venetian elements), as well as the traditions and customs, influenced by centuries of coexistence of the Greek, Venetian, Ottoman and British civilisations as well as its numerous visitors.

Kythira Geography

The island is home to numerous beaches of varying type and size, though due to the island's rugged and mountainous terrain, only about half of them are accessible by road.
The island is close to the Hellenic-arc plate boundary, and thus, a highly seismogenic part of the region. Many earthquakes in recorded history have had their epicentres near or on the island. Probably the largest in recent times is the 1903 earthquake near at the village of Mitata, that caused significant damage as well as limited loss of life. At the beginning of the 21st century, two main earthquakes have been of concern: that of 5 November, 2004, an earthquake measuring between 5.6 and 5.8 on the Richter scale and the earthquake of 8 January, 2006, measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the latter was in the sea about 20 km to the east of Kythira, at a depth of approximately 70 km. Damage was caused to many buildings, particularly old ones, mostly in the village of Mitata, but there were no casualties. Due to its strength it was felt as far as Italy, Egypt, and Jordan.
The Kythirian Straits, formed by the southeastern peninsula of the Peloponnese and the islands of Elafonissos and Kythira represent one of the most dangerous navigational hazards in the Mediterranean. The majority of sea-traffic transiting from Athens, Istanbul, and the Black Sea heading west of the Aegean Sea pass through the straights and are often subject to strong winds and shipwrecking on Cape Malea.

Kythira Beaches

The beaches of Kythira have crystal water and they are surrounded by beautiful landscape. Most popular and organized beaches are Agia Pelagia and Kapsali, while there are also many secluded beaches to enjoy more privacy, such as Chalkos, Lykodimou and Melidoni.

Agia Pelagia: Big sandy beach in the homonym village. It is located in north of the island near the villages Potamos and Karavas. Suitable for staying closely to the sea the village of Agia Pelagia has a lot of hotels and rooms for rent. In the summertime, games and sports like Beach Volley tournament are organised there. Tennis rackets are required!

Kapsali: Kapsali is a popular tourist resort, the closest to Hora. It has a long beach and many tourist facilities.

Chalkos: One of the smallest but most beautiful beaches southern of the island. You will take the street Kalamos. It's busy place and a meeting point, mainly for the youth. If you like your umbrella leaning against the next company’s one, you must go! You can easily meet other people!

Lykodimou: Lykodimou is a picturesque cove with a beautiful sandy beach. It is pretty isolate and provides a nice place to enjoy some privacy.

Melidoni: Small and quiet beach south-western of the island. A cove with sandy beach and crystal clear waters. Beach parties usually are organised in Melidoni, in the summer. Recommended for overnight stay. The beach connects to the Drymonas village by earthen street.

Agios Lefteris: Small wild and beautifully coloured beach in westwards of the island. Approached there by a street from Logothetianika. Entrancing sunset, quiet and romantic point for a nightly stay.

Diakofti: In the port of Kythira. The beach is white sanded with shoal waters that you think that you will walk across to the opposite islet. The ideal beach for bathroom. Later, fresh fish at the taverns.

Fyri Ammos: Attention! If you ask in Kythira to tell you how can anyone go to Fyri Ammos, you may get into a tangle, because there are two beaches with the same name in quite different points. The most famous is the one lying south-eastern of the island. You can go there by taking the street from Kalamos. It is the beach with the most splendid colours, it has also a cave! Fine colourful pebbles dress the beach. It's a busy beach, so be careful on the road, especially at the end, where parking is a little difficult. It's worth visiting, the beach will reward you. The other, the unknown beach Fyri Ammos is lying next to Agia Pelagia, about 500 metres eastern. The pebbles are deep red and give an exotic view. It is also proposed a visit to both in order to compare and mark them!

Platia Ammos: Near the village of Karavas. It is a quiet beach. In the region, quite a few beautiful houses have been built, during the last years. There are also rooms for rent and restaurants for food after the bathroom. Because of the long distance of the region, you will difficulty find many people. Evenings parties take place with popular music for romantic feelings.

Kaladi: The beach that you should not pass over. The island "trademark"! Breathtaking, isolated and hospitable beach. You must spend your night there. Good company, a guitar and it might be advisable to have an off-hand barbecue. Be careful of barbecue firing, because Kaladi "burns" hearts...

Komponada: Eastern of the island, Komponada is one of the wildest beaches. The overnight stay is required. Big pebbles, very deep beach. When the night moon pops up everything's getting beautiful. A romantic and quiet point in the island.

Paleopoli: The biggest beach of the island. Paleopoli with the village of Avlemonas is the most attractive region. A long sandy beach, full of the smell of thyme and other herbs and full of "Madonna" lilies with dizzy scent. The region was the ancient city of Kythira, Skandia. There were also the baths of Aphrodite, out at sea, the goddess of beauty and love was born. The feeling of history and fable is alive, exploring the region.

Vroulea: A deserted creek with very small sandy beach. Proposed for solitary moments and absolute quietness. Take mask in order to explore the bottom.

Kythira Nightlife

Don't come to Kythira expecting the liveliest nightlife in Greece. This is a serene and peaceful island where evenings out consist of a sundowner in a waterfront bar followed by a leisurely meal in a traditional taverna. Kapsali, in the south of the island, has a handful of lively music bars which stay open late on hot summer nights. But the island's night scene is essentially low-key so if you're after karaoke and all-night discos the Ionian Islands of Corfu or Zakynthos will suit you better.
Kapsali is the only place on the island which is really geared to tourists. The larger of its twin bays is lined with bars and tavernas where you can enjoy a waterside drink with views out to the stark Avgo rock (the reputed birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite).
You won't find all the Brit bars and international restaurants which dominate the more popular package holiday resorts but there are some good tavernas offering reasonably priced Greek staples and local specialties. The best of the bunch is Hydraggio, a lively seafood taverna at the Hora end of the beach. Treat yourself to lobster and other fresh fish dishes including tasty mezedes. A cheaper option is Vlastos where "kokoras" (cockerel cooked in wine) is the local specialty.
Don't expect to find strobe-lit discos but there are opportunities for after-dinner dancing at some of the bars which play Greek and international hits late into the night.
If you have your own transport it's worth heading out to the village of Kalamos, north east of Kapsali, to dine at one of the island's best restaurants - Filio where a wide range of Kythirian specialties are served in a lovely garden setting. If you're staying in the main port of Agia Pelagia, head out to Karavas in the north of the island to eat at the excellent Amir Ali restaurant. This is one of the most beautiful villages on the island and the taverna's streamside setting, delicious mezedes and occasional live music make it a pleasant place to spend an evening.
At the village of Logothetianika, just south of Potamos, the popular Karydies taverna has regular live music. And there's often impromptu evening entertainment down at the solitary beachfront taverna in Paleopoli on the east coast.
Several villages host religious festivals and cultural events throughout the year, many of which are centred around local churches and monasteries. But don't let the religious aspect put you off because the Greeks use the feast days of their patron saints as a good excuse for a party. On August 15th there's a traditional festival in the main square in Potamos and various cultural events take place in the local open air theatre throughout the summer. On August 8th-9th the village of Mitata, in the centre of the island, hosts a wine festival with free wine for all visitors. During the pre-Lent carnival celebrations there are masked parades in the villages of Livadi and Potamos.