Looking for authentic island living?
For remote beaches that even in August you can swim like nobody’s watching? For unspoiled seashores away from the noise of beach bars? For whitewashed villages where people still live on their traditions?
Then you’re at the right place!
Kythnos is Cyclades’ hidden gem, still unspoiled by mass tourism and known for its magnificent 100km coastline of sandy and pebble spread bays. It belongs to the Western Cyclades, located in between the island of Kea and Serifos.
The closest port is Lavrio where the boat reaches Kythnos within an hour and a half. Lavrio is also the closest port to Athens’ airport Eleftherios Venizelos. There’s also the port of Piraeus where boat timings are less frequent and the trip duration is app 3 hours and 30min.
You can find more about how to get to Kythnos from www.openseas.gr and www.viva.gr
Consider it a half-visit if you leave the island without visiting a local fiesta known in Greek as a ‘Panigyri’. Those are celebratory gatherings taking place in main squares, at the outdoor space of big churches but also (and that’s the most original version you can find) at remote churches on top of hills.
Locals will take care of you and give you to eat and drink delicacies made by the women of Kythnos. There’s always traditional live music played by local bands and the most impressive dance you can experience in Cyclades, it’s called ‘balo’, normally danced by couples with lots of spins and turns. Don’t hesitate to join the circle and dance with your heart, locals will guide you through the steps.
It’s also worth visiting Kythnos’ two folklore museums which are located at the two main villages of Chora and Dryopida. Both museums have very interesting exhibits, reviving old traditions and rituals of the island’s history - from traditional dresses, furniture and items to the ways people used to cook, dance and celebrate.
Ancient Mesolithic settlement. Archaeological excavations have brought to light a series of findings including dwellings, graves, and stone tools mode from firestone and quartz. The most important findings of thye site include a human skeleton that is considered to be one of the oldest of Cyclades. The site has an outstanding position in the area of paleoanthropology, as it is the sole outdoor Mesolithic settlement of the country.
The Archaeological Site of Vryokastro
Among the numerous findings, the most important ones are funerary reliefs, sculptures, architectural elements, inscriptions, fragments of archaic jars with relief decoration, Attic pottery of the Archaic and Classical periods, the stamped handles of commercial amphora etc. Based on surface pottery, the abandonment of the city is placed in the 6th or 7th century AD when the inhabitants moved to the fortified settlement of the Oria Castle.
The Castle of Oria
The medieval capital of Kythnos, located on the northern side of the island. Here, one will have the opportunity to admire traces of the fortified acropolis along with the remnants of the fortified town. The castle is accessible through a difficult dirt road.
Founded in 2014, at the initiative of the youth of Chora (Cultural Association of Chora Kythnos) and the valuable contribution of the inhabitants. It is a folklore collection of objects that are displayed in a traditional house in the “Piazza” of Chora, in which you will discover the spiritual treasures of Kythnos and you will experience its lively tradition.
Folklore Museum of Dryopida
Founded by the active Association of Dryopidians (people originating from Dryopida Kythnos) in an old preserved house behind the church of the Holy Apostles. Agricultural tools are on display in the ground floor while the traditional uniforms of the male and female farmers, the equipment of the cell, the “bed” and the textile artifacts. The first floor illustrates with authenticity a traditional house of Thermia (kitchen, hall, bedroom), while on its walls are decorated with the engravings of Kythnos.
The Ecclesiastical & Byzantine Museum
The Ecclesiastical & Byzantine Museum of the island is hosted in a specially designed area at the church of Saint Georgios in Dryopida and was founded on the initiative of Father Constantine Gonidis. There are several ecclesiastical exhibits of the Byzantine era in the museum and several icons that have survived over time.
Loutra (baths), which have been a tourist attraction in recent years, host the unique thermal springs of the Cyclades. There are two hot springs. The first is the one of Agioi Anargyroi and it is saline. It is located within a hydrotherapy facility (bath spa) that has been operating for many years attracting a large number of visitors. The second which is called the spring of Kakavos, is 50 meters away from the first one, containing iodine, bromide and sodium chloride while its temperature reaches 52 degrees Celsius. It has been scientifically proven that the waters of the springs are indicated for the treatment of rheumatic, arthritic and gynecological diseases. The Loutra Spa was once visited by King Otto and his wife Amalia.
The day starts (and even finishes) with a Pitaro, Kythnos’ cheese-pie version with local cheese made with soft or crispy dough. On the same category, you can enjoy the same shape of pie but with spinach filling instead of cheese. It’s called Kolopi and it’s a lighter and healthier option. For those with a sweet tooth, Kythnos is also famous for its sweet star-shaped pies made with local cheese, fresh eggs, aniche and honey. Ask for it at a bakery or at the local tavernas. Your taverna order should never be missing Sfougata which are small round cheese-balls made with soft local cheese, and you never can have just one.
MARTINAKIA beach is a small beach with sand and small pebbles which overlooks the port. Many trees are scattered along the beach.
ANTONIDES beach is a small beach at the farthest of the peninsula of Panagia Kanala with turquoise waters.
SKYLOU beach. A particularly beautiful beach thanks to its crystal clear waters and its about 250 meters length! It has white sand and pebbles, but no shade, and you will have a 15 minute walk through the path.
SCHINARI beach . A small beach right next to Loutra village.
AGIA IRINI beach is a very sheltered small sandy beach, with shallow waters. Scattered on the beach there are few large trees.
AGIOS DIMITRIOS beach . Sand, small pebbles and many “Armiriki” trees scattered along the beach.
AGIOS SOSTIS beach. A beautiful large and sandy beach, unfortunatelly with no shade.
EPISKOPI beach. One of the busiest beaches of Kythnos. It is a sandy, organized beach with gentle landscape and deep blue shallow waters.
MEGALI AMMOS beach. A large, sandy beach and one of the busiest beaches of Kythnos.
LOUTRA beach. A large beach, located in the center of the bay, while just behind that are the buildings of the spas. In the southern part of the beach there is a small “pool” where the hot spring water mixes with the salt water!
APOKROUSI beach . A large sandy beach with crystal clear waters, many “Armiriki” trees and beautiful beach bars.
AGIOS IOANNIS beach. A secluded quiet sandy beach in the north-east of Kythnos.
LEFKES beach. A small beach with sand and small pebbles, with a little shade and a nice tavern.
KASTELLAS beach. A beautiful secluded beach with small pebbles, crystal clear waters but no shade.
GAIDOUROMANDRA & SI MOU SI beaches. Right next to Skylou beach with similar scenery.
FLAMBOURIA beach . Sand, small pebbles and few“Armiriki” trees scattered along the beach.
NAOUSSA beach . A beautiful large beach with sand, small pebbles and few“Armiriki” trees.