Kythnos

Greek cyclades island

Kythnos is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. The island is of volcanic origin, very dry, and thinly populated.

Understand

Greek is the native language of the people of Kythnos. Most people also speak passable English and some of them speak other European languages.

Get in

By ferry

The port of Merichas is connected to Piraeus and Lavrio by ferry boat, and the ride takes one to four hours, depending on the speed of the ship and the weather. Construction of a new mole began in 2005 to accommodate larger ferryboats and it was completed in 2008.

By helicopter

Transportation to Kythnos is also possible by helicopter (for those how can afford the cost). Flights are organized by private companies mainly from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport and the old Airport of Elliniko in Athens.

Get around

By car

You can bring your own car to the island but you can also rent a car. Car rental companies operate in Merichas (island's main port), Chora (island's capital & main village), and Loutra. Driving at high speed should be avoided because of island's narrow and problematic roads.

By taxi

There are taxis operating in Kythnos, covering the whole road network of the island. Merihas Port serves as their main stand.

By sea

In Kythnos moving by sea is also an option. Hiring boats or use them as water-taxis for cruises, and visiting remote and/or inaccessible by road beaches. Companies of that kind operate in Merichas and Loutra.

See

Villages

  • 🌍 Merichas. The main port of the island. (updated Aug 2020)

Churches

  • 🌍 Agios Ioannis Theologos (Theologos), Chora. A small church renovated in 1845 and declared in 1987 as a listed monument. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Agios Panteleimon, Chora. A small church declared as a listed monument by the Greek State. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Panagia Stratilatissa (Panagia Stratolatissa) (3 km south of Dryopida). The catholicon of a dissolved monastery. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Panagia Flabouriani (Flabouriani), Flabouria. An old church dedicated to Virgin Mary mentioned in many of Kythnos' local myths and traditions. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Agia Anna, Panagia Stratilatissa (next to Panagia Stratilatissa). A 19th-century chapel inside the area of Stratilatissa. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Agios Loukas (over Kolona Beach). A chapel of the late 18th century on the rocky islet/peninsula which is known under the same name. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Panagia of Nikous, Chora (Close to Chora). The catholicon of a dissolved monastery, W of Chora. (updated Jun 2022)
  • Inside Katafyki cave
    🌍 Church of Agios Savvas, Chora of Kythnos. A 17th-century Orthodox church and monument. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Taxiarchis in Velidi (Taxiarchis sto Velidi) (On the road between Chora and Dryopida). The catholicon of a dissolved monastery. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Panagia Kanala, ☏ +302281032379. Greek Orthodox church and shrine dedicated to Virgin Mary. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Panagia Eleousa (Panagia Kareleousa), Oria or Katakefalo Castle. An old church inside Oria or Katakefalo Castle. It was built probably in the early 13th century but renovated later. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Agios Minas Church, Dryopida. Orthodox church and monument. Notable for its wooden iconostasis. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Panagia Eleousa (Panagia Kareleousa), Oria or Katakefalo Castle. An old church inside Oria or Katakefalo Castle. It was built probably in the early 13th century but renovated later. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Evangelistria, Dryopida. Church in Dryopida. Listed monument. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Agios Loukas (over Kolona Beach). A chapel of the late 18th century on the rocky islet/peninsula which is known under the same name. (updated Jun 2022)

Nature

  • 🌍 Kanala pine forest, Kanala. Inside Panagia Kanala area, it's the only pine forest of the island. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Katafyki Cave, Dryopida. Entrance is allowed only with a guide. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Oros Atheras-Cape Kefalos and coastal zone. Natural reserve. NATURA 2000, GR4220010. (updated Aug 2020)


Archaeological sites

  • 🌍 Vryokastro. Archaeological site. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Maroulas. The archaeological remains of the oldest settlement on any of the Cyclades, about 10,000 years old. The 1500-m² site has been excavated for over a decade since 1996 and was revealed to the public in 2010. Countless artifacts, many of them from obsidian (volcanic glass) have been unearthed by archaeologists. (updated Aug 2020)

Other

  • 🌍 Castle of Oria (Katakefalo) (on the NW part of Kythnos). A ruined fortified settlement. Used to be the medieval capital of the island. (updated May 2022)
  • Kolona Beach
    🌍 Mathias' laundry basins (southeast of Dryopida & close to Lefkes). Old laundry basins in the region of Mathias (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Theatraki Dryopidas (Small theater of Dryopida), Dryopida. An open-air theater in Dryopida where various festivals, concert & activities are held especially during the summer months. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Ecclesiastical & Byzantine Museum (Agios Geogios), Dryopida. Daily 09:00-14:00, 17:00-20:00. A small ecclesiastical museum inside the church of Agios Georgios. It is an initiative of a local priest. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 The Folklore Museum of Chora, Chora (in Piazza neighborhood). Daily 07:00-12:00. Founded in 2014 it's a folklore collection of objects exhibited in a traditional house. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Katholiko Park, Chora. Park in Chora where sculptures and architectural finds have been exhibited since 1973. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Loutra Natural Spa. A free natural spa in the spot where the waters from the two hot springs of Loutra (Kakavos and Agioi Anargyroi) unite. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Loutra Spa, Loutra. 19th-century facilities of an old hydrotherapy spa, nowadays a listed monument. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Mazarakis Tower, Loutra. House of the notable local family Mazarakis. It was built in the early 20th century based on Western architecture. (updated Jun 2022)

Do

Beaches

  • 🌍 Fykiada beach. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 Kolona Beach (north of Merichas Port). A famous beach on the homonymous bay. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Apokrousi Beach (Apokrisi). (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Episkopi Beach. A beach bar operates during the summer months. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Flampouria Beach (on the west side of the island). Split in two by a huge rock, it combines sand and pebbles. The local church of Panagia Flampouriani celebrates annually on August 23 and a traditional feast ("panigiri") takes place. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Skylou Beach (SW of Kanala). In the small settlement of Skylos. A beach you can reach through a dirt road. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Simousi Beach (Between the beaches of Skylou and Gaidouromandra on the SE side of Kythnos). A sandy beach. The sea here is usually calm. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Gaidouromantra Beach, Gantromantra. A long sandy beach in the small seasonal settlement of Gantromantra on the SE coast of Kythnos. Visitors are advised to bring some supplies with them (like food & water) since the stores don't exist there. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Antonides Beach, Kanala (W of Cape Kanala). A small beach in Kanala known for its turquoise waters. According to the local myths it's named after two first cousins named Antonis (Greek term for Anthony) who were killed by a shark or saved by a dolphin while swimming in the area. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Megali Ammos, Kanala (On the E side of Kythnos). The main beach of Kanala. A sandy beach. Popular among families. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Kouri Beach (east of Dryopida). A sandy beach between Zogaki and Naousa. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Naousa Beach (Aosa) (on the E side of Kythnos). A sandy beach connected with the nerby beaches of Kouri & Zogaki. It can be reached by vehicle until 200 m before the destination. For the distance remaining visitors have to walk. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Agios Dimitrios Beach, Agios Dimitrios. A wide & sandy beach on the SW part of Kythnos. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Kalo Livadi Beach, Kalo Livadi. Good swimming but without facilities. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Agios Stefanos Beach, Agios Stefanos. It has both sand and pebbles and is popular with families. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Lefkes Beach, Lefkes (west of Dryopida). A quiet beach about 6 km from Dryopida. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Liotrivi Beach, Liotrivi (between Kalo Livadi & Lefkes on the E side of Kythnos). A remote beach next to a seasonal settlement under the same name. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Potamia Beach (north of Loutra, accessible by boat and/or by a dirt road). A remote beach with deep waters on the NW part of Kythnos. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Kavourocheri Beach (north of Loutra). A small & remote beach close to Loutra of the north part of the island. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Martinakia Beach (Merichas). A small beach very close to the port of Merichas. It has a beach bar, taverns, hotels, and apartments. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Arkoudi Beach, Loutra Bay (on the north part of Kythnos, between Loutra and Agia Irini). A quiet beach in Loutra Bay. It's close to the road but not easily accessible. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Agia Irini Beach (Saint Irene), Agia Irini (on the north part of Kythnos). A small and sandy beach. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Agios Sostis Beach (north of Loutra). A remote beach, accessible by a dirt road. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Schinari Beach, Schinari (north of Loutra). A sandy beach close to Loutra. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Zogaki Beach (Zogkaki) (east of Dryopida). A quiet and sandy beach, very close to other beaches of the east part of Kythnos (Aosa, Kouri, Lefkes, Liotrivi). (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Mavrianos Beach (Mavrianou Beach) (south of Merichas). A remote beach on the west side of Kythnos. Visitors are advised to bring some supplies with them (like food & water) since the stores don't exist there. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Petrousa Beach (S of Agios Dimitrios on the E side of Kythnos). A sandy beach, not easily accessible (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Alyki Beach (on the southwest part of Kythnos). A remote and sandy beach, accessible by a dirt road. It is close to Agios Dimitrios. Visitors are advised to bring some supplies with them since stores don't exist there nor shade. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Sklavos Beach (Sklavou). A remote beach near Oria or Katakefalo Castle only accessible by boat. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Lagousi Beach (Ragousi) (close to Agios Stefanos.). No vehicle access. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Sifnios Beach. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Divlaka Beach (on the W part of Kythnos, S of Merichas and Flabouria). Accessible by vehicles through a dirt road until one point. A brief walk is also needed. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Kastellas Beach (Kastella) (on the west side of the island, close to Flabouria). A remote beach near the homonymous archaeological site. Visitors are advised to bring some supplies with them. (updated Jun 2022)

Eat

Traditional local cheese, known as thermiotiko.

In Kythnos you will find many restaurants, eateries and taverns. You should try the local spoon sweets and pastels, a variety of pies, “sfouggata” and “kolopia”. The local cuisine is also known for its dishes based on cheese and meat. The area is also well-known for its honey and capers.

Chora

Dryopida

  • 🌍 I Pelegra, ☏ +30 2281032322. Daily 12:00-00:00. Taverna. Greek and Mediterranean cuisine (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Chartino Karavi, Dryopida (close to the church of Agia Anna). Dishes from the Mediterranean, European and Greek cuisine. It is considered as vegetarian friendly, and it also offers options for vegans. (updated Jun 2022)

Merichas

Kanala

Loutra

Agios Stefanos

  • 🌍 O Kadris (Kadris), ☏ +30 2281032943. A traditional taverna with Mediterranean& Greek cuisine. It is considered as vegetarian friendly (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Arodou, ☏ +30 2281032647. Greek & Mediterranean taverna. (updated Jun 2022)

Drink

Chora

Dryopida

  • 🌍 Kythnon Anthoessan (Close to Katafyki Cave), ☏ +30 2281032145. Traditional café and confectionery. (updated Jun 2022)

Kanala

  • 🌍 Molo all day cafe, ☏ +30 2281033145. A seasonal snack bar where you can order coffee, drinks, and something to eat. (updated Jun 2022)

Apokrousi

Episkopi

Martinakia Beach

Sleep

Stay safe

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