Kythira…an island with friendly and hospitable people…magical landscapes,beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, waterfalls and caverns
The island of Aphrodite the goddess of love,although belongs to the Eptanisa of the Ionian Sea, is located between Crete and Peloponnese where the Aegean, Ionian and Cretan Seas meet
“Kythira” or “Chora” is the island’s capital.Together with the harbor called Kapsali have a postcard beauty.
Above the village is theVenetian castle built in 1503 on top of the hill.
In Chora you can visit the Byzantine churches in the Venetian castle,the Catholic church Aghios Markos and the Archeological Museum which hosts small but remarkable collection of findings from the Mycenaean times up to the Byzantine period.
The central square of Chora is planted with hibiscus, bougainvilleas and palms.There are bars and cafe to enjoy the amazing view.
from wikipedia.org
Villages
The village of Agia Pelagia is located 28 km north east of Chora and has the second harbour of the island. It is a popular resort area for visitors.
The coastal village of Avlemonas is located 26 km east of Chora. The architecture is typical of the Cyclades .There is a small medieval castle overlooking its small harbour.
In the resort village Potamos, the main square, is paved and shaded by pine trees and surrounded with traditional mansions.
The picturesque coastal village of Kapsali is located 3 km from Chora offers an organised beach.Near Kapsali you can visit the small church of St. John which is built inside a small cave where according to the tradition St. John started writing the Apocalypse before going to Patmos.
The village Livadi is located in the centre of a verdant meadow 4 km from Chora. The village reflects elements of English architecture.
Worth visiting
by Ingo Mehling from wikipedia.org
The Agia Sofia cave located on the West coast of Kythira, in Kokala bay, was initially explored in 1930.Rich in colourful stalactites and stalagmites, it offers visitors images of unique beauty. In the cave’s anteroom you can admire a stone-carved 11th century iconostasis and the church of Aghia Sophia, built in the 18th century.
The waterfall of “Neraida” or “Fonissa” is 20 metres high and forms a small lake underneath it.It is an amazing place with paths, brooks and large plane trees.
by Comzeradd
from wikipedia.org
The beaches are plenty and wonderful,uncrowded, even during the high season. Don’t miss the opportunity to swim in the turquoise waters of Kapsali, Sparagio, Chalkos, Creek Vroulea, Fyri Ammos, Kobonada, Avlemonas, Palaiopoli, Kaladi, Fyri Ammos, Kalamitsi, Kakia Langada, Platia Ammos, Fournoi, Lykodimos, Limnionas, Agios Lefteris and many more.
Kithira has a rather interesting nightlife which centers on the village of Kapsali. There are several bars you can visit.
A short excursion to the neighbouring island of Antikithira is worth it.This small island became famous thanks to the Antikithira mechanism, the enigmatic ancient mechanical sextant discovered there(it is hosted
by Giovanni Dall’Orto
from wikipedia.org
in Archaeological Museum of Athens). Visit the ancient fortress town of Aigila and the remains of Apollo’s temple right on the clear water of Xiropotamos beach.The island offers small taverns, where you can enjoy fresh fish or local wild goat.
Getting there
Kithira has an airport, there are flights every day from El. Venizelos airport in Athens to Kithira.
Kithira has two ports, Agia Pelagia and Diakofti.From Neapoli in Lakonia the ships depart on a daily basis quite frequently and the island can be reached in not more than an hour.You can also take the ship from Gythion (Peloponnese) but the duration of the trip is two hours.If you decide to take the ship from the port of Piraeus the trip lasts about eight hours.
Greek highlights 