Overview

Kythera, standing guard at the entrance of Laconic Bay, is a hidden gem among Greek islands. Idyllic countryside, remote, ragged beaches, and quaint villages compose the wild beauty of the island and make it an ideal setting for those seeking a peaceful, quality sojourn in a typical Mediterranean island.

Kythera is not a wild party island. Most of its visitors are families and couples determined to relax and unwind during their summer holidays. Nightlife here consists of sipping a long drink at a cafe or a bar by the water, after dinner, and be at bed by 1 a.m. The limited number of hotels and pensions translates into a relaxed atmosphere that never feels crowded.

The island is favored by the Greek upper socioeconomic class and it also benefits from occasional visits and frequent remmitances from the large Kytherian immigrant community that settled in Australia and the United States throughout the 20th century. As a result, it is tidier and cleaner than your typical Greek island, the roads are better paved, fewer sidewalks are cracked, and the people are more relaxed and friendlier.

Kythera was the birthplace of Aphrodite. According to legend, the ancient Godess of Love rose from the sea, took a good look around her and found the island lacking somehow. She was off to Cyprus after that, which is a curious move, since Cyprus is more barren and poor in natural graces than Kythera. But, there you have it; no arguing with divine tastes. As a result of the Aphrodite connection, combined with its remoteness, Kythera's reputation was always colored with a romantic hue in the collective mind.

The Highlights
Chora, a pretty, whitewashed, Aegean island capital, built high on a hill for protection against medieval pirates.
Kapsali, a jewel of a fishing village, just under Chora.
The villages of the mainland, such as Potamos, Aroniadika, and Karavas.
The local cuisine, and local foods such as honey and "pasta milou", a local syrupy desert made of almonds.
The semprevive-covered hills in the spring.
The waterfall in Mylopotamos village.

We Recommend
Visit the remote beaches of the west and the east coasts and watch the sunset.
Spend evenings in Kapsali, lazily having dinner and drinks.
Inquire about and take hiking tours in the beautiful Kytherian countryside.