Kythnos

Kythnos is at first glance somewhat unspectacular but the perfect combination of beautiful scenery with the original cyclades life such as very good cheese and honey, the fishermen of Loutro, the port with its smells.

Together with Kea, Serifos and Sifnos, Kythnos forms the western north-south running chain of islands in the Cyclades. Kythnos lies about 11.5 km south east of Kea and more than 13 miles north of Serifos. The island of Syros is located 33 km away and the un inhabited island Piperi 8.7 km east. Kefalos from the Cape in the north to Cape Agios Dimitrios, the length is about 21 km. The width is located in east-west direction between 8.6 km and 3.6 km. The area is 99.432 km ².

Main town of the island of Kythnos is Chora or Mesaria – a traditional place in Cycladic style on the slope of a hill. Stroll through the streets and picturesque arcades just off the whitewashed stone houses and visit the magnificent churches of the place: the Church of Agia Triada, a isled basilica with a dome, where  it is the oldest church on the island,the church Sotiras, the church Agios Ioannis with its ornate carved wooden iconostasis from the 16th Century, the historic church of Agios Savas has linked the entrance with an inscription to the year 1613 and served during the Frankish period, both as a GreekOrthodox and a Catholic church.

On Kythnos you will find countless bays and beaches with crystal clear water: Episkopi,Apokrousi (with Sand and Shadow), the great beach Flampouria over which stands the church of Panagia tis Flampourias and Agios Sostis, a lovely beach in the north of the island with a same church, Naousa overlooking the Church of the Rock, Kouri and Zogkaki that are connected to each other on stage, Kalo Livadi with the Church of Panagia tis Kalolivadiotissas and the beautiful beach Fykiada.
Day trips on the beaches are great, or you can go to the nearby island of Piperidine, which was declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Only on Kythnos
The outdoor location settlement from the Neolithic age, discovered in Maroulas – the only outdoor space located in the Greek settlement of this period – points out that  Kythnos was inhabited from 9000 BC, and suggests that people had settled here, probably the first people in the Cyclades.

Kimolos

Kimolos island is a small volcanic, rocky island in the south west of the Cyclades, not very popular or well-known,but a very tranquil and vivid island with white cliffs, white houses, sunny beaches and pleasent people.It has a little more than 600 inhabitants and it is better known for its proximity to a little more popular island, Milos,which was in the past united with Kimolos as a whole, but now divided by the Kimolos strait.
Kimolos is named after the greek word Kimolis which means chalk, due to its rocky white looks, similar to a piece of chalk.
The people of the island live from agriculture, farming, fishing and in the developing tourism area.From the island’s port, Psathi you can reach the very close Milos or other islands like Sifnos, Folegandros, Santorini.The island of Kimolos has the capital in Chorio town, which is a traditional cycladic settlement with narrow streets between the blue and white houses,divided in two areas: one that has a medieval look and feel due to its castle which dates from early 14th century, and a residential quarter.
If you travel to Rema, close to Chorio, you’ll encounter a beautiful scenary given by the natural swimming pool which has formed there.Another good beach is Prasa, it has fine white sand and azure waters.
There are a lot of other beaches and spots, but one you shouldn’t miss is the Gerakia Cave where you can dive or just swimm around to explore, while relaxing your bodyand senses in the beautiful waters there.Other bays were you’ll find peace are Therma, Mersinia, Zefokalamo and Agioklima where there is a natural hot spring.

Kea

The amazingly colourful island of Kea, with a surface of aprox. 121 square kilometers standsat 42 nautical miles from Piraeus, not far from the cost of Attica, in the sout-east.The islands has about a population of 1790 and is covered with mountainous hills, valleys, and you’ll findvineyards and fruit-trees on the land of Kea, right unto the sea.
The island has a beautiful natural bay, Agios Nikolaos, which contains a harbour, Korissia, one of thesafest in the Mediterranean.At a distance of 6 km of Korissia lies the capital, Chora or Ioulida, which looks very cycladic, with an amphitheatricalstructure, white houses built on the slopes of the rocky land, narrow alleys, traditional churches, and on the topthe remain of the acropolis of ancient Kea, where you’ll find Kastro neighbourhood that offers a breathtaking overviewof the islands close to Attica coastline.In the capital there is the Archaeological Museum with items from the cycladic period.All over the island there are the traditional windmills, churches, monasteries, chapels.
The island can be easily reached from Athens, which make it a favourite destination formany tourists who want a piece of the cyclades.
Here you can savour delicious greek dishes, especially fish, very fresh and affordable.In august, on the island there is a festival called “Simonidia”, during which a lot ofevents take place, such as exhibitions, art performances, concerts, street parties.
In Kea, only the beaches of Gialiskari, Koundouros and Korissia have facilities fortourists, the other ones like Kambi, Otzias, Liparo, Pisses are virgin beaches, nice and secluded,great for a tranquil day in the sun.

 

Ios

If you’re looking for party, for sunny beaches, for traditional Aegeanarchitecture, if you want a lively island full of tourists especially during thehigh season, Ios is an excellent destination.Due to the remains of ancient walls in the island’s capital, of drawings of theantique pots, it is believed the island was inhabited since very long ago, at thebeginning at the cycladic period.
As Herodotus tells us, the island of Ios is the birthplace of Homer’s mother,and also the place where his tomb is. In his name, to celebrate him, there isa festival ” Homeria” each year on may,15.
Ios Island is an attraction for young people as it is famous for the numerous possibilitiesof having fun, of active nightlife.You can get on the island either from Piraeus, though the journey lasts quite long, about 4 hours,or from the neighbouring islands. By air, you can fly to Santorini and then sail to Ios.There are some golden beaches with fine sand, long shores, outdoor taverns, beach abrs,crystal water.Yialos is the island’s main port and has also one of the fine sandy beaches.You can find good accommodation in Yialos, and there are a lot of restaurants and clubs. It is close to Chora, about 2 km.Mylopotas is the island’s top beach and one of the finest in all Aegean.
On the island you can get around by bus, the villages are quite close, and you can visit some remains of the past in Chora and Agia Theodoti.You’ll find a great variety of hotels, villas, rooms to let on the island and a lot of entertainment organizers thatmay offer you their services.

Folegandros

The lovely island of Folegandros lies in the southern Aegean,a marvelous gem of the south of Cyclades.It is like an elongated rock rising from the sea, a refuge, untouched, betweenthe islands of Melos and Sikinos.This rocky island, with a narrow middlepoint has two enchanting coves on both sides,which seem to split the island into two parts.If you like birdwatching this is a perfect place, as Folegandros is the stopping pointfor the migratory birds in the spring and autumn.The capital of the island, Chora, built at a hight of 200 m is an interesting cycladic settlement,as it’s divided into a medieval and a modern side.It has a Venetian castle and a cycladic-style overall feature.
Besides form Chora, the island of Folegandros has a port, Karavostasi and village of Ano Meria and Agali Beach, whichare all connected. The infrastructure is acceptable, they have good roads, although in Choraaccess with car or motorcycle is forbidden.If you shall wander around the island you’ll be amazed by the terraces created by the localson the slopes of the mountainous land of the island, in order to cultivate cereals.
The island has a few shops here and there, restaurants, some hotels in Karavostasi, the best of th island really, and a tranquillandscape of dry air, sunny skies, blue Aegean and steep hills.
Don’t forget to visit Eco-Folklore Museum in Ano Meria, it is an interesting structure built all-natural, and has unique itemson display.Also, yiu should visit the Chrysospilia Cave in the north of the island. It has some paints on its walls,a legacy from the ancients that visited the cave.

 

 

Donoussa

Donoussa is the biggest of the ” small Cyclades” – a group of small islands in the Aegean, inbetween Naxos and Amorgos, and is a perfect spot for relaxation and walking in the nature; you can walk around the island from one side to the other.

It is preffered by the tourists that sail in the Aegean, as a stop point, or by those that are on a charter yacht, and can take a swim, a sunbathe and a walk in a sunny summer day.

The island has a low level of accommodation, as there are no hotels or hostels, there only are rooms to let, or villas

 

Andros

Andros is maybe the most eco-friendly island of the Cyclades, a greenish landscape of a beautiful island with lush vegetation, quite close to the port of Piraeus, making it a hit-destination among the athenians who enjoy a week-end getaway.

The island has a traditional cycladic architecture, that you’ll especially find in Chora – the capital, in the inner part of the island you’ll find nice, picturesque mountain villages, and along the seaside there are fine tourist resorts for all tastes.

In the soutwestern side of Andros there is Batsi, the most popular settlement of the island, due to its position on a gulf, its splendid beaches, high number of entertainment possibilities and great nightlife.

Close to Batsi stands Gavrion, another village where the main port of Andros island is.

The island’s name origins in a greek myth about Andros, one of Apollo’s  grandsons and a cretan general. He was awarded with this island as he was a remarkable warrior.

In Andros there is an archeological museum, some natural wells from which comes a big part of bottled water on the island, some churches, if you want to visit and a lot of water activities if you want to have fun.

There are a lot of villages that deserve a visit, and maybe a stay, like Strapouries, Pitrofos, Menites, Lamira, Mesathouri and Ipsilou in the north and, to the south the villages of Aladino, Falika, Koureli and Sasa.

Antiparos

In the azure Aegean, amongst the beautiful Cyclades, you’ll discover a smalltreasure of this islands cluster, the Antiparos Island.It is very Cycladic, as to its culture, looks, history, traditions.The core of the island has one of the oldest and most charming caverns in the world.It also has a lot of archeological points of interest, and it is preferred by a huge number oftourists that visit it every year.You’ll find traditional cuisine, narrow alleys, an active nightlife and somegreat accommodation accompanied by a warm welcome from the people of Antiparos.Antiparos is divided by Paros, by a small channel, and you can access the island via Paros.Antiparos is famous for its attractive beaches, which are secluded and quiet, sandy andwashed by crystal Aegean waters.The best to be mentioned would be Faneromeni, Agios Spyridonas, Pantieronisia.

An enchanting experience, while on Antiparos, is the natural cave,in which there were found some treasures of the past.Also as sightseeing, there us a small church, Agios Ioannis Spiliotis, a little island named Despotiko,where there are some roman ruins from 7th century B.C., a venetian castle on the settlement of Antiparos is also interesting to visit.

 

 

Anafi

Not very far from Santorini, at about an hour and a half, by sea, you’ll discovera beauty that will seduce you by its virgin looks and its legends.It is belived that the island’s name is related to the Argonauts, as there is a story that saysthey were sailing and as they’ve encountered a harsh storm, they found refuge on the Anafi.Another story says the name means ” no snakes “, as there are no snakes on the island.Either way, it is an interesting island with some history.in ancient times it was inhabited by Dorians,  and in 13 century a.d. it belonged to some Frankish families, to be conquered by the pirate Barbarossalater in 1537.
The island is small and rocky, with steep hills and it’s a perfect getaway.It has a few inhabitants, a population not above 300, concentrated mostly in the island capital Chora that has a distinct look,compared to other Cycladic islands, because of the one-room homes.It also has a venetian fortress, some churches, and it’s close to the island’s port, Ai Nikolas.
Kleisidi, a close beach to Chora,has an exotic flavour, and you’ll find accommodation withinsome private villas or apartments.

Anafi is not very well-known amongst travellers, so it’s a quiet refuge, with spectacular landscapes, and some nice sights to visit.

Amorgos

Amorgos is a superb island at the southeastern corner of the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea, and it still is quite an unspoiled gem of the greek islands.

It has been inhabited since the fourth century b.c. by sailors from Asia Minor, and it has some remains from the cycladic period.
The island has mountains and rocky cliffs, and it’s not a very large island, about 63 square kilometers.

Amorgos is the place where Luc Besson chose to make the ” Le grande Bleu ” movie, and if you haven’t had the chance to watch this film, there is a place on the island where you can.

Chora is the capital of the island, at an altitude of 400 m above sea level, with that magic look of the cycladic style, those perfect white houses with blue windowframes, bright white churches and windmills, narrow streets, a Venetian castle, and a lot of clear blue: blue skies, blue radiant sea.

Amorgos is famous for its delightful beaches, out of which the best are Katapola and Aegialis, where you can discover small secluded coves. Besides these two there are a lot of other ones, all having in common the gorgeous Aegean with its crystal azure or turquoise waters .

Agia Anna is the place located under the 1000 years
old monastery of Virgin Mary “Chozoviotissa”. This is a sight that deserve to be visited, as well as the  shipwreck on the South of Amorgos lying in the Liveros harbour , that has a story which happened during the midds of the past century. The old Amorgians tell that it used to transport illegal cargoa, and because they needed to get away from authorities they crushed the ship to the rocks.

In Amorgos you’ll discover an active nightlife, there are some clubs and bars along the island, as well as nice restaurants with great food at good prices.