… splendid trekking paths…
Kythnos and Alternative Tourism
Kythnos is located between the islands of Kea and Serifos, at 56 nautical miles from Piraeus port and 2 hours from the port of Lavrio.
Chora, the island’s head village, is a traditional settlement with white-washed houses, cobble stone alleys and arched pathways beckoning for long walks through narrow lanes dotted with quaint squares and tiny chapels. To the south, Dryopida is nested among hills, with its streets lined with brick-tile roof houses of splendid architecture, old churches, beautiful squares and windmills. The Katafyki Cave, one of the island’s most impressive sites, as well as the Folk and Church Art Museum, are well worth a visit.
Merichas, the island’s main port, welcomes all visitors. Vryokastro, the ruins of Ancient Kythnos, sits on a prominent location on a low hill to the north.
The island’s gem, the uniquely beautiful beach of Kolona, features a narrow strip of sand that joins Kythnos with the islet of St. Luca. In spite of its small size, Kythnos beguiles visitors with the large number and the natural beauty of its 99 beaches.
On the northern tip of the island, visitors will have an encounter with history at Kastro, a site with very old chapels and dry-laid stone walls. The island’s ancient capital was abandoned in the Early Christian years and a new village was built on a steep location on the island’s north tip, today known as Kastro (Katakefalo or Orias).
THERMAL SPRINGS
The quiet coastal settlement of Loutra, located near the beach at 11 km from the port and 5 km from Chora, is known for its Hydrotherapy Bathhouse that houses the Thermal Springs of Kythnos. Greece’s first royal couple Othon and Amalia (1815-1867) were the first to acknowledge the healing properties of the springs, and believed their thermal waters were ideal for curing infertility. The thermal springs are believed to assist with problems related to joints, bones, muscles and nerves. The springs are also recommended for disease prevention, therapy or recovery.
TREKKING
Splendid trekking paths mostly serve as short-cuts between settlements or to secluded beaches. A large part of the path network is kept untouched and could therefore serve as an opportunity to get acquainted with the unique character of the island, which is rich in cultural, aesthetic and naturalist elements.
RELIGIOUS TOURISM
An inherent part of the Cycladic landscape are the white, tiny chapels perched on hills or next to the water, but also the magnificent Byzantine churches and old monasteries. A popular landmark, Panagia Kanala, is an important pilgrimage and believed to be miraculous by many. At a small distance from Cora, the Monastery of Panagia Nikous housed the Great School during the Ottoman occupation era. The churches of Agios Savvas in Chora, Agios Minas in Dryopida and the churches of Panagia Flambouriani and Stratilatissa are well worth a visit.
