KYTHNOS
Named after “Kythnos”, the King of Dryopians who arrived on the island during the 12th and 11th century BC.
Kythnos is the land with the oldest findings – proof of human activity in Cyclades dating back to the Mesolithic Era (9.500-8.500 years BC!).
The evidence was found close to Loutra (Baths) settlement which is still inhabited to this day.
Known in antiquity also as Dryopis or Ofiousa, later in the medieval era as Thermia, because of its famous natural thermal springs located in Loutra (root -therm- comes from Greek, where it has the meaning “heat”. This meaning is found in such words as hypothermia, thermal, thermodynamics, thermometer, thermostat, etc).
Useful information
Kythnos. An ideal city-state model according to Aristotle. An island that offers its visitors today a tourist product worthy of its remarkable history.
Goutos Lines brings you from the port of Lavrio at Merichas, the small, quiet and picturesque port of Kythnos, within 1hour and 40mins.
The main settlements
From Merichas port, head 8klm north to reach Chora aka Messaria, the island’s capital.
Chora
Built in the 17th century at the edge of a plateau, it claims the title of the most beautiful village on the island. Walking in its narrow, untouched by time cobblestone alleys, you will get in touch with the traditional Cycladic architecture and find yourself lost in the middle of a fairy tail.
Loutra
Loutra, the popular coastal settlement of Kythnos, provides a rich tourism infrastructure with cafes, tavernas, hotels and rooms to let, amongst vibrant shops and bars that promise to spice up your night life.
Loutra is known across Greece for its famous, rich in sulfur and iron thermal springs with unique healing properties.
Dryopida
Dryopida, the capital of Kythnos during the 19th century, got its name from the Dryopians, the island’s first inhabitants. The local traditional architecture is exemplified by this unique settlement located at an average altitude of 140 meters above the sea, in the middle of two hills – belonging to central Kythnos’ stunningly wild landscape.
The location was chosen by its first inhabitants to provide shelter from the strong winds, but also from the pirates raids.
Sightseeing & Attractions
Orias Castle
Medieval castle of Oria is located at the north of the island near Chora capital. Dubbed by the locals as Katakefalos, Paleokastro, or Orgia, the castle was destroyed by the famous Turkish pirate Heyreddin Barbarossa’s fleet in 1537.
The pirate raids on the Aegean islands were quite frequent back in the 16th century therefore most of the islanders have builded their main settlements with condensed fortress-like structures in high altitudes, that would allow them to defend the intruders as effectively as possible. The Oria castle is surely worth a visit.
Church of Panagia Kanala
Church of Panagia Kanala, located in the homonymous village, will award you with more than a stocking sea view.
Characterised with a unique Byzantine architecture based on stone made arches, and the 400 years old exquisite icon of Virgin Mary painted by the famous iconographer Emmanuel Skordillis.
It is also well known to be connected with miracles praised by the locals throughout history.
Museums
Byzantine Museum
The Byzantine Ecclesiastical Museum is situated in Driopida and hosts an extensive collection of holy icons, handwritten gospels, golden crosses circa 18th AD and more ecclesiastical artifacts of the Byzantine era.
Folklore Museum
The Folklore Museum is also situated in Driopida. You will get to see traditional costumes and significant samples of local art while finding yourself delving into the locals’ everyday life, and the ways they have chosen to depict the long history of Kythnos’, and the thousands years of its legacy and heritage.
Caves & Lakes
Kythnos is one of the favorite islands for divers thanks to the many underwater caves surrounding the island. Most of these caves are found in remote waters, far from the coastlines and provide an ideal natural shelter for the endangered species of Mediterranean sea seal Monachus Μonachus.
Tourkala Lakes is a system of two natural water tanks of unique character. The iconic Megali (large) and the enchanting Mikri (small) are both filled with tropical green waters!
Kythnos may be a rather small island but the range of its natural beauties is literally endless!
Katafyki Cave
Trekkers and land explorers should certainly visit the most famous cave of Kythnos Katafyki, one of the largest across all Greek islands, most of which remains unexplored to date. The cave system consists of several tunnels that give the impression of an endless labyrinth.
Prehistoric stalactites and stalagmites of impressive volume and forms cover an area of 3,500 sq.m A combination of naturally formed channels and artificial tunnels built by the inhabitants of the region on the search for ore, completes the alien beauty of the scenery!
Beaches
Kythnos is known for offering the most isolated beaches than almost any other island compared to its size. And with 99 beaches officially counted for such a small island, that is a no surprise at all!
All roads in Kythnos literally lead to a beach. And where there are no roads, you will still find a beach waiting for you to enjoy the Mediterranean summer breeze.
All you need to do is walk your way through discovering the one you will love the most (though in case of Kythnos it will never be just one), or book your private sea transfer to reach the most secluded ones.
We won’t go down with the list of their names simply because that list is endless!
One thing is for sure: Kythnos coast line is so polymorphic, that you just won’t miss the chance to find not one, but plenty of them that will make you believe (again), that heaven is a place on earth!
Gastronomy
An island with such a rich culture like Kythnos, couldn’t miss to have a gastronomic history of its own. One of the most beloved and most delicious traditional dishes of Kythnos is sfougato. These round cheese fried croquettes are famous from 300 BC. and are made with the popular Kythnio goat cheese, also known as Xino.
Other local specialties are the traditional Thermiotiki pie with cheese, cinnamon and egg, Kolopi (spinach pie with spring onion), caper salad (mashed potatoes with carrot, dill, caper and olive oil), fava beans and baked chickpeas which are cultivated throughout the island.
It’s considered a must to try the local wine from the island vineyards, the pasteli and for the end we leave what the people of Kythnos call the gold of the island. It is none other than the thyme honey.
Not to be missed
Foodies must try all four local cheeses made in Kythnos. Although you stand a lot of chances to taste those without the need to go after them, (as they will fit in most of local specialties served in restaurants and pies that can be purchased from the bakeries across all Kythnos villages), you can always ask for them by their name, that is Xino, Trima, Kopanisti, and Tirovoli.
Most popular beach is undoubtedly Kolona, in the northwest of the island. It appears in most tourist magazines and is considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in the Cyclades. It is a sandy strip that connects Kythnos with the small islet of Agios Loukas, forming a special landscape.
On the southern tip of Kythnos island, by the sea lies a village unlike no other named Agios Demetrios. This less known village has a long sandy beach, which is mind-blowing as it is lined with… sea daffodils! The flowers make the scenery uncanny.
Tips
Like to hike? Try to visit the fortress of Oria on foot, following the walking trail that starts from Chora. For hiking lovers, we also recommend a visit to the old laundries.
Into Diving? Famous underwater caves Karavospilia and Legamena are waiting for you to explore them. Karavospilia impresses with its colors while the stalagmites that decorate the interior of the cave “Legamena” will surprise every underwater visitor.
Did you Know?
Several small caves can be found in most of the valleys, mountains, hills or steep slopes of Kythnos. Some of these were used during the past as shelters by shepherds or hunters who were looking for protection from the heavy downpours. Today, the same caves serve as shelters to a small endemic terrestrial creature, the rare “Cordioniscus Kithnosi”. The invertebrate belongs to the family of “troglovia”, and is an endangered species that lives only in Kythnos!
Useful Links
- https://www.kythnos.net/eating.php kythnos.net/caves.php
- https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/kythnos/
- https://www.greece-is.com/irresistible-simplicity-kythnos
- https://www.kythnos.gr/
