“Sailing to Kythera“ is a poetic expression that means “to have a date” or “to fall in love”, with a feeling of novelty, of first time. Indeed, when we discover the island of Kythera, we understand better this beautiful expression which indicates the beginning of a delicious journey, rich in promises.
Kythera (called Kythira in Greek) is an island located about ten kilometers south of the Peloponnese, between the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea. About forty picturesque villages, heavenly beaches, a sea of stunning blues, an ancient Venetian castle, as well as good traditional taverns: this island offers multiple perspectives. This makes it an ideal destination for a few days of vacation.
To see all our favorite addresses in Kythera, it’s here.
Kythera, the cradle of Aphrodite
The legend says thatAphrodite, goddess of Love and Beauty, was born on the shores of Cythera. In Greek mythology, Ouranos (Heaven) held his children prisoner in the depths of the Earth. Gaia (the Earth), not accepting the fate inflicted on her children, encouraged them to rebel against the authority of their father. She entrusted her last born, Cronos, with the mission of freeing his brothers and sisters. She gave him for this purpose a sharp sickle with which Cronos cut the sex of Ouranos. Some seed escaped from it and mixed with the foam of the sea, generating the goddess Aphrodite, that the winds pushed to Cytherea. Charming story, isn’t it?
An inspiring island
Cytherea has fired the imagination of artists. In June 1855, in his poem Cérigo, Victor Hugo evoked “Cythère with charming nests, Cythère with green myrtles “. The island also inspired Charles Baudelaire who dedicated the poem ” Voyage à Cythère ” in his collection Les Fleurs du mal. And also many poets, writers or musicians such as Gérard de Nerval, Paul Verlaine, Camille Saint-Saëns, Claude Debussy or Maurice Ravel.
The painting “Pilgrimage to the Island of Cytherea” , painted by Antoine Watteau in 1717 and now exhibited in the Louvre Museum, has remained famous. It was qualified by the Goncourt brothers as “the masterpiece of French masterpieces “.
A preserved island of wild beauty
Kythera is a simple and authentic island. Particularly peaceful. One is transported by the silence and the quiet rhythm of life, which one also adopts naturally, by force of circumstance.
Despite the presence of an airport in Kythera (also called Kythira), the island has been spared from mass tourism. Here, there are no big resorts or vacation clubs, no cruise ships pouring in streams of visitors. The island has managed to remain discreet and thus retains a rural aspect.
The landscapes of Kythera are fascinating: pine forests, beaches with crystal clear waters, olive groves, breathtaking cliffs, blue sea and wild gorges. There is nothing to spoil the look.
The island also offers many possibilities for visits and walks: small white villages with narrow streets, a Venetian castle with a spectacular view, secret and preserved beaches, hiking on mountainous paths.
Kythera in practice: when and how to go there?
If you have the opportunity, go to Kythera outside the months of July and August. The island is then almost deserted. In summer, of course, there are more people (as in all Greek islands).
You can reach it easily by plane. Olympic Air and Sky Express offer direct flights from Athens (50 minutes flight only). To consult the flights, we advise you to go to the site Aegean and type in Kythira (the Greek name of the island) to find flights to and from Kythera.
You can also go to Kythera by boat:
- from Piraeus: 6h30 of crossing. Book online at Ferry Hopper. This site allows you to compare prices and buy ferry tickets without commissions or hidden fees. Its interface is easy to use and allows to see all the crossings (direct or indirect).
- from Neapolis, in the Peloponnese: 1h15 crossing. This makes it a perfect destination to end a stay in the Peloponnese. For example after spending a few days in the walled city of Monemvasia.
- From Neapolis, beware, few boats, especially out of season (1 per day). You can book your Neapolis-Cythere ticket by phone by calling +30 273 40 24 004. For the Kythera-Neapolis ticket, contact by email the Kithira Travel agency (booking@kithiratravel.gr).
On site, it is better to have a vehicle. Indeed, there is no (or very little) bus service on the island. The roads are a bit narrow but in good condition, so it is easy to get around. The distances are not very great. About 50km from north to south. It takes no more than 45 minutes by car to cross the island from end to end. If you need to rent a car, you can compare the offers of different rental companies on RentalCars .
Another option is to rent a bicycle.
Where to stay in Kythera?
There are several accommodation options available on the island of Kythera.
- an original formula that was very successful with our children: stay in a mill! A unique experience that turned out to be very pleasant.
- there are also many other accommodations: hotels, apartments, houses… It’s up to you to choose according to your tastes, your budget and your expectations.
For more information
We also recommend you to read our other articles on Kythera:
- A few days in Kythera: What to see? What to do? Where to eat in Kythera? all our recommendations in this article
- Family getaway on the island of Kythera, to know our tips if you travel with children.
Laure M.
