Kythira or Cerigo is the island of the Kytherian Aphoridite and the god Eros. It is a very beautiful island with a lot of valleys leading to the sea, fine beaches with crystal clear waters, traditional villages, and a prefect climate.
KYTHIRA (or Chora), the capital of the island, has a medieval castle, interesting churches and an Archaeological Museum (tel. 27360 31739) with some important exhibits.
The Historical Archive of Kythera is located in the castle of Country. It keeps texts and documents since the 16th century. In the quiet central square of Chora there are the town hall, banks and other services. In the main narrow roads there are a lot of shops.
Melidoni is a small and quiet beach at the south-west of the island with crystal clear waters and fine sand.
The port KAPSALI, 2,5 kilometers to the south, is a busy tourist resort and a beautiful harbor divided into two by a small peninsula. It is the place where you can find everything: hotels, apartments and rooms to let, a camping site, taverns, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, travel agencies, and many shops.
On the beautiful beach you can enjoy the sun and water sports.
A short distance away, on the Gremnos hill is the monastery of Saint John Theologos, where Saint John the Apostle withdrew and began the composition of the Apocalypse, before going to Patmos island.
The traditional village of LIVADI, 4 kilometers south of the capital has several mansions dating from the British Protectorate and a notable church of Agios Andreas, with 12th c. wall-paintings.
Close by are the stone bridge of Katouni with 13 arches and a length of 110 meters, built by the British, the Monastery of Agia Elesa, the monastery complex of the Panagia Myrtidiotissa and the Byzantine church of Agios Dimitrios.
In the village there are many shops, cafes, taverns, small hotels, rooms to let and other agencies and services. Livadi is the point that connects a lot of regions of the island.
Next to Livadi is located KALAMOS village. You will find a lot of rooms to let and very closely there are three fine beaches: Fyri Ammos, Chalkos and Vroulea. Chalkos is one of the smallest but most beautiful beaches southern of the island.
AVLEMONAS, north-east of Chora has a small Venetian castle built in 1565 at the entrance to the harbor. To the west is Paleopolis, with the remains of ancient buildings and tombs. Paleopolis has the biggest beach on the island with a fine sandy beach full of the smell of thyme and other herbs. Avlemonas is the biggest village and probably the most beautiful on Kythira. There are a lot rooms to let, taverns and coffee shops. The trade-mark beach of the island is Kaladi. It is an idyllic, breathtaking and hospitable beach that you have to visit.
Eastern of the island, Komponada is one of the wildest beaches with big pebbles.
Near Avlemonas you will find the magic bay of Agios Nikolaos covered with sand and small scattered rocks.
Further north is the coastal settlement of DIAKOFTI, which has a beautiful white sanded beach ideal for families with children and Agia Moni, built in 1840. Tradition claims that the monastery’s holy icon was found in the bushes by a shepherd, in 1759.
MYLOPOTAMOS, a traditional settlement with abundant vegetation and waters lies 15 kilometers north-west of Chora. Here is an interesting Venetian castle, with churches and the cave of Agia Sofia, one of the most beautiful Greek caves, a short distance outside the village, with impressive stalactites and stalagmites of several sizes. The cave’s interior is separated into numerous chambers. It was named after the chapel of Agia Sofia, which stands at the cave’s entrance.
Further north is the monastery of the Panagia Orfani, built inside a cave, with a beautiful wood-carved icon.
The largest village on the island is POTAMOS, 19 kilometers north of Chora, which has some traditional houses and interesting churches. In Potamos you will find a lot of shops, cafes and taverns.
PALIOCHORA, 9 kilometers east of Potamos, was built in the 12th c. and dedicated to Agios Dimitrios. The inhabitants of the island came here to escape pirate attacks. It was destroyed in 1537 by Barbarossa and has never re-occupied.
AGIA PELAGIA , the port of Potamos is the main harbor of the island, which is connected in regular bases with Neapolis, Gythion, Monemvasia on Peloponnese and the island of Antikythira.
Agia Pelagia has fine sandy beaches and is a busy tourist center. You will find numerous hotels, apartments and rooms to let of all categories, coffee shops, taverns, bars and tourist shops.
TRADITION –EVENTS
There are many cultural events on the island and festivals with a local atmosphere.
Each summer the feast of Wine take place in Mitata village.
LOCAL PRODUCTS – CUISINE
The most famous local products of the island are: the fine quality thyme honey, the olive oil and the wine. Don’t forget to taste the local sweets rozedes, achladaki (pears), cookies and kolokythopita.
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