Cyclades
Kea
The Cyclades island Athenians keep to themselves — 1.5 hours from Rafina.
Getting around
Car recommended
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Moderate
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
1.5h ferry
In pictures
Kea
Kea is just 1.5 hours from Athens by fast ferry and one of the best-kept secrets in the Cyclades — largely because the Athenians who know it prefer to keep the international tourist traffic elsewhere. The main town of Ioulis, known locally as Chora, sits high above the port and contains one of the more remarkable archaic sculptures in Greece: the Lion of Kea, a nine-metre figure carved from natural rock on the hillside above the town, dating to around 600 BC. The island has an excellent network of hiking trails along ancient stone paths connecting its inland villages; good beaches at Koundouros and Pisses; and a pace of life that is genuinely relaxed. The Koundouros bay has a sailing centre popular with Athenians. International tourists are uncommon, which keeps the food honest and the prices reasonable.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Very popular with Athenian weekenders — can feel exclusive and full on summer weekends.
Where it sits
Cyclades, Greece
Kea — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Kea? +
- The best months to visit Kea are May to October. It's busy but manageable in peak season, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Kea from Athens? +
- Kea has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, which takes about 1.5 hours. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Kea good for couples? +
- Kea is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Kea good for families with kids? +
- Kea is a great choice for families — calm swims, walkable towns, and short transfers.
- Is Kea expensive? +
- Kea is affordable by Greek-island standards.
- Do you need a car on Kea? +
- You'll want a rental car on Kea — distances are longer and the best beaches are spread out.
- What's the catch with Kea? +
- Very popular with Athenian weekenders — can feel exclusive and full on summer weekends.