Ionian
Kythira
Aphrodite's mythological birthplace — wild, romantic, and profoundly off the tourist trail.
Getting around
Car recommended
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Flight or ferry
Quick facts
- Region
- Ionian, Greece
- Airport
- Yes
- Ferry from Athens (Piraeus)
- —
- Getting around
- Car recommended
- Best months
- May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Cost level
- €€ (2/5)
- Peak-season crowds
- 1/5
- Best for
- couples, explorers, those wanting wild Greece with no tourists
- Not ideal for
- party seekers, beach club lovers, those needing easy access
In pictures
Kythira
Kythira sits between the Peloponnese and Crete, geographically and culturally belonging to nowhere in particular, and this in-between quality is part of its charm. The island is mythologically the birthplace of Aphrodite — she rose from the sea foam here, according to some versions of the myth — and it has a romantic, slightly melancholy beauty appropriate to that origin. The Venetian castle town of Hora, perched above a sheer drop to the sea, is spectacular; the fishing village of Avlemonas is perfect in a more intimate way; the gorge near Mylopotamos has waterfalls and Byzantine mills in a forested valley that feels genuinely wild. A large Australian-Greek diaspora — emigration from Kythira to Australia was significant in the early 20th century — gives the island an unusual cultural memory. Logistically awkward to reach; completely worth the effort.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Logistically awkward to reach — requires either a flight via Athens or a ferry from the Peloponnese.
Where it sits
Ionian, Greece
Kythira — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Kythira? +
- The best months to visit Kythira are May to October. It's very quiet, even in August, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Kythira from Athens? +
- Kythira has an airport, so you can fly direct from Athens in under an hour or take the ferry.
- Is Kythira good for couples? +
- Kythira is one of the most romantic Greek islands — sunsets, candlelit tavernas, sea-view rooms.
- Is Kythira good for families with kids? +
- Kythira is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Kythira expensive? +
- Kythira is affordable by Greek-island standards.
- Do you need a car on Kythira? +
- You'll want a rental car on Kythira — distances are longer and the best beaches are spread out.
- What's the catch with Kythira? +
- Logistically awkward to reach — requires either a flight via Athens or a ferry from the Peloponnese.