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
In pictures
Kythira
Kythira sits alone between the Peloponnese and Crete, belonging administratively to the Ionian islands but feeling like its own world. It's rugged, beautiful, and almost unknown to international tourists. The landscape is dramatic — deep gorges, wild beaches, a Venetian castle town perched on a cliff — and the island has an important connection to the Greek diaspora in Australia, which gives it an unusual cultural character.
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.