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 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.