Seeking Wanderland

Kythnos is dressed in the traditional Cycladic colors of blue and white, armed with more than 350 little chappels around the island. Despite being close to Athens the island is one of the less well-known islands in the Cyclades with mostly native travellers or sailing – yacht voyagers. With its southern side mostly unpopulated, the island is showered with bare hills and miles of dry-stone walls. It is mostly inhabited on its northern part and features charming villages with picturesque squares, churches, windmills, whitewashed cottages, and tiny, cobbled alleyways.

The treasures of Kythnos include: several astonishing beaches, stunning landscapes, golden sunsets, aromatic gardens, charming chapels, traditional local architecture, buildings topped with red roofs, charming alleys, scenic windmills, ancient history, archaeological sites, hot springs, and joyous and welcoming people. The fragrances of oregano and thyme, windmills set to work by the Aegean breezes, and lovely lighthouses are transforming the island into a picturesque and inspiring destination. According to Greek history the Dryopians, who were inhabitants of Evia, began to live on the island around the 10th century BC. It was prosperous throughout the classical era and participated in the naval battle of Salamis with one trireme (ancient galley).

Messaria, the Chora – capital of Kythnos is set on a rocky slope with the maze-like paths, whitewashed cottages and scattered paintings by local inhabitants showing various facets of island life at every corner. This Cycladic settlement is full of cobblestone lanes, lovely terraces, tiny churches, windmills, fountains, and little squares. Loutra thermal springs on the northeastern part of Kythnos, offer a hydrotherapy facility, where the iron, sulphur, and salt-rich therapeutic waters provide an amazing natural spa experience. The region around Loutra was home to the legendary Castle of Oria or Kefalokastro, which served as Kythnos’ medieval capital.

Sailing around the island, wanderers will observe tiny and large gulfs and a variety of sandy and a few rocky beaches. Mostly the beaches in Kythnos are unspoiled and not organized, the majority of which have off-road access and walking paths. One of the most popular beaches on the island is Kolona beach, basically a narrow strp of land that connects the islet of Agios Loukas with Kythnos. Furthermore the island features significant archaeological sites, museums, a wind power park and spectacular undiscovered caves.