This page may contain affiliate links, see our disclaimer here.

Crete to Kythera

By Katia Luz

Crete to Kythera Κυθηρα, a small island off the southern Peloponnese in Greece, just 30 km long and 18 km wide.

About Kythera

Getting from Crete to Kythera

To See on the Island

Kytherians in the Diaspora

About Kythera

Street sign in Kythira

The island sits opposite the port of Neapolis and between the mainland and the larger island of Crete in the south. Between Kythera and Crete is the tiny island of AntiKythera.

The ferry port is at Diakofti, on the south-east coast, and the leisure port for yachts is at Agia Pelagia in the east. The capital of the island is Chora Χωρα (below), in the south of the island, while the largest town is Potamos in the central north.

Chora Χωρα - Kythira

The island has over 60 towns and villages with a total population of about 4,000 permanent residents, however Kythierans have migrated all over the world and have a large diaspora. In Australia alone are 60,000 Kythierans and those of Kythieran descent.

Kapsali

Kapsali (above) is a small coastal village located in the south of the island, its picturesque bays and beaches beckoning travellers.

The island has steep, rocky cliffs and is sometimes isolated in winter due to bad weather conditions, there is a small airport. The rocky coves provide many beautiful beaches, some of which are inaccessible by land and remain untouched.

Inland a diverse geography includes rocky gorges and lush forests with waterfalls. Tourism and agriculture are the main occupations on the island.

Kapsali Lighthouse

Kapsali Beach

To See on the Island

The beaches in Kythera are beautiful, many are isolated and only reached by water. See

Platia Ammos Beach
Agia Pelagia Beach
Diakofti Beach
Avlemonas Beach
Kaladi Beach
Kombonada Beach
Chalkos Beach
Melidoni Beach
Kalami Beach

Agia Pelagia Beach - Αγία Πελαγία

Avlemonas Beach - Αβλέμονας

Kaladi Beach - Καλαδί

Kombonada Beach - Κομποναδα

Neraida Waterfall

Neraida Waterfall - the beautiful Neraida Nymph Waterfall is near the village of Mylopotamos in the west of the island.

Neraida Falls (image by Kostas Limitsios)

Chitra Caves

Chitra Island is a small island just off the shore outside the Kythera-Chora natural port. It is a small hidden treasure which you can approach by boat and take a dive through its amazing underwater caves.

Chitra Cave

Diving in Kythera

The Kythera Dive Centre at Kapsali is a wonderful place for inexperienced divers. The instructors here have programs for those 8-10 and 10+, as beginners courses.

Swim in the clear waters and explore wrecks, caves and reefs. See underwater wildlife like seals, octopuses, lobsters and groupers.

Explore an old sunken pirate ship.

Beach Accommodation Kythera

Each seaside village and town in Kythera has a wide variety of hotels, small guesthouses, villas, B&Bs and holiday homes. Here we suggest some quality accommodation to be your cosy home-away-from-home on Kythira.

Romantica Hotel Apartments - Agia Pelagia

Agia Pelagia - enjoy modern elegance at the Romantica Hotel Apartments, just 300 metres from the beach and 6 km from the airport. Make the most of terraces and 2 pools on the property, and lovely rooms with balconies, fully-equipped kitchens and airconditioning. Free parking on site.

“The apartments are new and very well furnished. Lots of space available, the location is perfect to walk to the village and the nearby beach.”

Check Rates & Availability for Romantica Hotel Apartments

Diakofti - if you would like to stay close to the port - go no further than Sirene Villas - so comfortable, chic and stylish, with a pool, free parking and very close to the beach. Find all the comforts you are looking for and wonderful hospitality.

"This is not an normal accommodation, the owners are particularly warm and friendly. I had a welcome that you rarely get. The rooms are spacious, the view is superb. Exemplary cleanliness. The bed gives you a great sleep. The swimming pool and the garden are beautifully arranged and maintained as well as the swimming pool uses sea salt purification. Superb breakfast, professional coffee. The owner Vula and her brother are people you meet very rarely. The nearest beach, a maximum of 5 minutes' walk away, has a smooth entrance and has clear water and sand."

Check Rates & Availability at Sirene Villas

Inland Accommodation Kythera

Villa Lemonia is a guest house located in Aroniadika, 15 km from Diakofto, with 2 double rooms and 1 triple room. The traditional style of the home and garden bring a peaceful relaxation to your holiday, as does the welcoming hospitality. 6 km from the airport and central to the whole island.

"Exceptional. The definition of hospitality! Nice room, clean and comfortable. Everything needed during the stay is more than enough. Thank you so much for everything!”

Check Rates & Availability at Villa Lemonia

Nostos Guesthouse in Chora, the main village of the island, located in the south of Kythira, is a beautiful quality, small hotel with sweeping views. Seven guest rooms in this historically listed neo-classical building are full of style and artfully decorated in period.

Enjoy the Venetian Castle and unique atmosphere of Chora Village or travel 2 km to the seaside beaches and coves of Kapsali. 13 km from the airport.

"Amazing stay. Nostos Guest House is ideally located in Chora, but very quiet nonetheless. The staff was amazing, breakfasts rich and delicious, and the structure was a little jewel in its kind. Highly recommended."

Check Rates & Availability at Nostos Guesthouse

Mitata - central Kythera. 7 km from the airport. 19 km from Diakofto.

Windmill Resort - this unique family-run small resort is delightfully placed around a restored windmill. A mix of contemporary and traditional design elements sit well in the landscape with views all around. A perfect base for exploring the whole island.

“The place is an oasis on the beautiful island of Kythera. A romantic place with a windmill and a pool, with excellent breakfast at the heart of the island. All beaches are equally accessible while the port and the key villages are also at an equal distance. We loved the welcoming attitude of the staff and owners while the whole experience exceeded our expectations. A place above the average on an island that we love and visit annually. Will stay there for sure again in the future.”

Check Rates & Availability at Windmill Resort

Nostos Guesthouse - Chora - Kythira

Kytherians in the Diaspora

Kytherian communities are dotted all over the world. As early as 1922, in Sydney, Australia, a Kythierian association was formed. The fascinating history of this group and the current events can be found at: kytherianassociation.com.au

In the USA, the Kytherian Society of California was formed in Oakland in 1950 for 'the purpose of promoting the interests of citizens and residents of the USA originating from the island of Kythera'. www.ksoca.com

Getting from Crete to Kythera

Crete to Kythera

Ferries - Seajets sails routes from and to Kastelli Kissamos in Crete.

Flights - an alternative is to fly from Crete, from either Chania CHQ or Heraklion HER to Athens, then Athens ATH to Kithera KIT. Both flights take about 1 hour so you can get to Crete economically before lunchtime, with a good connection.

Ferry Crete to Kythera

From Crete the ferry for Kythera departs from Kastelli-Kissamos in the west of Crete. There are regular ferries and the ferry goes via Antikythera Island, the trip takes about 4-5 hours. Always check timetables with local ticket agencies. If the route timetable is not published for the time of year you are planning for, phone or email the office of the ferry company.

Book Your Ferry from Kissamos to Kythera Here

Ferry from the Mainland

To get to Kythera from the mainland, take a bus from Athens to Gythion, duration approx. 5 hours, then a ferry from Gythion to Kythera, duration approx. 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Book Your Ferry from Gythion to Kythera Here

Bus

To get to Gythion from Athens take the local KTEL bus line, which takes about 5 hours.

Flights

Olympic Airlines has regular flights into Kythera from Athens ATH to KIT - which take only 45 minutes and cost around €100.

Aegean Airlines also has regular flights to Kythira from Athens which take around 45 minutes and cost anywhere from €42-€100.

Vivisail Yacht for charter to Kythera

FAQs

How do I get from Crete to Kythera?

Take the ferry from Kastelli-Kissamos port in the west of Crete to Kythera. Or take a flight from Crete to Athens then Athens to Kythera.

How long is the ferry from Crete to Kythera?

The ferry from Crete to Kythera is 4-5 hours depending on the weather.

How to get from Chania to Kythera?

Take a local bus from Chania to Kastelli-Kissamos port in the west of Crete. This trip takes approx. 1 hour. Then take a ferry from Kissamos to Kythera. This trip take approx. 3.5 hours.