Crete to Kythera
This page may contain affiliate links, see our disclaimer here.
Kombonada Beach, KythiraTravelling from Crete to Kythera ~ Κυθηρα, a small island off the southern Peloponnese in Greece, just 30 km long and 18 km wide.
About Kythera
Street sign in KythiraThe 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 - KythiraThe 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 (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.
To See on the Island
The beaches in Kythera are beautiful, many are isolated and only reached by water. See Agia Pelagia Beach, Agios Nikolaos Bay, Avlemonas Beach, Kaki Lagada Beach, Kapsalaki Beach, Kapsali Beach, Pisso Gialos Beach, Platia Amos Beach, and Kombonada Beach.
Neraida Waterfall
The beautiful Neraida Nymph Waterfall is near the village of Milopotamos in the west of the island.
Chitra Island (right) 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 throught its amaxing underwater caves.
The Kythera Dive Centre is at Kapsali in the south of the island
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.
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.
Perlegiannika Houses in Perlengiánika just 5 km from Likodimou Beach are modern homes built in the traditional island style. Offering all modern comforts and located between two scenic gorges.
Villa Lemonia is a guest house located in Aroniadika 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.
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 atmsophere of Chora Village or travel 2 km to the seaside beaches and coves of Kapsali.
Nostos Guesthouse - Chora - KythiraKytherians 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 - in April 2018, Ferryboat Ionis recommenced the routes from and to Kastelli Kissamos in Crete.
An alternative is to fly from Crete, from either Chania CHQ or Heraklion HER to Athens, then Athens 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.
Other Ferries
In Kythera the ferry port at Diakofti was connected to Gythion and Neapolis in the Peloponnese, Pireaus the port of Athens as well as the island of Antikythera and the port of Kastelli-Kissamos in western Crete.
LANE Lines ran ferries across these routes in the past. Timetables were published on the web, but sometimes not till the last minute. It was better to phone them and check.
The most common way to get to Kythera was from nearby Neapolis on the mainland. The Ferryboat Porfyroussa travelled this route throughout the year.
In summer hydrofoils called flying dolphins come to Kythera from Athens.
Of course the air flight is very convenient and economic.
 |
Bus To get to Neapolis from Athens take the local KTEL bus line, which takes about 7 hours. |
 |
Air Olympic Airlines has regular flights into Kythera from Athens which take only 45 minutes and cost around €82. Aegean Airlines also has regular flights to Kythira from Athens which take around 45 minutes and cost anywhere from €42-€80. Sky Express may fly in summer season from Crete to Kythera, from Heraklion, the flight takes one hour and costs around €55. Private charters can be arranged through Blue Star Jets, Execujet, Interjet or Elite Jets. |
Vivisail Yacht for charter to KytheraCrete to Kythera - Yachts
Yacht charters can be arranged through Ionian Charter, Vivisail, Aegean Yachting or East Med Yachting Partners.
- Home
- Greek Islands Travel
- Crete to Kythera
