Sightseeing in Kythira Island - what to see. Complete travel guide

According to one of the legends, the beautiful island of Kythira is the birthplace of the goddess of love Aphrodite. For many years it has being under the rule of the Venetian Republic, and then was a British colony, so monuments of a variety of historical periods can be seen there. Kythira is often called Eucalyptus Island, as you can see these mighty trees literally everywhere. The island constantly enjoys attention of fans of eco-tourism and beach activities; each year thousands of visitors from all over the world rest there. People from Athens arriving on the island at the weekend also like the place.

Despite its modest size, the island is characterized by an abundance of interesting historical sites. It’s worth to start an acquaintance with walk around the capital, the town of Chora. Here one can see many amazing buildings that were built in the early medieval period. The ancient castle of Chora can be seen on a high hill, next to which there are excellent viewing platforms.

The ancient fortress is the main attraction of the capital. Another important symbol is the beautiful chapel Panagia Myrtidiotissa. It’s incredibly beautiful and interesting from an architectural point of view; a lot of amazing stories are associated with the construction. Next to the church you can see several old guns; hundreds of years ago they have defended Kythira from invaders. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The most mysterious attraction of Kythira is a small island situated close to the seafront. It’s believed that it was the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. A walk along the waterfront is one of the most important events for couples visiting the island. After seeing the important sights of the historic district of Chora, it’s worth to have a stroll through the so-called New Town. This name is quite disputable, since the New Town was built up in the 17th - 19th centuries; the appearance of mansions hasn’t changed for hundreds of years. Almost all local mansions belong to wealthy residents of Athens; the former will provide a lot of impressions to fans of ancient architecture.

There are amazing cultural venues in Chora, including the Archaeological Museum. It represents precious findings of scientists found over the years of exploring the island. The age of some items is more than two thousand years. The museum's collection is regularly updated with new artifacts.

Fans of tours shouldn’t be limited solely by walking through the capital, since it will be interesting to visit the historic village Avlemonas. It’s situated in the picturesque mountain area. The main symbol of the village, the church of Agios Georios, stands proudly on the highest hill. Age of this building is almost one and a half thousand years. The picturesque town of Mylopotamos has also preserved some interesting historical monuments. Among them is there is an old mill and a stone bridge; there are many interesting natural attractions near the village.

One of the oldest settlements on the island is Paliochora. During the reign of the Byzantine Empire, it was the capital of Kythira. The town has preserved six priceless religious monuments, among which the most interesting is the Church of St. Barbara built in the 14th century. In the southern part of the town there is an important archaeological site. According to historical data, it housed the main residence of the Archbishop of Kythira in medieval times.

Visitors to Kythira Island can easily combine interesting excursions with beach recreation. It is easy to find a beach for any taste on the island. Fyri Ammos Beach is an incredibly attractive place that is, however, not very easy to get to. Many travelers prefer to use boat services to reach the beach. The land path to the beach is quite long and complicated. This is one of the reasons why the beach is almost never crowded even during the peak season. Khalkos Beach is slightly smaller than its main competitor, but it is, nevertheless, an incredibly picturesque place. In summer, charming taverns are open near the beach. Vacationers can also rent all the necessary beach and sports gear in special offices.

There are several diving centers open on the market, and not only experienced divers but also beginners are welcome to visit them. Coastal waters are rich not only in marine creatures. Experienced divers will be thrilled to explore gorgeous underwater caves. If a prospect of scuba diving doesn’t sound too appealing, consider attending an interesting marine excursion along the coast. This is a fabulous opportunity to see the most picturesque areas of the island. As Kythira is a rocky island, fans of alpinism are also not rare there. There are suitable trails for both beginners and experienced alpinists.