Aphrodite's Island

Escape to Kythira

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wreck by Diakofti Photo - Kythira, Greece

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Having spent over a week in a strangely separated from the world environment of a beach camp-site near Gythio, and after a not-inconsiderable hassle and expense of having the back window in the increasingly more battered Skoda replaced (the back story to this one is too long and painful, but it involved keys, children and a silly drilling attempt), we pack up and leave. Amazingly, we seem to have more room in the boot despite having more stuff. We drive to Gythio and manage to get tickets for the afternoon ferry to Kythira. The boat arrives on time but things take a little longer in Greece and it's at least 45 minutes before we can drive on – a very long time to wait in a car in over 40 degrees heat. ...Read More

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Beaches of Kythira

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Kythira's beaches are one of the chief reasons for the island's popularity. You can swim at a different one every day of your holidays and there is a massive variety: from rocks-to-swim-from to pebbles to fine sand; from village-centre, cafe-lined beaches with umbrellas and loungers for hire to wild coves accessible only by boat. Kapsali, the old harbour lying two miles down a winding road below Kythira's Hora, boasts two beaches. The main Kapsali beach is sandy with some pebbles and skirts the edge of the village's waterfront, lined with cafes and restaurants. It's easily accessible by car and food, drink and shade are available. There are paddle boats for hire. Sparagatio be...Read More

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Niki Rooms

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Hotel | "Great value Domatia in a fabulous location"

Outside view Photo - Niki Rooms, Kythira, Greece

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Hora, at the southernmost end of the island, is probably the most picturesque of Kythiran towns, with a great (floodlit at night) castle, views down to the Kapsali harbour and a maze of withe-washed streets and houses. It is fairly touristy but in a pleasant, unhurried, independent-traveller way.Niki offer a selection of rooms, studios and apartments in several buildings on the edge of Kythira's Hora. We spent six days here in two rooms. First we had a quad room with a kitchennette and then a triple studio with a semi-separate kitchen-dining area. There was no reason for the change apart from the availability and both rooms had something to go for it.The rooms were good sized, ...Read More

Hora, at the southernmost end of the island, is probably the most picturesque of Kythiran towns, with a great (floodlit at night) castle, views down to the Kapsali harbour and a maze of withe-washed streets and houses. It is fairly touristy but in a pleasant, unhurried, independent-traveller way.

Niki offer a selection of rooms, studios and apartments in several buildings on the edge of Kythira's Hora. We spent six days here in two rooms. First we had a quad room with a kitchennette and then a triple studio with a semi-separate kitchen-dining area. There was no reason for the change apart from the availability and both rooms had something to go for it.

The rooms were good sized, with efficient air-conditioning, 24-hour hot water, very comfortable beds, and all the basics for a degree of self catering. Each room featured a fridge with a freezing compartment, a two burner electric cooker, a coffee maker, a couple of frying pans and a large casserole. One room had a kettle (I wish the other did too), and both, quite inexplicably, had a blender type device but without blending blades (I can think of many other kichen semi-essentials that I would include rather than that, but I put it down to some mysterious cultural differences). There was also basic cultlery, plates and glasses as well as extractor fans – essential in an open-plan studio.

The first room we had had a more modern décor, with tiled floor and clean, vaguely Cycladic style. The other was more old fashioned but bigger, with a fun shower (three horizontal and one vertical setting: the kids had a ball); both rooms had shower cabins (much preferable to shower curtains that stick to your body).

There was several tables dotted around both rooms and plenty of cupboard space if you need it. Each room had a draughts/backgammon set and a map of the island with a little guide.

The second room exited on a shaded terrace (great if you smoke) with tables and benches, and a fabulous view of the Hora's castle and down to two Kapsali coves.

The people who run the place were most pleasant, spoke good English and were helpful with information about the area. We were offered a good price for the high season and standard provided (40 euro for a family of four) and made felt welcome and comfortable.

All in all, highly recommended for the combination of good size rooms, decent bathrooms, comfortable beds, reasonable facilities and friendly service at good prices. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 28, 2011

Niki Rooms
Chora-Kythira
Kythira, Peloponnese 80100

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Zorba's

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Restaurant | "Good value, tasty, simple food"

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The Chora of Kythira is the most picturesque and attractive village on the island, and although it has a lot of tourist accommodation, several cafes and shops, it doesn't have many restaurants (there are more in the Kapsali resort 3km down by the sea). Zorba's is, however, a restaurant located in Chora and it's a good one. Zorba's boasts a terrace (on a roof of a neighbouring house), as well as a number of tables inside and a few just outside the door. We had an outside table on a very windy night, so it was a bit chilly, but as the terrace was full and the inside non-smoking, it was the best option. Zorba's serves mostly grilled food, standard Greek fare of chicken, souvlaki ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 10, 2011

Zorba's
Chora
Kythira, Greece

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Aghios Gheorghios sto Vouno

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Attraction | "Peak Spirit"

Bee Hives Photo - Aghios Gheorghios sto Vouno, Kythira, Greece

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Our last day in Kythira starts late. We have the standard Greek checkout which is at a wonderfully civilised midday and thus can pack up and get ready at our leisure. The ferry is at 10pm, so we have most of the day. The plan to is have a meal and a swim at the delightful Diakofti beach on the other side from the ferry terminal, but before that we decide to visit Agios Georgios Sto Vouno (St George of the Mountain) is a chapel located atop a hi. Agios Georgios Sto Vouno (St George of the Mountain) is a chapel located atop a hill on the eastern shore of Kythira. From the 350m elevation the hill overlooks the harbour of Diakofti, the Avlemonas village, islets that dot the sea by Kythira's sh...Read More

Our last day in Kythira starts late. We have the standard Greek checkout which is at a wonderfully civilised midday and thus can pack up and get ready at our leisure. The ferry is at 10pm, so we have most of the day. The plan to is have a meal and a swim at the delightful Diakofti beach on the other side from the ferry terminal, but before that we decide to visit Agios Georgios Sto Vouno (St George of the Mountain) is a chapel located atop a hi.

Agios Georgios Sto Vouno (St George of the Mountain) is a chapel located atop a hill on the eastern shore of Kythira. From the 350m elevation the hill overlooks the harbour of Diakofti, the Avlemonas village, islets that dot the sea by Kythira's shore and the Paleopoli beach.

The road up the hill is narrow and curves in tight bends, as we drive higher the bends are tighter and the drops higher, but the surface is mostly concrete and it's perfectly passable to a normal car – slowly. Near the bottom, the hill is covered in the typical Greek vegetation, scrubby bushes and dwarf trees, herbs with an intoxicating smell. Goats roam among the plants and colourful beehives dot the roadside. Higher up, the rock becomes barer and the vegetation sparser, and at the top there are more stones than clumps of grass.

The views are magnificent, better than the moderate height of the hill would suggest. Opposite, a higher peak with the large Agia Moni monastery, and below, the ferry harbour and the dramatically picturesque, half-submerged wreck by an islet to the south of the harbour. Behind us, the curve of the coast from Avlemonas to Kaladi beach, the area of the oldest Kythira settlements. Above, the peak of the hill and more views to the mainland of Peloponnese.

The church of Agios Georgios dates back to early centuries of our era, with preserved 7th century mosaics inside, including some animal and human figures. Outside, it's a compact, curved, barrel-roofed building, and despite its blazing white-wash, it appears to be an organic part of the mountain, at one with the rocks, the sky, sun and sea. The history of Christian worship on this hill is long enough, but its spiritual significance is thousands years older than the oldest Christian remains. The Minoans had one of their peak sanctuaries here whose discovery in the early 1990's confirmed that Kythira had witnessed a Minoan settlement during the Bronze Age.

There are no visible remains of the sanctuary, but knowing of its existence confirms the continuity of worship on this peak and adds significance. The archaeologist we meet in the church and engage in conversation asks us what religion we are and exhibits some rather narrow-minded sentiments for somebody supposedly engaged in a impartial discovery of the past ("we like Protestants but we don't like Catholics here") but despite that the dark, small cavern of the church, and the sun and air bathed open peak alike seem to be infused with positive energy, a pure and high impulse of human minds reaching to things that are bigger than it is.

Do visit Agios Georgios Sto Vouno if you have a chance: it's possible to climb the hill from Avlemonas or drive up it from a road that comes off the main road to the ferry port and Diakofti. The views are magnificent and the strong and positive vibe make for a memorable experience. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 12, 2011

Aghios Gheorghios sto Vouno
Diakofti
Kythira, Greece

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