So close and so simple! You take the ferry from Lavrio and in an hour you are on the closest habitable Cycladic island in Attica. Most people choose Kea or Tzia as a three-day destination as the close access makes it ideal even for a weekend. However, if you have the time and inclination, it is worth dedicating a few more days (not many) to fill yourself with images and sensations from an island that pleasantly surprises you.
Of course, don't expect the classic Cycladic settlements with their whitewashed houses and picturesque villages. Here the scenery varies depending on the region. In some places you will find the widespread dry stone architecture and in others houses with tiled roofs. Nevertheless, the landscape does not disappoint, quite the opposite in fact. It puts you in a holiday mood and island life, everything you need to escape, even for a while.
Although the first impression you get is that this is yet another barren island, in its interior you will encounter oak forests and vegetation that is not common in the Cyclades!
Where to stay?
There are many options as every year new Airbnbs, villas and boutique hotels appear all over the island. If you are interested in easy access and the possibility of having your car with you, we would suggest you look in Korissia, Vourkari and Otzias. If you are interested in evening walks, picturesque taverns and a more authentic island experience, choose to stay in the island's capital, Ioulida. Keep in mind, however, that parking there is a big problem that you will have to deal with, while to get to your accommodation, the only thing that is certain is that you will have to walk a lot.
What to see
Korissia – Vourkari
Korissia, the island's main port, is a beautiful natural bay with shops and restaurants, which also hosts much of the island's nightlife. The neighboring settlement of Vourkari follows the same style, from where a passable path begins that leads to the lighthouse of Kea. This lighthouse is located next to the chapel of Agios Nikolaos and was built by the French Lighthouse Company, next to the ruins of the temple of Poseidon. It is the first lighthouse to be lit in the Cyclades in 1831 (and the second in Greece) and has been classified as a monument.
Ioulida
It doesn't remind you of Chora Cyclades at all, as the tiled roofs give it a different feel. However, you can't call it indifferent, as the picturesque narrow streets and traditional houses set the tone for island life in the past. Sit in the square Piazzas and look for the covered arcades designed by the famous painter Alekos Fasianos. Wander through the ruins of the medieval castle and see the mills opposite the settlement that gave life to the economic activity of Tzia in the past.
You will definitely see his building. City Hall and his Historic City Hall, works by the great German architect Ernest Ziller. The current Town Hall was the island's school, while the Historic Town Hall (an impressive neoclassical building from 1902) is adorned with finds from various archaeological sites on the island.
Particularly noteworthy is also the Archaeological museum with unique findings from excavations on the island. Among them, the marble early Cycladic figurines and the clay statues of female figures, the famous Kores, which look as if they are ready to be caught in the dance, stand out.
The "Lion of Kea» stands watchful guard over Ioulida and takes us on a journey through its legend. It is an archaic sculpture from 600 BC carved into a solid slate rock approximately 8 meters long. You will encounter it by taking the path that starts from the area of Agios Spyridon and ends at Otzias. According to legend, the lion was sent by the ancient gods to chase away the nymphs who came out of the sea and took the girls of the island. Tip: Choose to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon because you won't find any shade. The easiest route is to drive up to a point and then walk the rest of the path.
Mylopotamos
Not far from Ioulida is the Mylopotamos. An interesting area among the trees, which bears witness to the existence of a river in the past, with a small but very beautiful Folklore Museum. The exhibits have been collected with love by the island's residents, while in the outdoor area there is a playground, a refreshment bar and an amphitheater where cultural events are hosted throughout the summer.
Monastery of Panagia Kastriani
Legend has it that around 1700, shepherds found the icon of the Virgin Mary at this spot and built the first small church which over the years evolved into an ethereal monastery on the edge of the cliff. The scenery is ecstatic and the eerie view of the Aegean will make up for it.
Ancient Karthaia
“I would not exchange this narrow rocky peninsula of land, Karthaia, even for Babylon,” wrote the ancient poet Pindar, and he was not wrong! In a landscape of unsurpassed beauty, there was one of the four ancient city-states of Kea (inhabited continuously for 1300 years), with one of the most important ports of the Cyclades. Archaeological research has brought to light the temple of Pythian Apollo, the temple of Athena, the Propylon, an ancient theater with a capacity of 900 people and other buildings of the ancient city, which make up a unique setting. On the beach located directly below the ancient city, it is worth taking a dip to cool off, and if you have a mask, you will see ruins of the ancient port. Tip: To reach ancient Karthea, you will follow the dirt road to the settlement of Havouna and then follow the marked path no. 6 for about an hour. However, the easiest way to get there is by sea. At the port of Korissia, you can ask about private boats, which, if conditions are favorable, can take you to Karthea, making stops at various beautiful coves for diving.
Shipwrecks
If you are a fan of diving tourism, Kea is “the place to be”! Around the island are the following shipwrecks: The hospital ship “Vretanikos” (sister ship of the Titanic), the French ocean liner “Burdigala”, the steamship “Citta di Tripoli”, the passenger ship “Théophile Gautie”, the steamship “Patris” and a German Junkers 52 airplane from World War II. Although the depth at which most of these wrecks are located is almost exclusively for very experienced divers, there are other smaller wrecks, reefs, coral reefs and caves in which even a novice diver can enjoy, with the guidance of very experienced Kea Divers.
Beaches
Small, large, isolated, cosmopolitan…in Tzia you will find everything when it comes to beaches! Most of them have fine sand and tamarisk trees for shade! We have made a list of the most beautiful ones (in our opinion). The ones accessible by paved road are: Gialiskari (the closest to Korresia), the Koundouros, the Koundouraki , the Number of people and CampiAll of them are sheltered from the wind to the north, have a beach bar and space for your own umbrella and mat. Accessible by asphalt is also the Otzias, also a very good beach, but we recommend you visit it only if there is no north wind.
Beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and without many people are the Wood, the Sword and the FigsHowever, access to them is via a dirt road.
Entertainment – Food
There may be new additions to the island every year, but we are listing some must-sees here. Ioulida you will have a drink at Leo, while for coffee and dessert or brunch with a view you will go to PanoramaFor dinner you will sit at the Poppy or at Taste and Enjoyment.
In the Korissia You won't want to miss trying delicacies from Vasilonis' bakery and dishes cooked by Simos.
The ideal spot to watch the sunset accompanied by a delicious cocktail is the Aigis Sunset bar resto above the Vourkari.
What to try:
Cigarettes. Traditional dish of pork with its fat, which resulted from the method of preserving meat in the past.
Cigar pieThe authentic Tziotiki pie with cigarettes, eggs, milk, yeast, anise and sesame.
LozaA classic Cycladic appetizer made from salted pork.
Sour and KopanistiLocal cheeses with the special Cycladic flavor.
PaspalasA quintessentially Tziotiko dish with pork cooked with tomato and eggs.
Closing
So if you are looking for an easy and close island in Attica to which you can dedicate from a weekend to a week, Kea or Tzia is what you are looking for. Without claiming laurels of picturesqueness or having the settlements with all-white houses that you are used to in the rest of the Cyclades, it is a destination where you will enjoy beautiful beaches, archaeological treasures, endless walks and you will be filled with images of summer! So what are you waiting for?
