Nina's Travels

Sep 7, 20206 min read

KYTHNOS - GREECE

Hiii ! I'm beyond excited to write those lines down as it's been more than a year I didn't sit in front of this computer, publishing a new article, I KNOW ! But, this year has been crazily busy and exhausting, believe me. I missed my blog and sharing my cool adventures with you guys !

Kolona Beach

Today we're gonna talk about this island called Kythnos located 1h40 by ferry from Athens in Greece.

I went there with my best friend Kirsten, from the 29th of August to 5th of September. I don't know if it's due to covid situation but everywhere we've been to, we were the only tourists, such a privilege ! The weather was amazing, around 30C everyday, not even mentioning we haven't seen a cloud in 6 days.

We flew there with Transavia Airlines, from Paris to Athens (200€ p/p luggage included) and reached Kythnos from Athens- Lavrio harbour with Ferry Hopper (15€ p/p one way, so 30€ round trip).

From Athens to Kythnos

We stayed in the most amazing hotel ! Canal Suites Kythnos offers you the most professional service, Ilias and Giannoulis running the hotel provide you amazing breakfasts, cares, help and as much advices as you need. The rooms are comfortable, private terraces with a sea view, a pool and the whole hotel in general is very finely designed. Only 10 rooms (20 clients) at a time, so it really feels like home (450€ p/p for 6 nights). The closest beach is 18 seconds walking distance from your room, and what.a.beach : small crick with a clear blue water.

Canal Suites Kythnos Hotel

Kanala Beach

What stroke us is the indescriptible KINDNESS of the inhabitants of this island. Within a week, we had made tons of friends ! People are serviable, English speaking, smiling and generous, welcoming, kind and professional, willing to help & friendly. I must say all the places we went to offered us a very hospitable welcome.

This island is the biggest human crush I ever felt for a place.

Dryopida's café

About the car : we had no. We planned on renting one but then we found Giorgos, one of the 4 taxi drivers of the island. We took his number on the first day and he became our "personal driver" for the week. He might have been more expensive than a car but come on, he was an amazing trip advisor, knows the island better than no one (he's born there!), drives safely on tiny roads, available day and night, English speaking, pleasant and professional. Not even talking about the fact we didn't have to care about itineraries, car security or fuel. All this was was worthy paying taxi rides one by one.

Apokrousi Beach

BEACHES :

Kolona

Okay, so the main activity to do in Kythnos is visiting Kolona beach which is basically a sand line splitting the sea into 2, surrounded by hills ! You can either go by car but local people won't recommend it, the simplest is to take a little boat from Kythnos port (departure every hour) that takes 5-7 minutes to reach the beach, costing 10€ round trip. There's a very cool and chill bar & restaurant there, don't miss ordering their delicious cafés frappés ! Also, there's a way that leads to a little chapel at the top of the hill (10 minutes walking) from which you'll be able to have an awesome point of view over Kolona Beach.

Kolona Beach

Kolona's bar

Aosa, Kouri, Zogaki

Those 3 beaches are following each other (3-5 minutes walking distance from one another). Aosa is a large and empty beach, as the two other ones, the water is clear blue. In Kouri, you'll find an hotel & restaurant called The Guardiero in front of the beach, absolutely perfect to spend the day sippin' a cocktail ! Zogaki is the last beach before big stairs leading back to the main road. It's the cutest of them 3 according to me, very pretty and quiet, we were the only ones.

Aosa Beach

Zogaki's Beach

Kanala

You can't find this beach on Google ! It's also called Amoudaki, but just remember that it's the beach of Kanala's village. This beautiful beach is less than a minute walk from our hotel and it's one of the prettiest ones ! Translucide water, and if you follow the way, you'll find typical Greek church, hiding a smaller one on the water, worth to pay a visit.

Kanala Beach

Ιερός Ναός Παναγίας Κανάλας - Kanala's church

Antonides

My personal favourite ! Definitely a dream : in front of the yellow-ish dry vegetation mountains (typical natural landscape in Kythnos), the water is turquoise and translucide, and it's sooo empty ! Such a beach would be over crowded in a country as France.

Apokrousi

Nice wiiide beach, perfect if you're with friends and family. 2 bars and restaurants (Coconuts for afternoon drinks and Baiocco for a romantic sunset & deliciouuuus dinner)

Apokrousi Beach

BARS & RESTAURANTS :

Dinner's out

Ostria

Definitely the best place to eat sea fruits on this island. Located on the port, enjoying the sun set light while eating the best squid or sea bream you'll ever taste (their feta cheese is so yummy too!)

Omg ... really want to eat there while writing those lines down !

Arias (need to make a reservation)

A fairytale. This restaurant located on the water will for sure be the most expensive bill you'll pay during your stay. But also the prettiest set. The architecture, the sunset, the privilege of eating sea fruits fished in front of you is priceless. We went there for dinner but you can spend your day in Agia Eirini, the beach belonging to the restaurant. Also, there's such a beautiful concept store called Aneme, I did my best not to buy everything !

Archipelago

Familial and affordable, good food and 1 minute walking distance from the hotel. In the evening, they play traditional music and everybody dances and enjoys their time together !

Baiocco

Such a romantic place ! Please go for dinner as you enjoy the sun setting, this creative Greek cuisine restaurant offers an original menu (the grilled prawns salad is exquisite!) and a perfect service. The very "instagrammable" design of this place is also super appreciable !

Arapis

Traditional Greek food, located in Merichas (Kythnos port), feet in the water. We had a delightful cocktail (sparkling water with lemons for those as me who don't drink alcohol haha) in a magical sunset light situation

Sunset in Arapis restaurant

To steki tou Ntentzi

Lovely rooftop restaurant, affordable prices, beautiful sunset (serves feta saganaki for those as me who go to Greece only to eat feta dishes !)

The Kraken

THE bar to go to if you want to experience the night life in Kythnos. The bar itself is amazingly designed, live DJ sets every night, and good cocktails. A must see.

IN ATHENS :

We spent half a day in Athens and had dinner in an amazing bohemian-romantic atmosphere in a beach restaurant called Balux : House Project in Glyfada area. The food is very good and there are tons of options (even vegan alternatives!)

This was definitely the most beautiful sunset of our stay.

Balux : House Project Restaurant

If you like shopping, don't miss the Greek Designers Store which presents an amazing local fashion selection.

There's one hotel I don't recommend going in Athens : Sea View Hotel in Glyfada (though I hate criticising places I've been to!)

Just saying so you don't make the same mistake as we did haha ! but important to underline the fact that Glyfada is still a very nice "Californian" area, providing many clothing shops, close to the sea shore which is very pleasant.

VILLAGES :

Loutra

One large street on the water, offering a bunch of charming restaurants on the sea. There is a beautiful concept store selling the brand Collectiva Noir on the main road, if you also love designer pieces.

Loutra's beach dispenses free access hot springs in which you can take a bath day and night, Summer or Winter, circa 30C all year round.

Merichas

Port area, where you can food shops and go to the restaurant, quite central, easy to access.

Chora

The heart of the island ! Spend at least one full evening there : boutiques, plenty of restaurants, nice bars (especially The Kraken I mentioned before). Beautiful concept stores, nice ice-cream shops, very living at night ! (as every city on this island). The main road provides several concept stores with Greek designers clothes and jewellery.

Kirsten wearing her jewels bought in Chora

Dryopida

Unlike Loutra, Merichas or Chora, I really recommend visiting this typical village during the day (morning's best). Not tons of shopping but beautiful village with cafés, traditional Greek houses and churches, and even caves ! You get a visit for free every hour, explaining how the Kythnos inhabitants used to live in. Very interesting !