Hotel Karthea
Korissia - Korissia
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Kea is the closest to the mainland and the least known of the Cyclades islands. The name is still little known to international tourists, with the exception of a few keen yachtsmen and curious travellers in search of undiscovered destinations in Greece.
Kea (also called Tzia or Cheo), on the other hand, is well known to Athenians, who not infrequently during the summer months take advantage of the island’s proximity to the mainland to escape the city and spend a rejuvenating weekend by the sea. It only takes an hour by ferry to leave the bustle and noise of Athens behind and set foot on a completely different world.
Largely barren and barren, Kea is one of those islands where life flows slowly. A small paradise in which a pretty little town, remote inland villages, quaint little harbours, ancient ruins, churches and temples are concentrated. It can be pleasantly explored by land, following kilometres of paths carved out of old mule tracks, or by sea, ploughing through the waves with a view of the most picturesque stretches of coastline. Or diving into the sea, ever deeper, in search of submerged wrecks.
A minimum of tourist industry has also landed in Kea, but it is little and does not disturb: just the typical taverns at the harbour, a few bars and restaurants on the beach, a handful of souvenir shops.
Humble and rural in its traditions and identity, Kea is exclusive and sought-after in its hospitality. Hotels are few, Kea’s accommodations more often than not are charming residences: these include buildings designed by internationally renowned architects such as Christos Vlachos and Ioannis Michalopoulos.
Mark down the name of Kea because it is the ideal destination for both a regenerating week-long beach holiday and a short rural appendix to a stay in the capital. After all, you don’t need to stay long because you fall in love with Kea at first sight.
Kea is a hilly island: the coastline is very rugged, mostly high and rocky, but in places it is lower and more linear.
The inlets – small and large – are numerous, so there is a great number and variety of beaches to choose from in Kea; keep in mind, however, that many can only be reached by boat or by long walks. The easiest to reach are all sandy beaches.
All the beaches of Kea are washed by a blue sea that takes on wonderful hues: an irresistible invitation to lazing around and contemplating nature.
Kea’s most famous beach is Otzias, at the northern tip of the island. It is a long sandy beach set in a peculiarly shaped bay that from above somewhat resembles a jellyfish; at 700 metres, it is the longest beach in Kea.
Part of the beach is bordered by a row of tamarisk trees that offer shelter from the sun in the hottest hours; the other part, however, is equipped with numerous facilities including a bar, sunshade and sunbed rental, and a children’s play area.
Situated in the western part of the island, between Vourkari and Korissia, Gialiskari is a strip of golden sand dominated by knolls covered with dense vegetation: a corner of paradise for both sunbathers and those who prefer to take a nap in the cool. The beach is partly equipped and there is a beach bar.
Due to its location to the west, it is one of the most beautiful beaches for watching the sunset in Kea.
Another beach not to be missed for lovers of golden sand is Koundouros, the cleanest beach in Kea and the only one to have been awarded Blue Flag status. Well sheltered from the wind, it is one of the most popular beaches on the island; the beachfront restaurant is also very popular.
Not to be missed is Xila, an enchanting mixed beach of sand and white pebbles washed by crystal-clear waters. This piece of paradise is only 15 minutes from the port of Korissia and is easily reached.
If your holiday in Kea is not the usual touch-and-go from Athens but a trip of a week or more, you will certainly have time to explore other magnificent beaches. Put the beaches of Kampi5, Liparo6, Pisses7,Spathi8 and Sikamia9 on your wish list.
Kea is worth a trip for the beautiful sea, but there are a couple of things to see and do to break the hotel-beach-life routine.
Apart from the beaches, the best known image of Kea is that of a cute stone lion: this is the Lion of Ioulis, a 6×3 metre smiling feline carved into a granite rock. Its origins are uncertain but probably date back to 600 BC.
Both friendly and enigmatic, the Lion of Ioulis is considered the good luck charm of Kea and is a figure on which numerous legends have been embroidered. It is located less than 2 km from the centre of Ioulis and can be reached by a walk of about 20 minutes.
The ruins of the ancient city of Karthea are the most important archaeological site on the island of Kea. It can be reached by following the Vathypotamos scenic route. It is a long and sometimes strenuous walk, but you will be rewarded with wonderful views of the Aegean Sea and neighbouring islands; alternatively, you can arrive by boat.
The site includes the remains of a temple dedicated to Apollo and one dedicated to Athena. The former stands overhanging the sea and is one of the oldest in the Cyclades (it was built between the 6th and 5th century BC).
Some remains found in the excavations in Karthea can now be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Kea located in the capital city.
If you ever have any doubts during your holiday in Kea that you are on a Cycladic island, the impressive monastery of Panagia Kastriani will confirm that you are on the right place.
It is a distinctive little blue and white church built in a scenic position on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea; the scenic road to reach it is an attraction in itself.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Kea is not very big and is criss-crossed by numerous trails totalling more than 80 km. If you are a tireless walker, you can explore on foot instead of taking the car or bus. Many of these paths, called calderimia, follow ancient mule tracks. They are easily recognised by the paving and are well signposted.
The island is mountainous in some areas, and flatter in others. As a result, one can find very different paths, both in terms of terrain and level of difficulty. Some are easy, suitable for everyone, while others are more challenging, recommended for those already used to walking.
The signposted routes in Kea are:
An experience not to be missed during a holiday in Kea is a boat trip. Only in this way can you fully appreciate the beauty of this island. A boat tour of Kea will take you to beaches that are not accessible by land and will allow you to admire ancient ruins and remote villages overlooking the sea.
Kea is a popular destination for diving enthusiasts. Not only are its blue waters clear with excellent visibility, but with a bit of luck it is possible to encounter some parrotfish, which usually live in tropical waters. In addition, Kea’s seabed holds interesting historical memories.
The most famous shipwreck of Kea is the HMHS Britannic, known as the sister ship of the Titanic. She also sank, but not by an iceberg in the warm waters of Greece… it was a German mine that sank her to a depth of 100 metres in 1916. It was discovered in the mid-1970s by the famous explorer Jacques Cousteau.
Ten days after the sinking of the HMHS Britannic another German mine sank the ship S/S Burdigala, owned by the French government. The discovery of this ship led to the discovery of another wreck, that of the Junker 52, a German aircraft from World War II.
In contrast, the steamship Patris, which probably sank in 1860, dates back to the 19th century. Part of the ship stopped at a depth of 18 metres and can still be visited with a fairly easy dive, while to see the part that sank at 50 metres you need to be an experienced diver.
Kea is not as touristically developed as the more famous Greek islands and many of its houses are summer residences of Athenians or expatriate foreigners. Consequently, the choice of holiday accommodation in Kea is not very wide and comprises almost exclusively of flats, villas and mid- to high-end b&bs.
If you are looking for studio apartments or other cheap solutions, move well in advance to grab one of the few options available. Hotels are also scarce, but you can count on a couple of nice boutique hotels and residences.
Ioulis (Chora) and Korissia are the only major population centres and the majority of flats, studios and B&Bs are concentrated here. There are also a few fishing villages and a few smaller villages, mostly located in the hinterland of the island, where one can find beautiful rural houses suitable for those seeking absolute peace.
Korissia is the main tourist resort on the island and the favourite choice of international travellers who want to stay in Kea.
The nerve centre of Korissia is its pretty little harbour, the island’s main landing place: almost all boat excursions depart from here. Lined with a row of typical taverns and restaurants, the harbour of Korissia is also the ideal place for a snack or dinner overlooking the sea.
The other town attraction is the pretty church of Aghia Trias.
The capital of the island, Ioulis (also called Ioulida or Loulida) is a pretty town arranged amphitheatrically on the slopes of the hill overlooking the harbour of Korissia.
Its houses combine white walls, typical of Cycladic architecture, and red tiled roofs reminiscent of more Venetian houses: this charming mix is somewhat of Kea’s hallmark. A departure from this traditional style is the town hall, a neoclassical building constructed in the early 20th century by Ernst Ziller; the ruins of the Venetian castle are also worth seeing.
The old town is a labyrinth of cobbled streets, stone vaults and galleries leading up and down; the centre is accessed through an archway. The main square is a popular meeting place and is always lively on summer weekend evenings.
Otzias is one of the resorts with the most facilities and for this reason it is the best choice for a holiday in Kea with children. The main beach is equipped.
Vourkari is a small fishing village on a wide bay, which is rather sheltered from winds. It is located in the northern part of the island. The town is famous for its small harbour, a favourite landing place for sailors visiting Kea, and for its excellent fish restaurants.
Along the road from Vourkari to Otzia you will come across the remains of a prehistoric dwelling and the small church of Agia Eirini.
It is not difficult to reach Kea because the island is a short distance from Athens: the sea crossing takes less than an hour. Getting to Athens by plane is generally quick and cheap because there are many low-cost flights.
Ferries to Kea depart from the port of Lavros in Attica. They operate all year round with daily trips: one or two in winter, rising to seven in the summer months. There are no fast hydrofoils, but considering the short distance, taking a normal ferry does not extend the journey time much.
The port of Lavros is the smallest of the Athenian ports and is located at the southern end of Attica at a distance of about 40 km from Athens airport.
It is not served by metro or direct buses: it is possible to reach the port of Lavros from the airport or from the centre of Athens by bus (but it is necessary to change at Markopoulo). On the other hand, to get there from Athens airport you do not need to go through the centre, which is very convenient for those who want to travel by taxi or hire car.
What's the weather at Kea? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Kea for the next few days.
The island of Kea is located southeast of Attica, the region of mainland Greece that also includes the capital Athens. Washed by the Aegean Sea, it is one of the northernmost Cycladic islands.
From an administrative point of view it is part of the South Aegean region.
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