Kythera is an island that has it all: beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, picturesque villages, unique hiking trails, castles, caves, water mills and waterfalls make it an ideal winter-summer destination.
Apart from swimming and playing in the sea during the summer months, you can participate in sports activities and excursions on the island in every season. As you know Attica is a safe and attractive multi-dimensional destination that offers visitors unforgettable experiences throughout the year.
Hiking
The island boasts about 100km of marked trails leading to mountain peaks and beaches, chapels, gorges and waterfalls. One of the most beautiful, easy and popular hiking routes is the M41 to the water mills of Mylopotamos, where all the greenery of Kythera interlaces beautifully with lakes, waterfalls, stone bridges and water mills creating a wonderful landscape worth walking through. Another beautiful route is the M31 that connects Potamos –the largest village of Kythera- with the medieval capital of the island, Paleohora. The view from the castle to the gorge, Kakia Lagada and the sea will reward your effort. If you want to walk in the footsteps of the ancient Kytherians, then start from Avlemonas towards the church of Ai Giorgis, following route M38. The path was already used from the Minoan era and led to the Minoan peak sanctuary, which is considered the most important Minoan sanctuary outside Crete. The route passes through fields, dry stone walls and beehives and reaches the top of the mountain where the chapel of Ai Giorgis is located with a view of the whole island of Kythera. Yet another beautiful hiking route is the M12 that starts from the bay of Kapsali and climbs up to the cavernous church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos. www.kytheratrails.gr
Canyon crossing
For those who love activities with a higher degree of difficulty, crossing the gorges of the island is an additional adrenaline-pumping option. One route is the one that starts from the castle of Paleohora and descends to the beach of Kakia Lagada with several difficult points and challenges. The other, is the one that crosses the gorge of Mylopotamos. Start from the waterfall of Neraida and continue through a gorgeous natural environment made of waterfalls, lush vegetation and water mills. You can also cross the gorge of Tsakonas with its small lake and high rocks that ends at Limni beach and the gorge of Kakavos – a relatively short but nice route below the village of Mitata. Its length is about 100 m. However, because it is the narrowest gorge of Kythera, there is a constant flow of water and deep lakes. These routes require special equipment and a professional guide.
Climbing
Another challenging activity for those who love heights and adrenaline is rock climbing. Kythera has beautiful fields in various locations, such as the beaches of Sparagario, Kalami, Halkos, Kakopetra Kalamos, Agia Pelagia and Agios Georgios, as well as Vardiola, on the hill west of the castle of Hora.
Diving
The seabed of Kythera is ideal for diving. The waters are transparent and facilitate underwater visibility. At the bottom of the island you can see everything from the cannons of an old corsair ship, the huge winches of modern shipwrecks to World War II aircraft parts, as well as impressive rock formations and underwater caves. During your dives you will encounter sea turtles, seals, groupers, octopuses, lobsters and cuttlefish.
Off-road routes
Kythera is a destination for all, even for those who love off-road driving. If you have a four-wheel drive car, you’ll get your fill of dust and twists and turns passing by ruined settlements, pastures, gullies and bridges, while you can also reach the island’s most inaccessible beaches. West Kythera, the forest of Gerakari, Mitata, Paleokastro, Kalamos and the surrounding areas are the ones with the greatest interest for off-road routes.
