Kythira (Cythera) - Κύθηρα

Kythira (historically known in English as Cythera or Cerigo) is a mystical, wind-swept island hanging just below the southernmost tip of the Peloponnese peninsula. Famously celebrated in ancient mythology as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, this unique island bridges the Ionian, Aegean, and Cretan seas, resulting in an extraordinary architectural and visual diversity. Unlike its crowded neighbors, Kythira remains a fiercely authentic hidden gem that swaps massive resorts for sprawling landscapes of deep, pine-forested gorges, ancient dry-stone walls, and more than 300 secluded Byzantine stone chapels. 

The island's majestic capital, Chora, sits perched on a high ridge dominated by a massive 13th-century Venetian fortress. From its castle walls, visitors can look down upon the twin crescent bays of Kapsali, where low-key seaside life unfolds at a slow, peaceful pace.What makes Kythira truly captivating is its unexpected variety of natural wonders and its remarkably well-preserved old-world customs. Beyond the jaw-dropping, turquoise swimming waters of Kaladi Beach and the fjord-like natural pools of Avlemonas, the island's mountainous interior hides green paradises like the village of Mylopotamos. Here, hikers can wander through a lush valley containing 22 historical watermills and cool off beneath the roaring, 20-meter Fonissa (Neraida) waterfall. After exploring the massive underground chambers of the Agia Sofia Cave or traversing the stone-arched Katouni Bridge—the largest stone bridge built in Greece during British rule—travelers gather at traditional village squares. In the evenings, cozy tavernas serve local specialties like thyme honey, hand-rolled Kythirian rusks, and fatourada (a sweet cinnamon-and-clove liqueur), offering an enchanting and deeply romantic escape into untamed Greece. 

Landscape variety includes beautiful bays, breathtaking views, incredible remote beaches, hidden waterfalls with their little basins where you can swim, forests, great hikes and a beautiful "Chora".
Take you time to explore, as every part of the the island has something different to offer ...