They belong to the Ionian Islands, they are part of the Attica Region, spatially they are opposite Laconia and politically they have the unbelievable, for the time, status of Domestic Property inherited from the English. According to this, everything that is not private belongs to the «Home» and not to the Greek Public. In short, the state has no claims on non-private land and property, monasteries or monasteries, or on the nearby islands - the floor is given to the Domestic Property Committee, which represents the island's community.
If you haven't figured it out yet, we're talking about Kythera, an amalgam of natural landscapes and architecture that brings together the Cyclades, the Ionian Islands, the Peloponnese and Crete. The architecture touches on the Venetian style, but also on elements of Crete and Mani, the villages are more reminiscent of the Ionian Islands, while the beaches have something mountainous that reminds you of the Peloponnese or mainland Greece. But all this confluence of elements defines the uniqueness of this enchanting island, which fortunately - against the lyrics of Ilias Liberopoulos and the interpretation of Dimitris Mitropanos - we found them, carefully avoiding to miss the ship of the line.
As it turned out, the Digital Nomads, the digital nomads who work remotely and have no permanent place of residence, also found it. All they want is quiet, a landscape full of beauty and... a good internet connection. And Kythera has everything, which is why digital nomads choose it more than any other corner of Greece.
It is an island that nature has endowed with unique beauties and many hidden «secrets» that need to be explored. Valleys leading to the sea, mountainsides dressed in green and other rocky and barren ones, flowing springs, enchanting beaches, beautiful picturesque villages.
The peculiarities of the island begin to show from the moment you arrive at the port. At first sight it looks like a «mountainous» island, as both Chora and most of the villages are located high up in the mountains. With the exception of the beaches, to the eye it seems as if you are «imprisoned» by the image of the rugged craggy cliffs. As soon as one drives uphill, one reaches the plateau and the view changes completely. Cultivated land, lush ravines and beautiful settlements. And these settlements are impressive in every way, because the traditional architecture has been kept intact. At this level, the Enkhori regime has had a beneficial effect, because each settlement has retained its character and in many cases the population has been kept compact, with the same families always living in the same villages.
If someone is looking for an environment of relaxation, carefree summer elegance, contact with nature and history, he/she only has to put in his/her compass the Neapolis of Laconia, through which the island is connected by Ferryboat.
The harsh beauty of the windswept landscapes and the treacherous valleys where you can find the most enchanting beaches, the transcendental experience of the natural landscape in the waterfalls of Mylopotamos and the caves of Agia Sophia, the fairytale Chora with its picturesque alleys leading to the well-preserved Castle, from which one can enjoy the view of the Aegean Sea, are in themselves three very good reasons to feel that this summer you did something different from the usual.
Even if you have been provided with a list of SOS to visit, on the island you will find, from conversations with the locals, that the list was... incomplete. In summary, we will mention the lush green Mitata, with the imposing view of the gorge of Tsakonas, as well as the Karava, in the northern part of the island, with its gurgling springs and wonderful architecture. The seaside village of Avlemonas with its fish taverns and its small beach that looks like a swimming pool, the main village of Potamos with its lively folk market, Aroniadika and Kastrisianika with its special Cycladic architectural identity.
Paleopolis is also impressive and has the largest beach on the island, while in the cosmopolitan Kapsali, next to Chora, the heart of the island's nightlife beats, providing many options for food, coffee or drinks in front of the sea.
The island's coastline is mild with many sandy beaches in the east and becomes steep in the west, but even there the steep slopes are interrupted by small picturesque sandy beaches that are accessible only from the sea. The second busiest beach on the island is Agia Pelagia - sandy with shallow waters - and equally popular are Kambonada (with turquoise waters that deepen steeply), Fyri Ammos with its red sandy beach and crystal clear waters, Melidoni with its turquoise colours and Chalkos for pebble fans.
For lovers of castles and monasteries, Kythera is an ideal destination, the monuments of the Byzantine - medieval period are in their majority well preserved, unlike what happens in many other islands. The same applies to the stone bridge at Katouni and the lighthouse of Moudari, two particular sites of architectural interest. For nature lovers, the gorge of Tsakonas and the gorge of Kakia Lagada, where remote beaches are ’hidden« in the inaccessible pine forests of the north, are a guarantee of an enjoyable experience, as are the island's caves and waterfalls.
In short, there is nothing that your mind or your soul can long for and not find it in Kythera, as long as you are armed with the desire to explore and of course to drive. And all this at prices... outrageously good for such a beautiful island. With a daily budget of 60 euros you'll find a room near the sea and you'll eat until you drop. The only thing that Kythera is not able to offer you is... untangling, but you will read about the search for that in another tribute...
