Villages

Kapsali, perhaps the most famous village of the island, lies on the south coast beneath Castro, the impressive fortress of Chora. The seaside town offers shops, restaurants and bars, which cover the visitor’s every need. From here, you can take a short boatride to the islet of Chytra, visit the monastery of Agios Ioannis tucked into the hillside overhead, or simply enjoy a swim in the crystal clear waters of Kapsali and nearby Sparagario.

The island’s capital, Chora is often also referred to simply as “Kythira”. Here you can take a stroll through the picturesque narrowstreets filled with small shops and traditional architecture. A definite must-see is the impressive Venetian fortress, Castro, with its majestic view over the bay of Kapsali. Take the opportunity to try some local Kythirian sweets, purchase some souvenirs to take home, or simply relax in the ‘plateia’, the town square.

Located in the western part of the island, the charming village of Mylopotamos is a destination not to be missed. One of the greenest areas of the island, the visitor is truly spoilt for choice: take a walk along the path by the watermills, visit the hidden waterfall of Fonissa, the stunning cave of Agia Sofia, the secluded beach of Kalami or admire the beautiful sunset from the castle in lower Mylopotamos.

On the eastern coast of the island lies the traditional fishing village of Avlemonas. Perhaps the most picturesque village (in keeping with the old style) of Kythira, visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the old harbor, a fresh seafood lunch in one of the restaurants, and take a relaxing swim in the small bay.

A little further north from Avlemonas lies Diakofti. Apart from being the main port of Kythira, Diakofti also has one of the few sandy beaches on the island. The clear and shallow waters and available facilities make it ideal for families and small children.

Situated in the northern part of the island, Potamos is one of the two main business centres of Kythira. The architecture is characterised by traditional mansion-style houses and there are many shops, cafes and restaurants. The village is always busy, especially on Sunday, when people gather from all over the island for the weekly market, where locals sell their products and meet for a coffee to share news.

Like Potamos in the north, Livadi is the business centre for southern Kythera. Livadi has shops, cafes, rooms to let, and also has a few of the islands most famous restuarants. Livadi is also surrounded by smaller villages and settlements, and from here you can visit the historical ‘Katouni Bridge’. If you are in the southern part of Kythira, it is impossible to not pass through Livadi, and if you are here on a Wednesday evening in the summer, you can enjoy the local market from 5pm to 9pm. The main office of Drakakis Tours is also in Livadi, so make sure you stop in and say hi!

Northeast of Potamos lies the coastal village of Agia Pelagia. As a former port town, the village has a well-developed infrastructure of hotels, tourist facilities and restaurants. Many of the restaurants spill onto the beach, which has shallow clear waters, good facilities and a view of the Peloponnese.

High on a mountain at the center of the island, surrounded by the rich vegetation of the valleys, lie the beautiful villages of Mitata & Viaradika. Take a hike through the peaceful landscape, making sure to make a rest stop at the natural springs of Vryssi, and visit the main square of Mitata with fantastic views of the island. You can also see the ruined church, which was greatly affected by an earthquake in 2006.