Kythnos is a lovely small Cycladic island very close to Athens. Despite its proximity to the mainland, it’s a far cry from congested destinations like Paros or Santorini. Authentic nature, quaint villages, and a stunning variety of beaches make Kythnos a popular weekend destination for the Athenian crowd who praise its ability to offer a relaxing yet authentic summer experience.
Read on to discover all the main attractions on Kythnos Island including its best beaches, what to eat, and how to get around.
Introducing Kythnos
When it comes to beauty, proximity to Athens, and Greek authenticity, Kythnos is hard to beat. It’s easy, non-ambiguously Cycladic, and truly Greek. If you come to Kythnos to swim, eat, and hike, you will find it an unspoiled paradise.

Several hours away from mainland Greece, Kythnos boasts traditional villages (mainly Chora, Merichas, Loutra, and Dryopida) along its sandy and rocky shores and in the hills, enabling adventurous exploration and outdoor activities.
Cobblestoned streets, authentic island-whitewashed architecture, bougainvillea-covered archways, thermal springs, hiking trails, and blue-and-white churches dotted around the island slopes make for an enchanted island stay.

Kythnos’ beaches are its strong point. Kolona Beach is the island’s crown jewel, and how not to be – it’s a strip of sand with the Aegean Sea on both sides. After Kolona, you choose from unspoiled or organized, sandy or pebbly, with more than 50 beaches to choose from.
Kythnos’ Top Tourist Attractions
1. The Best Beaches in Kythnos
Kolona Beach
Kolona is one of those sandy beaches Greece makes its international reputation from. A geological formation, a perfect Instagram backdrop, an ultimate hiking destination, a favorite place to moor, and above all – a great place to enjoy a quiet swim in a serene atmosphere.

The parking for Kolona is 0.6 miles away from it, so expect some walking. Also, there’s no shade, and bringing drinks and snacks is important.
Apokrisi Beach
A beautiful large pebbly beach with a sandy seabed, close to Chora. Adorned with tamarisk trees, it offers day-long natural shade and a great view of the Kolona site.

Reached via a paved road, Apokrisi offers beach bars and taverns just behind the shore.
TIP: On the southern side of the beach, a trail leads to Vryokastro – an ancient archeological site.
Lefkes Beach
When staying in the hilly village of Dryopida, Lefkes is the place to go.

It is a large east-facing sandy beach with big tamarisk trees for deep day-long shade, a tavern just behind the sand and rocks on one side of the bay.
TIP: The mining heritage of the island is visible in the ore-loading platform still standing on the northern side.
Martinakia Beach
This is one of those “has it all” places that gets busy during the summer, but in shoulder season it’s a lovely place to visit.

Beach bar offers sunbeds, beachside trees offer shade, you can watch the ferries come and go as the port is close by and it’s easy to reach – by car, by bus and even on foot.
Antonides Beach
If you are looking for a quiet beach, like me, and are not afraid of climbing steps, Antonides Beach will feel like a rewarding haven of remoteness and exclusion.

There’s no tavern or beach bar, so bring refreshments and a good book.
2. Major Historical Sites and Museums
Vryokastro
The most significant ancient site of Kythnos and the former island capital show that the island’s history dates back to the 10th century B.C.

Ruins, pottery, sculptures, jewelry, metal clasps, and even an underwater port have been discovered in various historical excavations.
Other ancient sites of Kythnos: Maroulas, the Demeter temple, and the Oria castle (serving as a medieval capital and destroyed by the invading Ottoman forces in 1570, it is also known as Kefalokastro).
Folk and Archaeological Museums
Kythnos has several archaeological and folklore collections in Chora and Dryopida.
The museums show the pre-industrial heritage of the island in beautiful traditional island buildings and I liked them both.
In Dryopida, the folklore museum is behind the church of Agioi Apostoloi in an old heritage-listed building. It has been designed by the locals as a replica of a traditional Kythnos home.

In Chora, you’ll find the Archaeological Museum and the Ethnographic Museum worth a look. The Archaeological Museum of Kythnos opened in 2023 in an old primary school. There are folklore collections but also finds from the ancient sites of Vryokastros and Maroula.
Byzantine Museum
A cute museum with a full name The Byzantine and Ecclesiastical Museum of Kythnos is located in a blue-roof whitewashed church of Agios Georgios in Dryopida village.

The collection counts 150 Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons and many other ecclesiastical items, including Orthodox crosses and manuscripts.
Loutra springs
Although a natural site, the hot baths of Loutra have been in use since antiquity because of their reputed therapeutic properties of the hot water, rich in minerals.

Located in the east-facing village of Loutra, the hot springs ultimately end up in the sea, so if you are visiting the island in the low season, this is where the warmest sea will be.
The hydrotherapy center is available on site, as well as beautiful Greek traditional houses.
Church of Panagia Kanala
This serene church was built to house a wonderworking icon of the Virgin Mary, Panagia Kanala, a protector of the island.

The church developed throughout the centuries and features a beautiful courtyard, stone arches, and terraces. It is one of 130 churches on little Kynthnos Island.
3. Kythnos Villages
Chora
Chora (also called Messaria) is the island’s capital and the place you want to stroll around to enjoy the sugar-cube architecture, whitewashed houses, cobblestone alleys, hillside and seaside views, local taverns and soak up the island vibe.

Besides Chora’s museums, visit the Agios Savvas church for its wooden temple and the insignia of the Gozzadini family, indicating the Venetian presence on the island in the past.

Proceed to the Church of the Transfiguration of Christ (Metamorfosi) from the 17th century and the cathedral church of Kythnos (also the oldest one on the island) – Agia Triada (Holy Trinity).
The Monastery of Panaghia Nikos just outside Chora to the west is not only a beautiful whitewashed building, but a living heritage of the island’s past stretching centuries back.
Dryopida
Another small island village inhabited since antiquity today is a unique place of tradition and island heritage.

When strolling, visit its many churches – Agios Minas, Agia Anna, Agios Panteleimonas, Agia Triada, Agioi Apostoloi for icons and temples. Two miles away from the village surrounded by the island’s natural beauty you will find Panagia Stratilatissa church with significant post-Byzantine icons.

Don’t miss the Katafiki cave—one of the largest in Greece—which served as a mine and a refuge for the island’s people. The entrance is in the village of Dryopida.
4. Hike between the villages
Hiking Kythnos’ 13 routes is among the top activities in Kythnos and the best way to see its villages.
Kythnos is a rocky island with gentle slopes.

The meeting point of two ridges that form the island is at the 336m elevation adorned with Prophet Ilias Church, from which numerous marked and unmarked trails lead to ancient sites, windmills, churches, drystone walls, picturesque villages, and, best of all, secluded coves.
Kythnos Cuisine: What to Eat in Kythnos Greece
⭐ Sfoungato – cheese croquette served with tsipouro or ouzo
⭐ Τhermotiki pie – a traditional pie made with local cheese
⭐ Local fish – small but intense in flavor local fish – anchovies, porgy, and mackerel
⭐ Local capers, harvested around the island
How to Get to Kythnos by Air
Kythnos has no airport, so the closest place to fly to is Athens International Airport, from where you can choose one of Athens’ several ports and take a short ferry ride to the island.
How to Get to Kythnos by Ferry
Located along the Western Cyclades, Kythnos is a maximum of 3 hours away from Piraeus port or 1.4 hours from Lavrion port. Tickets start from €15 one way per person.

Island Hopping
Kythnos is close to the Western Cycladic islands of Kea, Sifnos, and Serifos and is well connected with them daily during the summer.

Although difficult for day trips, these surrounding islands are wonderful to explore one after another.
TIP: I have visited Kythnos before Serifos and Milos, which I used as stepping stones to return to Athens.
Getting Around Kythnos: Local Transportation
Hiring a Car, Quad/ATV, or Scooter
The rule of thumb for any Greek island is – it’s better to have your own set of wheels. Rent whatever you are more comfortable with – a scooter (from €25) or a rent-a-car (from €50) and discover the place by yourself.
Walking and Hiking
The unspoiled character of the island is obvious in its hiking trails used to be the main (and only) communication network between the villages and connect the port and beaches with the hinterland. Nowadays, a dozen marked and unmarked trails exist on the island.

Public Bus System
Busses on Kythnos are few and far between, but in the summer they connect the main villages of Chora, Merichas, Loutra and Dryopida and some of the beaches several times a day.
Best Time of Year to Visit Kythnos
High Season (June – August)
Kythnos offers a decent refuge from the summer crowds. However, do not expect an empty island; it is a favorite place of busy Athenians who come for a few days to recharge the batteries before the August break kicks in.
Shoulder Season (April – May, September – October)
Best time for me is early June and September – no crowds, warm sea and accommodation is not that expensive.

Low Season (November – March)
Kythnos is very low-key during the winter, so I’d stay somewhere more vivid (like Crete) during the off-season months.
How long to stay in Kythnos?
A week, ideally. That is enough time for the island’s activities and a few lazy days on the beach.

If on an island hopping trip, schedule 3 nights on Kythnos.