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- Chora (Hora) and the Venetian Kastro — The island’s nerve center: narrow stone alleys, old churches and the Venetian castle perched above town. It’s where Kythira’s layered history (Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman) feels most tangible and where you get those postcard views without the cruise-ship crowds.
- Kapsali & Diakofti — The main seaside village and its short spit/harbour area. Kapsali has the easiest mix of tavernas, swimming off the rocks and small-boat trips; Diakofti’s narrow entrance and calm waters make it a proper Greek seaside moment — great for evening promenades and people-watching.
- Avlemonas — Personal favourite. A tiny picture-perfect bay with houses stacked above the water and a wee islet you can hop to by paddle or swim. It’s the island’s most cinematic little harbour: peel-off-your-sandals
- Chora (Hora) and the Venetian Kastro — The island’s nerve center: narrow stone alleys, old churches and the Venetian castle perched above town. It’s where Kythira’s layered history (Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman) feels most tangible and where you get those postcard views without the cruise-ship crowds.
- Kapsali & Diakofti — The main seaside village and its short spit/harbour area. Kapsali has the easiest mix of tavernas, swimming off the rocks and small-boat trips; Diakofti’s narrow entrance and calm waters make it a proper Greek seaside moment — great for evening promenades and people-watching.
- Avlemonas — Personal favourite. A tiny picture-perfect bay with houses stacked above the water and a wee islet you can hop to by paddle or swim. It’s the island’s most cinematic little harbour: peel-off-your-sandals vibes, honest seafood, and a couple of tucked-away cliff swims.
- Mylopotamos beach and gorge — Long sand, clear turquoise water and dramatic rock formations where a small stream meets the sea. Bring a snorkel and a camera; if you follow the side trail you’ll find shady spots and small caves that feel properly wild compared with the busier beaches elsewhere in Greece.
- Myrtidiotissa beach and the Panagia Myrtidiotissa chapel — A compact, jaw-dropping cove tucked under high cliffs with a tiny chapel/monastery nearby. The dramatic drop from the road to the sand and the quiet, often wind-sculpted water make it a uniquely Kythiran spot — beautiful, secluded and slightly holy.
- Paleochora (the Old Town ruins) — The remains of the island’s older settlement, with scattered churches and stone walls on a ridge above the coast. It’s a great short hike and gives a real sense of how island life used to be: deserted lanes, ruined homes, and wide views across the sea.
- Potamos waterfalls and stone bridges — (Hidden gem) A cool inland surprise: small waterfalls, clear pools and old stone bridges tucked among plane trees. Locals bring picnics here; it’s the best place to escape heat and noise and to see everyday Kythiran life away from the beach.
- Agia Pelagia bay and village — (Hidden gem) A low-key village beach with a friendly taverna scene and a handful of coastal paths that lead to quiet coves. Fewer guidebooks point people here, so you’ll often get the place to yourself late afternoon — ideal for a slow swim and a fish dinner.
- Family olive groves and small presses (tasting with locals) — (Hidden gem / local experience) Kythira’s olive oil is a real thing: small producers still press by hand or in tiny presses. Visiting an inland village for a tasting — often with a warm chat, fresh bread and cheese — gives insight you won’t get at a supermarket stall.
- Southern cliffs & viewpoint (the cape walks) — Rugged headlands on the south/southwest that drop straight into the Aegean. Walks here are simple but dramatic: seabirds, wind-sculpted rock and empty horizons. Great for photography, sunset watches and feeling how isolated islands once were.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.