Guide of Kythnos

The island of Kythnos is mountainous and barren, crossed by a breeze that regulates the temperature during the summer. The island has a wild charm and a landscape characterized by expanses of olive trees and small villages with white houses and red roofs. The island has largely been forgotten by mass tourism and this has allowed the tourists who have ventured here a more authentic experience of island life.

History  

According to Greek mythology, the name of the island comes from Kythnos, who was the king of this island in the twelfth century BC. The island has also been famous since ancient times for its thermal waters that are rich in sulfur and iron. Still today, the island is a tourist destination for the Greeks as it’s easy to get there from Athens. The island has modernized a lot in recent years, now focusing more on eco-sustainability and is famous for its use of alternative energy from the wind and sun, the island’s electricity is now totally derived from green energy. The island has beautiful beaches, archaeological excavations and picturesque villages where life and history are intertwined.

Thermal baths and beaches

Kakavos and Aigioi Anargyri are the oldest and most famous thermal baths on the island, they have been in use since ancient times when people would use the baths to recover from rheumatic pains. Along with the thermal baths, there are also white, sandy beaches, namely Agia Irini and Martinakia. The port, Merihas, is also worth a visit and also the monastery of Panagia Kanala that is dedicated to the patron saint of the island. In the town there are plenty of taverns and bars, the nightlife is not comparable to some of the other islands such as Ios, but Kythnos offers enough to have a relaxing and pleasant holiday.