Kythira, 20km south-west of the Peloponnese, is the best kept secret in Greece and tourists there are mainly from the Greek mainland. When complimenting the islanders on their magical home, this often receives a response of a finger put to the lips and the comment ,keep it our secret.The island is unspoilt by tourism and yet it has an impressive selection of hotels and tavernas.
There are no traffic lights, no street lights, little noise except for the breaking waves, and an aroma of island herbs that sends a shiver down my spine as I sit here writing about it. There’s a strong link between Kythira and Australia, so don’t be surprised if a large friendly Greek lady serving you the best souvlaki you’ve ever eaten then chats about the weather in an accent broader than Shane Warne’s.
Parts of Kythira are surprisingly green, and there are caves and waterfalls. The island’s'capital’ is Kapsali (or Chora), but the biggest town on the island is Potamos, where they hold weekly markets. Most of the island has a good selection of everything you might need, like banks, doctors, small shops and even the odd clothes shop. Lots of artists have been attracted to this beautiful island. And there are estate agents, too, although some of the best property deals can be found through word of mouth. Surprisingly the prices are higher on Kythira than on neighbouring Crete.
A lot of the old ruins all over the island were being renovated. And now it’s easier to get to Kythira because there’s a brand new airport with daily flights from Athens. Otherwise the only other way to get here is by boat, either from Perraias, Gytheio or Neapoli.