Tour of Kea Island
Kea or Tzia is the westernmost island of the Cyclades group and the nearest to Attica.
It has many natural beauties, traditional characteristics, archaeological interests, beautiful sandy beaches with clear waters and picturesque villages.
Its close proximity to Athens makes Kea an ideal travel destination for both weekend getaways and longer vacations.
The capital and the administrative center of the island, Chora, also known as IOULIS or Kea is in the interior of the island, spreading around the lower slopes of Profitis Elias.
It has been continuously inhabited since very ancient times and was the site of the ancient city of Ioulis.
It is characterized by traditional ceramic roof houses and stone-paved streets with many steps.
In the small museum of the town are housed finds from the excavations at Agia Irini and remains from the Hellenistic period, as well as some representative objects from the early modern history of the island.
Churches worth to be visited are Panagia Gamila, Panagia Revmatiani, Saint Spyridonas and the Annunciation.
On the capital you will find hotels and rooms to let, taverns, traditional cafes and bars.
A short distance north-east of Chora is the Lion of Kea, carved out of the rock.
Coming out of Ioulida and heading towards the countryside of east Kea, you can swim at the deserted and picturesque sandy beaches Sykamia and Kalidonihi.
Tour of Kea Island
The picturesque fishing village of VOURKARI is to the north-west of the town and has big tourist development.
In the region you will find various shops, rooms to let, many taverns serving fresh fish and local recipes, coffee shops and bars.
On the peninsula of Agia Irini opposite the village, excavations have brought to light a very important Bronze Age settlement and many finds.
A short distance south of Vourkari, is the beautiful sandy beach of GIALISKARI and further south still, KORISSIA (or Livadi), the natural harbor of Kea, 5,5 kilometers from the capital.
Korissia is a graphic coastal settlement with a beautiful beach near the port, and the main tourist resort of the island with many shops, taverns, coffee shops, bars, hotels and rooms to let.
In Korissia was discovered the famous Kouros of Kea. On the hill of Agios Savvas you will see the remains of the ancient city Korissia.
PISSES a graphic seaside village is located 10 kilometers south-west of Chora.
It is a predominantly verdant village with abundant running water, built in the position of the ancient city Piiessa.
It has a very nice beach in a small cove protected by the winds with fine thin sand and crystal clear waters. In the region there are rooms to let and an organized camping.
Further south along this road, we come to KOUNDOUROS, a summer tourist resort with accommodation, taverns and coastal bars. You can swim at Koundouros, Agios Emilianos, Kampi, Liparo, Bouri, Frear, Hiliomidou, Panagitsa, Ligia.
The homonym cosmopolitan beach is fully organized and has clear crystal waters.
On the south-east coast, near to modern Poles, was ancient Karthaea, where some important finds have come to light.
Tour of Kea Island
OTZIAS, on the north side of the island is a coastal village 11 kilometers from Chora.
Otzias has the longest coastline on the island. Its sandy beach has a length of roughly 700 metres and shallow blue waters.
At Kefala north- west of Otzias, the archaeologist’s spade has revealed important traces of a Neolithic settlement.
The monastery of Panagia Kastriani rises on an imposing rock on the Kastri hill, 7 kilometers east of Otzias.
NEARBY ISLANDS
MAKRONISOS is a small island between Lavrio and Kea, but administratively it belongs to Kea.
Its name is due to its shape, as the island is narrow and long.
Makronisos has an area of 18 square kilometers.
Today it is uninhabited but can be visited by boats from Lavrio.
TRADITION – EVENTS
The “Simonidia Festival” is held in Chora at the beginning of August.
One of the major church festivals on the island is that of the Panagia Kastriani on 15th August at the homonym monastery.
In Ioulida, the capital of Kea, the main festival is that of Agios Charalambos, the patron saint of the island, on 10th February, with music and dancing.
The festival of Agia Marina takes place on the 17th of July.
LOCAL CUISINE
The most famous local dishes of Kea island are astakomakaronada (pasta mixed with lobsters), mushroom pie, loza (smoked pork), paspalas and of course fresh fish and seafood. Don’t miss to buy spoon sweets, honey and pasteli sweet.
