Days 6–7 Kythira: Island Of Love, Legends, And Hidden Coves

Day 6 -7 Kythira: Island Of Love, Legends, And Hidden Coves

Introduction: From Coastline to Island Calm

Leaving behind Kalamata’s sun-kissed promenade, we packed up early, coffee in hand, ready for a day that promised both sea and serenity. Our goal: the island of Kythira, long celebrated for its untouched beaches and mythic charm. It felt like we were moving deeper into Greece’s heart — away from tourist trails and into the rhythm of island life.

The morning air was cool as we began the 3-hour drive to Neapoli (Laconia). The road wound through olive groves and sleepy villages, the scent of wild thyme wafting in through the open windows. Each curve revealed a new vista — rugged hillsides, glimpses of blue sea, and shepherds guiding goats across the dusty roadside. By mid-morning, the landscape softened into coastal plains, and soon the small port of Neapoli appeared, framed by the calm shimmer of the Myrtoan Sea.

Morning Journey: The Road and the Ferry

Neapoli’s harbor was quiet, its water so still it mirrored the sky. We boarded the ferry to Kythira (about 1 hour 15 minutes, €15 per passenger / €40 for the car), joining a handful of locals and a few travelers with backpacks and sun hats. The hum of the ferry engine blended with the soft cries of seagulls circling above.

As the ferry pulled away, we watched the Peloponnese shrink behind us — olive hills fading into the horizon. The sea breeze was warm and salty, tangling my hair as we leaned over the railing. There was a sense of timelessness here, the kind that only travel across open water can bring. The ferry’s small café served hot coffee (€2) and koulouri — sesame bread rings that crunched pleasantly against the salt air.

Day 6 -7 Kythira – When the island came into view, it felt like something from a painting — cliffs rising from the water, dotted with whitewashed houses and flashes of bougainvillea. Kythira was smaller and quieter than we’d imagined, a blend of Ionian charm and Cycladic brightness, untouched and beautifully slow.

Afternoon: Exploring Chora and Kapsali Beach – Day 6 -7 Kythira

Disembarking, we drove inland toward Chora, Kythira’s main village. The road climbed gently through olive-draped hills before revealing a breathtaking view of the sea. Chora unfolded like a storybook — narrow alleys lined with stone houses, hidden courtyards filled with jasmine, and the scent of baking bread drifting from unseen kitchens.

At the top of the town stood the Venetian Castle of Kythira (free entry), a graceful ruin overlooking two shimmering bays. The wind carried the sound of waves crashing far below, and as we walked the old ramparts, the world seemed to fall away. Day 6 -7 Kythira – The castle’s worn stones glowed honey-gold under the afternoon sun.

By late afternoon, we made our way down to Kapsali Beach, a twin-bay cove at the foot of the cliffs. The water was impossibly clear — turquoise fading into sapphire — and the air buzzed softly with the hum of cicadas. We swam until our skin tingled from salt and sun, then lay back on the warm pebbles, listening to the gentle lap of waves.

Evening: Island Flavors and Quiet Nights

As sunset draped Chora in shades of rose and amber, we settled into a small family-run guesthouse (€55 / ~AUD 92) with whitewashed walls and a balcony overlooking the Aegean. The owner, a kind elderly woman, greeted us with a glass of homemade lemon liqueur — sweet, tart, and chilled just right.

Dinner was a feast of island flavors at a nearby taverna: goat stew with rosemary (€13 / ~AUD 22), octopus in red wine (€15 / ~AUD 25), and a crisp white wine from the Peloponnese (€6 a glass). The aromas of garlic, herbs, and sea salt filled the night air as we ate under string lights, listening to the distant strum of a bouzouki.

The island moved at its own pace — unhurried, sincere, and quietly magical. As we walked back through Chora’s lantern-lit alleys, the scent of jasmine trailed behind us. Kythira felt like a secret — one we were to have found.

Pro Traveler Tip – Day 6 -7 Kythira

Book your Neapoli–Kythira ferry in advance during summer months, as spaces for cars fill quickly. Once on the island, renting a car is essential to explore beaches and villages — local buses are infrequent.

Pro Traveler Warning

Kythira’s roads can be narrow and winding, especially near Chora and Kapsali. Drive cautiously at night — street lighting is limited, and goats often wander onto the road.

Your Island of Stillness

Day 6 -7 Kythira  wasn’t about grand monuments or bustling towns — it was about simplicity. The open road, the soft sway of the ferry, the quiet beaches, and a dinner beneath the stars reminded us why we travel: to find stillness in motion and beauty in the spaces between destinations. Kythira gave us both — and more.