Kythnos: thermal baths and characteristic villages

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Kythnos (100 sq km, 1,600 inhabitants) is a Greek island in the Cyclades archipelago. This island is among the closest to Athens and Attica, it is located south of the island of Kea and north of Serifos. The capital of the island is the village of Hora or Kythnos which is located in the center of the island. While the port of Kythnos, Merichas, where ferries arrive is located in the center of the west coast.

Kythnos has a rugged coastline with numerous coves. The interior is full of hills, which however do not reach considerable heights, the highest mountain being the Iliass (336 meters). In the interior of the island there are two very characteristic villages: the villages of Hora (or Kythnos) and that of Dryopida, both villages are a composition of white houses with narrow and winding streets, with stairways and the classic Cycladic roofs. Near Dryopida there is the Kataphyki Cave, a cave full of stalactites and stalagmites.

THERMAL SOURCES AND ANCIENT VILLAGES

In the small village of Loutra, located along the coast in the north-eastern part of the island, there are thermal springs whose waters are known to cure gynecological problems. The ancient Venetian name of the island was that of Thermia, a name derived from the presence of hot mineral springs in the village of Loutra. In the vicinity of Loutra, it is possible to visit the ghost village of Paleokastro through an hour and a half path. This abandoned village was the ancient capital of the island in medieval times, there are remains of ancient buildings and the castle.

The island has several beaches, most of which are located along the west coast. In particular, around the small village of Kolona there are the beaches of Fikiado, Episkopi and Apokrousi. In the southern part of the island are the beaches of Flambouria and Dimitrion. While Kanala beach is one of the few reachable by road along the east coast, the Panaghia Kanala monastery is also located here.

The island inhabited since the 9th millennium BC. it was already famous in ancient times for its thermal and therapeutic waters. From the beginning of the thirteenth century Kythnos became a possession of the Republic of Venice which controlled the island for over 400 years (1207-1617). The Ottoman Turks occupied it in 1617 and remained there until Greek independence.

HOW TO GET TO KYTHNOS

FERRIES: The port of Kythnos, Merichas, is connected directly to Piraeus by daily ferries. This ease of connection with the port of the Greek capital makes the island a popular destination for local tourists. The island is also connected by ferries with other Cyclades islands such as Ios, Folegandros, Milos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sifnos and Syros.