THE ISLAND OF KEA
Kea is the closest Cycladic island to Athens but surprisingly largely undiscovered in spite of the fact that it is very easy to get to by ferry (1 hour) from Lavrio which is just 25mins by taxi from Athens International Airport and does not necessitate going into Athens/Piraeus.
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Kea has not developed as a mass tourist destination but rather as a very convenient alternative to the rest of the Cyclades.
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Kea has a rich archaeological history, numerous monuments & carefully marked ancient foot paths which have now become modern day trekking routes In one such case it is the only route, giving access to Kea’s most developed ancient city of Karthea on its south eastern coast.
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Kea is an island waiting to be explored. With its many wonderful beaches, most of which are not organised, makes Kea a nature lover’s paradise. Its landscape so varied it has been described as “The island with the most attractive curves giving rise to an ever changing panorama as the sun’s reflections paint vivid pictures across its gentle slopes”
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The Eastern part and the interior of the island is home to dense royal oak tree forests unique to the Cyclades.
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The ancient port of Korisia and the yacht harbour of Vourkari attract most of the night life and offer the island’s diverse culinary delights at a plethora of good quality tevernas to suit all budgets although the capital Ioulis, a 6 mile drive up the hill from the port, has also its own attractions including further traditional tavernas, Kea’s archaeological museum - a must for every visitor - and the ever vigilant Lion of Kea guarding Ioulis’s inhabitants as far back as 600 BC.
