KEA (TZIA)

Just a breath away from Athens, the island of Kea or Tzia as it is often referred to, is an idyllic weekend resort and at the same time an ideal summer destination in Cyclades. It is the island of the Cyclades, located closest to Attica. Combining a one of a kind natural landscape, beautiful beaches, thrilling sights and a rich historic tradition, Kea is an enchanting destination that fulfills the expectations even of the most demanding visitor.

Korissia is the main port of the island and welcomes you in its safe harbor. There, you can find many shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and accommodations and a public parking lot. Ioulida is the capital city and a point of reference to the history of the island. Get ready for a walk in a fairytale village full of tightly built traditional white houses with reddish tile roofs, but also more recent multicolored houses, arches with “stegadia”, small taverns, narrow stone-paved alleys with white landings,
numerous chapels and picturesque little shops.

With the endless kilometers of its coastline, Kea offers idyllic beaches with impressive crystal-clear waters: organized beaches, beaches with a natural beauty, beaches in the very heart of action, isolated beaches, beaches accessible from the land and the sea as well as hidden beaches that invite the visitor to explore them.

Otzias, Gialiskari, Pisses, Koundouros, Spathi, Sikamia, Orkos, Xyla are only some of them.
Thanks to the winds and its innumerable little bays, Kea is literally a paradise for sailing, having as an epicenter its enclosed natural harbour of Vourkari or Korissia’s Port. For this reason, many Sailing Races take place here every year and many visitors opt to discover the island by sea, on a sailing-boat. A unique experience not to be missed!

Apart from the coastal attractions of the island, the heart of Kea also conceals real treasures. A unique natural landscape, historic monuments, ancient sights, natural springs, picturesque little churches, myths, thrills and traditions are waiting to be discovered by you on your walk through the island’s rich network of footpaths. This well-preserved network includes 12 ancient routes. Wander around the green creeks in the inland, the most isolated small bays, the most picturesque chapels, the imposing ruins of the tower of Aghia Marina, the Lion which dates back to the 6th Century BC.

One of them will even lead you to the ancient city of Karthea. A small gravel road, water fountains, a rivulet, some gardens and lots of wild-growing herbs create the scenery of this beautiful route. It’s like a journey back in time as reaching Karthea you can admire the ancient temples but also the ancient theater of Karthea that was recently excavated. Walk around the ruins but don’t miss the chance to swim in the refreshing waters of the beach.

Kea is an immense entertainment park for lovers of diving thanks to its underwater wealth. The morphology and the biodiversity of its seabed as well as the role the island played in history, as a location of many shipwrecks, have created a unique scenery for experienced but also amateur divers to explore. Titanic´s twin – the floating hospital ‘Britannic’ and the French ocean liner ‘Burdigala’, and also the paddlewheel steamboat ‘Patris’ and ‘Germal Junkers 52’ – airplane from WWII are waiting underwater to offer unique experiences.

Kea, has its own traditional products coming straight from the land of Kea. Agriculture and stockbreeding are the basic activities of the inhabitants of Kea. Try the delicious “loza”, “tsigara”, local sausages and local cheese, “mavroudi” wine, honey, herbs and spices, nuts and homemade sweets and liqueurs. When leaving the island, along with the memories of your vacation, take literally a bit of its taste with you.

Kea is also a perfect wedding destination and a place where you can plan the event of your dreams. From May to September, the island is full of life while numerous events take place.

Sport events, music concerts, local festivals, art exhibitions and traditional feasts will entertain your mind and your soul. Around the year many visitors travel to Kea to experience the island like a local, creating unforgettable memories.

For details and more information visit: www.destinationkea.com