Kythnos is one of the least explored islands in the Cyclades, and one of the most rewarding for it. Just an hour and a half by ferry from Athens, it remains a genuine, unspoilt island where the beaches never get crowded, the villagers are unused to mass tourism, and the pace of life is slow. It has more beaches than any other island in the Cyclades, over a hundred of them, a famous double-sided beach, natural thermal springs where you can bathe at night under the stars, and one of the largest caves in Greece hidden beneath a village of red-tiled roofs. The island is even known as Thermia, after its baths. Here is what to do when you visit.
The best things to do in Kythnos at a glance
- Swim at Kolona, the unique double-sided sandbar beach, the island’s crown jewel
- Bathe in the thermal springs at Loutra, best at night under the stars
- Explore the Katafyki Cave beneath Dryopida, an old iron mine and one of the largest caves in Greece
- Wander Chora, the whitewashed capital with over 70 churches
- Discover Dryopida, the red-roofed village hidden in a valley
- Relax on the beaches, over 100 of them, more than any other Cyclades island
- Visit Panagia Kanala, the pine-forest church village of Kanala
- Hike the old footpaths, including the route to Oria Castle
The main things to do in Kythnos
Swim at Kolona, the double-sided beach
Kolona is the crown jewel of Kythnos and one of the most photographed beaches in Greece. It is a sweeping double beach, a narrow strip of golden sand that connects the main island to the small islet of Agios Loukas, creating two sheltered bays of turquoise water on either side. You can walk out along the sandbar with sea on both sides and swim in either bay, choosing the sheltered side depending on the wind. It is genuinely unique, and yet on most days you share it with only a handful of visitors, which captures exactly what makes Kythnos special: extraordinary beauty without the crowds.
Kolona sits in the north of the island, away from the main villages, and you reach it either by a track road, with a ten to fifteen minute walk from where the cars park, or by boat from the port at Merichas. There is a small beach club on the sandbar renting sunbeds and serving food. Sunset here, with the water glowing on both sides of the sand, is one of the most beautiful sights on the island.
Bathe in the thermal springs at Loutra
Loutra on the north east coast is the reason Kythnos is also called Thermia, meaning baths. Natural thermal springs flow down to the sea here, and you can bathe for free where the hot mineral water meets the cold sea at the edge of the village. There are two separate springs about 50 metres apart, one reaching around 38 degrees and the other around 52 degrees, containing minerals and salts long believed to have therapeutic properties. A hydrotherapy centre operates in the village from June to September for those who want the full spa treatment.
The springs have been valued for a long time. Queen Amalia of Greece visited to take the waters back in 1857. The best experience of all is to take a dip in the hot water at night, under the starry sky, when the village is quiet and the warm water feels wonderful against the cool night air. It is one of the most memorable things to do on the island.
Explore the Katafyki Cave
Beneath the village of Dryopida lies the Katafyki Cave, one of the largest caves in Greece and one of the most impressive sights on Kythnos. First recorded in the 1830s, it is a network of chambers filled with stalactites, stalagmites and dramatic rock formations, and it was worked as an iron mine right up until 1939. Walking through its cool interior on a guided visit is a striking contrast to the heat and light of the island above, and the combination of natural formations and industrial history makes it genuinely interesting. The cave is right by Dryopida, so the two are easily combined in one visit.
Wander Chora, the whitewashed capital
Chora, also known as Messaria, is the capital of Kythnos, a perfectly preserved Cycladic village of whitewashed lanes, painted courtyards and, remarkably, over 70 churches packed into a small area. Built on the slopes of a hill in the centre of the island, it is a lovely place for a morning stroll, wandering the narrow alleys, stopping for a coffee, and discovering the little churches and chapels around every corner. The village has a small Archaeological Museum and a genuine, lived-in atmosphere that reflects the fact that Kythnos is a real island rather than a tourist creation. The photography in the lanes of Chora is superb, particularly in the soft light of early morning.
Discover Dryopida
Dryopida is one of the most unusual and beautiful villages in the whole Cyclades, and quite unlike the whitewashed capital. Named after the ancient Dryopes tribe who are said to have settled here, it is a village of red-tiled roofs cascading down into a green valley, which makes it look more like a mainland mountain village than an island one. It was deliberately built between the hills, hidden from the sea, to protect its inhabitants from pirate raids, so it is not visible from the coast.
Dryopida keeps its authentic character because it is not built for tourism, and it is a wonderful place for a morning stroll through the lanes. It also has a pottery tradition, and the village is a good place to seek out local ceramics and homemade traditional sweets. The Katafyki Cave beneath the village makes the two an easy pairing.
Relax on the beaches
With over 100 beaches, more than any other island in the Cyclades, Kythnos is a beach lover’s island, and the great thing is that none of them ever get as busy as the beaches on Paros or Mykonos. Beyond the famous Kolona, there is a beach for every taste, sandy, pebbly, rocky, remote and organised. Apokrousi is a long sandy beach lined with trees, with beach bars and easy parking, that never feels too crowded even in August. Episkopi is one of the most beautiful and popular sandy beaches, well organised and surrounded by brown hills dotted with white cubic houses. Around the coast are countless quieter coves reachable by track road, on foot or by water taxi. A water taxi is an excellent way to explore the coastline and reach the beaches you cannot easily drive to.
Visit Panagia Kanala
In the south east of the island, the village of Kanala is built around the church of Panagia Kanala, one of the most venerated on the island, set in a rare pine forest that reaches down almost to the sea. It is a beautiful and peaceful spot, and the church draws pilgrims throughout the summer. A visit combines well with a swim on the nearby sandy beach of Megali Ammos and a meal at one of the tavernas by the water. The pine forest setting is unusual for the Cyclades and makes Kanala a lovely, shaded escape on a hot day.
Hike the old footpaths
Kythnos has a good network of old stone footpaths linking the villages, the beaches and the churches, and hiking them is one of the best ways to see the quieter parts of the island. One rewarding route leads to the ruins of Oria Castle, the medieval capital of the island, perched on a headland in the north with commanding views over the sea. The walk up rewards you with the views and a real sense of the island’s history. The paths between Chora and Dryopida, and down to the coves, are also lovely. Walk in the cooler parts of the day and take water, and check the Kythnos weather page before setting out.
Taste the local food and sweets
Kythnos has a genuine local food tradition, and part of the pleasure of the island is eating in the tavernas of the villages and the port. The village of Dryopida is known for its homemade traditional sweets, and the port at Merichas has good seaside tavernas for fresh fish. Take a coffee or a cocktail at the picturesque old port of Loutra, which is lined with restaurants and bars along the water, a lovely spot in the evening after a bathe in the springs.
Best things to do in Kythnos for…
Couples
Kythnos is a wonderful island for couples who want peace and natural beauty without the crowds. Swim and watch the sunset at Kolona, take a night dip in the thermal springs at Loutra under the stars, wander the lanes of Chora and Dryopida, and dine at a seaside taverna at the old port of Loutra. It is romance without the expense or the crowds of the famous islands.
Families
Kythnos suits families who want a relaxed, uncomplicated beach holiday. The organised sandy beaches like Apokrousi and Episkopi have facilities and calm water good for children, the Katafyki Cave beneath Dryopida is a fun and cool escape from the heat, and the thermal springs at Loutra are a novelty children enjoy. The island is safe, friendly and easy to get around.
Beach lovers
With over 100 beaches, Kythnos is a paradise for those who love to explore the coast. Base yourself in Merichas, swim at the famous Kolona, and use a car or a water taxi to discover a different beach each day, from the organised sands of Apokrousi and Episkopi to the remote coves that you often have to yourself.
Those seeking wellness and quiet
The thermal springs at Loutra make Kythnos a natural choice for a restful, restorative trip. Combine the springs with quiet swims, gentle walks and slow meals, and you have one of the most relaxing islands in the Cyclades, all just an hour and a half from Athens.
Planning your visit
Kythnos is not a large island and distances are short, but the villages and the best beaches are spread out, so how you get around matters. Regular buses connect Merichas, Chora, Dryopida, Loutra and Kanala, and there are taxis and water taxis too. A water taxi is a particularly good way to reach Kolona and the coastal beaches. A hire car or scooter gives you the freedom to explore the many beaches and the quieter corners at your own pace. See our guides to getting around Kythnos, the bus timetable and taxi and car hire for full details.
To decide where to base yourself for the things you most want to do, read our guide on where to stay in Kythnos. To plan your arrival, see how to get to Kythnos and the main ferry page. To see how everything on the island fits together, use the Kythnos map, and for the wider region, the Greek islands map shows how Kythnos connects to the rest of the Cyclades.
