Kythnos sits in the western Cyclades, between Kea and Serifos, and it is one of the closest islands to Athens, which makes it a popular quick escape for Greeks. It has a single ferry port at Merichas and a set of very different villages spread across the island, from the whitewashed capital of Chora to the red roofed Dryopida and the thermal spa village of Loutra. This Kythnos map puts it all in one view, the port, the villages, the famous double bay at Kolona and the beaches in between.
Click any pin on the map to see photos, a short description and a direct link to the full guide for that spot. You can also switch the layers on and off to show just the beaches, just the villages, or just the roads and paths.
The map above shows every place we cover on Kythnos. Below you will find the same places written out by area, so you can read through them and click straight to the guide for anywhere that interests you.
The port and how the island is laid out
Kythnos has one ferry port, at Merichas, a small harbour village on the west coast. This is where every boat arrives, and it has a beach, tavernas and rooms of its own, so some people simply base themselves here. From Merichas the roads climb inland and spread out to the main villages, so where you go next depends on what you are after.
The island splits into a few clear areas. Chora, the capital, sits up in the centre. Dryopida, another old inland village, lies to the south. Loutra, on the north east coast, is known for its thermal springs. Kanala sits on the south east coast near some good beaches. The famous beach at Kolona is in the north. Because these are spread around the island, the map is the quickest way to see how far apart they are before you plan your days. For the full picture, see our main Kythnos guide.
Villages on the map
Kythnos has a good mix of villages, and each has its own look. Chora, the capital, is a classic Cycladic hill town of white houses, narrow lanes and painted courtyards, quiet and traditional. Dryopida, in the south, is different again, with red tiled roofs that make it look more like a mainland mountain village than an island one. Loutra, on the north east coast, grew up around its natural hot springs and has a spa feel. Kanala, in the south east, is a small resort village next to some of the island’s better beaches. Merichas, the port, doubles as a village in its own right.
Beaches on the map
The star of the Kythnos map is Kolona, one of the most photographed beaches in the Cyclades. It is a narrow strip of sand with sea on both sides, joining the main island to the islet of Agios Loukas, so you can swim on either side of the sandbar. It sits in the north and is reached by a rough road or by boat. Elsewhere, the beaches near Merichas are handy for the port, and the coast around Kanala in the south east has calm, sandy bays that suit families. The map shows which beaches you can drive to and which are easier by boat.
The hot springs and things to see
Kythnos has something most Cyclades islands do not, natural thermal springs. At Loutra on the north east coast, warm mineral water runs down to the sea, and you can bathe where the hot spring meets the cold sea water, free of charge, as well as at the spa. Inland beneath Dryopida is the Katafyki Cave, one of the largest caves in the Cyclades, a cool network of chambers that was once a working iron mine. The map marks both, along with the small churches and old windmills dotted across the hills.
Getting around Kythnos
Once you can see how the island is laid out, the next step is deciding how to get about, and on Kythnos that matters because the villages are spread out. A local bus links Merichas with Chora, Dryopida, Loutra and Kanala, though it runs less often outside the summer months. Many visitors hire a car or scooter to reach Kolona and the quieter beaches at their own pace. For full details see our guides to getting around Kythnos, the Kythnos bus timetable and Kythnos taxi and car rental.
Explore more of Kythnos
Now that you can see how the island fits together, read the full Kythnos guide for the villages, beaches and hot springs, or plan how you will reach the island on our ferry page. To see how Kythnos connects to the rest of the group, use the full Greek islands map.
Which port will my ferry arrive at on Kythnos?
Kythnos has one ferry port, at Merichas on the west coast. Every boat arrives here. Because Kythnos is one of the closest Cyclades islands to Athens, the crossing from the mainland port at Lavrio is short, which is why it is such a popular weekend island.
How do you get to Kolona beach on the map?
Kolona sits in the north of the island, away from the main villages. You reach it by a rough road, best with a car or scooter, or by one of the small boats that run from Merichas in summer. On the map you can see it set apart in the north, which is why it stays quieter than its fame suggests.
Where are the hot springs on Kythnos?
The thermal springs are at Loutra, on the north east coast. On the map you will find Loutra away from the port and the capital, over on the far side of the island, where warm mineral water flows down to meet the sea.
How far is the capital from the port?
Chora, the capital, sits inland in the centre of the island, a short drive up from the port at Merichas. The map shows the road climbing from the harbour to the town, a journey of only a few minutes by car or bus, though the two feel quite different in character.
Do you need a car on Kythnos?
It helps. The villages and the best beaches, especially Kolona, are spread around the island, and the bus does not reach everywhere often. Looking at how far apart the places sit on the map shows why many visitors hire a car or scooter here, more so than on the smaller, flatter islands.
