At a glance: Western coast of Kythnos, the island’s main ferry port, around 7 kilometres from Chora and 7 kilometres from Dryopida. A former fishing village that grew into the island’s busiest settlement after Chora, with hotels, shops and a small beach right beside the harbour. Best suited to travellers who want a genuinely convenient base close to the ferries, with the rest of Kythnos easily reachable from here.
Is Merichas worth visiting
Merichas has grown a long way from its origins as a quiet seaport for Dryopida, and it remains the natural first stop for most visitors to Kythnos. The bay was already known to sailors by the 16th century, recorded under the name Merza by the Greek cartographer Antonio da Millo, and by the 19th century it had become a recognised safe harbour, complete with early pottery kilns that operated well into the following century. Proper port development followed in the 1970s, with further restoration and expansion in the 2000s, and Merichas now ranks as Kythnos’s second most populous settlement after Chora, with a full range of tourist facilities. It suits travellers who want an easy, well connected base, with a beach a short walk from where the ferry docks.
Highlights
- The working harbour itself, the main ferry gateway to Kythnos, with a genuinely active fishing fleet alongside the tourist boats
- A small sandy beach right beside the port, complete with a beach bar and tavernas
- The village’s long maritime history, recorded under the name Merza as far back as the 16th century
- Early pottery kilns dating from the 19th century, some remaining in use into the 20th
- Easy access to Dryopida, Chora and the rest of the island from a single, central base
From Dryopida’s seaport to the island’s main harbour
Merichas began as little more than the coastal outlet for Dryopida, the inland village that once served as the island’s capital, and its transformation into a proper settlement in its own right came gradually. Fisher families settled permanently through the 1940s, by which point Merichas had already overtaken other anchorages to become the island’s most important seaport, and organised port construction followed in the 1970s to allow larger boats to dock safely. Restoration and expansion works in the 2000s brought the harbour closer to its current form, and what was once a coastal fishing village is now Kythnos’s main tourist gateway, particularly busy through the summer months.
Where Merichas is
Getting to Merichas
From Chora: Merichas is about 7 kilometres away, around 15 minutes by car, bus or taxi.
From Dryopida: Also around 7 kilometres away, roughly 15 minutes by car.
By ferry: Merichas is the main arrival point for ferries serving Kythnos. For full ferry routes and journey times, start with how to get to Kythnos.
By car or taxi: See getting around Kythnos for onward travel around the island.
Where to eat
Merichas has the widest choice of tavernas and cafes on Kythnos, spread along the harbour front and close to the beach. It is an easy, unhurried place for a first or last meal on the island, with fresh seafood a natural choice given the working fishing fleet.
Where to stay
Merichas suits travellers who want to be close to the ferry, with the island’s best range of hotels, rooms and shops just steps from the harbour. For onward exploration, the rest of Kythnos sits within a short drive of this central base.
The beach at Merichas
A small sandy beach sits right beside the port, with a beach bar, tavernas and easy access straight from the harbour, making it a genuinely convenient spot for a swim before or after a ferry.
Best time to visit
Merichas is busiest around ferry arrivals and departures throughout the summer, so a quieter stroll along the harbour comes easier earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Spring and autumn bring fewer crowds off the boats and comfortable temperatures for exploring the wider island from this base.
Continue exploring Kythnos
Head back to the Kythnos island guide for more on beaches, ferries and getting around the island.
