Why Kea is a Top Greek Island Destination
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It’s hard not to be captivated by the island of Kea in Greece. Part of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, Kea is known for its dusty cliffs and gorgeous coastline. It’s also fairly close to the Attica, which means that it attracts plenty of weekend revelers, which increases the crowds just enough to
create a gentle party atmosphere that is nowhere near as hectic as the party crowd on some of the other islands. Here, you get the best of both worlds. You can party if you want, but you can also find quieter corners of the island to escape to if you want.
There are also plenty of things to do here that will fill your days with the types of activities that you come to expect from a Greek island. Here are some of the highlights:
Visit the Panagia Kastriani Monastery
Found on the north side of the island, this monastery has been a site of religious importance since the 1700’s when the first Orthodox Christian church was built. Local legend states that a group of shepherds spotted a light shining on this beautiful hill from a distance. They climbed to the top, started digging, and found an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary. This inspired them to build the original church.
Go to Ancient Karthea
As far as Greek ruins go, this isn’t exactly the most memorable. Despite the fact that there is not much left to the site itself, Karthea is still worth a visit to catch a glimpse of the surrounding natural beauty. For the adventurous among you, consider hiking to the ruins rather than walk. There are several paths, and each offers a unique experience all its own.
Visit Koundouros Beach
If you’re looking for a beautiful, family oriented beach on Kea, Koundouros is your place! There are plenty of services here, including a restaurant with a seaside view. For those who don’t love to sunbathe, spend some time at the Keadivers Dive Center to participate in one of their possible dives. If you’re basing you’ve decided to turn your time on Kea as a diving adventure, contact the company ahead of time to take advantage of their transportation from the Athens Airport.
Search for the Lion of Kea
For those who are looking for something a little different, searching for the Lion of Kea is a worthwhile pursuit. No one seems to have a clear idea as to why the lion was carved out of the rocks, but it has been enchanting locals and visitors alike for a long time! Leon, as the locals dub him, makes for a great photo opportunity. Spend the rest of your day exploring the village or eating in one of the nearby tavernas if you want to spend the whole day here. The Lion itself is best found on foot via one of the walking paths.
As you can see, the island of Kea is an enchanting escape. Although many people treat it as a quick getaway, you can easily spend a lot more time here.
Categorized in: About Kea, Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
