Kythera, the island of Aphrodite

Arrival in Athens. You go to your hotel by bus or metro (at your expense - easy and cheap).

Night in hotel in Athens.

You leave for Athens airport (at your expense). Flight Athens - Kythera (not included). At Kythera Airport, you meet the car rental company. Your next step: Mylopotamos, for a first hike (easy) in fresh gorges to discover cascades and old mills built on the torrent crossing the locality. You end with a visit of a surprising Venetian Kastro (Kato Chora), with its chapels and vestiges in number. Panoramic views of the western coast of Kythera and the "2nd finger" of the Peloponnese.

Overnight in Mylopotamos.

Direction Avlemonas, a small oasis in the middle of typical Cycladic vegetation. This seaside village with white houses enhanced by blue invites you to swim in a cove with translucent waters ... unless the desire to enjoy an "Espresso Freddo" on the terrace of a café overlooking the creek is stronger…

Possible hikes around Avlemonas:

1. Round trip between Avlemonas and Agios Georgios, a former Minoan site dedicated to the moon, the highest in Greece, today topped by a Byzantine chapel, "Agios Georgios sto vouno" (Saint George of the mountain). The view is magnificent on the bays of Diakofti and Palaiopoli.
Approx. 3 hours of walking, +400 m, - 400 m

2. A longer loop (level 2), from Avlemonas to Avlemonas. From Saint George of the mountain, (see 1. above) descent to the north and then back to the monastery of Agia Moni (visit) which houses a Byzantine church with beautiful icons. Far from everything, the site is rather amazing! Descent to Diakofti, the only port connecting the Peloponnese to Kythera. Return to Avlemonas along the beautiful east coast.
Approx. 5 hrs walk, +800 m, -800 m

Overnight in Avlemonas.

Walk west beyond the rocks or harvest the sea salt (Alykes), following the beach towards Palaiopoli to a Minoan site where the site of graves in caves called "Baths of Beautiful Helene"... You can continue by car to one of the most beautiful beaches of the island (Kaladi), 5 km southwest of Avlemonas. From a small car park, a wooden staircase allows easy descent.

About 2 hours of walking, no difference in altitude.

Overnight in Avlemonas.

You leave the seaside village of Agia Pelagia. En route, break to the most lively village of the island - Potamos - with its beautiful square, its many shops, cafes, and daily entertainment making the center of this village very pleasant.

Possible hikes around Agia Pelagia:

1.From Potamos, return trip to the extraordinary site of Paleochora, the ancient Byzantine capital of Kythera, built in the 12th century, overlooking the Kakia Lagada gorge on the east coast of the island 200 m from the sea altitude. Descent to the village of Agia Pelagia and installation at the hotel.

Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes walk, +150 m, -150 m.

2. Beautiful seafront promenade southeast of Agia Pelagia to a small freshwater lake beautifully set at the foot of the cliffs of the Paleochora gorge and separated from the sea by a string of pebbles.

Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, +50 meters, -50 meters.

Overnight in Agia Pelagia.

Two possible hikes today:

1. From the small lost port of Plateia Ammos, you reach the northernmost point of the island, Cape Spathi before - why not? - A refreshing break at the beach of Agios Nikolaos near the coast of Peloponnese. On the way back, make a stop in Karavas near the fresh sources of Amir Ali.

About 2 hours 30 minutes, +150 meters, -150 meters.

2. You can extend the pleasure of discovery by strolling through the amazing pine forest of Gerakari which is constantly watched by forest firefighters.

About 1 hour and 30 minutes walk, +100 m, -100 m.

Overnight in Agia Pelagia.

From Agia Pelagia, you reach the south of the island, with a small hook to the most famous monastery of the island: Myrtidiotissa. You go south again. Soon, Chora appears with it's Kastro beaten by the winds, perched on a rocky outcrop. Descent by car to Kapsali superb bay at the foot of Chora. Installation at the hotel.

Two possible hikes around Kapsali:

1. Kapsali tour - Chora - Kapsali

A beautiful loop that allows visiting the old town with winding streets, white houses, under the light so original Greek islands. Possible visit of the archaeological museum of Chora, and Kastro, facing the rocky island of Chytra.

About 3 hours of walking and sightseeing, +200 m, - 200 m.

2. Kapsali - Agia Sophia-Kapsali

This hike begins with a superb climb at the foot of the rocky escarpments overlooking Kapsali. The trail leads you to the scattered village of Senies in a beautiful environment of ancient olive trees. Then you go down to discover, in a beautiful gorge, the cave of Agia Sophia, which houses a Byzantine troglodyte chapel.

Around 2 hours 30 minutes, +200 meters, - 200 meters.

Overnight in Kapsali.

North of Chora, a wide path climbs up to a plateau and the isolated church Agios Dimitrios, before switching to the west coast, the wildest of Kythera, which offers a fabulous impression of freedom as the view is wide. Descent to Feloti Creek and discovery of a small troglodyte chapel dedicated to sailors in Agia Pelagia Cave. Stop in a quiet cove where are moored some boats. After the break, climb under the impressive cliffs of Agia Elessa to Chora.

About 4 hours of walking, +350 m, -350 m.

Overnight in Kapsali.

Afternoon flight to Athens (flight not included), which leaves time if you want to enjoy the beautiful beach of Kapsali or take a short hike to an old mill at the end of Cape Grosso, or visit the surprising Monastery of Agios Ioannis stuck in the cliff overlooking Kapsali. Then you go to the airport where you will return your rental car. Flight to Athens. Transfer to the hotel by metro or bus (at your expense).

Overnight in Athens.

End of the stay in Athens after breakfast. Transfer to the airport at your expense.