A stones throw from Athens, Tzia is the ideal getaway for spring weekends.
Just one hour by boat from Lavrio, Tzia or Kea is the closest inhabited Cycladic island to Attica. A lightning-quick getaway to soak up the islands springtime aura. There are plenty of places worth visiting, as well as walks and activities to enjoy there. The island lends itself to exploring along trails through oak forests, traditional stone-built springs and picturesque chapels, which end in small coves and in wonderful beaches for springtime swims.
Spring in Tzia
One of the most beautiful Chora towns in the Cyclades is Ioulida, amphitheatrically built on the slopes of two hills with views of the Aegean. Walk the picturesque alleys of the village, with traditional whitewashed houses with tiled roofs and bougainvillea. Among the shops and cafés, you will see scattered little churches and in the central square you will admire the historic town hall, amphitheatrically built around an imposing rock atop the remains of the medieval castle. The impressive neoclassical building of 1902 is the work of Ernst Ziller, adorned with finds from the islands various archaeological sites.
About 10 km away is Vourkari, a traditional fishing village that is a popular destination for sailors. There you will experience the islands nightlife, but you will also find many options for food with a view of the sea. You will also take strolls by the water in Korissia or Livadi, the port of Kea that is built on the Bay of Agios Nikolaos.
In the largest settlement of the island in antiquity, on the same site stood the ancient city of Korissos. Even today, sections of the walls with the ancient towers, the cemetery and ruins of ancient houses survive, while the Kouros of Kea was discovered there. At the entrance of the harbor stands the lighthouse of Agios Nikolaos, built in 1831 by the French lighthouse company.
Hiking routes
If you are a lover of hiking, Tzia is one of the best islands for magical routes. The island also has a particularly well-developed network of trails with 12 routes, which makes it an ideal destination for hikers. From the lush interior you will be led to secluded coves and from the picturesque little chapel to the ruins of a tower.
Ancient Karthaia
The most popular route is to Ancient Karthaia, the islands most important archaeological site, which is accessible only via footpath or by boat. The route will be unforgettable for you as will the uninterrupted view toward the Aegean. The seaside ruins of ancient temples and the ancient theater blend with the blue of the sea.
As evidenced by the finds, Karthaia, on the southeastern coast of Kea, in the cove Poles, must have been the most important of the islands four city-states. The city was inhabited for centuries until Late Antiquity, reaching a period of flourishing in the 6th and 5th centuries BC and it was one of the most important ports of the Cyclades. The archaeological site is continuously open and without ticket and the classic route to reach it is the 2.5 km path from Stavroudaki that takes about 50 minutes.
If you have stamina and want to get to know the enchanting landscapes of the islands interior, there is also the «Aristaeus» route, 11.8 km long (about 5 hours) with starting point Ioulida, the islands capital. After the walk the two wonderful beaches in the solitary cove of Poles await you for swims beneath the ancient ruins.
Picturesque churches
On Kea the little churches and the monasteries impress. During your hike from Ioulida to Karthaia, you will also encounter Agios Symeon in the Kato Meria of the island. The church is built on the site of a temple dedicated to Aphrodite, with a view to the endless Aegean and a magical sunset. Distinctive too is the view of the Monastery of Panagia Kastriani, the islands patron, which is built at the edge of a rock since 1700 AD.
Delightful dips
For the first springtime dips, Keas beaches are ideal. Visit Gialiskari near the port, with the golden sand, the wonderful Xyla, the more family-friendly Otzias which also has several options for accommodation, the cosmopolitan Koundouros, the quiet Sykamia and Poisses with the long sandy beach.
