Kea island

General info
Kea (or Tzia), is an island of natural beauty in Cyclades cluster. It covers 130   square km and has 2.400 residents approximately.

Its impressive relief of mountains and hills is adorned with chestnut, almond and olive trees. In the central and eastern part of the island there are some amazing -and rare in Aegean region- forests of Royal Oaks. Ravines which are found scattered on the inland are full of wild flowers and herbs; a magic colourful puzzle covered by a thyme-scented breeze which calm the senses.  Its coastline of about 80 km consists of splendid sandy beaches, idyllic coves and small delightful bays.

In the last years, the island presents a steadily tourist development and though accommodation and other facilities have been expanded considerably, Kea still preserves intensely its own unique identity.

Due to its proximity to Attica and more particular to the port of Lavrio (just 1 hour trip), Kea has become an ideal weekend destination for those who wish to get away from the crowded islands, yet they don’t want the total quiet. It is also a popular intermediate destination for those who plan yachting trips.

Neighbouring islands to Kea   is Kythnos and Syros.

Historical profile
According to mythology, nymphs were the first settlers of Hydroussa (from the word “hydor” which means “water”), as Kea was called in antiquity due to its abundant springs. When the nymphs were forced to leave their springs, the island was suffered from scorchers until Aristeos, the son of the god Apollo and the nymph Kyrini appeared. He established the worship of Zeus Ikmeus, who was the god of rain, and the drought stopped.

Kea took its present name by Keos, the leader of Lokroi who came from Nafpaktos.
Excavation findings witness that Kea has been inhabited since Neolithic period. Due both to its geographical position and its natural harbour of Agios Nikolaos, Kea   was easily accessible and thus strongly influenced by the Cycladic and Minoan civilization. The island reached at it cultural peak during the Bronze Age.

In the 7th century BC, the so called Tetrapolis was set up. This was a league of four city-states: Ioulis, Koressia, Poieessa and Karthaia, all of which played major role to the 
financial and cultural flourishing of Kea. Bright minds of antiquity were born here such as the poets Simonides and Bacchylides, the philosopher Ariston and the legislator Aristides.

Later in history, Kea was dominated by the Romans (212 BC), became part of the Byzantine Empire and was passed to the hands of Franks (1207). In 1537 Ottomans occupied the island till 1821, when the Greek War of Independence begun. The people of Kea fought bravely in many battlefields and gained their freedom.

Villages
Chora (Hora) or Ioulida (Ioulis), is the capital of Kea. Built amphitheatrically on a hilltop, and upon the remains of the ancient city, Ioulida offers a spectacular view to the sea and also an enchanting picture itself.  At the entrance of the village, the fine marble fountain and the centenarian plane is like a welcome to visitors but also as a polite request to park their vehicles, since access to cars is prohibited.

Enjoy a  walk  in  its marble-paved alleys and  let them lead you to idyllic squares, to friendly  neighbourhoods of cubic- roof tiled houses and blooming courtyards, to  the admirable  Venetian castle, to the remains of the ancient acropolis.
Buildings of exquisite neoclassical style, such as the Tower hall and the elementary school both designed by the German Ernst Ziller, the remarkable Monastery of Agia Anna and the watermills are pure architectural jewels. 
Follow the beautiful marble paved alley which drives to the famous Lion of Kea or Ioulis. It is an impressively giant archaic sculpture, made of grey granite which is the symbol of the island.

The Archaeological Museum of Ioulida is among the most interesting in Cyclades as it houses rare finding of the Prehistoric and Historical period as well as finds from the Neolithic and the Bronze Age settlements, which were found at Kefala and Agia Irini sites accordingly.  

Built amphitheatrically at a distance of 8 km northwest to Ioulida, is found Vourkari, a coastal traditional settlement. The yesterday’s fishing village has turned into a cosmopolitan resort gathering plenty of yachts in its bay. At the waterfront you will find many shops, elegant restaurants and taverns, coffee- bars and also a worth-visiting art gallery.  Having a simple dinner at dusk time, when the nature is dressed in magic colours and the calm sea reflects the enchanting image of Vourkari can be a quite romantic experience.  Here also beats the heart of Kea’s nightlife, thought there are limited yet full of life night clubs and pubs. At the bay of Agios Nikolaos there are remains of the famous prehistoric settlement of Agia Irini where finds of great archaeological value from the Bronze Age have been found.

At the same direction and only 2 km approximately from Vourkati is Yaliskari, a small coastal settlement with a magnificent sandy beach and several accommodation facilities.

Korissia (called Livadi by the locals) is located 6 km northwester to Ioulida. Embraced by the idyllic bay of Agios Nikolaos, this hilly village has been built upon the remains of the ancient city, which can still be seen.  In this pace was also found the famous Kouros of kea, an excellent example of the archaic sculpture which is exhibited to the National Archaeological Museum.

Equally worth-visiting settlement is Koundouros (15 km northwest to Ioulida), a cosmopolitan coastal resort distinguished for its dentelated beaches of crystal clear waters, its delightful coves and the impressive stone- built mills which are used as residencies.

Otzias, which is situated 10 km north to Iloulida, is also a costal settlement with intense unique colour, due to the traditional stone-built houses, its lovely bay  and its fine sandy  beach with crystal clear waters. The Monastery of Panagia Kastriani which crowns a steep rock on the top of hill Kastri, not only offers a breathtaking view to the sea but it also is a place of serenity and inner peace. 

Beaches
The coastline of Kea has many beaches, most of them with golden sand and blue crystal waters. The most popular is the beach of Yaliskari. The view to the open sea, the eucalyptus trees which offer a pleasant shadow and beautiful sunsets and also the beach bar, where parties are organised on the spur of the moment, have made Yaliskari a favourite spot especially among youth. 

On the south western part of Kea, is located the popular beaches of Koundouros, a golden sandy one with crystalline waters and of Pisses, an equally sandy beach with tree-shadow.  On the north part, the sandy beach of Otzias is ideal for windsurfing.

Access
Kea is connected directly by scheduled trips with Lavrio Port (Attica), especially during summer season.

Kea is also connected with the islands of Ios, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Andros, Kythnos Folegandros, Sikinos and Syros