Kea

Kea

Kea, also called Tzia, is the closest Cycladic island to Athens — just an hour by ferry from Lavrio — and that proximity has made it the Athenians’ weekend island rather than an international resort. It’s a hilly, oak-covered island of 128 square kilometres with a elegant capital, Ioulida, perched high with neoclassical houses and views over terraces, and a small port, Korissia, below.

Kea is known for its ancient stone paths, or monopatia, that criss-cross the island for hiking, for its prehistoric site at Agia Irini, for the famous smiling Lion of Kea carved in the rock at Ioulida, and for beaches like Koundouros, Otzias and Pisses. It’s quiet, a little upscale, with good food, sailing, and stone-built second homes rather than big hotels — more Attica than Cyclades in feel, perfect if you want an authentic, easy island close to Athens.

Perfect for you if you love Athenian weekends and hiking trails

Kea, also known as Tzia, is a beautiful and quiet Greek island with crystal clear waters, clean sandy beaches, traditional villages to explore, archaeological sites including museum and shipwrecks.

Although Kea belongs to Cyclades complex, its architecture and landscape has little similarities to other Cyclades — far hillier than you’d think, providing spectacular scenery mile upon mile, far greener with more trees, exceptional beaches and one of the best systems of walking paths and trails of any Greek island. It’s a hiker’s paradise with numbered routes that take you through variety of landscapes to remote coves and ruins of ancient cities.

Beaches go hand in hand with distinct morphology — from one side to other windless coves with deep blue waters rewarding those who discover them. For visitors who can’t live without comfort, there are organized beaches equipped with deck chairs and umbrellas next to settlements, for example Otzia, Koundouros, Pisses and Yaliskari. Koundouros Beach is lovely, well worth visit, but also try Gialiskari more enclosed softer sand. The island receives mostly Athenian weekend vacationers, restaurants among best in Greece, summer cultural events, outdoor movie theater.

A few things worth knowing before you go

Kea is the Cyclades island closest to Attica, south of Attica right opposite town of Lavrion. Main port is Korissia. You travel from Athens port of Lavrio to Kea — journey takes 40 min to 1 hour, tickets from around €11.5, several daily. Ferryhopper shows 2026 schedules, Triton Ferries, Goutos Lines, Karystia, Hellenic Seaways operating twice a week too. Fastest crossing about 1 hour average.

From Athens airport, take bus or taxi to Lavrio then ferry — about 5h30m including transfers if you bus. Car recommended, island well-maintained paved roads to many beaches but challenging to navigate without car. Hilly, so hire vehicle.

Great for quiet escape close to Athens, nature, hiking, food lovers. Not for big party scene.

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Last Updated on August 28, 2026 by admin