Increase visibility and reservations
Surface
20,43 km²
Airport
No
Port
Potamos
Faster connection
Plane and Ferry
Connections
Plane and Ferry
Healthcare
None
Tourist presence
Nightlife under 30
Nightlife over 30
Beaches
Rocks
Beach services
Free
Beaches for children
No
Equipped campsite
No
Naturism
Yes
Points of interest
Kastro, Agios Charalambos
Activity
Holiday type
Sea and Relax
Antikythera is a small and almost uninhabited island. It is located in the southernmost area of the Peloponnese next to the island of Kythera and Crete and measures only 20 square kilometers. This small island isn’t very touristy and most boats can’t anchor near the island because of the small size of it’s port. Even having a small size it has many interesting things to visit.
One of the main attractions is an astronomical mechanism from the first century A.C. found by some fishermen in the early 900’s. In the same boat researchers also found an Efebo statue and a famous philosopher's head besides the calculating machine that was used to calculate the planet’s movements, to predict moon phases and for counting the days of the year. From Antikythera you can reach Kythira, Crete, Piraeus port (Athens) and the rest of the Peloponnese.
There isn’t an airport on the island but there is a heliport. Only ferries coming from Kissamos (Crete island) and from the city of Gythio stop in Antikythera every so often.
Why choose Antikythera?
Antikythera is an ideal destination for someone planning a daily tour of an island. The low hills, the vast quantity of animals and plants besides the many chapels and trekking paths make it a great island for spending a day surrounded by natural beauties. There aren’t many beaches and the ones that you’ll find haven’t got any sand. If you want to visit the island it is important that you plan your trip well besides always carrying a bottle of water with you as it is an island without many structures.
The options if you want to spend the night in Antikythera are very limited. Here you won’t find any hotels but just some rooms that can be rented out in the port of Potamos. The best option for the night is to try and sleep in the municipal restrooms if this is free! The construction of a hotel on the island has started just outside the port of Potamos.
Antikythera is almost completely covered in rocks. There are hardly any beaches on the island but there are many spots that are perfect for divers. If you decide to visit the island and have a walk along the cliffs near the coast to admire the beautiful waters of the Aegean sea and Xeropotamos cave. This was once known as pirate island as this was where they used to spend the night often. There is Xeropotamos beach that is located near the only port on the island (Potamos) which is also the place where you will see the only people that live on the island.
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Walking around the island you will certainly hear talking about a mechanical object called Antikythera’s machine. The locals will tell many different legends regarding the object and its origin. The machine was discovered in 1902 off the island’s coast. Unfortunately apart from this there aren’t many other activities to choose from on this island.
Walking around Antikythera
There are many places where to go walking on this small, wonderful and natural island. The presence of man hasn’t ruined the landscape but has enchanted these magnificent places. Thanks to the small size of the island you will have the chance to visit all the hidden spots that you wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. There are also some beaches and creeks that can only be reached with a boat and for this reason there are some taxi boats that will lead you there.
The best way to reach Antikythera is definitely reaching it from the island of Kythera. Another option is leaving from the port of Piraeus or from the port of Chania on Crete island.
Reaching Antikythera from Kythera
The island of Kythera is a Greek island with an airport even if this only receives national flights so you will have to reach Athens’ airport before taking a second flight for Kythera. Reach the airport and from there the port of Kythera (Diakofti port) thanks to a taxi or bus line. The distance is about 14 km and once you reach the port you will have to take a ferry for Antikythera.
From Gythio and Nauplia (Peloponnese)
During the summer, there is even a ferry from the port of Gythio in the Peloponnese that will get you to Antikythera before getting to Kithyra. Always going through Kithyra you can also reach Antikythera by leaving from the port of Nauplia in the Peloponnese.
Reaching Antikythera from Athens
If you can’t take the flight for Kythera once you arrive to Athens’ airport you will have to reach the port of Piraeus that can be easily reached by taking the underground that leaves from Athens (line 3) and change trains at the station of Monastiraki where you will take the line 1 (the price is around 10 € and the journey lasts about 60 minutes). In Piraeus you will find the ferries that leave for Anitkythera.
Reaching Antikythera from Crete
This is certainly the fastest option to choose from as the island of Crete is very close to Antikythera. Once you arrive in Chania reach the port by bus or taxi and from here take a boat to Antikythera (the ferry from there will carry on its journey to Kithyra).
The best way to reach Antikythera is definitely reaching it from the island of Kythera. Another option is leaving from the port of Piraeus or from the port of Chania on Crete island.
Raggiungere Antikythera da Kythera Reaching Antikythera from Kythera.
The island of Kythera is a Greek island with an airport even if this only receives national flights so you will have to reach Athens’ airport before taking a second flight for Kythera. Reach the airport and from there the port of Kythera (Diakofti port) thanks to a taxi or bus line. The distance is about 14 km and once you reach the port you will have to take a ferry for Antikythera.
From Gythio and Nauplia (Peloponnese)
During the summer, there is even a ferry from the port of Gythio in the Peloponnese that will get you to Antikythera before getting to Kithyra. Always going through Kithyra you can also reach Antikythera by leaving from the port of Nauplia in the Peloponnese.
Reaching Antikythera from Athens
If you can’t take the flight for Kythera once you arrive to Athens’ airport you will have to reach the port of Piraeus that can be easily reached by taking the underground that leaves from Athens (line 3) and change trains at the station of Monastiraki where you will take the line 1 (the price is around 10 € and the journey lasts about 60 minutes). In Piraeus you will find the ferries that leave for Anitkythera.
Reaching Antikythera from Crete
This is certainly the fastest option to choose from as the island of Crete is very close to Antikythera. Once you arrive in Chania reach the port by bus or taxi and from here take a boat to Antikythera (the ferry from there will carry on its journey to Kithyra).
Antikythera is very small and not many tourists visit it very often, for this reason there aren’t many accommodations to choose from. Some rooms can be rented only during the summer and for booking them you will have to ask one of the many info points that can be found in Kythira.
Where to stay in Antikythera
The accommodations are all managed by local people and very often you will find yourself sleeping in one of these people’s apartments.
