Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
wooded valley with a small stream. Follow the signs for “Katarráktis Neráïdha” to find
a
waterfall
, hidden from view by lush vegetation, next to a long-closed café.
The Ayía Sofía cave
Mid-June to mid-Sept Mon-Fri 3-8pm, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm • €3
Most visitors come to Mylopótamos to see the
cave of Ayía Sofía
, the largest and most
impressive of a number of caverns on the island. A half-hour signposted walk from the
village, or a short drive along a paved road off the Limniónas road. When the cave is
closed, you can probably find a guide in Mylopótamos; ask at the village, giving a day's
notice if possible. The cave's entrance has been used as a church and has an iconostasis
carved from the rock, with important Byzantine frescoes on it. Beyond, the cave system
comprises a series of chambers, which reach 250m into the mountain, although the
thirty-minute guided tour (in Greek and English) only takes in the more interesting
outer chambers.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
2
POTAMÓS AND AROUND
season - green beans, artichokes or courgettes. Live music
Sat eve.
Daily lunch & dinner.
Ì
Venardos
T
27360 34100,
W
venardos-hotels.gr.
Extensive hotel complex boasting hilltop views and located
just a short walk from the beach. Facilities include a large
pool, gym, sauna and spa. Rooms range from standard
doubles to suites and studi
os. D
iscounts for Rough Guide
readers. Breakfast included.
€80
POTAMÓS
Panaretos
T
27360 34290.
Traditional taverna,
dominating the central platía, with indoor seating in
the main restaurant down below. Excellent home-
made bread and juicy olives.
Daily breakfast, lunch
& dinner.
AYÍA PELAYÍA
Ì
Kaleris
T
27360 33461.
The chef here specializes in
inventive, original takes on a whole range of traditional
dishes, such as “feta french fries”. Expect about €20/person.
Daily lunch & dinner.
Moustakias
T
27360 33519.
A classic seafood taverna,
with portside seating and very friendly service. Catch-of-
the-day is always a good choice, along with whatever is in
MYLOPÓTAMOS
Platanos
T
27360 33397.
This shady café-taverna
makes a pleasant stop for a freshly squeezed orange juice
or a full meal, above the village's springs. About €12/
person. Inside, there's an appealing music bar.
Daily, May-
Oct, noon to midnight and beyond.
Kapsáli and the south
KAPSÁLI
on the south coast is largely devoted to summer tourism - in fact, much of it
closes down from September to June. Most savvy foreign visitors to Kýthira in summer
stay here, and it's a popular port of call for yachts, particularly since it is sheltered from
the strong north winds of summer. Set behind double coved beaches, overlooked by
Hóra castle, and backed by high grey cliffs on which the tiny white monastery of Áyios
Ioánnis Éngremmos perches, it is certainly memorable.
Hóra
HÓRA
(or Kýthira Town), the island's picturesque capital, is a steep 2km haul above
Kapsáli, and is quite somnolent in comparison. It does enjoy an equally dramatic
position, however, its Cycladic-style houses tiered on the ridge leading to its very own
Venetian
castle
. Below the castle are both the remains of older Byzantine walls and, in
Mésa Vouryó, numerous well-signed but securely locked Byzantine churches. The
Stavros
bookshop
, on the town's main street, sells a book of
walks
(mainly around the
southern half of the island).
Hóra castle
Daily 8am-7pm • Free
Hóra's
castle
is a must mostly for the breathtaking 360-degree
panorama
it affords
over the entire area - on a clear enough day you can even see Crete. Access to the
