Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ANCIENT KARTHAIA
The only remains of any real significance from Kéa's past are fragments of temples of Apollo
and Athena at
ancient Karthaia
, tucked away on the southeastern edge of the island above
Póles Bay, with an excellent deserted twin beach. It is a good ninety-minute round-trip walk
from the hamlet of Stavroudháki (on the paved road linking Ioulídha and Havouná), and the
inland paved road is worth following along the island's summit from Ioulídha, as it affords fine
views over the thousands of magnificent oaks, Kéa's most distinctive feature. Kea Paths (see
opposite) offers a walking trip (June-Sept Sat only).
6
Korissía
The small port of
KORISSÍA
is unlike any other in the Cyclades; with its red-tiled roofs and
Neoclassical houses, it could be Pláka-by-the-Sea. It is very convenient as a base; from there
you can easily get by bus to Otziás (6km), Ioulídha (6km) or Písses (16km). Although the
port beach,
Áyios Yeóryios
, is adequate, there is better swimming at
Yialiskári
, a small,
eucalyptus-fringed cove after the eastern promontory on the road to Vourkári.
ACCOMMODATION
KORISSÍA
Ì
Keos Katoikies
T
22880 84002,
W
keos.gr.
Cool,
contemporary minimalist studios, each one with its own
large balcony in a dramatic setting overlooking Korissía
bay. Make sure you watch the sunset in the adjoining café.
The room price includes an excellent En
glish
buffet
breakfast. Free wi-fi at reception. Easter-Oct.
€120
Porto Kea
T
22880 22870,
W
portokea-suites.com.
Luxurious hotel behind the main road and by the church of
Áyios Yeóryios, with a large swimming pool and
complimentary internet access. It has its own trendy bar,
Ammos, on the beach in front offering f
ree c
hairs for hotel
clients. Breakfast included. Easter-Oct.
€160
Brillante Zoi
T
22880 22685/86,
W
hotelbrillante.gr.
A comfortable hotel on the middle of the port beach, with
a beautifully overgrown garden, idiosyncratic furnishings,
spacious rooms and a sumptuous breakfast. The chatty,
welcoming owner
will f
feel more like an old acquaintance
than your landlady.
€70
Karthea
T
22880 21204,
W
hotelkarthea.gr.
Dated
1970s hotel, but very centrally located at the beginning
of the port beach. Followers of modern history would be
interested to learn that this is where Greek junta leaders
were hel
d u
nder house arrest in 1974. Breakfast
included.
€75
EATING AND DRINKING
En Plo
T
694 86 05 176.
Opposite the ferry
disembarkation point, this
snack bar-café serves delicious
desserts. Try the chocolate soufflé with a cappuccino for €5
while watching the world go by and the ferries dock
.
It's a
lively spot in the early evening.
April-Oct daily
8am-1am; Nov-March Fri-Sat 8am-1am.
Ì
Fillipas
T
22880 21690.
Built in local Kéa stone
and sitting on the hill above Keos Katoikies, this is the
best grill restaurant on the island. Although often
booked for functions, they will always find you a table
and serve you promptly. Try the giant steaks or its
signature beefburger filled with local cheese (€8).
April-Oct daily 6pm-1am; Nov-March Fri-Sat
6pm-1am.
Magazés
T
22880 21104.
The best in the cluster of the
port restaurants, this traditional taverna with a small but
tasty range of Greek dishes also offers fresh fish, often
caught by the speargun of the owner. If you crave meat
instead, try the baked pork with potatoes for €9.
April-Oct
daily 9am-midnight.
Ioulídha
Kéa's capital,
IOULÍDHA
(Hóra), with its winding flagstoned paths, is beautifully
situated in an amphitheatric fold in the hills. It is by no means a typical Cycladic town,
but is architecturally the most interesting settlement on the island. Accordingly it has
numerous bars and bistros, much patronized in August and at weekends, but during
other times the town is quiet, its atmospheric, labyrinthine lanes excluding vehicles.
The lower reaches of the town stretch across a spur to the
kástro
, a tumbledown
Venetian fortress incorporating stones from an ancient temple of Apollo. Ioulídha's
archeological museum
(Tues-Sun 8.30am-2.30pm; €3) displays extensive finds from
the four ancient city-states of Kéa, its highlight being thirteen female Minoan-style
statues. Fifteen-minutes' walk northeast of Ioulídha on the path toward Otziás, you
