The Sailing To Go guide to Kythnos: Kolona, Merichas, yacht anchorages, restaurants and practical advice for sailors.
Our First Morning in Kythnos
We left Alimos Marina in Athens in the afternoon, with roughly seven and a half hours of sailing ahead of us. By the time we reached Kythnos, it was already late. The island itself had almost disappeared into the darkness, and all we could really see were the lights of other yachts anchored around us. That made the following morning even more memorable.
We came up into the cockpit – and stopped for a moment.
In front of us was Kolona Beach, the famous strip of golden sand connecting Kythnos with the small islet of Agios Loukas. Sea stretched out on both sides, the water was extraordinarily clear, and the yachts around us seemed almost suspended above the seabed.
It was one of those mornings that explains, better than words ever could, what makes travelling through Greece by yacht so different.
This guide combines practical information about Kythnos with our own experience of exploring the island aboard our Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 Whisper. We have included the places we would genuinely return to, as well as a few things we wish we had known before arriving.
Why Include Kythnos in Your Sailing Route?
Kythnos is relatively close to Athens, yet the atmosphere changes almost immediately once you arrive.
There are no huge resorts or overwhelming crowds. Instead, the island offers whitewashed villages, more than ninety beaches, small family – run tavernas and countless coves where a yacht can spend a quiet afternoon.
Its location also makes Kythnos a natural first or final stop on many Cyclades sailing routes from Athens.
For crews who want to experience the Cyclades without starting with the busiest islands, it is an especially appealing choice.
Kolona Beach – Kythnos from the Water
If one landscape has come to represent Kythnos, it is undoubtedly Kolona Beach.
A narrow sandy strip connects the main island with Agios Loukas, creating a beach on either side. Seen from a yacht, the geography is particularly striking: two stretches of water separated by little more than a ribbon of sand.
Kolona is also one of the best-known anchorages around Kythnos, and during the summer months numerous yachts and catamarans gather here.
From our own experience, we would strongly recommend arriving before sunset if you intend to stay overnight. The anchorage becomes considerably busier later in the day, and finding a comfortable position after dark is much less pleasant.
Once anchored, however, Kolona is exactly the kind of place where you simply want to stay – swim, relax on board and enjoy the beauty of the bay without any reason to rush ashore.
Merichas – The Practical Stop for Yacht Crews
After a night at anchor, Merichas, the island’s main port, is a useful next stop.
For yacht crews it provides the practical side of island travel. Here you can:
- connect to electricity;
- refill fresh water;
- use a paid shower;
- replenish provisions;
- rent a car;
- stop for lunch or dinner in one of the local tavernas.
Our practical tip
During July and August, try to arrive in Merichas before approximately 13:00–14:00 if you would like a berth.
Later in the afternoon, finding an available place can become considerably more difficult.
This is one of those small details that can make a surprisingly big difference to the rhythm of a sailing day.
Discovering Kythnos by Car
A yacht shows you one side of Kythnos. Renting a car allows you to discover the other.
If your itinerary gives you a full day on the island, we recommend leaving the harbour for a few hours and exploring inland.
Car rental usually costs around €50–70 per day, depending on the season and vehicle.
Kythnos is compact enough that most places can be reached relatively quickly. Among the stops worth considering are the traditional villages of Chora and Dryopida, the thermal springs at Loutra, the monastery of Panagia Kanala, and some of the island’s quieter beaches.
Loutra is particularly well known for its thermal water. Do not expect a large spa complex – the experience is much simpler and more local, with a small natural hot – water pool beside the sea and a beach nearby.
That simplicity is part of its charm.
One Thing to Know About Restaurants Inland
Island life follows its own timetable.
We discovered that some traditional restaurants in the villages and inland parts of Kythnos are not open for lunch and may begin serving only around 17:00–18:00.
So if you are driving across the island specifically to visit a particular taverna, check its current opening hours online beforehand whenever possible.
It is a small precaution that may save you from arriving hungry in front of a closed door – something we learned from experience.
Arodou – Dinner by the Sea
One of our favourite discoveries on Kythnos was Arodou, a restaurant set directly by the sea, close to a small beach.
What makes it particularly interesting for yacht travellers is the possibility of approaching from the water.
There is a small sheltered bay nearby where, in suitable conditions, you can anchor the yacht, lower the dinghy and reach the shore within a few minutes.
For us, this is one of the pleasures that defines travelling through Greece under sail: leaving the yacht at anchor, taking the dinghy ashore and spending the evening over fresh fish, local wine or a cocktail while the sun disappears over the Aegean.
It is simple – and difficult to improve upon.
What to Have on Board for the Bays of Kythnos
Some of the best hours around Kythnos are not spent sightseeing at all. They are spent at anchor…
Clear water and quiet coves make the island ideal for swimming and exploring from the yacht, so a few pieces of equipment can make these stops even more enjoyable:
- SUP board;
- snorkelling mask and fins;
- sea scooter;
- inflatable floats;
- waterproof phone bag;
- water shoes
A SUP gives you the freedom to explore the coastline quietly, while a mask and fins reveal an entirely different landscape below the surface. A sea scooter is particularly enjoyable in clear, calm bays and allows you to cover much more distance than during a normal swim.
For us, these are not merely extras on board. They are part of the experience of travelling between the Greek islands by yacht.
Why Sailors Keep Coming Back to Kythnos
For many crews leaving Athens, Kythnos is the first real island stop.
And perhaps that is why it stays in the memory.
The city gradually disappears behind you. The rhythm changes. Days are no longer measured by appointments and hours, but by passages between islands, swims in clear water, anchorages and evenings in small Greek tavernas.
Kythnos does not try to impress with luxury or spectacle.
Its appeal lies elsewhere – in simplicity, space and the feeling that the journey has finally begun.
That is exactly why we would return.
Planning a Sailing Route via Kythnos
Kythnos is included in several of our sailing itineraries through the Cyclades and works particularly well as part of a one-week charter from Athens or a longer journey deeper into the archipelago.
You can explore:
Active 7-day Cyclades sailing route
Comfortable 7-day Cyclades sailing route
Practical sailing guide to Greece
Frequently asked questions about yacht charter in Greece
Planning a Sailing Holiday in Kythnos?
Kythnos can easily become part of a one-week sailing holiday from Athens or a longer route through the Cyclades. If you would like help choosing a yacht or planning an itinerary that includes Kythnos, contact us on WhatsApp or send us a message through our contact form.
We will help you choose a suitable yacht, suggest a route based on your crew and sailing experience, and share practical recommendations gathered from our own travels through Greece.
With care and love for the sea – Sailing To Go
