Kea (Tzia)
The weekend hideaway of Athenians
Kea — locally called Tzia — is the Cycladic island closest to Athens, reached only from Lavrio (not Piraeus). It has no airport and only weekend ferries, so it stays quiet. Athenians come here for long hikes on the island's 80 km of marked paths, for the Lion of Kea (an 8 m archaic stone sculpture carved directly into the hillside), and for tavernas where you see more locals than tourists.
Good for
- Hikers — Kea has 80 km of marked, walkable old paths and the famous archaic stone Lion
- Athenians who want a genuinely quiet weekend escape close to home
- Travellers who prefer tavernas full of locals to a tourist strip
Maybe skip if
- If you depend on Piraeus departures — Kea is reached only from Lavrio
- If you need a lively scene; midweek out of season the island is very quiet
Getting there
No airport, no ferry from Piraeus. Kea is served from Lavrio (1h east of Athens, very close to the airport). Frequent shuttle ferry to Korissia port, ~1h crossing.
Read full route
Tip: Closest "real" island to Athens — under 2 hours door to beach if you live in the city.
When to Visit
Kea is the closest Cyclade to Athens — weekend traffic dictates everything. Off-season weekdays it's gloriously empty. Summer weekends are jammed with Athenian boats. Hike year-round; swim May through October.
2-day itinerary for Kea (Tzia)
Day 1: Ioulida & the Lion
- 10:00 · Korissia (port)
Ferry port on the west coast. Small sandy beach right at the port. Coffee at Aristos on the waterfront. - 11:30 · Ioulida (Chora)
Car-free hilltop capital. Gorgeous amphitheatrical layout, flat-roofed houses with red tiles. Walk the main pedestrian street. - 13:00 · Lion of Kea
6th-century BC archaic stone lion carved directly into the hillside. 30-min walk from Ioulida via a marked trail. - 14:30 · Lunch — Rolando
Traditional Kean cuisine — excellent loutza (cured pork), fava (split pea puree), local wine. For destination dining at Psathi Bay on the south coast, Lygaria at Kea Retreat won ★★ in the FNL Best Restaurant Awards 2026 (Contemporary International) and was on the FNL List 2025 of the ten must-visit restaurants in Greece. - 17:00 · Otzias Beach
Enclosed sandy bay on the north coast, just past Vourkari. Family-friendly with shallow water and a sandy bottom, and three tavernas along the back of the beach. Less wind-exposed than the open eastern coast, which makes it the reliable choice when the meltemi blows.
Day 2: Southern Beaches & Monastery
- 09:30 · Vourkari Harbour
Yacht marina 2 km from Korissia, with chic waterfront cafés and the place where Athenians moor their boats for the weekend. The seafront promenade gets a young, mainland crowd in July and August — coffee in the morning, ouzo in the evening, the marina lights reflecting off the water. - 11:00 · Panagia Kastriani Monastery
Mountain monastery on a cliff edge on the north coast, reached by a paved road that ends in a small parking area. The chapel courtyard has views that stretch to Andros on clear days. A basic guesthouse next door — for the truly devout — has a handful of rooms with the same view. - 13:00 · Pisses Beach
Largest sandy beach on Kea, in a fertile valley with an ancient olive grove behind. Lunch at Akroygiali taverna. - 16:00 · Koundouros
Small sheltered cove at the island's southwest tip, with crystal water and a rocky entry — bring swim shoes. A single beach bar opens in season, otherwise nothing. The drive down is on a steep narrow road; the reward is one of the quietest swimming spots on the island.
Top beaches of Kea (Tzia)
Pisses
Kea's largest beach, framed by ancient olive trees. Great sunsets, good family beach.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 500 m
- Depth
- Gradual
- Wind protection
- West-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm most summer days, sometimes choppy on rare westerly winds
- Facilities
- Tavernas, campsite, umbrellas
Otzias
Sheltered bay on the north coast. Calm, warm water, very family-friendly.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 400 m
- Depth
- Very shallow
- Wind protection
- North-facing — fully exposed to the meltemi (the dominant summer N/NE wind); often choppy June–September
- Facilities
- Tavernas, umbrellas
Koundouros
Quiet cove with crystal-clear water. More upscale area with luxury hotels behind.
- Type
- Small pebbles
- Length
- 150 m
- Depth
- Moderate
- Wind protection
- Southwest-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare S/SW winds
- Facilities
- Hotel, beach bar