This summer, as Greece endured deadly heat, tourists and locals alike sought relief. Yet one Cycladic island has long been known as a cool oasis where mainlanders have long fled to escape the searing Greek heat: the teardrop-shaped island of Kea, or "Cia“ as the locals call it, says FOCUS.
As the closest Cycladic island to the mainland and an hour's ferry ride from Athens, Kea was known as Hydrousa (roughly: "water island”) in ancient Greek mythology due to its abundant springs that nourished its lush vegetation , writes the BBC, quoted by economic. Today, the island of 2,500 people is home to a collection of sleepy villages and crystal clear water.
Kea was and still is a weekend haven for Athenians who leave their offices on a Friday afternoon and arrive effortlessly on the island,” explained local guide Sotiria Antonopoulou. "On Sunday afternoon they return by ferry to Athens. This ritual, valued for its simplicity, will be repeated next weekend. It is a place that calls you back.“
Getting off the ferry at the island's main port, Korissia (also known as Livadi), visitors may soon notice that Kea feels quite different from Athens – and there's a reason why.
"In the summer, the islands in the Aegean Sea – and especially the Cyclades – experience a lower maximum temperature than the mainland”, explained Dr. Kostas Lagouvardos, research director at the National Observatory of Athens.
Strong northerly seasonal winds, called Etesians or meltemia, help keep the air temperature on the islands cooler than in mainland Greece. For example, during the long-lasting heat wave in July 2024, when the temperature exceeded 40 degrees in many Greek areas, the temperature on the islands remained well below 35 degrees.“
The harsh, mountainous interior of Kea directs these winds through its narrow valleys, creating a sort of natural ventilation system. The island is also home to the largest oak forest in the Cyclades, which creates a shady oasis.
But it is not only the island's geography and topography that make it stand out. The history of Kea dates back to the Cycladic era (3200 BC and 1050 BC) and this small island of 130 sq km was once divided into four city-states – the most notable being Carthea, which flourished from the Archaic period (8th century BC) to early Byzantium (6th century AD). To understand the island's roots, lace up your hiking boots, head to the village of Stavroudháki and follow a paved path up the mountain, where you can look down on the island's dense oak forest and continue to the remains of two temples: the Doric Temple of Athena and the Temple of Pythion Apollo, which date from the 6th century BC
Along the northeastern part of the island (near the village of Agia Irini), archaeologists have discovered houses and workshops dating from the late Neolithic era (around 3300 BC), offering a glimpse into early Cycladic life. The most remarkable finds are the unique "tip pots“ and the "Cycladic figurines“ – small clay sculptures with distinctive features, notably the bell-shaped skirts – which can now be found in the Archaeological Museum of Kea. Located in Iulis, the ancient (and current) capital of the island, the museum houses a comprehensive collection of ancient artefacts from the island's past, spanning from the Neolithic period to the Roman era.
One of the best ways to explore Kea is on foot. Eighty-one kilometers of stone-paved footpaths that once connected the ancient city-states of Kea now run across the island.
One such excursion is to the mountain capital village of Julida, where you will discover the remains of a Venetian castle and the stone-carved Lion of Julida, which dates back to 600 BC. and is rumored to have been built by the same architect who designed Athens "the famous Acropolis. In Iulida, whitewashed walls and a mixed palette of orange, red and blue color the village among small winding paths, all of which are pedestrianized. In the center of the square, tourists can recharge at a group of taverns, an ice cream shop and a small grocer that has been in the same family for more than 40 years.
Yulida is surrounded by a series of traditional agricultural terraces supported by hand-built stone walls that keep the sloping land structurally stable while allowing the soil to remain in optimal cultivation condition throughout all seasons. These terraces wrap around the island's many valleys and hills and are home to olive orchards, herb gardens and arable land used by grazing goats and mules. When they break, they are repaired again, continuing this tradition for the future.
Although not completely isolated, Kea uses its natural resources and traditional farming practices to achieve remarkable self-sufficiency. Visitors can taste this in the island's famous honey, pollinated exclusively from the nectar of thyme flowers. This plant, along with a diverse collection of herbs including chamomile, sage, lavender, oregano, rosemary, verbena, basil and the distinctive trimbea, abound on Kea, emanating a natural perfume for tourists as they explore the interior.
Located in the central and eastern interior of Kea, the island's ancient oak forest not only keeps it cool, but has traditionally been the driving force behind Kea's economy. Acorn caps have long been prized for their tannins, and for centuries islanders have used them in the production of vegetable-tanned leather (a more durable and eco-friendly alternative to tanning with animal hides). These forests also help prevent soil erosion and contribute to rainwater retention.
Head down the winding and inevitably narrow roads to the coast and you'll reach Kea's famously clear water. The island is famous for its secluded beaches - namely Gialiskari, Kambi and Koundouros, which remain the most popular spots for locals and day-trippers alike.
Interestingly, one of Kea's main attractions isn't actually on Kea, but under the ocean, as numerous shipwrecks are scattered on the nearby seabed. Kea Underwater Historic Site Marine Park is home to three historic shipwrecks that are fully accessible to divers from 2022. The most famous is the HMHS Britannic (the sister ship of RMS Titanic), which sank off the coast of Kea in 1916. , after encountering a German sea mine. Add the offshore reef, the numerous underwater caves and the variety of diving equipment manufacturers and Kea emerges as one of the best diving destinations in the Mediterranean. And when you do finally get some air, chances are it's because of a nice, cool breeze.