This exceptionally picturesque island lies close to the south-east coast of Attica. Due to its vicinity to Athens, it has become a popular weekend resort, with many nice tavernas and bars, but still unspoilt by massive tourism.

KeaIts mountain masses, which are encountered in most of the Cyclades, are broken up by small valleys sparsely planted with vines and fruit-trees and run right down to the sea, opening out into pretty little bays. On the western side of the island is Agios Nikolaos bay, and deep within it the port of Korissia, which is considered to be one of the safest natural harbours in the Mediterranean.

The island’s capital, Hora or Ioulis, has maintained its Cycladic idiom intact. Built in the shape of an amphitheatre, it presents the visitor with an impressive vista of two-storey houses and tiled roofs, steep cobbled alleyways and splendid churches with elaborately carved wooden icon screens.

At the highest point of the village, on the site of the ancient acropolis, is a quarter known as Kastro (Castle), which commands a breathtaking view of the nearby islands off the coast of Attica.

Not far from here is the famous ‘Lion of Kea’, a statue of carved granite. The Archaeological Museum in Hora contains interesting finds dating from the Cycladic period. Anither interesting site is the Monastery of Virgin Mary of the Castle (Moni Panagias Kastrianis). It is on the north coast, and offers spectacular views.