Nostos
Hora
801 00 Kythira 		find it on the map
 

This little guesthouse in the hora of Kythira is full of charm. Dating from the mid-19th century, the listed building used to be a family home. Owner Alexandra Nikiforaki, who inherited the building from her grandfather, consciously created a slightly nostalgic ambience (and then called it Nostos, Greek for “nostalgia”). There’s a tiny antique shop downstairs; white-painted, creaky wooden stairs (a separate entrance) lead to a charming hallway and six delightful rooms on the first floor. Most have parquet floors (some painted), timbered ceilings and antique furniture. The rooms – including the en suite bathrooms – are well equipped and you will find they offer the perfect balance between authenticity, charm and comfort. Across the alley there’s a sweet little café, which is used as breakfast room, lounge and reception at the same time. Its old-style furniture and decoration give it a pleasantly romantic-traditional feel.


What makes it special to me:

It is a place with heaps of 'old days' charm, made very comfortable and decorated with care. You don't often come across that combination on the islands.


But what you should keep in mind:

In the summer, it can be a little noisy in the evening (voices, mopeds and an occasional car).
I was disappointed by the choice of restaurants in the village.

OwnerAlexandra Nikiforaki
Address Hora
801 00 Kythira
Tel. 27360-31834, 31056
Fax 27360-31834
E-mailinfo@nostos-kythera.gr
Website http://www.nostos-kythera.gr
Opening period:

From 15 April until 30 September

Children:Welcome
Dogs:Not allowed
Prices:

Double room €60-110 per night (breakfast included)

Credit cards: Not accepted
Accommodation6 double rooms (there are two rooms that can interconnect to accommodate a family)
Room facilities

En-suite bathroom (shower)
Telephone
Satellite television
Mini-bar
Air conditioning
Hairdryer
Safe
One of the rooms (Zefiros) has a private veranda


Café

A nice breakfast is served in the café of the guesthouse, where during the day you can also order drinks and small snacks. The choice of restaurants in the village is surprisingly poor, but you will find plenty of places to eat in the bays of Kapsali and in nearby villages.

Guesthouse Nostos is situated on the central alleyway right in the middle of the hora, the main village of Kythira. The nearest beach is at 2 km.
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Kythira can be reached by plane (one daily flight from Athens) and by ferry (daily connections from Neapoli near the south-western tip of the Peloponnese, and less frequent services from Gythio in Mani and Kissamos on Crete). When you arrive at the port of Diakofti, you follow the road until you reach Aroniadika, where you turn left towards Kythira (the hora). Park your car at the entrance of the village, and walk along the main alley towards the castle. You will find Guesthouse Nostos about halfway through.
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This roughly 280 sq. km island stands all alone, south of the Peloponnese. There are no frequent ferry connections to it, and it doesn’t have much of a tourist infrastructure. There are no other islands anywhere near, so it doesn’t get any island hopping backpackers. Also, as it is a long commute from Athens (five hours driving plus one hour on the ferry) and only a handful of people fit on the little plane that makes a daily return flight, it is not really a weekend destination for Athenians either. Instead, Kythira attracts people who come to stay longer and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of this truly unspoilt island.

 

In the northern part of the island you will find forests with pine and eucalyptus trees, streams and springs. The landscape in the middle of the island is very different, almost moonlike, and has a raw beauty reminiscent of the Cycladic islands. The picturesque southern part of the island is probably the most frequented, with a lot of greenery, a pretty hora (main village) crowned by a ruined castle, and the scenic bays at Kapsali. The whitewashed hora competes in beauty and authenticity with many of the hilltop villages in the Cyclades, and yet, nobody has exploited this to some commercial benefit. There are just a few small cafés, shops, rental rooms and guesthouses. 

 

I would recommend Kythira for relaxed beach holidays – it has lots of great beaches to choose from (some easy to reach, others involve a bit of walking but they are worth the effort!) as well as for an active walking vacation; hikers will be thrilled to discover the variety of the landscape and the tiny, unspoilt villages and hamlets all over. The island doesn’t offer much in terms of nightlife, though if you need to, you can get your fix of entertainment in Kapsali.
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