Kythnos Island (Merichas, Greece)

Kythnos Island is an island municipality in Western Cyclades (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean) located between the Greek isles Kea and Serifos. Kythnos is approx 104 km (65 mi) from mainland Greece (Port Piraeus-Athens).

Ferries and cruise ships to Kythnos Island dock at Merichas (Kythnos-Chora) - a port town located on the central-western coast. Port's new quay (inaugurated in 2005) allows docking of large passenger ships (ferry and cruise).

The island has land area approx 100 km2 (39 mi2), coastline length approx 100 km (60 mi), and 70+ sand beaches (most are inaccessible by road). The permanent population is around 1500.

The island's main settlements are two small villages - Kythnos (aka Merichas, Messaria, Chora) and Dryopis (aka Dryopida, Chorio). Kanala is a new settlement (on the eastern coast) with many large beaches. Aghios Dimitrios (on the southern coast) is the most modern settlement, featuring hillside vacation houses above a wide beach.

Regularly scheduled ferries dock at Merichas (island's port town and main tourism travel destination. Daily ferry service connects Kythnos with mainland Greece (Piraeus and Lavrio, 1-4 hours travel time, depending on the ship and weather), as well as the Greek Isles Serifos, Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, Folegandros, Sikinos, Sifnos, Milos, Kimolos, Kea, Syros, Naxos, Paros, Andros. These routes are operated by two passenger shipping companies - Zante Ferries and Hellenic Seaways.