Kea Island

Kea, famous for the birthplace of an ancient Greek lyric poet, Simonides of Ceos, is a very significant island from archeological point of view, as the site of the Bronze Age settlement Ayia Irini, which reached its flowering in the Late Minoan Era (1600-1400 BC). For years and years Kea Island has retained its natural beauty and traditional characteristics, combining both serenity and exuberance. Huge mountain masses are broken up by small valleys sparsely planted with vines and fruit trees and run right down to the pure, blue waters, opening out into pretty little bays. Because Kea is an exceptionally picturesque island of the Cyclades complex that is closest to Attica (about 1 hour by ferry from Lavrio), 20 km from Cape Sounio, 60 km south-east of Athens, it is called the most attractive holiday getaway from Athens and is loved by Mediterranean as one of the loveliest refuges in the Cyclades.