A tiny drop of paradise with seductive beaches offering a slow pace of life and a rare sense of timelessness – the ideal ingredients for switching off. Koufonisi, the rising star of Small Cyclades, displays incredible crystal blue water in a uniquely shaped coastline, having nothing to envy from top islandic destinations worldwide.
Scattered in the middle of the Aegean Sea, somewhere between Naxos and Amorgos, Koufonisi is becoming a fashionable destination for in-the-know island-hoppers often described as the “Mykonos of the alternative-minded travelers”.
Koufonisi in fact comprises three islands: Pano (Upper) Koufonisi, Kato (Lower) Koufonisi and Keros, all of them considered to be very important centers of the ancient cycladic civilization and are protected as both archaeological sites and impressive assets of natural beauty.
The main island, Pano Koufonisi, is the only inhabited with permanent population that numbers only a couple of hundred.
In Kato Koufonisi, there is no touristic infrastructure since the construction is totally forbidden but the visitors can have access to the unearthly beaches through the frequent trips of sea taxis or by a renting a small yacht. If you decide to follow the water routes that takes you to lower (Kato) Koufonisi then you are about to gain a real time-travelling experience.
Keros, the enigmatic island that resembles a female silhouette, used to be the first marine sanctuary ever on the planet. The excavation carried out on the island testifies to an evolved settlement of the Early Bronze Age, that could only be compared to that of Knossos in Crete during the same period. Keros is nowadays legally accessible only by archeologists holding signed permission from the ministry of Culture but never lost its emblematic role as the main icon of the region.
Koufonisi remains very distinct from the other cycladic islands in philosophy and topography. A visit here brings to mind the Greek island experience of a couple of decades ago, when things moved in slow tempo and pleasures were simpler. The sweet mixture of walks, swims and generous taverna meals will make you forget what day of the week it is.
Visitors choose Koufonisi as destination to be soothed by the unique crystal clean waters, enjoy the peaceful natural settings and the walking the coastal trails that lead to hidden surprises such as the heart-formed natural swimming pool (piscina) and the caves of Gala and Xylobatis.
Walking is a key element in Koufonisi – roads are minimal, car rental is non-existent, there is only one – hard to find – taxi but everything is close and the scenery magical. The easy 2km walk along the flat, sandy coast road east of the port that leads to a chain of beaches (Foinikas, Fanos and Italida) is under the feet of Mystic Villas establishments.
Subsequently to Italida beach lays a walking path passing unearthly rocky formations ending up in one of the most beautiful beaches that southern Europe may offer: Pori Bay.
The main village of Koufonisi is as simple as it can be. Consisting of just a narrow-whitewashed alley with small restaurants and cafes that offer traditionally brewed rakomelo (an alcoholic drink that combines honey with raki) till the early hours.
The island is receiving a growing number of independent-style visitors in the peak summer season (July and August), but in May, June and September not so many of them remain to share the golden sands and the positive energy it offers. Paradise can hardly be as beautiful as Koufonisi in June or September.
Ιt’s all about switching off and reverting to island time. Come as you are and we will take care of the rest.
