KEA -- PRACTICAL INFORMATION

1. ACCESS TO KEA
KEA is linked daily with Lavrion in Attica (which is 55 km from Athens) by a ferry boat with one or two trips a day during the winter months and with two or three trips a day during the summer months. The trip lasts 1.15 hours.

Public transportation links Athens – Lavrion daily (every half an hour, 16 hours a day). The trip lasts 1.30 hours.

During the summer months, the island is linked with Piraeus and the island of Kythnos, 5-6 times a week by Flying Dolphins as well as with Rafina during the weekend. Kea and Kythnos are also linked all year around with the ferry boat (1-2 times a week). The same ferry boat links Kea with Syra, capital of the Cyclades, during the winter months (1-2 times a week). (Port authorities in Lavrion : 0292-25249, 22188, Flying dolphins in Piraeus : 4226000, 4114005)

2. ACCOMMODATION AND RESTAURANTS
In Kea there are hotels, guest houses, clean and well equipped flats or rooms to let. Most of the rooms are in Korissia and other sea resorts on the island such as Gialiskari, Otzias, Pisses and Koundouros. In Pisses, there is also the only camp site operated on the island.

In Ioulis, there are all sorts of restaurants and tavernas. In the centre of the town, in the Platea (square) and Piatsa as well as on the way to the Lion, we find traditional cookshops, tavernas, ouzeri and snack bars. Restaurants, Pizza places, Ouzeri, Pastry shops and Snack bars are also plentiful in Korissia, Vourkari, Otzias, Pisses, Spathi, Koundouros and Kambi. In most of them fresh fish, a selection of snacks and salads and often specialities are served.

The traditional local red wine can usually be enjoyed in houses, especially in the countryside, but can also be found in the central restaurants of Ioulis. However, the traditional barrel retsina is to be found in most of the tavernas on the island.

For a pleasant morning or afternoon outing in Ioulis accompanied by a refreshment sweet or ice-cream, the pastry shop with its excellent view is open as is the central Kafeneio (coffee shop) where ouzo is served in the traditional way.

3. TRANSPORT
Two buses operate between Ioulis and Korissia, following the arrivals and departures of the ferry boat. During the summer months there are daily bus services from Ioulis and Korissia to the countryside and vice-versa.

The four taxis follow any road along the road network of the island.

Motorcycles can be rented from Korissia.

There are also two petrol stations and car repair garages on the island.

4. OTHER SERVICES
First aid – Health
The Rural Surgery is in Ioulis. There are two doctors and a nurse available to those with health problems.

For other emergencies one should contact the police station.

Shopping
It is worth trying the famous thyme honey, which is available in all shops. The pasteli (sesame and honey) is the island's speciality. Do not miss getting, either from a shop or a house, local sausage, loza, red wine, cheese (especially the traditional "xino").

Leisure
The sea bottom hides many surprises for underwater fishermen since most of Kea's coasts, especially the eastern ones, are not fished systematically. Underwater fishing at night with oxygen cylinders (scuba diving) is strictly forbidden. Apart from the traditional summer festivities or veggeres (evening gatherings), there are bars and pubs in Ioulis, Korissia and Vourkari.

5. VISITS
The visit to the Archaeological Museum should be included in the visitor's tour programme. The museum is open daily from 08:30 to 15:00, except Mondays.

The visit to the Archaeological site of Agia Irini is a must, after contacting the museum's guard.

Also, one can visit the old windmills of Kea, ancient Karthaea (reached only by walking for one hour on the ancient stone road from the main road, or by small boat), the monastery of "Panagia Kastriani" (Madonna of the Castle), Kokka's peninsula (what has remained from the large estate where coal was stored in order to purvey steamships) and the Lighthouse of Agios Nikolaos, the peninsula of Kefala (the remains of a big temple of the 6th century B.C.), the historical School and the Town Hall in Hora, Agia Marina monastery etc. And of course one should not miss a stroll in the side streets of Hora to enjoy the view.

USEFUL TELEPHONE

NUMBERS

Dialing Code of

Kea : 0288

FIRST AID

OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS

- Rural Surgery 22200

- National Bank 22350

- Pharmacy 22277

- Travel Agency Korissia 21313

- Port Authority 21344

- Flying Dolphins 21435

- Police 21100

- Post Office 22325

- Tourist Police 21100

- Telecom. Service 22135

 

- Town Hall

TAXIS

Ioulida office 22221

- Ieromnimon G. 22171

Korissia office 21208

- Korasidis A. 21021

- Archaeological Museum 22079

- Makris D. 21228

- Exchange "Stegadi" 21435

- Vrettos A. 22217

- Rent a bike 21097

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