Koufonisia

1. Welcome to the Koufonisia islands

The islands known as “Koufonisia” (The hollow islands) are a small group of islands located in the eastern side of the small Cyclades, towards the South East side of Naxos Island and Amorgos Island. The three islands owe their names to the natural swimming pools that have been created between rocks by nature.  The group of islands consists of upper Koufonisi, lower Koufonisi, and the mysterious Keros Island, which is located in between them, separated just by a narrow passage of some 200 meters with several rocky islet outcrops in between. They all belong to the municipality of the island of Naxos.

The calm, peaceful atmosphere, beaches, and water upon Koufonisia, create a beautiful small paradise for tourists, with crystalline turquoise waters, caves under and above the sea level, the friendliness of the inhabitants make your dream holiday come true.

The climate is mild even in winter and cool in the summer with a bright sun and the characteristic summer northern winds called Meltemia.

These islands were the springboard for opportunist pirate raids through the ages and today offer a different kind of opportunity for the tourist wishing to visit these off the beaten track islands. Here you may find information about traveling to Koufonisia, you may book your accommodation on Koufonisia, read about the history of the islands, See what there is to see and to do on Koufonisia, enjoy our Koufonisia picture gallery and much more.

If you need any extra information, then please contact us here [email protected] or +30 69 34 620 501 / +30 22840 24 879

2. Activities on Koufonisi

For those who believe that the ideal vacation is not just rest and relaxation, at Koufonisia there are many activities they can participate in, such as:

Swimming – Hiking – Cycling

Beach volley – Snorkeling – Fishing

Watersports – Diving – Windsurfing

These are just a few of the activities available to the more adventurous. For the vacationer who really needs some rest and recreation, there are some truly beautiful remote beaches with the characteristically pristine, crystal clear waters for which the Greek islands are renowned and where you can laze about soaking up the sun and blissful quiet.

There are no car or motorbike rentals on the islands of Koufonisia, but there are two agencies that rent bicycles. For information on bicycle rentals on Koufonisia, please contact: +30 22850 71679 – +30 22850 74510 – +30 698 9637046

e-mail: [email protected]

We have tried to give as much information about the island and we shall personally try to make your stay on Koufonisia remain among the best memories in your life.

3. Best beaches on the Koufonisia Islands

As the little islands of the Koufonisia are very small, we cannot expect to find too many beaches, the few beaches are mostly organized and the locals do take good care of tourists. The crystal clear turquoise color waters of Koufonisia invite you to dive into them, during the day and during the night.

Although nudism is forbidden on most of the beaches on the Greek islands, nudism is quite popular on the beaches on Koufonisia and nobody checks or tells you to put your clothes on!

Pano Koufonisi:  The sandy beach right in the settlement of Koufonisi, just near the port offers shallow clean water and thanks to its very thin and it is considered to be the best beach for children!

The beach of Harokopou (also known as Finikas) A long sandy beach with turquoise, clear water. At the very end of the beach, where the small pier is, you can find the small fishing boats that offer trips to further beaches and around the island. There is also the well known Finikas shop on the beach.

Fanos beach, (also known as Defteri beach) is another sandy beach with crystal clear, turquoise water. If you walk over the rocks that are a the end of this beach, you will find the small secluded, private nudest Italidaki beach.

Platia Pounda beach or otherwise known as Italida beach also offers a relaxing, quiet and clear atmosphere.

The pisina (pisina means swimming pool in Greek) is a small natural salty pool that has been formed naturally by the rocks. The clean, crystal water is constantly renewed from underground. Anybody that visits the pisina will experience a unique, special feeling as they swim in the clear water. For those, who do not like sunbathing on the rocks, they can walk some meters further down and relax on the small sandy beach below the pisina.

Pori beach is a long, sandy beach with golden sand located on the northeast side of Koufonisi. Pori beach used to be one of the beaches that tourists would travel to by sailing on one of the local little fishing boats but today there is an asphalt road that takes you straight to Pori beach from the center of the settlement. It’s approximately 4 kilometers from the town, but literally, it’s worth the effort. Bear in mind that the seaside road, in practice, has proved to be longer than it appears to be on the map but it definitely is a more beautiful road than the one that runs through the island. There are a couple of coffee shops and taverns close to the beach.

Parianos beach is located on the southern side of the island and is protected from the ‘vorias’ (the north wind), fishing boats are lined up on the side of the beach and soft sand and clear blue waters invite you to dive in!

On the Kato Koufonisi, Detis beach is very popular.

Lakki Beach is a pebble beach with crystal clear waters at the base of an elongated cove. Sheltered from the north wind. It is located at the end of the old hamlet on the left.

Nero beach is where the campers go to! It is a large long beach with both sand and fine pebbles. Nero beach is preferred by most visitors due to its size and the fact that the excursion boat calls at its end. At a wide point upon the beach, there is a palm tree and sand pine grove.

Pezoulia beach offers panoramic views to Schinnousa and other islands. If you do not have a boat you can reach it by taking the excursion boat to Nero beach, the second stop, and then follow the footpath that leads to the right of the palm trees. When you reach the top of the slight elevation, you continue in a southerly direction (left). You will come down to a flat area, called Aloni from its round shape. You may make out the remains of an ancient theatre. You can’t miss the beach.

We have tried to give as much information about the island and we shall personally try to make your stay on Koufonisia remain among the best memories in your life.

4. Sightseeing on Koufonisia

See the caves on the Northern Cape of Pano Koufonisi

The church of Ayios Yiorgios (Saint George’s church). Saint George is said to be the protector of the Koufonisia islands. On the name day of Saint George (which is usually celebrated on the 23rd April, but if it combines with Lent, then it is celebrated on the Easter Monday), there is a procession completed by the locals with the icon of Saint George down the seaside street, most streets are decorated with rose petals of various colors and small fishing boats sail close to the island and they let off fireworks to celebrate. Free food and wine are offered to the people, that gather together on this day and have a feast.

You should try to see the small church of Ayios Nikolaos, which is located on the top of the Karnayio and it offers a nice view of the surrounding islands.

The milos (the mill) which used to be a very old traditional windmill, but has now been renovated and transformed into a small cafe – bar.

The church of Panayia (The Virgin Mary church) which is located on Kato Koufonisi, This church has been built upon ruins and is located on the Deti pier. Each year on the 15th August, a big festival takes place there in honor of the name of the Virgin Mary. At the end of the church service, food is offered to the guests. You can reach the Pano Koufonisi by taking a ride on one of the many fishing boats which race with each other in order to get to the Pano Koufonisi (where the festival is held) the quickest.

The feast of the fishermen: On the 24th of June each year, the local fishermen and the captains of the caiques cook the well-known cacavia (fish soup) for all of the guests in order to celebrate the celebration day of the fish. A grand feast then follows with traditional Greek music and Greek dancing.

Keros is an archaeological site, characteristic of the Cycladic civilization and culture. It was on this rocky point of the Aegean that the eminent statuettes-symbols of the Cycladic Civilization, the Piper and the Harpist, were discovered. They are temporarily exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Athens and are evident of how religious the people of that period were.

5. Villages and settlements on Koufonisia

Kato (Lower) and Pano (Upper) Koufonisi form the cluster of Koufonisia. Only Pano Koufonisi is populated and offers hotels but both of the islands of Koufonisia have excellent beaches. The two islands are connected with frequent caique rides in summer.

6. The history and mythology of Koufonisia

There is not much known about the early life and history of Koufonisia. What is sure, for excavations in Kato Koufonisi and on Keros islet, is that Koufonisia has been inhabited since the pre-historic times. What is known has been garnered from the tombs and other artifacts that have been found over a period of time. These artifacts have datelines from the Early Cyclades, the Roman and the Hellenistic periods.

Excavations made in the region of Pano Mili and the east coast of the island revealed significant information about the early seasons of the Cycladic culture and many findings from the Hellenistic and Roman times. One of the most significant finds in the history of Cyclades is a vessel engraved with a star on it, kept today at the Museum of Naxos. Koufonisia along with the neighboring island of Keros, used to be the most important centers of Cycladic Culture around 3000-2000 B.C.

Koufonisia subsequently shared the fate of most of the islands in the Cyclades group which suffered from frequent raids by pirates. The isles’ control passed between Venetian dynasties and the Ottomans, and Koufonisia was often forced into alliance with pirates from Mani who held an informal alliance with the inhabitants of the island for their benefit.

During the 17^th century, the great conflict between the two naval superpowers of all times, Venice and Turkey, the residents of Koufonisia where found excluded and a large plague struck the island. In order to satisfy their hunger the residents of the island used solutions of any kind. They forced themselves to eat bulbs, a plant that grows in the poor soiled island. The release of Koufonisia came together with the rest of the Cyclades after the Revolution of 1821.

7. Rent a car on Koufonisia

There are no car or motorbike rentals on the islands of Koufonisia, but there are two agencies that rent bicycles.

For information on bicycle rentals on Koufonisia, please contact:

+30 22850 71679 – +30 22850 74510 – +30 698 9637046

e-mail: [email protected]

8. Useful information about Koufonisi Island

The Koufonisia (The hollow islands) are a small group of islands located in the eastern side of the small Cyclades, towards the South East side of Naxos island and Amorgos island. The group of islands consist of upper Koufonisi, lower Koufonisi, and the mysterious Keros island, which is located in between them, separated just by a narrow passage of some 200 meters with several rocky islet outcrops in between. They all belong to the municipality of Naxos.

The calm, peaceful atmosphere, beaches and water upon Koufonisia, create a beautiful small paradise for tourists, with crystalline turquoise waters, caves under and above the sea level, the friendliness of the inhabitants make your dream holiday come true.

The climate is mild even in winter and cool in the summer with a bright sun and the characteristic summer northern winds called Meltemia.

These islands were the springboard for opportunist pirate raids through the ages and today offer a different kind of opportunity for the tourist wishing to visit these off the beaten track islands. Here you may find information about travelling to Koufonisia, you may book your accommodation on Koufonisia, read about the history of the islands, See what there is to see and to do on Koufonisia, enjoy our Koufonisia picture gallery and much more.

There are no car or motorbike rentals on the islands of Koufonisia, but there are two agencies that rent bicycles. For information on bicycle rentals on Koufonisia, please contact: +30 22850 71679 –  +30 22850 74510 – +30 698 9637046

e-mail: [email protected]

We have tried to give as much information about the island and we shall personally try to make your stay on Koufonisia remain among the best memories in your life.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS ON KOUFONISIA

Police on Koufonisia: +30 22850 71375

Doctor’s office on Koufonisia: +30 22850 71370

Pharmacy on Koufonisia: +30 22850 74454 +30 694 7929292

Medical center on Koufonisia: +30 22850 23333

Ticket office ‘Prasinos’: +30 22850 71438

Port office on Naxos: +30 22850 22300

Petrol station on Koufonisia: +30 22850 71457 +30 697 7982701

Port authorities of Piraeus: +30 210 4226000, +30 210 4147800

Travel agency on Koufonisia: +30 22850 71671

If you would like to visit the beautiful island of Koufonisia, you may book your accommodation through our site and get a special discount.

If you need any extra information, then please contact us here [email protected]or +30 6934 620 501 / +30 22840 24879