Koufonisia islands description and photos - Greece: Naxos island (Topic)

Koufonisia islands description and photos - Greece: Naxos Island. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Koufonisia islands.

Photo and description

Koufonisia (Koufonisi) is a group of islands in the Aegean Sea southeast of Naxos. The group consists of three small islands - Pano Koufonisi (or simply Koufonisi), Kato Koufonisi and Keros, which are part of the Lesser Cyclades. The islands were inhabited since prehistoric times and were an important center of the Cycladic civilization.

Pano Koufonisia is the smallest (only 3.5 square kilometers) and the most populous island in the Cyclades archipelago. Most of the local residents are engaged in fishing. In recent decades, the tourism industry has begun to actively develop on the island. Picturesque landscapes, magnificent beaches for which the island is so famous, the azure waters of the Aegean Sea and the unusually relaxing atmosphere attract more and more tourists from all over the world every year. The only settlement and main port of the island is Chora, located on the southwestern coast of Pano Koufonisia. This is a pretty fishing village with charming white houses with blue doors and shutters typical of Cycladic architecture, old windmills, and a host of cozy restaurants and taverns serving the freshest seafood and fish. Among the attractions of Pano Koufonisia, it is also worth noting the churches - St. George, St. Nicholas and the Prophet Elijah. In addition to traditional beach activities, diving, fishing, scuba diving, cycling and hiking are especially popular on the island. You can also organize an exciting excursion along the picturesque shores and explore the incredibly beautiful caves of Pano Koufonisia, as well as visit the nearby islands.

The islet of Kato Koufonisia (4.3 sq km) is separated from Pano Koufonisia by only a narrow strait about 200 m. It is a practically deserted island with several village houses and a small pier where fishing boats and tourist boats dock. The main attraction of the island is the Church of the Virgin Mary, located near the harbor, built on ancient ruins.

The uninhabited island of Keros is the largest island of the Koufonisia group. Its area is almost 15 sq. Km. Keros is an important archaeological site of the Cycladic civilization and is under state protection.

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Topic: Koufonisia islands description and photos - Greece: Naxos island.