A SMALL Greek island where locals head for their holidays is now becoming less of a well kept secret, thanks to a brand new resort.
Holidaymakers are constantly trying to stay ahead of the curve, so they can enjoy beautiful destinations before they become overcrowded, like Mykonos and Santorini.
And it looks like the small island of Kea could soon become popular with holidaymakers from abroad, after mainly being a tourist spot for locals up to now.
The small island is also known to some as Tzia, and sits around an hour away from Athens.
It’s described as both a “weekend hangout and summer hideaway” for people who live in the capital, some of whom will head there to their second home, and even their speedboat.
Borders of Adventure described it as being “the closest Cyclades getaway to mainland Greece. And one that feels much, much further away”.
They added: “Coveted by those in the know, like a secret garden whose gate is open if you know where to find it.
“It sure is deserving of a little more tourism.”
That may well now come in the shape of the new One&Only resort, which opened on the island earlier this year.
The high-end luxury accommodation is home to 63 modern villas, each set within the hillside with their own private infinity pools and sea views.
There will also soon be a collection of privately owned homes, some with as many as six bedrooms.
The Financial Times said there was “something of the Bond villain’s lair about the resort” with its setting playing a big part in its hidden crook’s hideout aesthetic.
The FT continued: “For decades, well-heeled Athenians have sailed to chic second homes on an island unknown to many foreign tourists.
“Kea has avoided mass tourism and presents a determinedly unshowy slice of the Cyclades.”
However, among its attractions are several shipwrecks found around its shores, including sister ship to the Titanic, The Britannic.
Like its sibling, the Britannic also ended up at the bottom of the sea, having after hitting a German naval mine in 1916.
The shipwrecks themselves are far from the only thing worth visiting the shores for, with the beaches around the islands more than holding their own.
Among the many on the island, Koundouros Beach is rated as one of the best, with Greeka describing it as having “nice features” as well as some tavernas nearby, making it a great place to enjoy a dip and a drink.
Pisses Beach and Otzias Beach are both also highly considered among locals and visitors, both of which offer long stretches of sand for people to bathe on during the hot summer months.
Meanwhile, there’s a great selection of things to do in the evening, including a places to eat and drink.
Greeka continued: “At the ports of Vourkari and Korissia, a few seaside bars play various kinds of music.
“There are some more bars in the streets of Ioulida, the capital of the island.
“For more peaceful nights, taverns with tasty dishes lie around the island, either in the central square of Ioulida or along the beaches.”
Getting to the island is much easier than it might seem, given how few foreign tourists head there.
It can be reached from the lesser-known port of Lavrio, which is found in the very southeast of Greater Athens.
From there, it takes between 40 minutes to an hour depending on which service.
A night for two on the island can be booked from around £38.
Meanwhile, holidays on this island are available from £267 per person this summer.
And here are five island hopping holidays to take in Europe this summer.
