What should I get from Kythira?

The gifts of an island you don’t forget

Kythira is an island that is not offered simply to be seen – it is one of those places that you feel, remember, carry inside you. And when the time comes to leave, the soul feels a little heavy, not out of sadness, but out of fullness. And the need arises to take something with you; something more than memories. Something tangible, a small promise that what you have experienced, you will keep alive and far from the shores of the island.

The first thing that comes to mind is the thyme honey of Kythera. Golden, thick and aromatic, like the sun in a glass jar. It is produced in small quantities by beekeepers who continue traditional methods, in places where thyme breathes freely on the slopes and sea salt caresses the hives. It is one of the most authentic samples of the island, with a taste that lasts a long time on the palate, and even longer in the memory.

The large castle of Chora, with the traditional village

It is also worth taking with you a little of the sweet side of the place. Traditional sweets, such as xerotigana – thin, crispy strips of dough dipped in honey and sprinkled with walnuts and cinnamon – are flavors that speak of celebration, of weddings and family tables. Almond cakes with flower water, with their soft aroma, are small odes to the simplicity and grace of Kytherian hospitality. And aniseed rusks have that special quality of always reminding of grandmother’s cooking, quiet afternoons and conversations in the traditional cafe.

There is no shortage of local drinks – small bottles with character and history. Arbaroriza liqueur is one of the most characteristic; it smells of courtyards and summer, and every sip of it is like a treat from an old woman in a Cycladic alley. There are also liqueurs made from mastic or even thyme, rare and precious, ideal for those evenings at home when you need to hear the waves again, even from afar.

The island’s tradition also extends to the art of the land and olive oil. In Kythira, they even make, with love and patience, handmade soaps based on pure olive oil, mixed with natural fragrances such as lavender, dittany, sage or honey. These soaps, often wrapped in plain paper or linen, are not just care products – they are small objects of art and memory, which bring you back to the island every time you smell or touch them.

For those who love gastronomy, Kythira also has to offer exquisite cheeses and traditional cold cuts. The fresh and delicate sour cheese is a local specialty, while the richer and more intense kefalotyri or anthotyro bring the taste of the Kythira countryside to the plate. In some corners, you will also find traditional sausages, made with leeks or marinated in wine, as in the old days.

The nature of Kythira, however, does not stop at taste; it also extends to everyday life through the herbs that grow spontaneously on the mountains and slopes of the island. Thyme, sage, lavender, mountain tea – all hand-picked by locals, dried naturally, keep the aroma of the island alive in every cup. A steaming coffee or a brew of Kythira herbs is like a small ritual of return.

Art here is not a luxury, but a part of everyday life. In the island’s workshops, one will find ceramics inspired by the sea, light and earth. You can buy cups and plates with carved waves, jewelry made of stones collected by the sea itself, or small creations made of bronze, wood and glass. Each object has a hand, a look, a story behind it.

And finally, there are those less “standard” memories. A small bottle of sand or pebbles from Halko, a postcard from some forgotten bookstore, a bag of lavender from a courtyard in Livadi, a small icon from a chapel, or an old photocopy of a handwritten prayer. These are the most personal souvenirs, the quietest – but also the most lasting.

And yet, even if your suitcase is filled with all these small and precious things, the true “gift” of Kythera is intangible. It is that subtle peace that remains within you, as if you have been touched by an unquenchable light. It is the gaze of the island that bids you farewell silently but full. And through all that you will take with you, one thing is certain: your heart will have already left something behind – and this “exchange” is what makes every return to Kythera necessary.