Gythion Antikythira Ferry

Gythion Guide

Gythion Ferry Port

Found upon a hilly peninsula in the south of Greece, on the shores of the vast Laconian Gulf, is the historic city of Gythion. Once the site of a major seaport in the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta, the town is now a vibrant seafront community characterised by its tangle of winding roads, tiers of pastel-coloured houses, and the wealth of cafes, bars and seafood restaurants that pepper the plazas and the promenade. Much of Gythion is built upon the pine-studded foothills that rise from the coast to Mount Koumaros to the west. At the bottom of these hills, along the edge of town, is the sparkling ultramarine waters of the Mediterranean bay. It’s a sweeping view best sampled from the rocky outcrop of Cranae island connected to Gythion’s coastline. The port of Gythion is found in the humming heart of town, on a section of the coast that overlooks an inlet of the gulf sheltered by a long pier. At the foot of this pier, where small yachts bob upon the gently lapping swell of the shallows, is the local ferry terminal. This small facility consists of little more than a departure point nestled between a cluster of alfresco restaurants. There are no dedicated passenger amenities at the terminal meaning that food, drink and other supplies can only be purchased in town before departure. Much of the south Peloponnese region that encompasses Gythion is comprised of rural land fed by very few major road routes. The town’s nearest roadway is the E039 which snakes north through the verdant countryside towards the city of Sparta under 30-miles away, a route that is regularly traversed by public buses leaving from stops near the harbour. A number of ferry services operate from the port on a limited schedule throughout the week. Lane Sea Lines offers three different routes south along the Mediterranean Sea to the small islands of Kythira and Antikythira as well as to the port-town of Kissamos on the larger island of Crete.

Antikythira Guide

Antikythira Ferry Port

Sitting alone in the crystalline waters of the Aegean Sea, equidistant from the coasts of Crete and the Peloponnese region of Greece, is the small island of Antikythira. This rugged kite-shaped outcrop of land is sparsely populated and almost entirely covered in Mediterranean scrubland that rises over its steep hills and rocky cliffs that line the shore. Due to its prime location between Africa and Europe, Antikythira is a natural rest-stop for migratory birds travelling overseas. The island is also the world’s largest breeding ground of the elegant Eleonora's falcon and has become an important research outpost for those studying the species. The port of Antikythira is found to the north of the island. The passenger terminal here consists of a pier that sits at the base of a narrow inlet of the ocean, just along from a small, hill-top marina. A number of Lane Sea Lines services leave from the port throughout the week, heading to a variety of destinations. Three services sail towards the Greek mainland, stopping at the island of Kythira, the south-coast town of Gythion and the city of Piraeus further north. Another service travels in the opposite direction, following a route that spans the glittering Antikythira strait to the town of Kissamos on the north-western peninsula of Crete.