Kythnos is one of the closest Cyclades to Athens, about 50 nautical miles from Piraeus, yet it has kept a quiet, unhurried feel that many travellers find missing on the better-known islands. It is a place for thermal springs, stone villages and beaches rather than nightlife, and it is popular with Athenians who want an island escape without a long journey.
Piraeus, Athens' main port, is the obvious starting point if you are staying in the city, since it is on metro Line 1 and has departures to the whole Aegean. It is not the only way to reach Kythnos, though: Lavrio, south-east of Athens, is the port that mainly serves Kea and the western islands and also has boats to Kythnos. It is worth comparing both before you book.
From Piraeus you have two very different options. In summer, the Seajets high-speed boats do the trip in about 1 hr 35 min, but fares start around €49.70. The conventional ships of Aegean Sea Lines and Fast Ferries take roughly twice as long, about 2 hr 50 min to 3 hr 15 min, at noticeably lower fares from €31. Both types carry cars, which matters on an island where a vehicle makes exploring much easier.
Kythnos rewards a stay of a few days. Ferryhopper counts more than 60 beaches on the island, with the sandbar at Kolona the most famous, and Martinakia the closest to the port. From Kythnos you can also continue south to Serifos, Sifnos and Milos, which makes it a good first stop on a trip through the western Cyclades.
