Ferry from Gythion to Kissamos

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.

Kissamos Guide

Kissamos Ferry Port

There are two ports in the city of Kissamos, an island located on the west coast of Crete; one is used primarily for fishing and mooring small boats with no transfers coming in or out, the other port has modern facilities and is used to connect passengers to the other Greek Islands. The port providing ferry routes lies just three kilometres from the capital city of Kastelli; the busiest area of the island hosting a range of shops, restaurants and hotels. The landscapes surrounding the port area are renowned for being particularly beautiful; rugged coastline, unique rock formations and refreshing greenery alone all make the port worth visiting. The rest of the region offers a quiet, sleepy side not usually associated with the party lifestyle of the majority of the Greek Islands. Getting around Kissamos may require the need to hire a car or rely on taxis, unless visitors are prepared to wait for the unreliable bus service, although that isn’t advisable. The port is within walking distance from the city centre, taking about an hour if walked at a fairly fast pace. Facilities are lacking at the port due to the small size, though the crossings are relatively short so there isn’t a great demand for eating and drinking facilities.