Lusso Travel Ltd, No. 1 Glasshouse - 1LG1,
Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK10 4TG
Until recently the closely guarded secret of holidaying Athenians, little-known Kéa island has grabbed the attention of discerning travellers thanks to the opening of a stylish new clifftop resort from luxury hospitality brand, One&Only.
Wild and dramatic, Kéa is the secret Greek island that locals love but few tourists have ever heard of.
The small capital Ioulida, nestled in the mountainous interior, offers a glimpse into a slower pace of life and traditional Cycladic charm.
Divers will love Kéa’s Underwater Historic Sites (KUHS), a marine-protected area home to three impressive shipwrecks, including HMHS Britannic, sister of the Titanic.
Perched atop Kastri Hill on the north side of the island, Panagia Kastriani Monastery is well worth a visit, its whitewashed buildings contrasting perfectly with the deep blue Aegean.
Head to Bond Beach Club at One&Only Kéa Island for lazy beach days, fresh and light Mediterranean lunches and evenings soundtracked by resident DJs.
The closest of the Cyclades to Athens (an hour by ferry or 15 minutes by helicopter), Kéa provides stark contrast to its Cycladic neighbours. No white-washed cubist houses or blue-domed churches here. Instead, you’ll find an island of lush natural beauty – of oak forests, olive groves, vineyards and steep valleys, where activities range from hiking and mountain biking to diving local shipwrecks and private boat trips to isolated beaches.
In fact, so fertile is the interior that Kéa remains Greece’s only self-sustainable island, a fact best appreciated when tucking into the fresh produce on offer at any number of local restaurants.
Just a 60-minute ferry ride from Athens (or less by private speedboat), One&Only Kéa Island occupies a dazzling, 65-hectare beachfront on one of the most beautiful but lesser-known islands of the Cyclades.