Otzias beach
Otzias occupies the northern part of Kay. The beach at a small village lies in a cozy bay, closed on all sides. The length is about 700 m. From the island’s capital, a little more than 10 km will go, and from the main port of the island, Vourkari, you will have to overcome about 7. A small beach is surrounded by green hills dotted with winding paths.
Photos
Beach description
The place where Otzias is situated was a port in the past, which is proved by ruins that remained in the haven. Modern buildings on the sea rocks are locals' houses, rare hotels, and cultural buildings preserved until our days. Wonderful views of the bay and the sea behind it open almost from every corner.
The village is small and can provide room to one hundred people maximum, so vacations here will be calm and peaceful. The beach is very popular among families with kids. The slightly sloping beach is covered with fine sand, the bay is shallow and safe, without strong waves. The bay is famous for excellent fishing, and the fans of it bring home a huge yield after the night underwater hunting. Windsurfers come here to ride the waves when the wind is favorable.
Many tourists spend the second part of the day in taverns, listening to live music, and watching the sunset.
Why the coast of Otzias is so attractive:
- Neat paid beach.
- deck chairs and umbrellas are paid but after 5 PM, you can use deck chairs for free.
- It has shower, changing cabins.
- Cafes and bars with food and various drinks.
- There is a children's playground in the beach depth.
- The tourists take part in volley-ball tournaments.
- One of the best fish restaurants on the entire island is open in the village.
- After swimming and sunbathing, tourists are welcome for hiking down the paths a bit higher than the beach.
If you take a road leading to Korissos and Vurkari, you can observe pasturing of animals on local farms protected with stone fences. It is also easy to get to several whitewall chapels, small churches that are situated on the locality.
When is the best time to go?
Greece - a country with a long length from north to south, so the recommendations will vary depending on the place where you are going. The holiday season begins in May and reaches a peak in July-August: there are too many tourists, and the temperature on the southern islands reaches 40 degrees, which may still not play a role on the beach, but certainly not suitable for sightseeing. So the best time to relax in Greece is the end of spring-beginning of summer or September-October.
Video: Beach Otzias
Infrastructure
There is plenty of suitable housing in the district. Those who do not like noise and crowds will choose accommodation in Otzias, the village is an ideal place for families with children.
There is a cozy guest house at 100 meters from the beach Anemousa Studios, 4*. The apartments are equipped with necessary appliances, cleaned daily, have an individual kitchen, a furnished balcony with garden and pool views. Coffee with bread rolls is brought out to the pool every morning, and barbecue facilities are available. There is a playground at the base-court of the hotel, and there is also a separate pool built for children. The owners are very attentive, always provide any help: both physical and informational.
Food is provided by the restaurant in the neighborhood. There are a small market and a mini-market in 3-5 minutes. To shop thoroughly, you will need a taxi and 20 minutes to get to the old town or the port with large shops.
As in many Kea settlements, a rental car is an ideal means of transportation to Otzias. There are few taxis, and besides, they may not be punctual if you need to drive very early in the morning or late in the evening. The hotel has parking, and the presence of a car will always leave you with the latitude to visit distant sights, go to a new restaurant or for big purchases.
The food is excellent in almost any restaurant or tavern. Some of them have such an arrangement that you can only walk up on stony paths. But all the effort will be rewarded by the calorie content of dinner or lunch. The dishes are simple and tasty, mostly made from products produced on local farms.
You cannot help trying arugula salad or saganaki, a specific toasted cheese, or the favorite dishes of many visiting gourmets: lamb chops, rooster in tomato sauce, zucchini or mushroom pie. There is a lot of home-made wine, but the quality is not always the highest. It is better to buy bottled.
Weather in Otzias
Best hotels of Otzias
All hotels of OtziasUseful information
- The best overland road to Otzias goes through Korissos, then Vourkari, if you come from Iulida. A ferry trip by sea will take just over an hour. Departure from Laurium.
- In order not to fall on vacation during strong summer winds, you need to travel in the spring. After Easter there are few people, nature turns green, the island is painted with flowers. For those who are cold in 17-degree water, the best time to visit Otzias is autumn. It is time for sea swimming: it is warm, there are no waves.
Those with long-distance walking skills or a rented car will find many attractions nearby and at some distance, in neighboring cities and villages:
- Located on a cliff with magnificent views, the monastery and church of Panagia Kastriani.
- Behind Iulida there is the monastery of St. Marina.
- An ancient sculpture of a lion east of Iulida, carved around 600 BC.
- As a part of a group or on your own boat, it is interesting to visit the uninhabited Makronissos. Here, Paris hid Helen of Troy, later political prisoners languished.
- Keadivers Diver, a popular diving center.
- Atrapos in Korissia. Souvenirs for friends to decorate the house, kitchen.