KORISSIA (LIVADI) main port, village, beach & ancient KORISSOS site in KEA (TZIA) ^Featured

Korissia is Kea's main port (also called Livadi) and is located apx 6km from Ioulida (Town) and apx 2km from the cosmopolitan Vourkari. It is built on the N/E coast of the large and picturesque bay of Aghios Nikolaos. Its has whitewashed and multicoloured traditional houses with tiled roofs. Along the seafront there are cafés, bars, traditional tavernas, restaurants and shops. In rush hours, when the ferries arrive, the port is busy and noisy. However, in the summertime, part of the main road transfroms to a pedestrial road. The cafes and the tavernas put their tables on the quay and the village beacomes very attractive. The best time to visit Korissia is during the sunset, especially when the weather is calm. Then, the setting is idyllic. Nightlife in Korissia is relaxed. People gather around the seafront cafe, bars and tavernas.

HISTORY: The ancient Korissos used to lie above the current village of Korissia. It was one of the four cities-states of ancient Kea (Kaos), along with Karthaia, Ioulida and Poiessa. These cities flourished during the archaic and classical periods. On the hills of Aghios Savas and Aghia Triada, visitors can still see the ruins of the ancient Acropolis and the temples possibly dedicated to Smithios Apollo, Dioskouri, Aphrodite (Venus) and Poseidon. On the 2nd century B.C. Korissos was ruled by Ioulida. Its natural safe harbour has been an important trade center, mainly during the Byzantine years. Towards the east side of the hill, excavations revealed an ancient cemetery and the famous staute of Kouros (6th cent. B.C.), now exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

BEACH: Korissia has a nice long sandy beach which lies along the road to Vourkari. Usually it is not crowded and has a few umbrellas and trees for shade.

MOORING INFO: Korissia is located  in the Agios Nikolaos bay, which is considered one of the safest harbours in Greece. Korissia's port is safe with almost all weathers. Ferries dock on the right side (as you enter the port). There is enough space for several private boats (left to the ferries' dock). Eventhough the most popular mooring and anchorage is the cosmopolitan Vourkari (located right accross, on the N/E side of the bay), the dock may get full during peak weekends, since it is hard to find a mooring place in Vourkari. Those who have a reasonably fast tender may easily reach Vourkari from Korissia.

HOLDING: Good, sandy bottom

FACILITIES: No power suppliers. Water & fuel deliverred on the dock. Super market/shops near the quay.