Destinations > Cyclades Islands > Kea

     The island is mostly barren with patches of cultivated and wooded ground near the coast. The lyric poets Simonides and Bacchlides come from this island. The picturesque hamlet of Vourkari is most popular and has excellent restaurants. The large protected bay was once important as a coaling station for steamers. The beautiful 'Chora' on the hill, a huddle of glaring white houses, is well worth a visit. A large lion carved from the rock face is attributed to an Ionian sculptor from around 600 BC