Kythira, the island of Aphrodite, is a wonderful destination for a holiday with your dog. With its beautiful beaches and picturesque landscapes, you will find many places to enjoy your holiday together.
Fortunately, Kythira is a pet-friendly island, as stated on the Kythira Municipality website, there are two beaches where dogs are allowed:
The beach at Kapsali, with its crystal clear waters and golden sand, is an excellent choice for relaxing with your dog.
The beach at Kapsali extends over the two bays of the homonymous village in the south of the island. It is a large sandy beach with crystal clear waters, ideal for families and visitors who wish to enjoy the sea and the sun. The area is organized, with shops, restaurants and taverns along the promenade, offering a variety of food and drink options. In addition, the nightlife in Kapsali is intense, with various entertainment options
The beach at Diakofti, with its shallow waters and fine sand, is ideal for playing and swimming with your dog.
The beach at Diakofti is perhaps the one with the clearest waters on the entire 90-kilometer coastline of the island. It stretches across from the main port, to the east of Kythira, and features golden sand with turquoise and shallow waters, ideal for families with young children. The area is organized, with canteens, restaurants and beach bars that offer food, drinks and snacks, without having to leave the beach. In addition, water sports and other activities are offered for young and old.
Tips for a pleasant experience:
Always have water and a bowl for your dog with you, especially during the summer months.
Make sure to pick up your dog’s waste to keep the beach clean.
Keep your dog under control and keep him on a leash when necessary, especially on busy beaches.
Be careful with heatstroke, and do not leave your dog in the sun for too long.
Please respect other bathers and do not disturb them.
In addition to the two beaches above, there are other beaches in Kythira where you can go with your dog, but it is important to check the legislation before going. There are several accommodations in Kythira that accept pets.
Kythira is a wonderful destination for a vacation with your dog. By following these tips, you can enjoy an unforgettable experience together.
What the Legislation Says
The law resolves all the relevant issues and defines when and where dogs are allowed on beaches and of course which ones they are not allowed on.
Based on the new framework for the welfare of companion animals and specifically Law 4830/2021, article 19 “Access to beaches” states the following below:
Dogs are allowed access to unorganized beaches, as well as to the sea. Outside the sea, the use of a leash is always mandatory.
On organized beaches, within the meaning of par. 1 of article p.d. 71/2020 (A’166), access for dogs is permitted only if they are assistance dogs or if there is a relevant, clearly visible sign posted by the legal person responsible for operating the beach. Outside the sea, the use of a leash is always mandatory.
Without prejudice to article 21, access for dogs to beaches with Blue Flag certification by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature is prohibited.
According to the current law 4830/2021, article 19, “access for dogs is permitted TO UNORGANIZED BEACHES, as well as to the sea, while “TO ORGANIZED BEACHES, within the meaning of par. 1 of article 1 of the Presidential Decree 71/2020, access to dogs is permitted only if they are assistance and therapy dogs or if there is a relevant, clearly visible sign posted by the legal operator of the beach.
In addition, access to dogs is prohibited on beaches with Blue Flag certification from the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature.
Consequently, the law distinguishes between unorganized beaches and organized beaches and those with a blue flag.
1. On unorganized beaches, free access to all dogs is allowed both on the beach and in the sea.
2. On organized beaches, it is generally prohibited, unless a clearly visible sign has been posted by the legal operator of the beach that dogs are allowed.dogs.
But what is considered an organized beach?
According to PD 71/2020, a bathing facility (organized beach) is considered a) the appropriately organized area of the shore and beach, which people enter upon payment of a ticket or b) the area of the shore and beach, which is crowded.
Assistance dogs have free access to all organized beaches.
In any case, outside the sea, the use of a leash is mandatory and we must also have its health booklet with us, so that, if we are asked by the authorities, we can prove that it is vaccinated. It goes without saying that our dog must be microchipped and have an updated health booklet.
