Vourkari — Kea’s Sailing Harbour and Seafood Village

Vourkari occupies a sheltered bay on the northern coast, 5 km from Korissia port. Its quayside is lined with colourful fishing boats and sailing yachts, and its waterfront restaurants are among the best on the island for fish and seafood. A small stone lighthouse marks the entrance to the bay.

The Harbour

Vourkari’s bay is naturally protected from prevailing winds, making it a favourite anchorage for yachts and sailing boats throughout the summer. The quayside is genuinely picturesque — mooring lines, fresh fish nets, and the occasional octopus drying in the sun — without being self-consciously curated for tourism.

The stone lighthouse at the bay’s entrance is a recognised local landmark and a good vantage point at sunset, when the sky above the hills turns orange and the boats in the harbour catch the last light.

Restaurants and Eating Well

The waterfront at Vourkari is home to some of the most respected seafood restaurants on the island. Aristos taverna is a long-standing favourite among Athenian weekenders, known for fresh fish simply prepared and mezedes that do full justice to the Aegean’s produce. Several other options on the quayside range from simple plastic-chair settings to more carefully laid tables.

For a genuine local experience, the evening hours in Vourkari — when the yachts are moored, the light is soft, and the tables fill with regulars — are among the best on the island. Book ahead on summer weekends.

The Prehistoric Site of Agia Irini

Just outside Vourkari, on a small peninsula at the end of the bay, are the remains of the prehistoric settlement of Agia Irini — one of the most significant Bronze Age archaeological sites in the Aegean. Occupied from around 3000 BC to the 15th century BC, when an earthquake ended its long life, the settlement was a prosperous trading hub with connections to Crete, mainland Greece and the Levant.

The accessible ruins include house foundations, sections of fortification wall, and the outline of a large circular public structure. The site is accessible via a short walk from the end of the quay — though signage and access conditions may vary, so ask locally if unclear. For deeper context, the Agia Irini page covers the site’s history in full, and the Archaeological Museum in Ioulida houses many of the finds.

Diving from Vourkari

Kea Divers, one of the main dive operators on the island, is based in Vourkari. They offer expeditions to the island’s protected underwater archaeological zone — including dives on the HMHS Britannic (sister of the Titanic), the SS Burdigala, the SS Patris, and a Junkers Ju 52 aircraft. Sport diving and beginner programmes are also available. See the diving page for full details.

Practical Tips

• Walkable from Gialiskari beach — a pleasant 2 km coastal path
• Book a waterfront table for dinner on summer weekends — it fills up
• The Agia Irini site is accessible via a short walk from the quay end; ask locally for current access
• Kea Divers is based here for all wreck and sport diving enquiries
• The lighthouse at the bay entrance is worth a short walk for the view