The fishing beauty of the south
Text: Maro Voulgari | Photo: Michalis Kormas
Alyki, salt pond in Greek, welcomes its visitors, offering Cycladic hospitality and really serene vacations.
About fifty years ago Alyki had very few houses, two or three picturesque small taverns, the grape “factory” and some fisherman’s cabins.
The upsurge in tourism has changed the picture but the small picturesque port has retained its unique character -one hopes it will not succumb, following this year’s intervention- a marina for yachts. At the main street the cafes with their outdoor tables provide traditional pastries and homemade lemonades, while the restaurants serve mainly fish fished by the owners.
The village is also rich in cultural events. In the last days of June, it celebrates the “Klidonas”, in which the May wreaths are burned and the locals celebrate with sea food and traditional orchestras.
Another major feast is the Fish Festival on August the 6th, feast day of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Traditional music from local musicians, abundant fried sardines and wine.
For the fortunate visitors who will be on the island in September as well, the village celebrates the Elevation of the Holy Cross on September 14th. At Alyki there is also the Cycladic Folklore Museum of self-taught artist Benetos Skiadas.
Finally, the culinary proposals are far from negligible. At the Piso Alyki beach there is the restaurant “Thalassamou” of the award-winning Chef Marios Salmatanis, with a creative Cycladic cuisine of fresh ingredients. At the small port, you can eat at the picturesque “Balcony of Akis” with the pier extending into the sea, enjoy sea food at “Mouragio” or try the new Sul Mare and then go to “Marina” for loukoumades and to “Apoplou” for coffee, pastries and pizza, right on the sea and shopping at “Delfini”.