By Nicolas Bard

Schinoussa is a small Cycladic island in the heart of the Aegean Sea, which has been inhabited since ancient times. According to tradition, its name is due to Schino, a bush plant that thrives throughout the island. But there is another version, according to which the island was named after the Venetian lord Schinosa.

In recent decades, the island has begun to gain more and more fans who visit it during the summer months, to swim and enjoy the tranquility of the place, away from the bustling tourist resorts of the Cyclades. About 200 residents are permanently inhabited on the island, most of whom are involved in fishing, agriculture, livestock and tourism.

Schinoussa is in the center of the small Eastern Cyclades complex.

We find it south of Naxos and northeast of Heraklia. It is a small island, with a total area of ​​8,144 square kilometers offered for quiet holidays. It belongs to the province of Naxos and is regularly transported, with its trip from Piraeus to Mersini, its safe harbor, lasting about 7 – 8 hours.

Mersini is considered one of the best small boats shelters in the whole Aegean. The highest peak of the island is the mill, reaching 133 meters altitude.

The island has only two settlements, Chora and Mesaria. The settlement of the country is built on a hill in the island’s inland, and is 1.2 km from the coast. In earlier years the island had suffered many disasters from pirate raids.

Thus, the inhabitants built the village of Panagia, as they otherwise call the country from the Church of Our Lady of Anastas, to have visibility to the sea and to oversee those who anchored in the port.

The architecture of Schinoussa is the traditional Cycladic, with white houses, colorful doorways, whitewashed with bougainvilleas and beautiful churches. The second settlement of the island, Mesaria stands out for the church of Evangelistria and is 3 km from Chora.

In recent years, the island has become popular with travelers looking for quiet places and virgin beaches to make their vacation. Schinoussa now has the right tourist infrastructure and can provide visitors with all modern amenities, while frequent connection to Naxos facilitates travel.

What makes Schinoussa separate from the rest of the islands is its natural beauty, the pure Cycladic landscape and 15 on its total beaches, with the blue waters and the clear seabed being the largest lure you will find there.

Starting from the port to explore the coastline of the island, you will find Mersini Beach, and then Tsigouri, Livadi, Lioliou, Psili Ammos, Almyros, Almond and others. The road network is rudimentary and on most beaches it only reaches a dirt road, but this probably gives another graphic element.

His camera, where there is Greece, landed on this small Aegean island, talked with its inhabitants and showed us some of its most beautiful corners. If, then, you are looking for a few moments of relaxation and the ultimate digital detox, then Schinoussa is an option that you need to take seriously for summer.