Psara
Discover our Island
Psara is an island located on the northeast Aegean. It is also known as a stone boat because its inhabitants were, and still are skillful sailors.
Psara is only 44 nautical miles far away from the main harbor of Chios, which is connected to daily bases via the vessel “Psara Glory“.
The island lists 422 permanent residents with the majority of them being retirees. Psara island is 42 square kilometers, with most of it consisting of arid land. The village of Psara stretches amphitheatrically around the picturesque harbor of the island, following the North traditional Aegean architecture, with white houses and red tile roofs.
Walking through the traditional streets of Psara, you can see the beauty and uniqueness of the island and its inhabitants. The island is well-known in the history of Greece, for its significant and substantial contribution to the Revolution of 1821. The hospitable Psarian ancestors of Kanari, Nicodemus, Varvakis and other glorious personalities, make travelers feel intimate. Their unique stories can travel you to the difficult and yet courageous years of the Revolution, leaving you with a feeling of emotion and pride.
The rich cultural heritage of Psara, combined with the beautiful virgin beaches and good tastes, undoubtedly leave the visitors of the island impressed. A visit to Palaiokastro, Agios Nikolaos, the house of Konstantinos Kanaris and the monastery of the Virgin Mary, founded in the 17th century with its library full with rare manuscripts and ecclesiastical books, will not leave you indifferent.
The characteristic feature of Psara island are the magnificent beaches with the blue clear waters that it has which can satisfy even the most demanding visitors.
The most famous coast of the island is Katsouni, at the east of the village. The beach is famous for its sand and shallow waters. There visitors can enjoy their swim in the pristine beach, as well as enjoy the sun and the crystal clear blue waters of the sea. This particular beach is suitable for children. There is organized every summer the beach volley tournament of the island. The old building situated in the area is the old hospital of Psara, which now works as a restaurant. For those who want to be isolated from the other bathers, the small bay of Agia Kyriaki, located next to Katsouni beach, is ideal for the fulfillment of their requirements.
Another sandy beach is Lazaretta, south of the island. For most residents and visitors, Lazaretta is considered to be the best beach of Psara just one kilometer from the village. At the south of the village we find the pebbled beach of Kato Gyalos. The special characteristic of that beach is that the visitor during swimming will enjoy the view of the Antipsaron Island.
An equally beautiful coast of Psara is Lemnos. Lemnos extends into the bay of the harbor and consists of sand and fine pebbles. The distance from the village is about four kilometers, and only three kilometers away is the beach of Lakka.
For those who wish to continue their journey by looking for other seaside places, Lakka beach is located on the western side of Psara and is one of the largest beaches on the island. After Lakka there is also the Archontiki beach. Archontiki’s unique beauty combined with sand and pebbles will leave you excited. It is also worth visiting the beach of Fteliou, which is about five kilometers away from the village.
Psara is an ideal destination for those seeking tradition and relaxation combined with tasteful food and beautiful, virgine beaches. Traditional local delicacies such as Mizithra and Kopanisti cheese, as well as the wonderful lobster and fresh fish that you will find in all the taverns of the island will be unforgettable. Do not forget to taste the stuffed goat a traditional Psara recipe.
A recommendation before your departure from the island is to taste the thyme honey and the sweet of marriage, also known as white sweet, for which Psara is famous for.
All you have to do, is to visit this beautiful island of the Aegean Sea. The beauty, the history and the cultural heritage of the island as well as the hospitality of its inhabitants and its traditional flavors will amaze you.
Sightseeings
Visiting Psara do not miss to visit the following locations:
Palaiokastro
Palaiokastro, dating back to the 15th century.
The house of Kon. Canaris.
The place where the house of the tornado of the Revolution of 1821 Konstantinos Kanaris existed.
Holy temple of St. Nikolaou
The holy temple of Saint Nicholas, located in the village.
The monastery of the Virgin Mary
The monastery of the Virgin Mary, dating back to the 17th century, having in its library manuscripts and ecclesiastical books.
The Mycenaean graves
The Mycenaean graves dated back to 2000 BC. Century, located in the Archontiki Archaeological Site.
Antipsara
Antipsara which is about 45 minutes by fish boat
The history of Psara
In ancient times the original name of Psara was Psyra, Psyrien or Psyrian.
In ancient times, the original name of Psara was Psura, Psririn or Psyria. Initially, it was unclear whether the island of Psara was inhabited or not, because the writings of ancient historians testified sometimes the existence and sometimes the absence of culture. Through the years, the excavation of an ancient village at the port of the island, as well as in the area of Palaiokastro, dating back from the 3rd to the 1st century BC, confirm the existence of early inhabitants.
During the 16th to 17th centuries the island was reestablished by the Thessalians and Evvoes. The main occupation of the inhabitants was shipping, resulting Psara to become the third largest naval force following Hydra and Spetses. During the period of the Greek Revolution, the strong resistance of the Psarians and the torching of many Turkish ships by Kanari, Papanikoli and Nikodimos, remained in the history. The courage and prowess of the Psarians, including Bratsanus, Apostolis, Kalafatis, Patatoukou, Stamataras, Nicolaras and others, against the Turkish yoke, led to the Holocaust of Psara by the Turks in 1824. Every year in June festive events and representation of that day take place.
Dionysios Solomos wrote a poem for the catastrophe of Psara island.
On the all-black ridge of Psara
Glory walks by herself taking in
the bright young men on the war field
the crown of her hair wound
from the last few grasses left
on the desolate earth…
Finally, in 1912 Psara was under Italian occupation where in October of the same year they were incorporated in Greece. From that period until now, Psara is characterized by a gradual advance with a focus on shipping and tourism development of the island.