Antikyra

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Antikyra is a small port town on the northwest coast of the Gulf of Corinth in Central Greece. It’s part of Boeotia and, since 2011, belongs to the municipality of Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra. The municipal unit covers about 23.4 square kilometers and had around 1,529 residents in 2021. The main village itself has roughly 700 people, with the rest living in nearby areas.

Geographically, Antikyra sits on the coastal beach and fringe of the Desfina Peninsula. It has a deep-water harbor on the Kephali Peninsula and sits across the gulf from Medeon, where modern docks have been built. The area is known for its seaside scenery, including a popular beach at Agios Isidoros, and it lies about 170 kilometers from Athens.

Historically, Antikyra has a long, continuous history. In ancient times it was known as Kyparissos, an important Mycenaean port for Phocis, and it was famous for black and white hellebore plants that grew nearby. These plants were used in ancient medicine and were sometimes dangerous. The city was destroyed and rebuilt several times during ancient wars. Pausanias, the travel writer, described its temples and statues, including works by Praxiteles. After antiquity, the area passed through Byzantine and Ottoman rule. In the 20th century, a large aluminum plant was built near Medeon, leading to the creation of a nearby town, Aspra Spitia (now called Paralia Distomou).

Today, Antikyra combines its ancient roots with a quiet modern port town character. It remains a coastal community focused on fishing, local tourism, and its beach life, while its broader district reflects a blend of history and industry.