Keros Island

Address: Keros islet, Cyclades (near Naxos), South Aegean, Greece

Keros is a small, uninhabited island in the Cyclades (South Aegean) noted for extensive Early Bronze Age archaeological remains associated with the Cycladic civilization.

The island yields large numbers of broken Cycladic figurines and pottery fragments discovered in archaeological surveys and underwater finds around its shores; the material is important for research into Aegean prehistory. There are no tourist facilities on the island and visits are typically by private boat or organised archaeological trips.

Keros was used in the Early Bronze Age (third millennium BCE) as a ritual and depositional centre within the Cycladic cultural sphere; excavations and surveys in the 20th and 21st centuries documented large assemblages of cult objects and pottery. In later periods the island was not a significant permanent settlement and remains largely uninhabited.

The island lies in the central Aegean Sea among the Cyclades, between larger islands such as Naxos and Paros, and is reachable only by sea from nearby islands and ports.

• Access and population: There is no permanent population and the island is visited mainly by archaeologists and by boat from nearby inhabited islands.

Keros (Keros/Κέρος) is a small uninhabited islet in the southern Cyclades and is reached only by boat. The usual approach is to charter a small private boat or join a local archaeological/sea tour from nearby populated islands such as Paros or Antiparos (departing from Parikia or Antiparos ports). Landings are informal and often require a dinghy; there are no regular public ferry services, so arrange a private crossing from the nearest island port.

• Keros is an uninhabited, archaeologically protected islet-landing is restricted, so look for archaeological or licensed boat excursions from nearby islands (Paros or Syros) rather than planning independent landings.
• If you want context for what you'll see from a passing boat, check exhibits in regional museums beforehand-many finds from Keros are displayed in museums on the Cyclades and on the mainland.