Ostria Studios

The picturesque village of Katarraktis is the perfect setting for a relaxing Greek island holiday in unspoilt surroundings. A village of mastic farmers and fishermen, Katarraktis is not just a summer settlement, but a proper, year-round community where holidaymakers are welcomed, but not depended upon. There is just a smattering of holiday accommodation dotted around the village, of which our choice is the lovely Ostria Studios & Apartments, peacefully set at the far end of the village, with only a small dead-end street separating them from the sea.

There's a total of 22 rooms, each with a balcony or terrace facing the sea. Whilst not excessively luxurious, they are attractively decorated in subtle shades of blue, cream and white, and very well maintained. Most are open-plan studios with twin beds, a table and chairs, a TV, a simple kitchenette with a two-ring hob and a fridge, the all-important air-conditioning unit, and a shower room. There are also a few slightly larger apartments with a separate bedroom.

Although the nearest small shingle beach is literally just below the accommodation, Ostria also boasts its own seawater swimming pool. Those who enjoy exploring different beaches can walk to the unspoilt beaches of Pigadia (1.5 km) and Vokaria (3 km).

Katarraktis is the perfect setting for those who enjoy peace and quiet. The village is appealingly self-contained, with a couple of simple mini-markets, and a cluster of kafenions and tavernas, which primarily specialise in fresh fish but also cater to meat eaters and vegetarians. Ostria's friendly owners, Nikos and Christina, will happily advise their guests about the local area, and even organise occasional guided walks, for example to the nearby ruins of the original village, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1880. They are also happy to summon taxis for those occasions when you fancy exploring further afield, as the bus service that used to serve Katarraktis no longer operates.

For a thoroughly relaxing seaside holiday in an authentic Greek fishing village, Ostria Studios would be hard to beat.