A Local's Guide to Travel in the Cyclades Islands
From myth to reality, from antiquity to modern times, the Cyclades are a complex of islands with thousands of years of history and an abundance of legends that have stood the test of time.
This cluster of islands, a wonder of nature and a place of unparalleled beauty, lies centered around their sacred centerpiece, the island of Delos.
On a visit here, no matter where you choose to go in the Cyclades, you are sure to find beautiful natural surroundings, lovely beaches and clear water, and picturesque villages with whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, blue-domed churches, windmills, and labyrinthine alleyways. Add in a host of archaeological treasures from Ancient Greece, and it’s no wonder that the Cyclades have become a magnet for visitors the world over.
More Greece travel info:
For more ideas on travel in Greece, have a look at this guide to 20 Cycladic islands and this comprehensive one week island-hopping itinerary.
If you could use some help planning your Greece itinerary, schedule a Greece travel consultation with our Local Expert, Luca!
Table of contents
Where are the Cyclades and what are they
Best time to visit
How long to spend in the Cyclades
How to get to the islands
Traveling between the islands
Transportation and how to get around on the islands
Are the Cyclades expensive? Average travel costs
Using credit cards and paying for things
What to do when visiting the Cyclades
Island-hopping itineraries
Local help with your planning
I certainly have favorite islands and I’ve tried to give my honest opinions on them while still being objective. But that’s what’s so great about the Cyclades - there’s a perfect island for every taste! As you plan, keep in mind that the right islands for you depend on your interests and your travel style.
If you could use some help figuring out which islands to choose and how to combine them, consider scheduling a Greece travel consultation with me!
These are one-hour Zoom calls where we can chat about the trip you’re planning and I’ll share my tips and advice, answer your travel questions, and help you perfect your itinerary.
Where are the Cyclades? What are they?
A map showing the Cyclades islands. Photo: Eric Gaba (Sting - fr:Sting), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from original
Where are the Cyclades?
The Cyclades are located southeast of Athens, off the southernmost tip of mainland Greece. From there, the islands spread out across the Aegean Sea in a southeastern direction, toward Crete (in the south) and Turkey (in the east). To their northeast, you’ll find the North Aegean islands complex, there’s the Dodecanese islands to the southeast, and then Crete, all the way south.
In terms of distance from the mainland, the closest island is Kea, which is about 40 minutes from the Port of Lavrio. On the opposite end of things, Santorini, Anafi, and Amorgos are the furthest away from the mainland, with those islands being about 7 to 10-hour ferry rides from Athen’s Piraeus port.
What are the Cyclades?
Of the 220 stunningly beautiful Cycladian islands and islets, only the following 24 islands are inhabited (we’ve written about 20 of them here): Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Donoussa, Folegandros, Ios, Iraklia, Kea, Kimolos, Koufonissia, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Schinoussa, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Thirasia, Tinos. The sacred island of Delos is not inhabited but it is one of the most visited because of its precious archaeological site.
Compared to the rest of Greece, the Cyclades islands are quite different from a geological perspective. Their landscapes are characterized by arid, and often barren rocky landmasses and volcanic calderas. While some islands in the complex have low vegetation and even grow some vegetables, there are no tall trees or dense forests.
You’ll find both sandy and rocky beaches, and all of them have clear and cool waters which are perfect for swimming and diving from April all the way through the end of October.
Temperatures are mild for much of the year, and while the summertime does get scorchingly hot, the "meltemia" winds from the north provide a refreshing breeze that makes it feel much cooler, and also clear away clouds and fog, meaning you have perpetually sunny days and great visibility.
Best time to visit the Cyclades
If you’re looking for mild temperatures and tranquillity, the best time to visit the Cyclades islands is from early March until the end of May (spring), or alternatively, from September until the middle of November (late summer through the fall).
With mild temperatures ranging from 15 to 27 degrees Celsius and mostly sunny days, those two periods are the ideal time to travel in the Cyclades. To begin with, the springtime on the islands is lovely; the air is incredibly fresh and full of delightful scents from the blossoming orchids.
On top of that, you can enjoy crowd-free attractions, as most travelers won’t arrive until a bit later in the year, and you’ll avoid the extreme summer heat.
Similarly, the weather is warm but not too hot during the fall, the sea is the perfect temperature, and the summer crowds have almost entirely departed, meaning you’ll have the islands mostly to yourself and can enjoy a leisurely, carefree trip with the hassle of throngs of other travelers.
Also, since spring and fall are the shoulder season, you’ll have better prices for just about everything during both times of year.
What to know if visiting in the summer
If you prefer to come to the Cyclades during the summertime, or if that’s just when your vacation is, you can still have a fantastic experience here. From the beginning of June until the end of August, you’ll have endlessly sunny days, very hot temperatures (with average highs of 32°C), albeit moderated by the Meltemia winds coming off the Aegean Sea, and yes, big crowds.
The summer is high season here, and the Greek islands are famous the world over, so high season most definitely does mean intense, and at times, overwhelming crowds.
Also, anything that you need to reserve ahead of time will book out quickly (boat trips, tours/excursions, hotels, car rentals, etc.) so you need to make reservation in advance. In line with that, prices are also at their highest during the summer.
However, as with any tourist destination, you can always escape the madness and find little untouched gems as long as you’re willing to work a bit. There are few things more rewarding than finding a gorgeous empty beach cove and having it all to yourself while thousands of people crowd together shoulder to shoulder elsewhere!
How long to spend in the islands
When it comes to visiting the Cyclades, a group of 24 inhabited islands each with their own diverse landscapes and attractions, you can never have too much time here. You could visit for months and not see everything, so the honest answer to “how long to visit” is as much time as you’ve got.
However, most people don’t have unlimited vacation time or the budget to swing months of traveling, so we’d suggest dedicating 7-10 days for visiting the Cyclades. One of the pleasures of visiting the islands is traveling between them and discovering the varying geographies, cultures, and “styles” of each of them.
Of course, island hopping requires taking ferry trips, so you’ll have to set aside some time for travel, which can range from an hour, to 8-10, depending on which islands you’re traveling between.
So, with a week to a week and a half, you’ll have time to comfortably visit anywhere from 3 to 6 islands, which will give you a really nice introduction to this magnificent island group.
7 days - the bare minimum
With a minimum stay of 7 days in the Cyclades, we’d suggest visiting 2, or maybe even 3 islands, and choosing ones that are close enough to each other that you won’t be stuck on endless ferry rides, wasting half your trip in transit.
If you opt for bigger islands like Naxos, Andros, or Paros, and you want to experience them to the fullest, then the best choice is to base yourself on 2 islands. You can spend 3 full days on each island, and add in a day trip from one of them to a smaller neighboring island.
Some nice examples include:
3 days at Naxos, 3 days at Paros, & 1 day at Antiparos (close to Paros)
3 days at Syros, 3 days at Mykonos, & 1 day at Delos (close to Mykonos)
3 days at Sifnos, 3 days at Milos, & 1 day at Kimolos or AntiMilos (both close to Milos)
3 days at Ios, 3 days at Santorini, & 1 day at Therassia (close to Santorini)
When you choose your itinerary, make sure that the islands are well connected with ferries in routes that make sense. For example, don’t include in the same 7-day itinerary combinations like Andros and Anafi, Kea and Amorgos, or Serifos and Donoussa, because you will end up having 8 to 10-hour ferry journeys traveling between them.
10 days - for a more relaxed trip
The ideal stay in the Cyclades is 10 days because in this amount of time you can island-hop conveniently between 5 to 6 islands and base yourself in up to 3 or 4 of them.
Some nice examples that will have you visiting 5 to 6 islands include:
3 days on Milos with a daytrip to AntiMilos, 3 days on Paros with a daytrip at Antiparos, 3 days on Naxos, and 1 day on Irakleia
2 days on Andros, 2 days on Syros, 2 days on Tinos, 4 days on Mykonos with a day trip to Delos
3 days on Ios with a day trip to Sikinos, 2 days on Folegandros, 2 days on Amorgos, and 3 days on Santorini
No matter exactly how much time you have, the key point regarding island hopping in the Cyclades is always to choose islands that are close enough to each other that you minimize travel time and maximize your time actually on the islands, enjoying your holiday.
There’s always the option of coming back to, so you should prioritize an enjoyable trip rather than trying to see as many islands as possible.
Connect with a Greece travel expert for help perfecting your itinerary, answers to all your travel questions, and fabulous local tips for a better visit!
How to get to the Cyclades
Arriving by plane
Access to the Cyclades has significantly improved in the last decade, as some of the most popular islands now have airports that are connected with Athens by year-round flights.
Additionally, during the high season, the most visited islands, such as Mykonos, Santorini and Naxos, have frequent direct flights connecting them with hundreds of cities and major airports around the world.
Here are the Cyclades islands with airports:
Mykonos
Santorini
Paros
Naxos
Milos
Syros
The airports in Mykonos, Santorini and Paros operate international flights, charter flights, and domestic flights. The rest of the airports operate only domestic flights from Athens.
Taking the ferries
Alternatively, you can fly to Athens and then catch a ferry from Athen’s Piraeus port to the island of your choice. Almost all of the Cyclades Islands are directly accessible from Piraeus by ferry during the peak tourist season in the summer.
While some less popular islands might only have one or two connections per week, the popular tourist islands, like Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and Naxos, will typically have more than one ferry per day.
A typical trip combining flight to Athens and then ferry to the Cyclades would be as follows:
Flight to Athens.
Transfer to Piraeus Port either by public transportation from the airport or with a taxi/private transfer. Public transportation from the airport features the suburban railway that connects directly to Piraeus.
Alternatively, Bus X96 heads from Athens Airport to Piraeus Port every 20-40 minutes, and the trip take about an hour and a half (depending on traffic).
Catch a ferry to the Cycladic island of your choice. There are plenty of ferry routes to the Cyclades on a daily basis year-round, with frequency of the routes increasing during the summer months. The length of the ride varies depending on the vessel type and your chosen island (journeys take anywhere from 1 to 10 hours).
Where to buy ferry tickets
To check schedules and prices, I recommend using Ferry Scanner.
It’s an aggregator that shows options from a bunch of different ferry companies. Their schedules are always up to date, it’s easy to use, and the price difference between using them and booking direct is negligible.
How to travel between the islands
Photo: Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Although some Greek islands have airports (as mentioned above), flights between the islands themselves are scarce, hence the only way to travel between them is by ferry. The ferry network between the Cyclades islands is extensive, and there are countless connections and possibilities.
On the most popular islands, you’ll find ferries arriving and departing as frequently as every hour. On less-touristed ones, there might only be two or three vessels arriving and departing each week though, so journeys to and from them will require some careful planning.
A very important note to all prospective island-hoppers is that even though all of the islands of the Cyclades are on the same “complex”, not all combinations between them will make sense - the distances between particular islands can actually be quite significant, the direct connections may be infrequent or nonexistent, and journey times will be long.
So, when planning an island-hopping itinerary, you need to choose islands that have good connections between each other.
Main transportation hubs on the islands
The islands with big ports serve as a kind of hub for smaller or neighboring islands. In order to minimize travel times and ensure lots of options, make sure your itinerary includes some of the “hub islands” like Syros, Tinos, Mykonos, Sifnos, Paros, Naxos, Milos, and Santorini.
These islands are well-connected with one another, usually via direct ferry connections which can run as often as multiple times per day during the high season (summer).
Additionally, each of these islands also provides good access to smaller neighboring ones. Below are a few examples:
Naxos is well-connected with Koufonissia, Donousa, Schoinousa, Keros, and Irakleia
Santorini is well-connected with Anafi, Folegandros, Sikinos, and Ios
Milos is well-connected with Kimolos, AntiMilos, and Polyaigos
Paros is well-connected with Antiparos
Ferry companies and how to book tickets
The major ferry companies operating in the Cyclades are Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, Golden Star Ferries, Minoan Lines, Hellenic Sealines and Zante Ferries. However, there are also other smaller companies that you’ll find when searching online, or when on the islands themselves.
You can always book your ferry tickets on the companies’ respective websites, or on a ferry aggregator platform like Ferry Scanner.
It’s best to book your tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the summertime, as berths will sell out and prices are better when purchased well ahead of time.
Transportation and how to get around on the islands
In most of the Cyclades islands, the best option to get around easily and comfortably is to rent your own vehicle, whether that’s a car, a scooter, or an ATV/Quad (in some cases).
While most of the islands do have public transportation, it’s really not the ideal way to get around. You have to take into account that the islands’ landscapes are not ideal for buses, especially big ones. There are constant hills and most roads are relatively narrow and winding, so buses go really slowly. The frequency of departures is also not all that frequent, so you’ll spend a lot of time waiting around instead of enjoying your vacation.
So, while buses do an OK job of getting around and will take you to a good number of touristic destinations, you will simply miss a great deal of what you should see and do here if you rely on the bus.
For those reasons, you should really rent your own vehicle.
Renting a car
Having a car is always the golden standard on the islands. Just make sure you choose one with A/C and carefully read your rental agreement so that there are no unpleasant surprises regarding insurance, deposits, mileage, etc.
Overall, most of the islands are equipped with quality rental cars and prices will typically be around 40 to 50 euros for a small manual car with A/C and basic insurance coverage, and 60 to 70 euros for an automatic option. Of course, the price depends on the season and availability, and you can expect to pay more during the summer months).
Some islands like Mykonos and Santorini also have rental fleets of electric cars with many charging points throughout the island.
In all cases, make sure you have a valid driver’s license with you and that your name is written in Latin characters.
If you’re planning on renting a car, I always recommend checking prices on DiscoverCars. It’s an online aggregator that includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing.
AutoEurope is another aggregator that I really like. It tends to be more expensive, but they only list options from large, well-reviewed companies and their customer service is excellent. Their deals often include “zero deductible” rental insurance and they’re the best option if you want the easiest experience and are ok paying a little more for it.
Scooter rentals
Another very fun way to explore the islands is by scooter. It can be a real pleasure to cruise around the narrow Cycladian alleys on a scooter and feel the warm sun and summer breeze in your hair as you gaze at dreamy landscapes. Also, scooters are super convenient when you need to find a parking spot on the narrow roads or in the busy cities and towns.
Cost-wise, this a very good option as well, as rental prices start from 20-25 euros per day, including helmets and basic insurance.
However, in order to rent a scooter in Greece, you must hold a driving license of A1 or A category, and any non-European license needs to be internationally recognized.
Getting around on ATVs/Quads
Last but not least, you can often also rent ATVs and Quads! These are really the perfect island vehicles, a they combine the comfort of a car with the fun of a scooter. They’re available in various sizes and prices depending on their cc capability and features.
Rates start from about 40 euros in the low season and go up to almost 200 euros per day for the larger quads.
Taxis and ride-share apps
If you don’t want to drive any vehicle but still want a fast transportation option, many of the islands do have local taxi services and you can also find travel agencies that offer private or semi-private transfer.
Unlike in big cities, you won’t usually find taxis waiting around at designated locations, so you will often have to get the number for a local taxi company and call them if you want a ride. This is especially true outside of the bigger cities and towns, and if you’re trying to catch a ride from a beach, natural area, or generally remote area.
For UBER fans, some of the islands have rideshare options as well.
Are the Cyclades expensive? Average travel costs
As a premier global tourist destination the Cyclades islands have options that cater to all tastes and budgets. You will never struggle to find luxury options here, but even budget travelers can typically find accommodation and other services that don’t break the bank.
One thing is constant though: visit in the high season and you’ll find the highest prices. Conversely, if you come in the off season, you may be shocked by how affordable things can be.
Here are some typical average prices:
Accommodation
Rates vary significantly depending on the season and the type of accommodation but there are options for every budget. In the lesser known islands, especially during the off season, one can find cheap rooms as low as 30 euros per night, whilst in the popular islands a suite may cost literally thousands of euros.
While there are extremes on both ends, a typical rate per night during the peak season in most of the islands for a 3 to 4-star hotel or a short-term apartment rental ranges from 100 to 300 euros.
Meals
From as low as 5 euros for a Greek souvlaki to hundreds of euros per person in luxurious high-end restaurants with famous chefs, you can spend almost nothing on food here, or you can shell out thousands.
A typical dinner in an upscale restaurant accompanied with fine wine starts from 50 euros per person.
The average cost of lunch in a typical Greek taverna is about 25 euros per person, while the average cost of dinner in a mid-range restaurant is 30 euros per person.
Wine & alcoholic drinks
Depending on the wine variety and the wine estate, a bottle of wine in a typical restaurant will cost 30 euros a bottle (and up), while alcoholic drinks start at 8 euros and cocktails at 12 euros. The average cost of a glass of beer or wine is 4 and 8 euros, respectively.
Car rental
From about 30-100 euros per day depending on the season, the size and make of the car, and whether you rent a manual or automatic transmission.
Ferry tickets
Prices will start from 30 euros for slower ferries and short routes, but you could expect to pay up to 150 for fast ferries and longer journeys. There are passenger-only ferries and car ferries, which have different prices as well, and bringing a car is of course more expensive.
Local public transport
Expect to pay about 2 euros for a one-way ticket
Taxi service
10 euros for a short ride
Entrance tickets to sites
For museums and archaeological sites, tickets range from about 5 to 15 euros per person
Sunbeds
In beach bars in popular beaches - around 15 euros per set, including an umbrella and 2 sunbeds (this can cost much, much more depending on where you go though)
Boat cruises
Public cruises will cost around 50 euros per person
Group catamaran cruises
Prices vary significantly depending on if meals, drinks, and other items are included, but around 120 euros per person is a good average price
Guided group tours
For small public group tours (around 8 or so people), expect to pay about 30 euros per person
Paying for things and using credit cards
Using credit cards
While almost every business on the islands will accept credit/debit cards, it’s best to always have some cash with you, especially due to poor internet connections in some places that make it so that POS machines don’t always work.
Furthermore, locals in the Cyclades, even business owners, tend to move at their own pace, and they are less current with modern technology, so many will prefer cash.
Exchanging money and withdrawing cash
If you need to exchange currencies, you’ll find exchange offices in the city/town centers on all the main islands. ATMs are also widely available.
Tipping
While tipping is not a huge thing in Greece, especially among locals, it has become fairly expected by service industry employees, especially those working in tourism. So, while it’s not mandatory, you will probably find that waiters, tour guides, and other people providing services sort of expect a tip from you.
There’s no set rule for how much to give, but as an example, 10% at restaurants would certainly be adequate. Tips should always be left in cash.
What to do when visiting the Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades are renowned for many things and you’ve certainly seen enough photos at this point to have an idea for what you’ll find here.
All visitors, and even us locals, are charmed by the islands’ picturesque villages with their whitewashed houses, narrow cobblestone alleys, and iconic blue-domed churches.
But you’ll also find heavenly beaches, authentic gastronomy and excellent local agricultural products, amazing nightlife (depending on where you go), and countless archaeological and historical monuments of great significance.
While the islands all share some similarities, no two are exactly alike, and each offers its own set of attractions and vacation styles. Because of that, most visitors to the islands try to hop between a few of them, combining the best that each one has to offer.
There’s no right or wrong combination of islands to be included in an itinerary, but if you’re interested in a varied vacation that covers a bit of everything mentioned above, you’ll want to carefully choose a few different islands that offer a taste of each of those activities and attractions.
While we can’t choose the “right” islands for you, we’ve put together a list of some of the top things to see and do everywhere in the Cyclades, along with the island that corresponds to each activity or site.
So, below are some of our favorites, which we think represent the best of what the islands have to offer.
Visit the islands’ archaeological sites
The ancient theater in Delos. Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from original
You’ll find fascinating and impressive archaeological sites everywhere you go in Greece, and the Cyclades are no exception. So, if you’re looking to explore some ruins and learn about Ancient Greece, here are some of the best sites to do it:
The sacred island of Delos
The ancient city of Karthaia - Kea
The prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri - Santorini
The Temple of Apollo - Portara in Naxos
Ancient Thira ruins - Santorini
The Roman Theatre - Milos
The Temple of Demeter - Naxos
Vryokastro - Kythnos
The Acropolis and village of Kastro - Sifnos
Strofilas, the oldest city in Europe - Andros
Go to the beach
Sarakiniko beach in Milos
If you’re visiting the islands, it’s probably safe to assume that you’re looking for at least a couple of relaxing days lounging in the sand, soaking up the sun, and swimming in the Islands’ crystal clear waters.
So, here are 10 of our favorite beaches in the entire archipelago.
Red Beach - Santorini
Super Paradise Beach - Mykonos
Sarakiniko Beach - Milos
Kolymbithres Beach - Paros
Plaka Beach - Naxos
Mylopotas Beach - Ios
Pori Beach - Koufonisia
Agathopes Beach - Syros
Psili Ammos Beach - Serifos
Livadi Beach - Donousa
Explore the iconic whitewashed Cycladic villages
Oia, in Santorini
The winding alleys, narrow staircases, and whitewashed houses of the Cyclades are famous the world over. It really is an absolute pleasure to arrive in a village, start walking around aimlessly and get lost in the maze of streets.
While there are too many beautiful villages to possibly try to cover all of them here, below are some of our favorites:
Oia - Santorini
Chora & Little Venice - Mykonos
Apeiranthos - Naxos
Ermoupolis,- Syros
Pyrgos village - Tinos
Klima village - Milos
Naoussa - Paros
Chora - Folegandros
Chora - Amorgos
Get outside and get active
A view during a hike in Sifnos
While the islands are primarily thought of as a leisure destination, there’s actually quite a lot here for active travelers. Some of the islands have great hiking trails, almost all of them have wonderful places to swim, you can go sailing, visit wineries, ride horses, and much more.
Here are some of our favorite activities among the many choices:
Volcano visit & swimming in the hot springs - Santorini
Day trip to Delos island
Sailing Cruise at Kleftiko, Milos
Sunset watching at the Portara of Naxos - Naxos
Wine tasting, wine museums, winery tours - Santorini
Hiking on Sifnos’ trails - Sifnos
Traditional Greek evening with live music & a dinner show - Santorini
Food tours and cookings classes - Naxos
Scuba diving - Amorgos
Horseback riding - Santorini
Our Local Experts have the answers!
Connect with our Greece-based travel experts for insider advice, local tips, and help planning a better trip!
Island-hopping itineraries
With 24 inhabited islands, each offering its own attractions and different pace of life, there are countless ways to put together an island-hopping trip. Ultimately, where you visit will depend on what you want to get out of your time in the islands.
Even so, to help you start thinking through your options, we’ve put together a few classic potential itineraries below.
7-day luxury Cyclades itinerary - Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos
The perfect island-hopping itinerary for those who wish to experience the upscale and cosmopolitan side of the Cyclades. This itinerary features Mykonos and Santorini, the most upscale of the Cyclades islands, each with luxurious accommodations, premier restaurants, and refined activities. Joining them is Naxos, the rising star in the Aegean in terms of luxury.
Day 1: Mykonos - Explore the scenic Chora of Mykonos and visit the iconic Little Venice
Day 2: Mykonos - Check out the Beaches, Visit Ano Mera, Taste Premium Local Gastronomy, Explore the nightlife
Day 3: Naxos - Discover the Chora of Naxos, climb up to the Castle, enjoy the gastronomy
Day 4: Naxos - Filoti and Apeiranthos Villages, Zas Mountain, swim at Plaka and Agia Anna beaches, Sunset at Portara and night out at Chora
Day 5: Santorini - Discover Fira, Firostefani and Imerovigli, watch the sunset, dine in style
Day 6: Santorini - Catamaran day cruise with stops to iconic beaches and lunch onboard- Sunset and Evening at Oia
Day 7: Santorini - Departure day.
Morning shopping for souvenirs
10-day Cyclades itinerary for Greek history & archaeology - Kea, Kythnos, Mykonos, Delos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini
This itinerary is perfect for history and archaeology enthusiasts as it offers the opportunity to delve into the Ancient Greek civilizations from prehistoric times to classical Greece. Full of treasures and mysteries, this itinerary will open your horizons as you discover the roots of the Western civilization in every step you take.
Day 1: Kea - Visit Karthaia Archaeological Site, Prehistoric Settlement of Aghia Eirene
Day 2: Kythnos - Visit the Archaeologicla sites of Maroulas, Vryokastro and Skouries
Day 3: Mykonos - Visit the picturesque Chora and Little Venice
Day 4: Delos island (Day Cruise from Mykonos). Terrace of the Lions, House of Dionysus, Archaeological Museum of Delos
Day 5: Naxos - Portara, Archaeological Site of Grotta
Day 6: Naxos - The Ancient Sanctuary of Apollo and Demeter at Gyroulas, Sagri, The Ancient Sanctuary Dionysus at Yria, The Kouros of Apollo and the Kouroi of Melanes
Day 7: Paros - The sanctuary of Delian Apollo, The sanctuary of Asclepius
Day 8: Paros - Archaeological Museum of Paros
Day 9: Santorini - Akrotiri Prehistoric Settlement, Red Beach
Day 10: Santorini - Ancient Thira
10-day comprehensive Cyclades itinerary for a first visit - Milos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos
A complete Cycladian experience that includes the absolute must-visit islands of the Cyclades, especially for first timers. With this itinerary you will explore many of our top-10 selections from every category: beaches, typical towns, archaeological sites, and some luxury experiences.
Day 1: Milos - Sarakiniko Beach and Charming Villages
Day 2: Milos - Milos Beaches
Day 3: Santorini - Oia and Catamaran Sunset Cruise
Day 4: Santorini - Fira and Wine Tasting at Winery
Day 5: Paros - Visit Naoussa and Parikia
Day 6: Paros - Visit Lefkes and Paros Beaches
Day 7: Naxos - Naxos Chora, Castle and Portara
Day 8: Naxos - Chalki, Filoti and Apeiranthos Villages
Day 9: Naxos - Naxos Beaches
Day 10: Mykonos - Little Venice, Chora and Windmills
7-day “elegant” Cyclades itinerary - Syros, Tinos, Paros
These three simple, serene islands exude a sense of timeless elegance. Between them, they are some of the finest places in the Cyclades, and a visit to them will give you a sense for the refined lifestyle of the ruling classes in ancient times.
Day 1: Syros - Ermoupoli
Day 2: Syros - Beaches and Ano Syros and Castle
Day 3: Syros- Tinos - Tinos city, the church of Panagia Evangelistria
Day 4: Tinos - Visit Volax and Tarambados, swim at Tinos beaches, evening in chora
Day 5: Paros - Explore Lefkes Village and Paroikia. Dinner in Paroikia
Day 6: Paros - Kolympithres and Monastiri beach. Evening in Naoussa
Day 7: Paros - Departure day. Morning shopping for souvenirs
10-day off the beaten path itinerary - Sifnos, Serifos, Milos, Kimolos, and Folegandros
Authenticity and tradition away from the masses of tourists, the Cyclades as they were and still are away from the unnecessary luxuries.
Day 1: Sifnos - Visit Artemonas Village, swim at Chryssopigi and visit the Monastery of Chryssopigi
Day 2: Sifnos - Visit and swim at Vathi, Discover Appolonia
Day 3: Serifos - Explore the scenic hilltop Chora
Day 4: Serifos - Hike the Mining Trail, Visit Cyclops throne, Swim at Beaches, Evening at Local Winery
Day 5: Milos - Plaka, Firopotamos, Mandrakia, Fyriplaka Beach, Tsigrado Beach, Paleochori Beach
Day 6: Milos - Kleftiko boat tour, Klima, Ancient Theater & Catacombs, Venetian Castle for sunset, Dinner in Plaka/Adamas
Day 7: Milos - Sarakiniko Beach, Papafragas Caves, Pollonia
Day 8: Kimolos - Kimolos & Poliegos boat tour
Day 9: Folegandros - Stroll around Chora and Walk up to Panagia church for breathtaking views
Day 10: Folegandros - Visit picturesque village of Ano Meria, Swim at the beaches, Explore Karavostasi
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