The Cyclades Islands are the most famous group of Greek islands: white houses, blue domes, windmills and beaches with crystal clear sea in the heart of the Aegean Sea. I have been to them several times, with my partner, with friends and with my family, and I have written a guide for each of the 23 islands. This page helps you find your way before you go: which island to choose, how to get there, when to travel and where to find detailed guides.
If you are just planning your first trip, start from the table which Cycladic island to choose, then see the section on ferries. For specific islands, there is a list of all guides at the bottom of the page.
Cyclades Islands in brief
- Where are they: in the central part of the Aegean Sea, southeast of Athens. The nearest islands (Kea and Kythnos) are an hour or two ferry ride from the mainland.
- How many are there: about 220 islands and islets, twenty of which are inhabited.
- Capital: Ermoupolis on Syros, the administrative center of the entire archipelago.
- Airports: Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros. The other islands can only be reached by ferry (more in the text Airports in Greece and on the Greek islands).
- Season: from May to October. Strong winds blow in July and August meltemi.
- Name: it comes from the Greek word for circle (kiklos), because the islands form a circle around the holy island Delos.
Cyclades Island Groups
The Cyclades are best understood through groups of islands. The islands in the same group are connected by the same ferry lines, so it is most practical to combine them on one trip.
Northern Cyclades
Andros, Tinos, Syros i Mykonos. The fastest way to get to them is from the port Rafina. Andros is green and great for hiking, Tinos is the island of marble villages and pilgrims, Syros has the neoclassical Hermoupolis, and Mykonos is the cosmopolitan star with the most famous nightlife in Greece.
Western Cyclades
Kea, Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos i Kimolos. Kea and Kythnos are the closest islands to Athens (port Lavrio) and a favorite for the weekend. Serifos and Sifnos are quiet and authentic, Sifnos is famous for its cuisine and Milos for its volcanic beaches such as Sarakiniko.
Central Cyclades
Paros, Antiparos i Naxos. This is the ferry junction of the Cyclades, so they are a great base for visiting the other islands. Paros combines beautiful villages and lively nights, Antiparos is relaxed and Naxos is the largest island, with long sandy beaches and mountain villages.
South Cyclades
Santorini, Ios, Folegandros, Sikinos i Anafi. Santorini is known for its caldera and sunsets, Ios for its beaches and parties, and Folegandros, Sikinos and Anafi are for those seeking quiet.
Small Cyclades and Amorgos
Heraklion, Shinus, Koufonisia, Donusa i Amorgos. Small islands between Naxos and Amorgos, with turquoise bays and few accommodations. Koufonisia it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Cyclades, and Amorgos is a hiker's paradise, with the monastery of Hozoviotisa built into the rock.
Which Cycladic island to choose
There is no one best island, there is an island that suits your vacation. Here are my picks by trip type:
| Type of vacation | Islands | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| First time in the Cyclades | Santorini, Paros, Naxos | The most famous sights, good connections and enough content for every day |
| Nightlife and parties | Mykonos, Ios, Paros | Beach bars, clubs and lively streets until morning |
| Families with children | Naxos, Paros, Syros | Shallow sandy beaches, quiet places and normal prices |
| Couples and romance | Santorini, Folegandros, Milos | Sunsets, cliff villages and boat trips |
| Peace and quiet | Donusa, Shinusa, Iraklia, Sikinos, Anafi | Small islands with few tourists and authentic villages |
| The most beautiful beaches | Milos, Koufonisia, Naxos | Turquoise coves, white sand and volcanic rocks |
| Hiking and nature | Amorgos, Andros, Naxos | Well-maintained hiking trails, springs and mountain villages |
| Food and tradition | Sifnos, Tinos, Naxos | Local cheeses, taverns and villages that live out of season |
| Weekend from Athens | Kea, Kythnos, Syros | Short ferry ride and less crowds |
You will find a detailed comparison of the islands by beaches, crowds, prices and combinations in the guide Which Cycladic island to choose. If Santorini is too crowded or too expensive for you, see also my text Skip Santorini: Greek islands with the same charm, without the crowds.
How to get to the Cyclades Islands
By ferry from Athens
Most travelers to the Cyclades arrive by ferry from one of the three ports around Athens. The choice of port depends on the island:
| Port | Islands | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Syros, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Milos, Sifnos, Serifos, Kythnos, Amorgos, Lesser Cyclades | The largest selection of lines, both fast and slow ferries |
| Rafina | Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos | Close to Athens Airport, a short drive to the North Cyclades |
| Lavrio | Kea, Kythnos, Syros | Shortest drive to Kea, about an hour |
The drive to the nearby islands takes an hour or two, and to Santorini up to eight hours by slow ferry. Fast ships are more expensive, but cut the journey almost in half. You can find all the ports, sailing duration and approximate prices in the guide The road to the Cyclades. Check timetables and prices before you go, as they change from season to season. I write in detail about the line for the most popular island in the text From Athens to Santorini by ferry and plane.
By plane
Direct flights from Europe they land on Santorini and Mykonos in the summer, and from Athens there are also flights to Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros. The flight from Athens takes about 45 minutes, which is a good option if you are short on time or traveling with small children.
Island hopping
The best way to experience the Cyclades is to combine two or three islands from the same group. Too many movers know how to eat up their vacation, so I advise you to spend at least three nights on the island. Here are three combinations that naturally fit into ferry lines:
- Classic route (10 to 14 days): Mykonos, Paros, Naxos i Santorini. All the most famous sights, good connections and the possibility of returning by plane from Santorini.
- Western route (7 to 10 days): Serifos, Sifnos i Milos, with a one-day trip to Kimolos. Quieter islands, great food and the most beautiful beaches in the west.
- Small Cyclades (7 to 10 days): Naxos, then Koufonisia or Shinus and the end of Amorgos. For lovers of peace, small coves and hiking.
The best time to visit the Cyclades
The climate in the Cyclades is Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and mild winters. In my experience, this is what a year in the islands looks like:
- April and May: around 20°C, everything is blooming and ideal for hiking and sightseeing. The sea is still cold for long swimming, and part of the accommodation is just opening.
- June: in my opinion, the best month. It is warm, the sea is pleasant, and the crowds and prices are not yet at their peak.
- July and August: around 30°C, sometimes over 40°C. The biggest crowds and the highest prices. Meltemi is strongest in the central part of the archipelago (Mykonos, Paros, Naxos) and can delay ferries, but is perfect for sailing and surfing.
- September and October: the sea is the warmest, and the wind is weaker. Swimming is pleasant until the end of October, and the islands are calmer.
- From November to March: mild but rainy and windy. Most of the hotels and taverns are closed, but it's an opportunity to get to know the real island life.
Detailed air and sea temperatures by month can be found in guides for individual islands, for example Weather in Santorini, Weather in Mykonos i Weather in Naxos.
The most beautiful beaches of the Cyclades
The beaches are mostly sandy, with crystal clear water. The windy sides of the island are a paradise for kitesurfing and surfing, and the sheltered ones are ideal for children. My guides to the beaches of the most popular islands:
- The best beaches in Santorini: Red beach, black sand of Kamari and Perisa
- 16 beaches of Mykonos: from parties on Super Paradise to quiet bays
- Beaches of Paros Island: Golden Beach, Kolimbitres and Santa Maria
- 20 beaches of Naxos island: long sandy beaches for families
- 14 beaches on the island of Milos: Sarakiniko and volcanic coves
- 20 best beaches in Koufonisia: the turquoise bays of the Lesser Cyclades
- Beaches of Ios Island: Milopotas and wild coves in the south
What to see in the Cyclades
Besides the beaches, the Cyclades are full of history: from prehistoric towns to Venetian castles. Places that remain in my best memory:
- Delos Island: sacred island of god Apollo, boat trip from Mykonos
- Santorini Caldera and the village Oja, the most famous sunset in Greece
- Akrotiri: a prehistoric city preserved under volcanic ash
- Porter on Naxos: the marble gate of the unfinished Temple of Apollo
- Monastery of Hozoviotis on Amorgos, embedded in a cliff above the sea
- Ermoupolis on Syros: the neoclassical city and the Apollo theater
- Church of Evangelistria on Tinos, the most important pilgrimage site in Greece
- Little Venice i Mykonos windmills
Most of the main places on the islands are called Hora. They are usually built on a hill, with narrow cobbled streets, white houses and sea views. Walking through Chora in the evening is for me the most beautiful part of every day in the Cyclades.
Accommodation in the Cyclades
Accommodation in the Cyclades should be booked early, especially for July and August and for smaller islands with little capacity. On Santorini and Mykonos, prices are the highest in Greece, while Naxos, Paros, Syros and the western islands are much more affordable. How much does a holiday on the islands cost, I write in the text Prices of holidays in the Cyclades. For each island, I wrote a separate guide with place recommendations, and you can find them all in one place in the text Accommodation on the Cyclades Islands.
Practical tips for the Cyclades
- Book ferries for August in advance, especially if you drive a car. Popular departures fill up weeks in advance.
- Leave a spare day. before the return flight. Meltemi knows how to cancel ferries, especially the smaller ones to the Small Cyclades.
- Carry cash on the smaller islands. Not all taverns and rooms are equipped for cards, and there are few ATMs.
- Rent a scooter or car on larger islands (Naxos, Paros, Milos, Andros). There are buses, but they do not go to all beaches. What permission do you need, I write in the text Rent a car, scooter and ATV in the Cyclades.
- Watch out for the sun and wind. The wind makes the heat less felt, so it's easy to burn.
- Before the trip, read and What you need to know before traveling to Greece i Prices of holidays in Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cyclades Islands
What is the most beautiful Cycladic island?
For the first time, I recommend Santorini because of the caldera, but Milos and Naxos are personally the most beautiful combination of beaches, villages and atmosphere. For peace, choose Folegandros or one of the Lesser Cyclades.
How many days are needed for Cyclades?
Five to seven days are enough for one island. For two or three islands, plan 10 to 14 days, with at least three nights on each.
Which is the cheapest Cycladic island?
Naxos, Syros, Andros, Kythnos and Ios outside August are among the more accessible islands. Santorini and Mykonos are the most expensive.
Which island is best for families with children?
Naxos, for its long sandy beaches with shallow sea, as well as Paros and Syros, which have quiet places and good connections.
Which Cycladic island is closest to Athens?
Kea, about an hour by ferry from Lavrio, then Kythnos. You will find more islands within a short drive in the text 15 islands near Athens.
All guides to the Cyclades Islands
For each island I have a detailed guide with beaches, sights, villages, map, weather and accommodation:
