In Ios, you will enjoy the best nightlife in summer, between June and September. Inspiration Which of the Greek Cyclades Islands is best for you? While in Chora, you will enjoy wandering around the medieval castle and taking photos of Portara at all times of day and night. It surprises some people to learn that Santorini has very poor beaches in by comparison to other Greek Cyclades islands. The oldest temples were built during the 8th century B.C. "@context": "https://schema.org", THE 10 BEST Cyclades Islands (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor But once there, you will see that its clearly worth it: the volcanic island of Santorini is truly magnificent! Sign up for our free daily Postcard e-letter and well immediately send you a free research report to help you find your perfect place to live better, for less, overseas. Among Greeks, Tinos is famous for its church, our Lady of Miracles or Panagia Evangelistria, in the main town. Every island in the Cyclades offers a completely different atmosphere and an unique landscape. When you are tired, sit at one of the numerous tavernas or bars, and enjoy a traditional meal or drink. And if you want to explore even further, see our full guide to the Greek islands and learn about the character and color of the many island groupings Greece has to offer. Win win we like that! For more inspiration, go to visitgreece.gr, Weve picked five of the best, simply choose your tribe. In Antiparos, there arent many things to do: just relax, enjoy the beaches and take a stroll in the main village. Walking distance from the catacombs, you will find the ancient theatre in Milos. The long coastline boasts several long stretches of sand, but you will also find many secluded coves. The Cyclades islands - Complete Island Guide | Discover Greece All in all, it's the best of both worlds. 13 Stunning Cyclades Islands to See On Your Greece Vacation There are plenty of ferry connections between the Greek islands. Sure, you will probably spend some time waiting in line to take THE perfect picture of its iconic white church with a blue dome you can see on every postcard. Each is slowly cooked in a special clay vessel made by one of the islands 19 potteries, where the ceramicists are the very talented present-day heirs to a distinguished tradition dating from antiquity. The value for money is outstanding! 5 Small Ship Cruises in Cyclades, Greece - LiveAboard.com Donossa is the only one of our four islands that is only visited by ferries three times a week. What Not To Miss. } Discover Donousa, Iraklia and Schinoussa, three tiny havens of harmony, peace and tranquility that form part of the Small Cyclades. Although off the beaten track, Serifos is one of the closest Cyclades to Athens. Santorini is clearly the best Cyclades island to visit for couples or during a honeymoon. Beware though this quiet island is not for everyone. Its easy to have a very good time in Mykonos, but it isnt easy on your wallet. In the heart of the Aegean Sea, in the heart of the Cyclades islands, the Cyclades group consists of a small complex of 32 small islands, of which only 4 are inhabited, and numerous rocky islets. The best things to do and see in Sifnos are: Youre looking for peace and quiet during your holidays in the Cyclades? As some of the beaches are difficult or impossible to reach by land, you can take one of the popular sailing tours of Milos. But what about the remaining 22 inhabited Cyclades islands? Other villages in Naxos include Filoti, Chalkio and Kamares. The interior is a patchwork of rich fields where livestock graze and vegetable crops are raised. Besides its cultural significance, it's a lovely spot to watch the sunset from. During this tour, you will also discover a lot of beaches and coves inaccessible by car such as Kleftiko beach. The cool little island of Antiparos is no longer a secret; it has become quite well-known thanks to its famous patron Tom Hanks and the increasing popularity of big sister island Paros. Almiros, for example, is split into two strips of fine sands running down into turquoise waters, while Lioliou, further south, is almost a lagoon. It surprises some people to learn that Santorini has very poor beaches in by comparison to other Greek Cyclades islands." Santorini and Mykonos are arguably the most famous islands in the region and a lot of people's raison d'etre for visiting Greece in the first place. A lively city of 12,000 inhabitants, Ermoupolis is built on twin peaks: Catholic Ano Syra on the right, Orthodox Vrontado on the left. 10 Undiscovered Greek Islands You Need To Discover - Culture Trip Santorini 2. Agistri is a popular weekend escape for Athenians but it hasnt really caught on with tourists, mainly on account of the absence of things to do. It appears that not too many people have discovered it yet, which is a good thing if you ask me. This island is renowned for its many marked walking trails. The glamorous party island of the Cyclades, Mykonos delivers vibrant clubs like Scorpios, Jackie O, and Cavo Paradiso, as well as world-class beaches like Psarrou, Platys Gialos, and Elia. From the small port, the winding road becomes a donkey path climbing to the town, where windmills bristle on the skyline. Paros, one of the most central Cycladic islands, is a mecca for water sports activities. Each one has its own unique character, and you will almost forget you are on an island. Which of the islands of the Cyclades is for you? Mykonos is also famous for its beaches, considered as some of Greeces most beautiful. If youre looking for a luxury boat trip, you should have a look at this one. Regions []. Santorini also offers some interesting beaches including the Red Beach (with red volcanic pebbles) and the White Beach (similar to the Red Beach but with white cliffs surrounding the seaside). "name": "Which is the prettiest and quietest Greek island? May 26, 2023 by RealGreekExperiences In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know about how to island hop around the Cyclades in Greece. Here are the best places to see when you visit Delos, in the Cyclades: You can visit Delos without a guide, but doing a guided visit is clearly the best way to enjoy the place. 1 Dead and 1 Injured After a Small Plane Crashes Into Northern Lake Venetian towers and amazing historical villages, such as Apeiranthos and Filoti, are sprinkled across the romantic landscape. The island is big and fertile, and as a result there are many local products. Here are some of the best villages in the Cyclades islands: Oia and Fira in Santorini, Chora in Mykonos, Chora in Amorgos, Apiranthos in Naxos, and more. People looking to relax, unwind and get away from it all should look no further than Donoussa. You can now Book your sunbeds online. Another popular hike in Ios is from the main town, Chora, to Skarkos, the archaeological site. On the island, you can party all day and night long with world famous DJs! "name": "Is Paros or Milos better? The Small Cyclades, Greece, are located between the islands of Naxos, Amorgos and Ios. } }, { Today, visitors can see the deserted mines in the area between Koutalas and Megalo Livadi. Its untouched beaches and its architecture captivate sun-seeking visitors. Ferry trips are four to five hours to the closest islands (Kythnos, Syros, Tinos, Mykonos, This was one of my favourite activities in Milos. Some boats directly go from Piraeus or Rafina to the island of your choice. To visit the less known islands such as Amorgos, Paros, Naxos, Tinos or Andros? 9 Best Places to Live in South Carolina - Travel + Leisure Small Cyclades: a unique alternative. 15 Best Cyclades Islands | Guide + Tips | Greece 2023 Every year, thousands of people are coming there to pray at Panagia Megalochari or Evangelistria churches. Because of its richness in iron ore, the arid landscape is an extraordinarily intense red, giving a unique impression of being on another planet. Sarakiniko Milos Undoubtedly one of the most popular beaches worldwide and among the best beaches in the Cyclades, Sarakiniko in Milos is a place out of a dream. Which, makes it one epic place to go and chill. "name": "Which island in Cyclades has best beaches? You can read more about the church and its museums in this article. It's a great alternative to luxury hotels. According to the locals, Serifos has over 70 beaches, so it would take you several days to explore them all! Best places to stay in Cyclades, Greece | The Hotel Guru Designer Ellen Kavanaugh optimized it with extra outlets on the side to help when someone's working from the barstool and needs a . The total island population is under 20,000, and the largest town is the port city of Ermoupoli. If beautiful beaches are your priority, Milos is a great choice for you. These terms are used interchangeably, so when you hear of a village called Chora, on whichever island you are on, youll know thats the capital town of the island. Milos is an upcoming Greek island. Cyclades Islands: NASA View Next comes volcanic Milos, with the biggest range of colours and rock formations, as at Sarakiniko and Kleftiko, and Santorini's black and red beaches like Kamari, Perissa and Perivolo that reveal the wild beauty of the Cyclades. Sifnos is the cradle of modern Greek gastronomy and was the homeland of Nikos Tselementes, author of the classic cookery book of modern Greek cuisine. And if you want to know more about Andros marked trails, you can also check Andros Route website. 13 Amazing Islands in the Cyclades. Mykonos 3. Among them is Manganari where Luc Besson shot some of the most beautiful scenes for his famous film The Big Blue. The island is famous for its marble crafts, which is evident immediately in most of the villages. Paros and Antiparos 5. Naxos is the biggest island in the Cyclades. From the summit of Mount Zas, hikers can experience a 360-degree view of the Cyclades. (Actually, it might be Donoussa, but more about that later). Since the ancient times, people have been extracting materials like kaolin, bentonite, perlite and pozzolan. If you want to rent a car in the Cyclades, you should use Rentalcars.com website. Here is some more information about Naxos. In Mykonos, you can have it all. More importantly, it doesnt cost you anything extra. It will give you an overview of the island's mining history, and you will learn about the living conditions of people working in the industry. Every summer the 17th-century Venetian Bazeos Tower houses the Naxos Festival of concerts and exhibitions of contemporary art. Once again, mining became an important activity. small island, imports everything, lots of tourists, higher prices. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { As a result, its soil is rich in colourful minerals and rocks that can best be described as weird. The best time to visit the Cyclades is from Easter to mid-September, but avoid peak season (July and August), when it can be . You will get to enjoy the day on a sailing boat, visit remote beaches and explore the wild island of Polyegos. Not farawayisChalki,theone-time capital, with its maze of perfectly preserved mansions, shops and exquisite tiny Byzantine churches. Cyclades Islands Greece | Perfect Travel Guide for 2023 - Holidayify.com However, working conditions were harsh, and demand for iron gradually decreased. })(); For all the legal bits go to myDisclaimer and Privacy Policy, short ferry ride from neighbouring Kefalonia. Sifnos is mostly renowned for its ceramics and fine cuisine. The six tiny islands that lie between Naxos and Amorgos have gone through millennia of civilisation and upheaval, from being densely populated trading centres in the days of antiquity and then fortified Venetian outposts to pirate havens and impoverished fishing backwaters during WWII before recently remerging in the . Little Agistri is my favourite hidden gem of the Greek islands. Other boats are making stops on one or several Greek Islands before you reach your destination. If you want to hike in the Cyclades, but also enjoy beautiful beaches, then Andros is the perfect island for you. Oia village Santorini island One of the most beautiful villages in Greece, Oia on Santorini island has been constructed right on top of the impressive volcanic caldera. Just because they are the most famous though, doesn't make them the best (although it's not like they are terrible!). In summer, you can also reach Antiparos from Parikia (without your car this time!). Hora is a typical Cycladic village, with white and blue houses and lively squares. "@type": "Answer", Its simply the best one to compare prices, travel time and find the best schedules for your trip. You will find detailed information about Santorini in my article: Visit Santorini: the definitive guide. Ferries are arriving and leaving all the time. You can get to all of the Cyclades islands on the extensive network of Greek ferries. In each article, you will find detailed descriptions of the best things to do, a list of the best accommodations for each stage of your trip as well as all my best tips to make the most of your stay. Best places to visit in Small Cyclades The Small Cyclades islands are considered by many the best alternative destination in the Cyclades having as their main attractions their tropical beaches with emerald waters, picturesque settlements, scenic pathways and various archaeological sites. The chora is set high on the slopes of a hill, offering impressive views of the Aegean Sea and a dramatic and windy atmosphere. You might recognise the name, but have you ever thought to visit little Ithaca (or Ithaki, as youll also see it spelt)? You can also visit the Cave of Antiparos, and admire Europes most ancient stalagmite. What it does have is glorious pine-forested scenery and great swimming. Cyclades - Wikitravel However, Ios is much more than just a party island. With their white and blue houses and churches, their narrow and winding alleys, they really offer the typical Greek postcard scenery. In addition, make sure you go hunting for the three Kouroi statues, in Melanes and in Apollonas village. Among the must-see sights in Astypalaia are the seaside village of Livadia, the Talaras Baths and the Chemeni Limni lagoon. Best 10 Beaches in Cyclades islands, Greece | Greeka It owes its name to its sea caves (koufos means hollow in English) that enrapture divers, and its natural swimming pools, like Pisina between Platia Pounda and Pori, which will leave their mark in your memory. The monastery looks like a castle from the outside. They are famous for their whitewashed houses, hundreds of churches, dry landscapes, nice beaches and unique views. Stroll around the white-washed alleys, and take in all the architectural details. And if you have any question, dont hesitate to ask me in the comments section, at the end of the article. It's fair to say that Milos is one of the top Cycladic islands in terms of natural beauty, unique landscapes and pristine beaches. A full-day tour, including the cruise from Mykonos, a guide and the archaeological site entrance costs around 50 per person. I book my full day sailing trip around Milos now! The island also has mountain villages, like Lefkes, featuring traditional Cycladic architecture and popular beaches like Kolymbithres, famous for its interesting rock formations and crystal blue water. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip. Its right side is more developed, while the left side is rugged and wild, making a paradise for off-road exploration. Tinos is one of the major pilgrimage site for Orthodox Greeks. Best Beaches in the Cyclades - Greece Travel Ideas Dont make the mistake of visiting on a day trip because you wont be inclined to leave. The architectural ruins of Delos are a popular spot to visit, but there are no overnight stays on this island as the entire island is dedicated to the ancient archeological site. Youre dreaming to enjoy the sunset in Santorini? If you want to enjoy Mykonos, dont forget to plan a significant budget as the prices can be really high, especially in summer.