Today let’s talk about the wonderful Cyclades islands in Greece! These small Greek islands, lost in the Aegean Sea, are absolutely incredible and have so much charm. The villages made of white houses and the blue of the Sea are a must to see. However, these islands are different from each other and have their own charm.
The most famous ones, Santorini and Mykonos are considered the most beautiful ones but some of the Cyclades islands less known are also beautiful. To name a few of them, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Kos or Ios are also incredibly beautiful and less touristy!
If you are planning to visit the Cyclades islands in Greece next summer, this post is for you! 😉
How to visit the Cyclades islands in Greece?
It’s actually really easy to get to the Cyclades islands and to get around between them. To reach these islands from the capital of Athens, you can either take an intern flight or a ferry.
Flight
An intern flight from Athens to Santorini or Mykonos is around 100€ per person depend if you take the flight in advance and is around 50 minutes long. You have several companies, Transavia, Aegean airlines or Olympius airlines. You can take a flight to Santorini or Mykonos but several smaller islands don’t have airports like Milos or Paros, so you will need to take a ferry.
Ferry
Indeed, you can also take a ferry, which is the best way to visit several islands during the same trip for a reasonable price. Also, if you take the tickets in advance, you can have a very affordable price. With the ferries, you can also come from an island to another without going back to Athens.
When is the best time to visit the Cyclades islands in Greece?
The best time of the year to visit the Cyclades islands is between May and September. Honestly, there are too many tourists in July and August so don’t advise you to go there during this time. Moreover, the prices are really high in the high season. Also, the weather is a bit fresh in May and October, so I advise you to visit the Cyclades islands in June or in September.
Also, you need to know as I said previously that Santorini and Mykonos are really touristy but if you’re afraid of the crowds, you can visit the other Cyclades islands as Milos or Parros that are also beautiful and that really less touristy!
Santorini
Santorini is probably the most famous Cyclades island and we can easily understand why! Sincerely, even if it became very touristy, this island has so much charm. The landscapes are made of white houses and churches with blue domes. It is very picturesque! The small village of Oia at the north of the island is a real gem.
Also, it is the perfect place for a romantic trip. It’s also a honeymoon or proposal destination. You can stay at beautiful hotels in the heart of Oia, or in Thira, and having your breakfast with your loved one with a wonderful view of the Aegean Sea and the volcano. You should also read our post about the best hotels in Santorini.
Also, Santorini is an amazing island to watch the sunset from beautiful points of view while eating Greek specialties! If you want to learn more about Santorini, read our ultimate travel guide to Santorini!
Mykonos
Mykonos is the coolest of the Cyclades islands in Greece. It’s both really fun to visit Mykonos with friends than with your loved one! However, you need to know that the image we have of Mykonos is actually false. If you imagine Mykonos like a “party island”, you need to know that it’s really more than that!
Indeed, Mykonos is a beautiful island with gorgeous beaches made of crystal water. But also Mykonos town is so pretty and has so much charm. You can visit the typical streets made of white and blue houses, bougainvillea everywhere but also windmills. It’s also very picturesque and unique.
Also, you can rent a quad and explore the island under the sun, and just stop when you find beautiful beaches or a lovely typical Greek restaurant!
If you are planning to visit Mykonos, you should read our post about the complete Mykonos travel guide!
Milos
Milos is one of the most beautiful and unique Cyclades islands! Here you can visit the famous “Sarakiniko beach” also called moonscape! It is a wonderful beach made of white rocks and crystal clear water. You can also jump from the cliff, we had so much fun doing this with the other persons there!
The island of Milos is bigger than Santorini. To visit this island, you will need to rent a quad or a car. Then, you can easily visit the island with its modern roads. If you don’t like crowds, you will love this island!
If you are planning to visit Milos, read our travel guide to Milos and Sarakiniko beach!
Paros
Paros is also a Greek island of the Cyclades. It is best known for its beautiful beaches and traditional Greek villages. Parikia, the bayside capital, is a boating and transportation hub for the Cyclades region. It’s also home to the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, a landmark Byzantine church from the 4th century A.D. The north coast’s Kolimbithres is a beach where naturally sculpted rocks form swimming coves.
If you come during spring or summer, you will also sea bougainvillea everywhere!
Ios
Ios, also called Io or Nio, is also Greek island in the Cyclades group located in the Aegean Sea. Ios is a small island with cliffs down to the sea on most sides, situated halfway between Naxos and Santorini.
It is only about 18 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide, and only 2000 people living there.
Are you planning to visit the Cyclades islands in Greece next summer?
The Cyclades islands in Greece are absolutely incredible and have each their own charm! If you love a festive and warm ambiance you can visit Santorini or Mykonos. You could watch the sunset from the windmills in Mykonos or at the sunset point in Oia in an amazing atmosphere!
On the contrary, if you are looking for a less known island and a more intimate stay you can visit Milos or Paros! These islands are less touristy but they are beautiful too!
We hope this post will help you to organize your perfect trip to the Greek islands next summer! Let us know in the comments! 😉
And don’t forget to follow our adventures on Instagram @chiarabarrasso and @jelafaille
