Island hopping through the Cyclades in Greece is an absolute must. The Cyclades, is a group of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea which lie below Athens. Here you will find the famous white houses, churches with blue domes, idyllic streets and impressive beaches. Some of the islands belonging to the Cyclades islands are: Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, Ios, Paros, Milos and Sifnos. Check out our travel guide for the perfect round trip in three weeks.
General information on Greece
Are you working on a travel plan for Greece? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and transport to and in Greece. You can find all information about Greece here.
A 3-week round trip
This 3-week itinerary is the perfect mix of nature, beach and culture. What you can see in this time is entirely up to you. Do you want to be constantly on the road? Or do you also want to enjoy a few beach days?
We visited:
Tip: We have also written an article about almost all the destinations on this itinerary.
Do you only have two weeks? Then you will have to adjust the number of days on an island. We promise it won't make your trip any less impressive! Instead, do you have longer? Then choose to add islands like Mykonos, Ios or Naxos. Wondering what we did at each destination? Then read on!
How do I arrange Ferry tickets while island hopping?
Let's start with how to hop from island to island. You can book ferry tickets in different ways such as at an island's port, through directferries.co.uk or through Interrail.eu's pass.
We bought a ticket at the port each time, a day before we left. This gives you complete freedom to leave an island earlier or later. Besides, it is also the cheapest option. It saves you several euros each time compared to the price indicated online. However, we did look for the sailing schedule online in advance via directferries.co.uk.
Tip: In high season, choose to book your tickets online in advance. That way, you can be sure to get on the boat!
Tip: If you book a ticket through direct ferries, you still need to have the official boarding pass printed out at a counter at the port. Just the confirmation e-mail is not enough to get on the boat. Printing out an official boarding pass can range from €1 to €5.
The itinerary for island hopping through the Cyclades, Greece
Let's start with the fact that island hopping in Greece suits all types of travellers and every budget. With millions of visitors every year, there is a suitable accommodation, activity and restaurant for everyone. In addition, transport is incredibly well organised.
Santorini: Santorini is where our journey began. Santorini is a small island but has countless attractions. No doubt you have seen pictures of this island passing by on Instagram or Pinterest. You will find narrow streets, the famous white houses and churches with blue domes. It is an island you must have seen at least once! In this blog you will read all about the best sights in Santorini.
Travel time Amsterdam - Santorini: 3.5 hours.
We flew to Santorini with Transavia. The tickets cost us € 170,- p.p (incl checked baggage).
Read also: 10x The best Instagram photospots in Santorini, Greece (with map)
Milos: Milos, also called Melos, is a volcanic island. It has become particularly famous for Sarakiniko beach, which is also called the moonscape. But it has many more fantastic beaches with clear blue waters! It also has small fishing villages such as Mandrakia, Klima and Firopotamos. Read more about Milos in our blog 9x The best sights in Milos, Greece (with map).
Travel time Santorini - Milos: 5 hours.
We did this cruise with Zante Ferries. The tickets cost us €16.50 p.p.
Sifnos: One of the still unknown islands of the Cyclades archipelago. If you ask us, also one of the nicest islands. Not because it has so many sights or beautiful cities but purely because it is not yet so touristy. The island is known for its many hike routes, delicious food and hilly landscape. Want to know more about this island? Read our blog on the best Sights in Sifnos.
Travel time Milos - Sifnos: 2 hours.
We did this cruise with Blue Star Ferries. The tickets cost us €6.50 p.p.
Paros: A popular island and the third largest of the Cyclades. Again, you will find small picturesque villages like Naoussa and Lefkes with white houses, churches and coloured flowers. It is a lovely island if you also want to enjoy some nice beach days.
Antiparos: Next to Paros, you will find a small island called AntiParos, which you can easily visit by ferry. On this island you will find many small but beautiful beaches, and quaint villages. The crossing only takes 10 minutes and you can take rental scooters! Ideal!
Travel time Sifnos - Paros: 3 hours.
We did this cruise with Blue Star Ferries. The tickets cost us €4.50 p.p.
Athens: We ended our trip in Athens, the capital of Greece. This city is obviously not part of the Cyclades archipelago, but it is a perfect starting or ending point for your trip. One of the popular sights in Athens is the Parthenon, Greece's most famous temple built on top of the Acropolis. But there is much more to see! Read more about the sights in Athens (online soon).
Travel time Paros - Athens: 4.5 hours.
We did this cruise with Blue Star Ferries and chose Piraeus as our terminus. The tickets cost us €36 p.p.
Tip: From the port in Athens, it is a 5-minute walk to the metro station. From here you can get to any part of the city.
Athens - Airport: You can easily get to Athens airport from the city as there is a direct metro and train connection. However, bear in mind that you will need a Airport Ticket buys. A normal 90-minute ticket is not valid for the ride to and from the airport, but only in the city itself.
Day-to-day planning: island hopping Cyclades, Greece
Hopefully, by now you have a good idea of all the possibilities. We have briefly outlined our schedule below. Whether this plan is suitable for you depends on your wishes. Check out all our articles on Greece and choose the destinations that suit you!
We hope this information helps you and that you can soon be island-hopping through the Cyclades in Greece. Do you still have questions? Then you can always send us a message via Instagram.
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