The Best Greek islands to visit in the Cyclades

The Greek Cyclades islands get their name from the word ‘kyklos’ or circle, and means encircling or circular islands as they form an approximate ring around the sacred island of Delos. According to legend, this small island near Mykonos was the birthplace of the god Apollo and his twin, the goddess Artemis.

The name Cyclades was used by various ancient authors, including the Greek historian Herodotus, and is thought to date back to at least the 6th century BCE. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the Bronze Age culture found here and known for its white marble idols has also been named the Cycladic.

For centuries, only Delos was considered important, as the headquarters and treasury of the Athenian Delian league, around 2,500 years ago. Over the past 900 years, different cultures have ruled the islands, from the Romans and Byzantines to the Crusaders, Venetians and Ottoman Turks until becoming part of the Greek state in 1830. Throughout all this, the name Cyclades has endured.

There are around 220 islands in the Cyclades islands, Greece, in total, including the better-known islands of Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini (also known as Thira). But that’s only the beginning when you consider which islands are in the Cyclades. The other major islands include Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros and Tinos.

The group also includes a string of minor islands known as the Lesser Cyclades, only four of which are populated.

Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades islands, while Syros is the capital of the island group and has the largest population. The islands themselves are actually the peaks of mountains of the Aegeis, a landmass which was submerged around five million years ago, and Milos and Santorini are both volcanic.

Oia Village, Santorini

The best time to visit the Greek Cyclades is the shoulder season of late spring and early autumn, avoiding the crowds and often soaring heat of peak summer, as well as the meltemi, a dry wind which is strongest from mid-July to mid-August.

Instead, spring is a lovely time to see flowers blooming, including orchids during March and April, while in June, the islands are scented with wild herbs. Easter can also be busy on the most popular islands though (and bear in mind that Greek Orthodox Easter falls on different dates, usually a couple of weeks later although this varies from year to year).

By autumn, the sea temperature is warmer but the crowds have mostly moved on, so the weather can be beautiful for walking or swimming. Unusually, you’ll also see crocus blooming during September and early October.

Between November and late March, much of the islands’ tourist infrastructure closes down outside the main tourist season, especially on the smaller islands. Ferries will often run a reduced route, and while larger attractions and archaeological sites may be open, you may also have limited hours. The Mediterranean weather can be more mixed during winter, although temperature remain relatively mild, and you can expect some rain – there is even occasionally snow on high ground, although that’s becoming rarer.

Santorini

You’ll never be short of beautiful beaches on any Greek island, but the Cyclades has several places which stand out for beach-lovers.

A contender for the best island in Greece for beaches, let alone in the Cyclades, Milos has some spectacular stretches of sand. Perhaps the most dramatic is Tsigrado Beach on the southern coast, backed by rocky cliffs and dotted with sea caves. The sand here is a gleaming white and the water an astonishing turquoise green. The easiest way to reach it is by boat, unless you’re happy to climb down a few ladders.

But that’s only the beginning of Milos’s unusual and eye-catching coves. Sarakiniko Beach is known for its smooth white rocks which glow at sunset, although it’s better if you want to lie back and enjoy the landscape rather than swim. Or Paleochori beach is heated by geothermal activity under the water, with steam vents warming the sand, and a mix of colours in the cliffs behind.

For swimming and lounging, Firiplaka is perfect, with gleaming clear blue water in the calm bay, soft white sand, loungers and a beach bar, while the rocks at the back have a pinkish tinge. And while there’s no beach at Kleftiko Bay, it still deserves a mention. A former haunt of pirates, the rock formations are spectacular – and only accessible by boat.

Sarakiniko, Milos

If you like your beaches long and golden, Naxos is perfect. The longest of them all, Plaka, stretches for around 4km so you shouldn’t struggle to find a spot by the translucently clear water. At one end, you’ll find beach bars with sunbeds, or if you want a quieter corner to relax in, just keep walking to the southern end, where the sand dunes keep you protected from the wind.

But you’ll find similarly long sandy beaches at Agios Georgios, the closest beach to Chora, as well as Agios Prokopios, both of which have watersports facilities too.

For somewhere a little quieter, head to Maragas, which isn’t far from the capital but tends to have a calmer atmosphere to go with its soft sand and clear water. Or on the southern coast at Pyrgaki, you’ll find shallow seas, shady cedar trees and fewer people to share it with too.

For some of the best beaches in Paros, you’ll need to head to the Naoussa area, the island’s second-largest village. With Santa Maria Beach, you get two for one, with two beaches split along the coastline and some great snorkelling, as well as diving and other watersports. Or head to Kolymbithres for its rock formations and sparkling turquoise waters and Agia Irini, which is lined with palm trees (best to get there early though). For somewhere quieter, Glyfades has its own glorious stretch of sand but tends to be less crowded, along with Tripiti – don’t expect anything much in the way of facilities, but for a lovely calm bay that’s not too hard to get to, this ticks the boxes.

Mykonos is known more for its beach clubs than the sands themselves, and if you’re looking for a party atmosphere or a slice of glitzy glam, you’ll be spoiled for choice. But that’s not all there is to Mykonos, if you’re hoping for a quieter corner to relax by the sea.

Agios Stefanos is only 3km from Mykonos Town, a sandy beach that’s mostly protected from the breezes, while Platis Gialos is a similar distance to the south, with a more family-friendly feel, wide sands, shallow waters and plenty of facilities. Nearby Agrari has some facilities, including sunbeds, a beach bar and taverna, but still stays peaceful – despite being sandwiched between busier, buzzing Super Paradise and Elia.

Mykonos

Much of the joy of a holiday in the Greek Cyclades is doing almost nothing, relaxing on the beach and in tavernas, strolling whitewashed alleys and stopping for a glass of something refreshing as you drink up the view. But if you want to include some sightseeing as well, we’ve picked the best islands in the Cyclades to choose.

If there’s one place you should visit in the Cyclades, it’s Delos, spectacular even by ancient Greek standards. The island grew up thanks to the legend that Leto, the mother of Apollo and Artemis, fled to this sacred island to give birth and escape the vengeance of Hera, wife of their father Zeus. A shrine quickly sprang up to Apollo with a town surrounding it.

Before long, it became a major trading centre and expanded across the island, with artefacts on display in the island’s museum, including many original frescoes, mosaics and statues.

Reached by boat from Mykonos, people usually spend at least a couple of hours exploring. Highlights include the Sanctuary of Apollo, and the Propylaea, where three temples dedicated to Apollo once stood, facing a 9m statue of the god. There’s also an area dedicated to Artemis, which is home to the famous Terrace of the Lions, marble statues given by the inhabitants of Naxos to guard the Sacred Lake where Leto gave birth – the lake itself was drained 100 years ago, but you can still make out the shape.

There are also houses and other buildings to explore too, including the Theatre Quarter with some colourful mosaics still visible inside the rooms and courtyards.

Look beyond the party reputation and you’ll find some fascinating places to explore, both in Mykonos Town (Hora) and elsewhere on the island. One of the most famous landmarks is the line of 16th century windmills, constructed by the Venetians, with seven remaining on the little hill overlooking the harbour. Wander through Little Venice, with its Venetian houses leaning towards the waterfront, before you head up the hill to find them.

The island is also home to the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, displaying a string of artefacts found on Delos and its neighbouring island Rineia. Mainly pots and funerary monuments, look out for the statue of Hercules dating back to the 2nd century BCE, made out of marble from Paros. Or lose yourself in the Aegean Maritime Museum, with its models of famous ships, including ancient crafts such as Athenian triremes and Byzantine and Egyptian ships. There are also historic maps and navigation instruments, as well as amphorae rescued from the sea floor.

The best-known attraction on Santorini is the fabulous sunset view over the caldera rim, a legacy of the huge volcanic eruption in around 1200BCE which destroyed the heart of the island, leaving the sea-filled crater behind. As dusk falls, the dust in the air turns the sky a deep, dramatic orange – and while you’ll be sharing the view with countless others, it’s still a highlight of a visit to the island.

The volcanic eruption also buried the ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri beneath a layer of volcanic ash. Excavated in the 1960s, you can now explore it again, with wooden walkways leading through the ancient city, and some buildings still standing. The site of Ancient Thira, settled in the 9th century BCE, is also worth seeing, with temples, mosaics, a theatre and the old marketplace, or agora, to explore. Save time to visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera beforehand, packed with finds from Akrotiri, including ceramics, paintings, and a gold ibex figure from the 17th century BCE. Even more astonishing, you can see fossilised leaves from an olive tree found within the caldera, which date back over 60,000 years.

The largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos is also one of the best Cyclades islands for sightseeing, including its famous unfinished Temple of Apollo. Better known as the ‘Portara’, these two giant marble columns are topped with a single massive lintel, creating a huge frame – it’s popular at sunset when the views are even more spectacular. You shouldn’t leave without exploring the Kastro neighbourhood either. Created in the 13th century, the first Duke of Naxos (and nephew of the Venetian Doge) made it the capital of his duchy.

The historic streets are still lined with Venetian mansions, and you can see the remains of the castle, known as the Tower of Sanoudos, as well as wandering the narrow alleys which lead up the hill from the water. Kastro is also home to the island’s archaeological museum, with some early Cycladic marble figurines, plus displays from over the centuries.

Naxos

If watersports are what tempt you, you’ll find plenty to do on all the Cyclades islands, Greece, but you’ll also find great hiking and walking too – we’ve picked the best islands in the Cyclades to get outdoors.

One of the best places to walk in the Cyclades, Sifnos not only has a string of varied trails, you can even stroll in the footsteps of the island’s long-ago inhabitants. Some of the Sifnos Trails, as the collection of walks is known, date back to 3000BCE, created by solders, miners and farmers, with signs pointing to silver mines, fishing villages and meadows dotted with wildflowers. Others take you to waterfalls, viewpoints and little coves where you can cool down in the sparkling blue Aegean.

Naxos is another great base if you’re hoping to get active in the Cyclades, including a chance to walk through the Tragea Valley in the island’s centre, where you can see some of the most fertile farmland in Naxos as well as little whitewashed villages and one of oldest and most important Christian churches on the island. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can also climb Mount Zas (or Zeus), the highest point of the Cyclades at 1,003m, with wonderful views out over the rest of the islands and the sea.

A perfect way to discover one of the smaller Cycladic islands, you can spend your break criss-crossing Amorgos on foot. Trails lead you through some of the villages, both picturesque stops like Lagada with its whitewashed buildings, and deserted hilltop villages. As you explore, you’ll also find clifftop churches and secluded monasteries like the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary Chozoviotissa clinging to the rock face, while other routes lead you straight to the sea. Director Luc Besson shot The Big Blue here, drawn by its peace and clear turquoise water.

When you’re looking for more to do in the evening than the local taverna, here’s where to find the best islands in the Cyclades for nightlife.

Ios has a reputation as a party island, and while there’s far more to this corner of the Cyclades than just the nightlife, it’s a great place if you’re looking for a fun night out. Unlike some other islands, there’s a wider variety too, whether you prefer beach clubs, nightclubs or bars which stay open until the small hours.

July and August are the busiest months, so if you prefer a less crowded night out, it’s best to avoid peak summer. Most nightlife is focused around the main town of Chora and the beach clubs of Mylopotas Beach, or head to Gialos, for a more relaxed atmosphere in the bars overlooking the sea.

There are beach clubs galore on Mykonos, with everything from chilled-out spots for a drink and a swim, family-friendly options with live music, buzzing party spots including Paradise and Super Paradise, and the pricy chic of Scorpios. You’ll also find plenty of bars, such as those on the waterfront stretch of Little Venice and the rooftop bar at the Belvedere Hotel, as well as the fabulous views and more laid-back feel at 180 Sunset Bar at Mykonos Castle (booking essential, minimum spend required).

If you’re looking for a fun night out without the price tags of Mykonos or the party hard atmosphere of Ios, Paros is the perfect alternative. Much of it is centred around Naoussa where old fishermen's warehouses have been converted into bars and clubs, or at Parikia, where bars and clubs line the seafront. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to cocktail bars, and there’s usually a good choice of music, whether you’re hoping for a soundtrack of jazz, pop, rock, blues or something else.

Paros

You can fly direct to several of the Cyclades Islands in Greece from the UK, including Mykonos, Santorini and Paros, while there are connecting flights from Athens and Thessaloniki to other islands, such as Naxos, Milos & Syros and ferries from Athens to most of the larger Cycladic islands. While there’s plenty to fill your time in any of the Cyclades, it’s also a perfect place for a Greek Cyclades island-hopping holiday, with good ferry connections between the islands, as well as island-hopping cruises which stop at several different locations.

Cruise ships such as Celestyal have itineraries which hop around the Aegean, while other companies like Holland America include some of the Cyclades on their Mediterranean cruises.

Travelling from the northernmost islands of Andros and Tinos to the southernmost Santorini only takes around six hours with some faster routes, so it’s very easy to get around.

Most routes are much shorter, less than an hour between Mykonos and Paros, for example, and under 30 minutes from Paros to Naxos. Even smaller islands such as Folegandros have regular daily connections to Athens in summer, along with routes to neighbouring islands.

• Prepare for the weather – the Cyclades can be extremely hot during the peak summer months, so it’s best to avoid the extreme temperatures and plan your trip for shoulder season. Avoid the crowds – the peak summer months are also busiest, but Easter (including Orthodox Easter) is another popular time to visit, along with May half-term.

• Visit more than one island – it’s easy to hop between the Cyclades, so it’s a shame not to see more than one. A cruise is one of the easiest ways to get around, but otherwise, allow at least three days per island to avoid constantly being on the move.

• Plan your footwear – bring water shoes for the pebbly beaches, as well as sturdy footwear if you’re planning to walk as paths are often rocky and can be steep. If you’re planning a few nights out in the Cyclades or visiting somewhere like Mykonos or Santorini, a pair of smarter sandals are a great option, but the cobbled streets mean it’s better to avoid higher heels.

• Embrace the sea – don’t skimp on swimwear. Whether you’re walking, lounging on the sand or heading out on a boat trip, the chances are your days in the Cyclades will include a chance to swim. If you’ve got space for a snorkel, so much the better.

• Discover the local dishes – along with wonderful fresh fish, local olive oil and thyme honey, you’ll find delicious local cheese on Naxos, revithokeftedes (or chickpea fritters) on Sifnos, a traditional pasta known as matsata on Folegandros and a sticky selection of desserts on Tinos. Wash it down with a glass of local wine from Santorini.

Discover the beautiful beaches and historic temples of the Cyclades on our escorted cruise and tour Ancient Greece and an Idyllic Aegean Cruise, with stops in Santorini, Milos and Mykonos, or explore Crete with ferry trips to both Naxos and Paros on our Crete and the Cyclades holiday.