🇬🇷 Cyclades islands and Athens
The Cyclades, characterized by spectacular views, enchanting beaches, traditional architecture and tranquil atmosphere, present an authentic taste of Greece. Delight your tastebuds with delicious dishes, explore the lively nightlife and interact with the friendly locals. The harmonious combination of natural beauty and cultural richness makes the Cyclades an unmissable destination.
Here are some photos from our trip:
Itinerary preview
🗓 10 days
DAY 1: Athens
DAY 2: Athens
DAY 3: Milos
DAY 4: Milos
DAY 5: Santorini
DAY 6: Santorini
DAY 7: Ios
DAY 8: Ios
DAY 9: Ios - Athens
DAY 10: departure from Athens
Trip features
Features of this itinerary based on our real experience:
🔹 10 days
🔹 Road/boat trip
🔹 Organized autonously
🔹 Travel as a couple
🔹 July 2016
In this itinerary you will find:
🔸 List of the places visited every day
🔸 Links to Google images of every place
🔸 Link to daily map on Google Maps
🔸 Link to accommodation on Booking.com
🔸 Tips and impressions of every day
🔸 Useful links for this trip
🔸 Total cost of the trip (for two people)
When to go
January ⭐️⭐️
February ⭐️⭐️
March ⭐️⭐️⭐️
April ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November ⭐️⭐️⭐️
December ⭐️⭐️
More info on www.quandoandare.info
🗓 Day 1
Arrival at Athens airport. Buses X95 and X96 connect the airport to the city center and are especially popular for downtown-bound travelers.
Places to visit during the afternoon/evening:
📍 Plaka
Tips
💡 We visited the on foot the center of Athens. At the Plaka neighborhood you can take a walk through the narrow cobbled streets, souvenir shops and traditional taverns. If you continue towards Monastiraki, you will find a lively market, where you can shop and enjoy an evening meal.
🗓 Day 2
Tips
💡 Visiting the Acropolis in Athens is a must-see experience for anyone visiting the city. You can purchase tickets directly at the Acropolis entrance or online in advance. Combination tickets often also include admission to other attractions such as the Acropolis Museum. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance to avoid long lines.
Highlights include the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea.
Wear comfortable footwear because there are stairs and rough terrain, bring water and a hat, especially on hot days, enjoy your time to explore and admire the details of the ancient structures, and respect site rules and do not touch or climb on the ancient structures.
The Acropolis is very popular, so it is best to visit early in the morning or towards the end of the day to avoid crowds.
🗓 Days 3 and 4
Hydrofoil from the port of Athens to the island of Milos.
Places to visit while on Milos:
📍 Spectacular beaches: Milos is renowned for its spectacular beaches, each with distinctive qualities. Among the most famous are Sarakiniko, with its white rocks sculpted by nature; Tsigrado, accessible by a staircase carved into the rock; Plathiena; and Firopotamos.
📍 Cave of Papafrangas: Hidden bay with impressive cliffs and turquoise waters. You can snorkel and swim in this beautiful water.
📍 Catacombs of Milos: a set of ancient Christian catacombs, the largest among the Cycladic islands. They offer a fascinating insight into the island's history.
📍 Klima: a charming fishing village characterized by colorful houses built directly on the sea waters. This picturesque and photogenic village is a place of great beauty.
📍 Church of Panagia Thalassitra: a traditional church with a breathtaking panoramic view of Adamas Bay. It is a great place to watch the sunset.
📍 Ancient Amphitheater of Milos: positioned near the village of Tripiti, this ancient amphitheater offers an opportunity to understand the island's past history.
📍 Adamas: the main port and commercial center of Milos. Here you will find a variety of restaurants, stores and tourist services. It is a great starting point for exploring the island.
📍 Plaka: charming hilltop village located near the Acropolis of Milos. Plaka is known for its cobblestone streets, traditional houses, and breathtaking panoramic views of Adamas Bay.
📍 Plathiena: coastal resort with a beautiful golden sand beach and crystal clear waters
📍 Pollonia: picturesque coastal village with beautiful and quiet beaches, fresh seafood restaurants and a relaxing atmosphere. It is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the sea.
Tips
💡 Hydrofoil from Athens to Milos:
to travel between the Cyclades Islands using the hydrofoil, book in advance through companies such as Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways. Arrive at the port of departure early, check in and follow the instructions for boarding. On board, you may find assigned or available seats. Hydrofoil travel is faster than conventional ferries, but you may encounter rough seas. Once you reach your destination, follow the disembarkation directions. Keep in mind that schedules may vary due to sea conditions. Always confirm schedules and reservations for a smooth trip among the fascinating Cyclades Islands.
You can also leave by ferry instead of hydrofoil (usually a cheaper option), but the travel time is quite a bit longer. It depends on your time and budget.
💡 How to get around Milos? One of the most flexible options is to rent a car or motorcycle. This will allow you to explore the island at your own pace, reach remote beaches and visit places of interest. Keep in mind that some roads may be narrow or unpaved.
💡 You can explore the hidden caves and coves around the island with a boat tour. You can visit Papafragas Cave, Sykia Cave and other natural wonders.
🗓 Days 5 and 6
Hydrofoil from the port of Milos to the island of Santorini.
Places to visit while staying in Santorini:
📍Fira: worth seeing both day and night. Spend a morning walking along the spectacular Fira Caldera. Admire panoramic sea views and typical white houses. Then he also returns one of the two evenings to visit the lively streets at night. Enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants along the Caldera and soak up the evening atmosphere of the island.
📍Oia: explore the village, take photos of the iconic windmills and enjoy the unique landscape. Find a nice spot in Oia to watch the sunset over the Aegean horizon.
📍Red Beach: It is famous for its unique red volcanic sand and surrounding cliffs. Access requires a short walk, but the crystal clear water offers swimming and snorkeling. Visit early to avoid the crowds.
📍Kamari Beach: It is renowned for its black volcanic sand and turquoise waters.
Tips
💡 How to get around Santorini? In my opinion the best way is to rent a car, motorbike or quad so you can explore the island independently.
💡 Where to sleep in Santorini? The main options for staying a couple of days on the island are Fira or Oia. In Fira you will find a wide range of hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife. It is also convenient for exploring other parts of the island. Oia, on the other hand, is a charming village with splendid white houses overlooking the caldera. It's a romantic option, but can be more expensive.
💡 Oia goodies:
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Emblematic architecture: the white houses overlooking the caldera, equipped with blue domes and colorful doors, contribute to creating an icon of Oia and much of Santorini.
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Stunning sunsets: Oia is one of the best locations to admire the island's spectacular sunsets. The shades of red, orange and pink are reflected in the blue waters of the Aegean Sea, offering an unforgettable spectacle.
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Church of Panagia: This small church with a blue dome and bell is one of the most famous images of Oia. It offers a panoramic view of the caldera and the sunset.
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Shopping and art galleries: Oia is renowned for its boutiques, art galleries and souvenir shops.
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Suggestive marble steps: The cobbled streets and charming marble steps create a romantic atmosphere while exploring the village.
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Restaurants and cafes: Oia offers a varied choice of restaurants and cafes with panoramic terraces, where you can enjoy a meal or a drink while admiring the view of the caldera.
🗓 Days 7 and 8
Hydrofoil from the port of Santorini to the island of Ios.
Places to visit while in Ios:
📍 Chora, the capital of Ios: stroll the picturesque streets, visit the boutiques and have breakfast at a local café. Visit the Monastery of Panagia Gremiotissa, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the island and the sea. In the evening, dine at one of Chora's traditional restaurants and soak in the lively atmosphere of the island's nightlife. Explore the town's bars and clubs.
📍 Mylopotas Beach: it is known for its golden sand, crystal clear waters and lively atmosphere. It offers water sports, beach bars, and a wide range of amenities.
📍 Manganari Beach: it is a hidden piece of paradise, famous for its turquoise waters and golden sand. Surrounded by cliffs and vegetation, it offers tranquility, snorkeling, and breathtaking natural scenery away from the crowds.
Tips
💡 If you are interested in an outdoor activity, you could explore Ios' hiking trails or hike to the highest point on the island, Pyrgos.
💡 If you are a beach lover, consider visiting other beautiful beaches such as Psathi and Papa.
💡 If you want a quieter experience, you can opt for a boat ride around the island or just relax on the beach.
🗓 Giorno 9
Hydrofoil from the port of Ios to Athens.
Last evening in Athens between Plaka and Monastiraki and organizing suitcase for return the next day.
Tips
💡 Usually flying to/from the Cyclades islands is more expensive, that's why I chose to return to Athens to catch the return flight from there. Obviously the return can be organized differently without having to necessarily return to Athens.
🗓 Day 10
✈️ Departure from Atene. See you next time, Greece!
🔗 Useful links
🗺 Lonely Planet Islands of Greece
⛴ Go Ferry (hydrofoil or ferry tickets)
🧳 Suitcase checklist
💸 Cost
(for 2 people)
🏠 Hotel: 850 €
🚗 Car/scooter: 250 €
✈️ Flights: 180 € for two people
💰 Miscellaneous expenses: 550 €
Total: 1830 € (915 € per person)
✨ Essential
👙 Beach clothes and swimsuit
🤿 Bring mask and fins with you
☀️ Use high sun protection!
🎧 Bring some books and music
📷 Underwater camera, for example, the GoPro 11