Guide to the most beautiful destinations, coasts and islands of the Cyclades Islands
Sandy beaches, small bays and blue and white villages have made the Cyclades a world-famous landscape, perfect for exploring by sailboat or catamaran
Easily reached from Athens by sailboat or catamaran, the Cyclades Islands offer a distillation of the Greece we have all dreamed of. A perfect mix of transparent sea and breathtaking scenery, villages vibrant with life even at night, and optimal conditions for enjoying a boat trip accompanied by the Meltemi.
Among the more than 200 islands that make up the archipelago are some world-famous ones, such as Mykonos and Santorini, and many quieter but equally scenic and unforgettable ones, such as Sifnos and Milos, which are often included in sailing itineraries.
The best time
The season in the Cyclades Islands begins in April and ends in October-November; July and August are months when the heat is mitigated by a constant wind, which is quite intense on the unprotected slopes of the islands. June and September provide pleasant and less extreme temperatures.
Travel Ideas
The beauty of a trip to the Cyclades by boat is the reasonable certainty of being able to sail with the wind at your back, always finding the right bay for a dip, as well as docking in a marina for a seafood dinner at a local eatery.
Flotilla vacations are often organized in the summer, and it is easy to find experienced skippers with whom you can define together the stages for your custom boat trip: are you looking for fun and nightlife, peace and postcard views, or a full-sail adventure?
Sustainable tourism
A constellation of volcanic islands stretching into the Aegean Sea, the Cyclades are rich in biodiversity, especially flowering plants and bird life, including some rare species such as the herring gull, which nests on the bare, craggy walls of the less inhabited islands. The island of Naxos is at the forefront of sea turtle conservation, but from the sailboat it will be easier to spot at least one of the four dolphin species that inhabit these seas!
Watch where you drop anchor: the Cyclades ecosystem is linked to an alga, Poseidonia oceanica, which grows very slowly and is often damaged by tourist boats.
Perfect for
The Cyclades archipelago is vast and offers very different travel experiences as well. Mykonos, Santorini and Ios are tops for a fashionable vacation filled with nightlife and cheerful hustle and bustle, while Amorgos, Anafi, Andros and Tinos are some of the quieter islands, perfect for lovers of simple, frugal but equally surprising vacations.
If you are thinking of a family vacation, choose the western Cyclades such as Milos, Serifos and Sifnos, which are less windswept.
First time on a boat
The Cyclades are undoubtedly one of the first destinations considered for a sailing vacation. If you are new to sailing, you should keep in mind that in summer the Meltemi blows hard on many of the islands of the archipelago: does it attract you or does it unsettle you to sail with only the force of the wind?
Colours and landscapes always changing
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Vacation highlights in Greece
Between luxury, tradition and enchanting landscapes
Santorini, the volcano of the jet set
The most famous volcano in the Cyclades is certainly the one that created Santorini; that's why the island is shaped like a C, with the volcano's caldera located in the center and two small, moonscape islands that can only be reached by boat. There are luxurious hotels with spas on the island of Santorini, but the only real hot springs with mud and hot water are just a boat ride away on the coast of tiny Palea Kameni!
The Cyclades of windmills
On the heights of many of the Cycladic islands, particularly in the windiest areas of Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, and Serifos, there are a number of perfectly preserved windmills that once provided the energy to grind grain, making an important contribution to the agricultural economy and meeting the food needs of these islands. Today they are unique examples of historic local architecture, the "beautiful ancestors" of advancing wind power.
Tinos, a taste of authentic Cyclades
For the Greeks it is a sacred island because it is home to one of the most important Orthodox shrines in the entire country. But the island holds some of the most traditional and preserved villages in the Cyclades, a landscape that enchants and many bays with crystal clear sea, some of them almost suitable for children because they are protected from wind. Taverns and clubs are never lacking, simple but cozy!
7 reasons to choose the Cyclades Islands for your next sailing vacation
7 reasons to choose the Cyclades Islands for your next sailing vacation
Some of the Cycladic islands are volcanic in origin, so the sand is darker and the sea water deep blue; others have golden sand and turquoise sea.
Mediterranean hospitality
A welcoming population and cuisine based on simple, intense flavors only makes for a more enjoyable vacation. Remember to try the popular Greek liquor, ouzo, accompanied by fresh local produce, before launching into a sirtaki dance!
The typical blue and white architecture
Fishing villages and churches clinging to rock walls will remain in your heart.
Style first
The Cyclades archipelago is home to some of the trendiest and most well-traveled islands in the world, such as Santorini, Mykonos and Ios.
The golden hour in these parts is almost an institution
The golden hour in these parts is almost an institution
Lesser-known treasures
Like Sifnos, Koufonisia and Amorgos are considered by skippers to be some of the most attractive Greek resorts.
Not only sea
The islands are wonderful to circumnavigate, but also to visit ashore, visiting historic centers or walking some trekking trails
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