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Travel guide
The Cyclades
4 days · 8 things to do
Best time to go: May to June, and September to October
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Welcome
The Cyclades, in a few days
Some 220 islands south-east of Athens, about 24 of them inhabited, set in a ring around the sacred island of Delos. Santorini's dark caldera, the farmed valleys of Naxos, the white rocks of Milos: the scenery changes with every crossing, but the villages stay whitewashed.
- Day by day
- D1 Day 1 2 things
- D2 Day 2 2 things
- D3 Day 3 2 things
- D4 Day 4 2 things
- Worth sorting before you go
- Words that help
- The practical page
- Packing checklist
The trip
Day by day
Map of the sights (numbers follow the suggested order). It prints with the base map.
D1
Day 1
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · The Santorini caldera free · half a dayThe Minoan eruption around 1600 BC collapsed the island's centre, leaving a crescent of 200 to 300-metre cliffs and two volcanic islets in the bay.
- Afternoon · Akrotiri archaeological site · about 1 h 30A Bronze Age town buried in ash around 1600 BC, excavated since 1967 under a roof: streets, drains and houses up to three storeys.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Hotel Grotta€110 a night
D2
Day 2
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Climbing Mount Zas free · half a dayThe highest point in the Cyclades, just over 1,000 metres; two trails climb from Filoti, via the Aria spring or the cave of Zeus.
- Afternoon · The Portara, Naxos free · about 30 minA six-metre marble doorway on the islet of Palatia, from a temple of Apollo begun around 530 BC by Lygdamis and never finished.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Nissaki Beach Hotel€140 a night
D3
Day 3
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Naoussa, Paros free · 2 to 3 hA fishing harbour in northern Paros with bright boats, a half-submerged 15th-century Venetian fort, and quayside tavernas selling fish by weight.
- Afternoon · Ancient Delos · half a dayThe sacred island where Apollo and Artemis were said to be born: the Naxian lions, the sanctuary of Apollo, a theatre and mosaic-floored houses.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Santa Maria Village€140 a night
D4
Day 4
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · The windmills of Mykonos free · about 1 hThatched round windmills on a rise above the sea, dating from the 16th century, when Mykonos ground grain for passing ships.
- Afternoon · Sarakiniko beach, Milos free · about 1 h 30White volcanic rock on Milos's north coast, carved by wind and sea into pools and gullies, with a narrow inlet to swim in.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Rochari Hotel€190 a night
Before you go
Worth sorting before you go
📶 eSIM data
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
🛡️ Travel insurance
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
💳 Fee-free card
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
🚐 Airport transfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
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Good to know
Flavours & local habits
🍽️ Worth tasting
- Souvlaki and gyros: grilled skewers and wrapped sandwiches, cheap and on every corner.
- Moussaka: aubergine, minced meat and béchamel, baked and served warm rather than hot.
- Greek salad: tomato, feta, olives and olive oil, and no lettuce in it.
- Grilled octopus: eaten on the harbour with a glass of ouzo.
- Baklava and loukoumades: layered pastry and fried dough, both soaked in honey.
⚠️ Best avoided
- Tavernas with photographs on the menu and a man outside waving you in, near the Acropolis above all: overpriced.
- Ask the price of fish by the kilo before you order. It is sold by weight, and the bill surprises people.
- Book summer ferries early, and treat the timetable as an intention rather than a promise.
- Carry cash. Small islands and village tavernas do not always take cards.
Getting by
Words that help
English ↔ Greek
| English | Greek |
|---|---|
| Hello | Γειά σας (yiá sas) |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ (efharistó) |
| Please | Παρακαλώ (parakaló) |
| Yes | Ναι (ne) |
| No | Όχι (óhi) |
| Excuse me | Συγγνώμη (signómi) |
| Goodbye | Αντίο (andío) |
| Do you speak English? | Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (miláte angliká) |
| I don't understand | Δεν καταλαβαίνω (den katalavéno) |
| How much is it? | Πόσο κάνει; (póso káni) |
| Where are the toilets? | Πού είναι οι τουαλέτες; (pou íne i tualétes) |
| The bill, please | Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ (ton logariazmó) |
| Help! | Βοήθεια! (voíthia) |
| Cheers! | Εις υγείαν! (is iyían) |
The essentials
The practical page
CurrencyEuro (EUR, €)
BudgetAbout €125 a day, mid-range
Best seasonMay to June, and September to October
PlugC/F · 230V
Tap waterSafe on the mainland, bottled on the islands
TippingAppreciated, round up the bill
Emergency112
EntrySchengen area: an ID card or passport for EU citizens, 90 days visa-free for UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports.
HealthNo specific vaccination needed. Make sure tetanus, polio and MMR are up to date.
Scan to open this guide online, always up to date.
https://offwegooo.com/en/guides/cyclades
Don't forget
Packing checklist
Have a good trip.
Guide made on offwegooo.com · Photos via Pexels · Details are indicative, check before you leave.