Cyclades Island Hopping: The Best Greek Islands To Combine

Cyclades island hopping is one of the easiest ways to build a trip to Greece that feels varied without constant packing and unpacking. Iconic caldera views (Santorini), beach days (Naxos, Milos), polished nightlife (Mykonos), and quieter, cliff-top villages (Folegandros) can all fit into one route. This guide is written for travelers booking now and reflects today’s realities: seasonal ferry frequency, weather-related delays, and which Cyclades islands actually have airports that can save you time.

Below you’ll find a quick island primer, practical route logic (including when to start in Santorini), and beach picks that match what most people search for when planning Cyclades island hopping.

How Many Islands Are In The Cyclades

Short answer: The Cyclades are a group of about 220 islands in the Aegean Sea. Only a small number are inhabited and commonly visited, making island hopping practical with the right route.

The name “Cyclades” comes from the circular arrangement of islands around the sacred island of Delos. While the region includes about 220 islands and islets, only a small number are inhabited and commonly visited.

Quick Cyclades island hopping planning facts to help you plan routes, timing, and connections (all vary by season):

Topic	Key Fact
Total Islands	About 220 islands and islets in the Cyclades
Best Pace For Most Trips	7 days: 2–3 islands; 14 days: 3–5 islands (more only with simple connections)
Main Athens Ferry Ports	Piraeus and Rafina (routes and durations differ)
Athens–Santorini Ferry Time	Typically about 5 to 12 hours, depending on the vessel and the departure port
Cyclades Islands With The Widest Seasonal International Flight Options	Santorini and Mykonos
Cyclades Islands With Domestic Airports	Syros, Paros, Naxos, Milos (typically via Athens)

The most commonly visited Cyclades islands include:

• Amorgos
• Andros
• Antiparos
• Delos
• Folegandros
• Ios
• Milos
• Mykonos
• Naxos
• Paros
• Santorini
• Serifos
• Sifnos
• Syros
• Tinos

Cyclades Island Hopping Basics

Simply put, more islands are not always better. Too many stops can cost you time and leave you tired and unsure of what you’ve actually seen.

For this reason, our one-week Cyclades itinerary includes only three islands, and our two-week itinerary just five. Remember to allocate at least two days to Athens, as it is the port of departure. Take it easy and enjoy the best of Greece.

Best Time For Cyclades Island Hopping

Short answer: The best time for Cyclades island hopping is May–June or September, when ferry schedules are strong, and crowds are lower than in July and August.

Seasonal differences matter when planning Cyclades island hopping, especially for ferries, prices, and crowds:

Period	What To Expect
April	Mild weather, fewer crowds, limited ferry frequency, some tourist services not fully open
May–June	Warm weather, increasing ferry routes, good prices, ideal balance for island hopping
July–August	Peak season, hottest temperatures, full ferry schedules, highest prices, and crowds
September	Warm sea, fewer families, strong ferry network, excellent overall conditions
October	Pleasant early month, thinning ferry schedules, quieter islands, variable weather later in the month

August is peak season across much of Europe due to school holidays and high summer demand.

If you can avoid August, you’ll usually find better prices for accommodation and transport, the weather will still be warm, and crowds are often lower.

If you’re traveling during August, book early. Many Greeks take holidays in August, and popular ferry crossings and hotels can sell out.

The best months to go island hopping in Greece are May and June (before the busiest summer weeks), or mid-to-late September (when the sea is still warm and crowds start thinning after schools resume).

If you choose to travel in less popular months, such as April and October, remember that ferries don’t have a high frequency, so some islands might be more challenging to reach.

Best Cyclades Islands By Travel Style

In this section, we highlight our favorite Cyclades islands, the reasons to visit them, and the reasons to avoid them if your time is limited.

These tips and suggestions are here to help you decide which places to visit based on your travel style and the experiences you enjoy on vacation.

Santorini

Santorini is often included in first-time Greek island-hopping itineraries, known for its dramatic caldera views, whitewashed villages, and blue-domed churches.

The beaches in Santorini are not the island’s main draw. Santorini works best if dramatic landscapes, caldera views, and villages matter more to you than long beach days.

Santorini is also a good option because it has many seasonal direct flights from cities across Europe, which can simplify your itinerary and allow you to skip Athens.

High prices and heavy crowds in peak season are the main drawbacks. Even outside peak weeks, the most famous villages can still feel busy.

There are better places in Greece if beaches are your priority. Santorini’s sand is typically dark and volcanic; beaches can be windy, and many swimming spots have rocky entry points that may be tricky for small children. Santorini is also a dormant but active volcanic system.

If you’re traveling by ferry, it often makes sense to start with Santorini and then work north through the Cyclades back toward Athens.

Mykonos

Another famous Greek island, Mykonos, is known for its glamour, nightlife, expensive boutiques, and high prices. Whitewashed scenery is also part of Mykonos’ look, and it has something Santorini doesn’t: a bigger choice of sandy beaches.

There are seasonal direct flights from several European cities, too, so Mykonos can be an option if you want to arrive without connecting via Athens.

As a cruise ship destination, the island can also feel overcrowded at certain times of day.

Mykonos Island, however, has some pretty beaches, including Elia, Ornos, and Super Paradise. Other than that, if you’re a fan of Greece’s past, Delos’s archaeological site is an incredible island that can easily be visited from Mykonos.

Delos

The sacred island of Delos is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites to visit in Greece. A visit to the site can make an excellent day trip if you’re spending your holidays on the island of Mykonos.

Delos is a small islet a few miles from Mykonos and a UNESCO World Heritage Monument. According to Greek mythology, the island was where the god of light, Apollo, and his twin sister Artemis were born.

A sacred site in ancient times, the most notable places to visit include the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, and the famous Avenue of the Lions. There’s also a small museum on the island that houses artifacts found there during excavations.

You can’t stay on the island, so it’s best to add this stop while you are in Mykonos to take a boat there and back in a day.

Naxos

Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Cyclades, Naxos is large enough to reward a slower pace. If you’re happy seeing only a tiny portion of the island, then add it to your Cyclades island-hopping itinerary.

Prices are often more affordable than in Mykonos or Santorini, and there are not many reasons to exclude Naxos. Maybe it’s not as cosmopolitan, but for many travelers, that’s the appeal. The island is green and has mountain villages worth visiting. The food is wonderful, and you get a strong mix of landscapes, archaeological sites, beaches, and activities that work well with kids.

Paros

Another fantastic Greek island is Paros, which is just a quick ferry ride from Naxos. It’s much more popular among young Greek crowds, making it lively and crowded during peak season.

Paros is the ideal fusion between Mykonos, with its trendy beach clubs, eateries, and Naxos, thanks to the fantastic beaches and authentic inland villages.

On the downside, it may be better suited to a younger crowd, so if you’re after a family-friendly, relaxing, quiet destination, consider replacing Paros with Naxos in your itinerary.

Budget-conscious travelers should plan ahead, especially in peak season.

Ios

Superb beauty, astonishing beaches, and incredible whitewashed landscapes are also part of the Ios atmosphere. Ios is one of the most beautiful Aegean islands to visit, yet it has earned a reputation as a destination for young people and partygoers.

Ios can be considered the party capital of the Cyclades; there are plenty of clubs and bars, and night beach parties are part of the deal, too. This makes Ios an option for teens and young adults who families less love.

Milos

Milos is a small, pretty, and quiet Greek Island in the Cyclades, easy to visit for a quick trip. The island offers a wide range of activities despite its relatively small size. You can explore traditional white villages, check archaeological sites, eat delicious food in authentic Greek tavernas, and relax on the island’s magnificent beaches.

Milos has a volcanic landscape and is located on the southwestern edge of the Cyclades. Its volcanic past has created a dramatic coastline and some of the most unusual beaches in Greece.

Some of Milos’s most famous beaches are easiest to reach by boat, which may be a drawback if you prefer easy shore access.

Folegandros

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Folegandros is among the least-visited islands in Greece. It’s gorgeous, peaceful, and calm.

Spend time in Chora (Hora), the main town, perched on a cliff overlooking the Aegean. Roam the pedestrian-only center and take time to admire the picturesque view from the dramatic cliffs.

Folegandros is further south; May can still offer good beach weather, and early October often does too. We suggest spending time at the beaches near Karavostasi; the fine pebbles may require beach shoes. If sunbeds are operating, grab one in the shade and settle in with a book.

Syros

Syros is the administrative capital of the Cyclades, with a lively local feel. It’s generally less tourism-driven than Mykonos or Santorini, though it can still get busy in summer.

It’s a perfect place for a tranquil holiday, ideal for enjoying pristine, empty beaches, traditional villages, excellent cuisine, and local music.

Syros is known for its restaurants, its rebetiko music scene, and sweets such as loukoumi, mandolato, and halvadopita.

Ermoupolis, the capital of Syros, features numerous neoclassical mansions of exquisite taste and elegance, beautiful churches, and romantic alleys. The city is also close to some of the most amazing Syros beaches, most ofwhich arem concentrated on the southern and western coasts.

Kythnos Island

Kythnos is a relatively mountainous Cycladic island, not far from Athens, making it a convenient weekend or short escape.

The coast of Kythnos is known for having dozens of beaches and coves. Highlights include Kolona Beach, the thin sandbar that links Kythnos to the islet of Agios Loukas.

The island offers many outdoor activities and unique spots, such as hot springs and caves.

Best Cyclades Island Hopping Routes

Route planning tip: Most Cyclades island hopping itineraries work best when you start with the farthest island (often Santorini) and travel north toward Athens.

As mentioned above, a common strategy is to start with Santorini and work your way north. You can get there by ferry (typically 5 to 12 hours, depending on the vessel and departure port) or by plane in under an hour.

You’re usually freshest at the beginning of your trip, so the longest crossing feels more manageable. After Santorini’s caldera villages and volcanic beaches, you can move on to Ios if it’s included in your itinerary.

Ios is one of the closest Cyclades islands to Santorini, and seasonal ferry routes frequently connect the two.

Fast ferries can take around an hour, while slower sailings can take longer, so it can still be an easy add if you love parties and beaches. Milos also has seasonal ferry connections to Santorini, so it can be another stop if you intend to skip Ios.

Paros and Naxos are logical next stops from Ios, with frequent ferry connections (especially in season). Because Naxos is larger and packed with activities, it’s a strong base. It’s also relatively close to Santorini, which matters if Ios isn’t part of your plan.

If you love more traditional places, it’s not a bad idea to drop Paros and, from Naxos, head to Amorgos. It’s a strong choice for hikers, and anyone who wants a slower, simpler island feel over parties and nightclubs.

Mykonos has ferry connections to multiple Cyclades islands (typically Tinos, Syros, Paros, and Naxos), with seasonal routes to others; check schedules based on your travel dates.

Athens has two main departure ports for the Cyclades (Piraeus and Rafina), and which one you use can change ferry duration and routing.

Which Cyclades Islands Have Airports

Although we know that ferry travel is the quintessential part of island hopping, getting to an island by plane can save much time.

Islands With The Busiest International-Style (Seasonal) Flight Networks In The Cyclades Are:

• Mykonos
• Santorini

Islands With Domestic Airports In The Cyclades Include:

• Syros
• Paros
• Naxos
• Milos

Airports allow you either to begin or end your trip without even setting foot on a ferry from Piraeus.

Best Beaches In The Cyclades

These are the best beaches in the Cyclades Islands mentioned in this article:

Santorini

Red Beach is one of Santorini’s most scenic spots, valued more for its landscape than its amenities. White Beach and Perissa are also popular for their unusual volcanic scenery.

Mykonos

Mykonos has more beautiful beaches than Santorini; some of the favorite ones are Super Paradise, Elia, and the exclusive area of Cavo Psarou.

Naxos

Plaka is widely regarded as one of the best beaches on Naxos, with long stretches of sand and clear water. It’s spacious and can work well for families, depending on wind and waves.

Paros

Paros has gorgeous beaches; Santa Maria is a broad sandy shore that’s popular with families. Kolymbithres is known for its unusual rock formations shaped by wind and sea.

Ios

Mylopotas is the most famous beach on Ios. It’s a popular spot for swimming and water sports.

Milos

Two of the most famous beaches on Milos are Sarakiniko and Tsigrado.

Amorgos

One of the most famous beaches in Amorgos and the rest of the Cyclades is known as Mouros Beach.

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Cyclades Island Hopping Itinerary For 7 Days

As we have mentioned, a one-week itinerary of the Cyclades can offer you the possibility of seeing two or three Cyclades islands without stress and running around.

Adding more islands to a week can lead to stress.

According to what we mentioned before, these are three good itinerary options:

Option 1: Santorini – Milos – Ios – Athens

Option 2: Santorini – Paros – Naxos – Athens

Option 3: Santorini – Naxos – Amorgos – Athens

Cyclades Island Hopping Itinerary For 14 Days

When you have more time, you can fit one or even two more islands into the itinerary, especially if the final islands have straightforward ferry connections.

Here are 10 Cyclades island hopping route suggestions:

• Option 1: Santorini – Ios – Naxos – Mykonos
• Option 2: Santorini – Paros – Naxos – Mykonos
• Option 3: Santorini – Milos – Paros – Naxos – Mykonos
• Option 4: Mykonos – Syros – Paros – Naxos – Ios – Folegandros – Milos
• Option 5: Kythnos – Serifos – Sifnos – Kimolos – Milos
• Option 6:Andros – Tinos – Mykonos – Naxos
• Option 7:Tinos – Mykonos – Naxos – Paros – Ios – Santorini
• Option 8: Syros – Mykonos – Naxos – Ios – Santorini
• Option 9: Paros – Naxos – Iraklia – Schinoussa – Koufonisia – Amorgos
• Option 10: Santorini – Ios – Paros – Naxos – Mykonos

All of these options can end with a flight or ferry to Athens, or (seasonally) a direct flight to/from selected Cyclades airports within Europe.

Cyclades Island Hopping FAQs

You now have everything you need to plan a realistic Cyclades island hopping route, choose the right islands, and time your trip with confidence.