Cyclades
Travelers go to the Cyclades for whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches and a trip built around ferries across the Aegean.
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The Cyclades are a group of islands in the central Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece. Most travelers know them from whitewashed villages stacked above the water and churches with blue domes. Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Milos are the best known, and most of the rest of the group is small, with few year-round residents.
The islands suit a trip built on ferries, with a few nights on each island instead of one base. Each has its own pace: Santorini for caldera views and sunsets, Mykonos for beaches and nightlife, Naxos for its larger villages and mountain interior, and Paros and Milos for quieter coves. Ferries run most often from late spring to early autumn, and July and August are the busiest months. The meltemi, a strong northerly wind, blows most often in summer and can disrupt sailings. Plan at least a week for two islands and closer to two weeks for three or four.
Cyclades in five
- Pick two or three islands, not fiveEach hop costs half a day with port transfers. Pair a famous island like Santorini or Mykonos with a calmer one such as Naxos, Paros or Milos for contrast.Santorini
- Book ferries from Piraeus, Rafina or LavrioPorts differ by route, and fast boats sell out in July and August. Book online, and keep a spare day before an international flight, since strong winds can cancel sailings.Getting around Greece
- Expect meltemi winds in July and AugustA strong north wind often blows in summer, making seas rough and delaying fast boats. Choose sheltered beaches, and check forecasts before ferry days.
- Choose a crowd-aware island in peak weeksSantorini and Mykonos fill fastest, with cruise visitors by day. Smaller islands like Serifos stay calmer, while fares and rooms rise everywhere in August.Serifos
- Visit between mid May and OctoberMany hotels, beach bars and boats open from late April or May and close by late October. Check opening dates if you travel at the edges of the season.Best time to visit Greece
Things to do in Cyclades
See all attractions in Cyclades
Need to know
- Getting there
- Flights to Santorini, Mykonos and others; ferries from Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio
- Getting around
- Ferries between islands; buses, taxis, scooters or cars on each
- Best base
- One port town per island; Naxos or Paros for a calm first stay
- Time needed
- 7–10 days for three islands; longer for a slower route
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, quiet
- FebruaryCool, quiet
- MarchMild, closed
- AprilSpring, Easter
- MayWarm, quiet
- JuneWarm sea
- JulyMeltemi, busy
- AugustMeltemi, busiest
- SeptemberWarm, calmer
- OctoberWarm, quiet
- NovemberMild, closing
- DecemberCool, closed
Right now in Cyclades
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 70%
Mykonos
10:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°18°70%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Tue21°19°90%Tuesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Wed19°17°20%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 19°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Thu17°14°5%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri15°13°3%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat16°14°3%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun16°15°3%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 07:03 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Firaabout 5–9 hours by ferry from AthensSantorini's capital on the caldera rim, with a cable car.Read the guide
- Hora (Mykonos)about 2.5–5 hours by ferry from AthensLittle Venice and the windmills in Mykonos Town.Read the guide
- Serifosabout 2–4.5 hours by ferry from PiraeusA quiet western Cyclade with a hilltop village.Read the guide
Before you go to Cyclades
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Rules for Cyclades, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU visitors may be fingerprinted and have their photo taken at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check current EES guidance before you travel.
- Buy ferry tickets from the operator or an official agent, and book ahead for July and August, when inter-island routes are busiest.
- Do not climb on columns or walls at archaeological sites such as Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire in Greece, the EU emergency number. Save it before you travel.
Plan around Cyclades
Athens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideSantoriniCaldera views, sunsets and bases
Read the guideMykonosBeaches, nightlife and the old town
Read the guideFiraSantorini's capital and bus hub
Read the guideHora (Mykonos)Little Venice, windmills and the harbor
Read the guideGreek IslandsHow the Cyclades compare with other groups
Read the guideCyclades FAQ
Which Cyclades islands should I visit first?
Santorini and Mykonos for fame, Naxos and Paros for beaches and value, Milos for coves. Pick two or three, and mix one famous island with a calmer one.
How many days do you need for the Cyclades?
A week covers two islands comfortably, and ten days lets you add a third. Each ferry hop uses much of a day, so fewer islands feels better.
How do you get between Cyclades islands?
By ferry or fast boat between ports, with some flights. Routes run from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio, and between nearby islands. Check schedules, since lines change by season.
What is the meltemi?
A strong north wind that often blows in July and August across the Aegean. It can delay ferries and make some beaches rough, so check forecasts and keep flexible dates.
When is the best time to visit the Cyclades?
Late May to June and September to early October: warm sea, open businesses and fewer crowds than July and August. Winters are quiet, and many places close.