I spent two months touring round Greece throughout the instances of Coronavirus. It was completely unreal to go to all these islands in addition to Athens in the summertime months with out the everyday summer season crowds.
I ended up visiting about 15 islands in whole which looks like so much however shouldn’t be even 10% of the inhabited islands Greece has to supply!
This publish will concentrate on an itinerary centered round the most well-liked locations in Greece. For these with out months on finish to journey, it’s possible you’re pondering of essentially the most well-known and in style locations: Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. These three locations are by far the most well-liked and well-known locations in Greece and a number of the finest identified locations on the planet.
This itinerary will enable you plan every week, 10 day, or two week journey centered round these locations!
The place I went in The Cyclades, Greece
So I had about 4 weeks to journey across the Cyclades. Previous to this, I used to be touring by the Ionian islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia (which has essentially the most superb seashores, extra superior to the Cyclades for positive), in addition to the capital of Athens (which is a should)!
That is in fact greater than what most individuals could have however I believed it actually helped me see all of the locations I needed to with out dashing by it. I additionally traveled throughout the instances of Coronavirus and was capable of work remotely which helped me take the extra time crucial.
Don’t fear, I’ll assist craft itineraries you probably have one week or two weeks which is in fact the extra frequent route!
If these locations ring a bell and sound just like the locations you wish to go to, that is the proper itinerary for you!
What do I have to learn about touring within the Cyclades?
The Cyclades archipelago is without doubt one of the most well-known and delightful elements of Greece. It’s very developed and is kind of simple to journey by. Common ferry connections are potential between the islands and there are good paved roads in each place.
The meals in Greece is among the many finest on the planet so regardless of the place you go, you can be nicely fed with recent Greek meals and scrumptious Greek wines.
Typically, most individuals come to Greece in the summertime months that are its warmest and busiest. Nonetheless, in case you aren’t into massive crowds, touring throughout the shoulder months may go well with you higher.
There are a ton of various components to know in regards to the Cyclades that it may be its personal publish. And what are you aware? I’ve finished precisely that. Ensure that to learn my final information to touring the Cyclades along with this itinerary to grasp all of the nuances of touring right here!
journey between the islands?
Nicely there isn’t any island hopping with out a strategy to get between the islands. Fortunately, Greece has one in all its most intensive and serviced ferry system within the Cyclades.
Ferries are the one strategy to get between islands. In the summertime months, they run steadily with a number of ferries coming into an island per day. There are a number of firms to select from which is nice for retaining prices affordable.
A number of the hottest islands have airports like Mykonos, Santorini, Milos, Naxos and so on. the place you’ll be able to fly into from Athens or worldwide locations. Nonetheless, there aren’t any flight routes (that I do know of) between the islands, so you’ll not discover any flight between Mykonos and Santorini. It is because the distances are so brief that flights don’t make sense in addition to there being an intensive ferry system to cowl this.
Ferries within the Cyclades are usually fairly massive ships and are very comfy. I took ten of them so I’ve skilled all several types of boats and for essentially the most half, I’m fairly glad. Most ferries begin from Athens and make a route the place they cease at totally different islands. You’re primarily hopping on and hopping off relying in your level of origin and vacation spot.
There’s a lot to know in regards to the Greek ferry system that I’ve written a whole publish devoted to this matter. Ensure that to learn that so what to anticipate while you arrive!
Full Athens, Mykonos, Santorini Itinerary
This itinerary begins in Athens, Greece’s capital. Most lengthy haul worldwide flights arrive into Athens. Mykonos and Santorini have worldwide arrivals however principally from Europe.
From Athens, I took a flight to Mykonos to begin my island hopping journey. The entire purpose I didn’t take a ferry from Athens to Mykonos (which there are numerous choices), is as a result of the flight was really cheaper than the ferry and it takes lower than half-hour.
I stayed 4 nights in Mykonos which is loads of time to discover the island in my view. From Mykonos, there are common every day ferries to Santorini (even throughout the off season as nicely).
In Santorini, I stayed in and round Oia which is the primary city the place all the long-lasting photographs are taken. Three to 4 nights is sweet to expertise Santorini in my view. From Santorini, you’ll be able to fly again residence as it’s related to quite a few massive airports in Europe!
Day 1-4: Athens
The itinerary begins in Athens, Greece’s modern-day capital! Athens is a tremendous metropolis that’s definitely underrated in comparison with the opposite European capitals. It’s residence to a lot historical past and great monuments that you just’ve in all probability realized about in class. The world well-known Acropolis residence to the Parthenon is right here seen from all elements of the town.
The meals and consuming scene in Athens can also be high notch. There’s a palpable sense of power right here that you could really feel as quickly as you step out. I had some superb cocktails and rooftop drinks right here in addition to consuming a number of the most interesting delicacies that Greece has to supply.
I stayed in an exquisite Airbnb with unobstructed views of the Parthenon which I’d extremely suggest. You don’t actually need that a lot time in Athens in case you’re simply involved with seeing the primary sights. Nonetheless, I adored the vibe and really feel of the town and will have simply stayed every week right here.
In the event you don’t plan on visiting Athens and have a direct route into the islands (like Mykonos or Santorini), then ignore this a part of the itinerary and transfer to the subsequent part.
Learn my detailed publish about visiting Athens!
From Athens, the subsequent step is to e-book your switch to Mykonos. Your two choices listed below are to make use of the ferry system or to fly. Piraeus Port is the primary port of departure in Athens and the place you’ll take your ferry journey to Mykonos. You will get there through Uber for round €20. In any other case, take the road 1203 practice which takes 17 min and prices 1€.
Alternatively, reserving a flight will likely be barely dearer than the ferry however take you a fraction of the time. There are quite a few finances airways like Olympic Air, Volotea, and Sky Categorical the place you’ll be able to e-book a a method flight to Mykonos for €50-75.
Day 4-7: Mykonos Island
From Athens, I flew to Mykonos the place I spent the subsequent three nights. Mykonos might be the second most visited island after Santorini and is known for its stunning Chora (the primary city) and its seaside golf equipment.
Due to COVID, the seaside golf equipment had been open however not at its full capability. Mykonos felt just like the gathering place of the European Jersey Shore crowd blended with all of the semi-pro influencers yow will discover. Most instances it felt like individuals had been going that additional step to look higher than they usually would. It’s just like the Miami of Greece in a way.
However, it’s simple to keep away from this by merely staying away from the flowery seaside golf equipment and that complete vibe. The Chora is completely stunning to stroll round throughout the day when persons are nursing their hangovers from the night time earlier than. It’s the whole lot you’re on the lookout for in that typical Cycladic village with its completely manicured cobblestone streets, white homes, and blue doorways. I additionally actually loved the sundown from the Armenistis lighthouse in addition to from the 180 diploma sundown bar (even when the cocktails are €18).
Learn my detailed publish about visiting Mykonos!
Attending to Santorini from Mykonos
From Mykonos, you’ll have to take the ferry to Santorini. This can be a quite common route (as you’ll be able to think about) between the 2 hottest islands in Greece. In the summertime months, there are a number of ferries a day that go between the 2 islands.
The ferries in Greece are a hop on hop off format so you’ll cease off in any respect the opposite islands earlier than arriving in Santorini (since Santorini is the final island earlier than Crete).
Ensure that to e-book your ferry tickets prematurely as a result of they do promote out particularly within the busy months!
Day 7-10: Santorini
Final however definitely not least, what long run journey by the Cyclades is full with out a go to to the mom of all of them in Santorini. Santorini is essentially the most well-known and most visited island in all of Greece, and perhaps even the world.
Even in case you’ve by no means heard of Santorini, there’s a excessive likelihood you’ve seen a photograph of its iconic blue domes floating round someplace. Mykonos has turn into the defacto upscale occasion island of Greece whereas Santorini has turn into the mecca for romantic {couples} journeys, honeymoons, and influencer photograph sprees.
Santorini is in contrast to the opposite islands in that it was shaped by a volcanic eruption hundreds of years in the past. Your complete island these days is constructed on the remnants of lava hardening within the sea. The island may be very stunning in that each one the homes had been constructed on the clifftops that descend straight into the ocean permitting for dramatic results.
The principle cities of Santorini are Fira and Oia with the latter being the well-known city that everybody takes pictures from. I stayed in an Airbnb with direct views onto the well-known three blue domes and there was an countless line of individuals ready to take photographs.
Santorini is extraordinarily overwhelming throughout the summer season months with hundreds of individuals per day descending into the small cities. I might extremely advise visiting in July and August.
To be sincere, Santorini was not my favourite island particularly having been to so many earlier than coming right here.
You probably have extra days in Santorini, think about a day journey to the neighboring island of Folegandros, which is my opinion far superior to Santorini (and less expensive).
Day by Day breakdown of my Athens, Mykonos, Santorini Itinerary
Here’s a day-to-day breakdown of the Greek island itinerary. It’s fairly concerned every day so completely be happy to unfold it out over extra days you probably have the time!
Day 1: Land in Athens, discover the town
Day 2: Discover Athens, together with Acropolis
Day 3: Discover Athens
Day 4: Flight to Mykonos
Day 5: Fu day in Mykonos
Day 6: Full day in Mykonos
Day 7: Ferry to Santorini
Day 8: Full day exploring Santorini
Day 9: Full day in Santorini
Day 10: Fly out of Santorini again residence
This can be a naked bones itinerary for my journey between Greece’s hottest sights. I feel you probably have a Friday to the next Sunday kind of trip, this will likely be good for you. You probably have extra time to the tune of two weeks and extra, then I might really go to one other island in between Mykonos and Santorini.
There isn’t a level to spend a lot time on these two islands as a result of I discover the opposite islands to be extra attention-grabbing. I might construction my journey to incorporate an island or two in between Mykonos and Santorini so you’ll be able to actually get the complete expertise.
The ferry from Mykonos to Santorini already stops in quite a few islands so you aren’t going out of the best way. I might nonetheless begin in Mykonos, and work my method down to finish in Santorini (since Santorini is actually the final cease on the ferry routes).
Two week itinerary with Naxos and Paros
Naxos is the most important island within the Cyclades and whereas near Mykonos, looks like a special world. The Chora is paying homage to Mykonos though not as good. Nonetheless, the close by villages are a number of the most spectacular villages within the Cyclades. Lease a scooter and discover the island!
Paros is subsequent door to Naxos and is known for its stunning villages. Locations like Naoussa and Marpissa will make you swoon over Greek structure!
Day 1: Land in Athens, discover the town
Day 2: Discover Athens, together with Acropolis
Day 3: Discover Athens
Day 4: Flight to Mykonos
Day 5: Full day in Mykonos
Day 6: Full day in Mykonos
Day 7: Ferry from Mykonos to Naxos
Day 8: Full day Naxos
Day 9: Full day Naxos
Day 10: Naxos to Paros
Day 11: Full day Paros
Day 12: Paros to Santorini
Day 13: Full day exploring Santorini
Day 14: Full day in Santorini
Day 15: Fly out of Santorini again residence
Proceed Studying:
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