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The confidential Cyclades: our alternatives to Santorini, Milos and Paros

2021-05-31T21:06:52.837Z


Dream beaches, turquoise waters, postcard villages: the Greek islands make you dream. The crowd that assails them in the summer months, a little less! So to avoid the crowds, our alternatives to the three big stars of the Cyclades.


The Greek islands are the stuff of dreams at the risk of being sometimes saturated in summer.

On the stars of the Cyclades, all you have to do is step aside to discover another equally charming island, less crowds!

Thus, the discreet little sisters of Santorini, Milos and Paros have known the same story, share the same landscapes and offer similar dreams as their elders, but they are not in the spotlight.

No airport or

luxury

resort

, just Greece in all its splendor still untouched by the tide of tourism.

Read also: In Greece, small Cyclades, great escape

Do you like Santorini?

You will love Thirassia

Does the volcano island fascinate you? You will find the same spectacular view of the sea-invaded caldera and its ocher cliffs sprinkled with white houses in Thirassia. This island confetti completes the ring of the crater of Santorini. With its 300 year-round inhabitants, the silent Thirassia is a solitude-seekers' paradise right in front of the extravagant Cycladic star. Neither trendy bar, nor equipped beach, this is what Santorini looked like forty years ago. A rugged geography, a mini port where to drop anchor and a zigzag staircase to climb to the top of the cliff on foot or on the back of a donkey. Balancing on the ridge, the main village of Manolas with its rustic constructions, hiking trails that set off on an adventure of virgin desert landscapes, black pebble beaches,microscopic churches clinging to the mountain… And you!

  • Our good addresses

Panorama Restaurant

, in Manolas, at the top of the 250 steps that go up from the port.

From the terrace, exceptional view of Santorini.

After a hike, taste the pasta with capers or moussaka.

From 10 to 15 €.

Zacharo rooms

, 12 single rooms and a veranda with breathtaking views of the caldera.

Jimmy, the owner, is a treasured host.

From 65 to 70 € per night.


Phone.

: +228 60 29 102;

+228 69 78 39 56 40.


Mail: zacharostudios@yahoo.com

  • Take the opportunity to visit ...

Néa Kameni

, the volcanic island with a lunar landscape and hot springs.

Caique crossing to be negotiated on the spot with the help of Jimmy or with the regular boats which provide the shuttle from Santorini and stop at Thirassia.

To read also: With the family, to party or sport ... Which Cycladic beach to choose?

If you are thinking of Milos, prefer Kimolos

View over Psathi, the port of Kimolos Island.

LAURENT FABRE / Le Figaro Magazine

Here is another volcanic island that keeps its promises of swimming in translucent waters and picturesque Cycladic villages. Four times smaller, Kimolos can be reached from Pollonia north of Milos, with a “slipper” boat that shuttles several times a day between the two islands. We disembark at the tiny port of Psathi where a few taverns are scattered on the golden sand beach. Just above, 2 km away, Chorio, the microcapital: a veritable labyrinth where small squares and alleys wind around a Frankish citadel. Between the two, to the east, the fishing village of Groupa-Kara amazes with its boat garages carved into the rock and their multicolored gates. The transparency of the sea is so bewitching that you can't resist the urge to dive from its sculpted rocks.

Kimolos offers a succession of creeks and white bentonite cliffs which, like in Milos, gives the water its deep azure color.

Secret coves hidden behind rocks, underwater caves witnessing a time when the island was a haunt of pirates, siesta in the shade of tamarisks, hikes along olive groves, paths where you meet ageless mule drivers , honey tasting… Hurry up, the tide is turning and the little island is already taking on a rocky look!

  • Our good addresses

Sardis Tavern

, south of Kimolos on Aliki beach, fish restaurant with shrimp and lobster.

Excellent value.


Phone.

: +228 70 51 458.

The Windmill

, 5 bedrooms in a 19th century windmill above the harbor with stunning views of the sea and neighboring islands.

230 € per night with breakfast.

Phone.

: +228 70 51 554;

+228 69 51 92 38 16.

  • For further…

We jump in a fisherman's caique from the port of Psathi and we set off to explore

the deserted islet of Polyaigos

, a natural park protected for its flora and fauna.

Round trip € 10 or full tour with swimming stops and buffet € 50.

Read also: Greece: getting to the Cyclades by ferry, instructions from Athens

Forget Paros and prefer Antiparos

Reserved for pedestrians, Kastro, the mini-capital, unfolds a white and blue Cycladic decor highlighted with fuchsia bougainvillea.

Adobe Stock / Cindy

A canal of 1km separates them. Antiparos is the natural extension of Paros with the same small mountain ranges, its postcard villages and its golden sandy beaches. Reserved for pedestrians, Kastro, the mini-capital, unfolds a white and blue Cycladic decor highlighted with fuchsia bougainvillea. On the sea side, the island offers pleasure in all its forms: naturist cove in the north, public or equipped beaches with Beach bar and water sports in Psaralyki in the east, sunset in Sifneiko on the west side, or bays of pocket in the southern cape around the church of Fanéroméni. On the land side, a huge underground cave, cool in summer, which houses the oldest stalagmite in the world and 11 marked hiking trails allow tourists who come from Paros to escape for a day.

People side

, Antiparos is the island of Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks, who became citizens of Greece in July 2020!

SEE THE FILE

- Cyclades: the

Figaro

travel guide

  • Our good addresses

Taverna Yorgis

, in Kastro, fish specialties cooked over a wood fire to be chosen in the kitchen.

From 10 to 15 €.

Phone.

: 228 40 61 362.

Oliaros Studios

, Agios Georgios, opposite Despotiko, a lodge run by two French-speaking musicians, Vassilis and Safiria, who offer music and Qi Gong sessions.

8 suites and a private house, from 130 €.


Phone.

: 228 40 25. 305;

69 73 40 32 31.

  • Always further…

From the beach of Agios Georgios, we reach

the deserted islet of Despotiko

where there is a superb archaeological site with the Temples of Apollo and Artemis.


€ 5 for the boat trip or € 25 for an organized tour.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-05-31

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