Each of the Cyclades islands has its own character with varied landscapes, each as spectacular as the next.
Festive, heavenly, peaceful, secret, elegant, romantic, there are no adjectives to describe them.
And yet, three key destinations make the whole world dream: Santorini, Mykonos and Paros.
To discover
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The Athenian Days
Santorini
and
Mykonos
, considered the two "stars" of the Cyclades, welcome millions of travelers every year.
Two totally different islands with on one side the romantic Santorini for unforgettable and magical holidays, on the other the festive and luxuriant Mykonos for lively and trendy holidays.
Paros also attracts many tourists.
Located in the center of the Cyclades, it is very popular with the French who represent more than the majority of visitors.
The island with a family reputation, combines everything that can be found in the main islands of the Cyclades, i.e. the traditional charm of the archipelago, the beauty of its landscapes and its immense beaches with crystal clear waters, its flowery villages with white walls, without forgetting its numerous hotels and restaurants which offer all the necessary comfort.
Paros is an ideal starting point to discover the archipelago.
From
Delos
, the smallest, to
Ermoupolis
the capital, from
Mykonos
the most festive to
Iraklia
one of the quietest, follow our complete guide to these Aegean gems.
Read alsoWhen to go to the Cyclades?
Weather, temperature, beaches… The best time, island by island
Map of Cyclades and airports
The Cyclades have 6 airports scattered over 6 different islands: Santorini, Milos, Mykonos, Syros, Paros and Naxos.
From France, it is possible to arrive non-stop at Mykonos and Santorini from the airports of Paris, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes and Marseille.
The map of the Cyclades and the airports Le Figaro Voyage
The map of the Cyclades and the airports Le Figaro Voyage
Milos, Sifnos, the Western Cyclades
KEA (OR TZIA)
Village of Ioulida, capital of Kea.
Constantinos Iliopoulo
Kea is a popular destination for Greeks due to its proximity to the mainland.
Also called Tzia, it is one of the closest Cycladic islands to the mainland of Athens.
Charming and peaceful and with a rich diversity of landscapes, it nevertheless escapes mass tourism since there is no connection with Piraeus, the main port of the Greek capital.
Only the port of Lavrio, the third port of Athens, serves this island of less than 2,500 inhabitants.
KIMOLOS
Secret coves and magnificent beaches, uncrowded even during the high season in Kimolos.
Emma JD Watson
This volcanic island of 39 km² is located next to Milos.
Four times smaller than its neighbour, Kimolos can be reached from Pollonia north of Milos, with a “slipper” boat that shuttles between the two islands several times a day.
Dream beaches, turquoise waters, postcard villages, Kimolos, still little courted by international tourism, is a typically Greek destination.
KYTHNOS
The Kolona beach of the surprising Kythnos.
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Kythnos is one of the most unexplored islands of the archipelago.
Like its neighbor Kea, it is one of the closest Cyclades to the mainland and has the particularity of not being affected by mass tourism.
Charming and authentic with white villages, typical Cycladic landscapes as well as around sixty renowned beaches that are not easily accessible by car, Kythnos is ideal for spending family holidays.
MILOS
Milos, a large volcanic island of 151 km² with many coves with turquoise waters.
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Milos, of volcanic origin, offers unique geological landscapes as evidenced by the cliffs of Kleftiko and the natural site of Sarakiniko.
It also has spectacular caves, charming fishing villages, magnificent fine sandy beaches with translucent eyes, beautiful churches, ancient Christian catacombs and one of the oldest mines in the Mediterranean.
Without forgetting its fabulous sunsets.
SERIFOS
Top of the capital Chora, ten minutes by car from Livadi the main port of Serifos.
Freesurf - stock.adobe.com
Located between Kythnos and Sifnos, Serifos is one of those islands that are little known and preserved from mass tourism, which has allowed it to retain its authenticity.
75 km² in area for about 1500 inhabitants, with mountainous and arid landscapes, it is ideal for spending a few calm and peaceful days.
Serifos is close to Athens and easily accessible from the port of Piraeus.
SIFNOS
Serenity reigns over Sifnos and its twenty beaches of exemplary cleanliness.
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Located between Serifos and Milos, with its 74 km² area, Sifnos is more open to tourism than its neighbor Serifos and is also popular with tourists.
Its natural beauty, its wild beaches, its mountain ranges and its monasteries make Sifnos one of the most authentic islands of the archipelago.
Without forgetting its dazzling villages which are home to potters and painters, poets and shepherds, and now some celebrities in search of simplicity.
Renowned for its gastronomy, Sifnos is the birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes, the chef considered to be the founder of contemporary Greek gastronomy.
Read alsoSifnos and Milos: the easy Cyclades with the family
Mykonos, Syros, the Northern Cyclades
ANDROS
Mixture of typical Cycladic architecture and neoclassism in Andros.
Kate- stock.adobe.com
Andros is the northernmost island of the Cyclades archipelago.
From Athens (port of Rafina), it can be reached in just two hours with fast ferries.
Among the greenest in Greece, it has been renowned since antiquity for its vines and fruit trees.
Achla beach, marked by its crystal clear waters and cliffs, is renowned as the most beautiful on the island.
Around the beach, there are streams and small lakes suitable for swimming.
Many plane trees provide beneficial shade on hot days.
Access by road is only possible with an all-terrain vehicle.
The safest and fastest way to get there is still by boat from Chora, the capital of Andros (20 minutes).
DELOS
Delos, an island steeped in history and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Located in the center of the Aegean Sea, Delos is a small uninhabited island of 6 km² close to Mykonos and totally different from its neighbor.
It is a museum island, a mythical archaeological site full of stories and treasures such as the Archaeological Museum, the Terrace of the Lions or the House of Dionysos.
Note that Delos is only accessible during the day by boat from Mykonos, count only a half-hour crossing.
MYKONOS
An island with unique architecture and landscapes, animated by the party.
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Located in the north of the Cyclades, Mykonos is all the more talked about for its festive, extravagant, hyper-trendy and very jet-set side, attracting celebrities from all over the world.
But the most famous Greek island abroad has not put aside its sobriety, its simplicity and its charm which are felt through its houses with typical Cycladic architecture, its small white churches, its windmills traditional without forgetting its beaches and landscapes of pure beauty.
Read alsoMykonos insider
SYROS
Village of Ano Syros with a medieval appearance.
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The architecture of the buildings of Syros is far from the typical Cycladic style due to its glorious past where it was one of the cradles of multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism in Greece.
The island hides its game well, rocky, arid, almost uninhabited, you arrive by sea and walk along an almost deserted coast when Ermoupolis
suddenly appears
.
Emblematic capital of the Cyclades and chief town of Syros, this city which takes its name from Hermes is one of the most beautiful in Greece.
Also the island's main port, it hosts ferries that serve the ports of Athens and most of the islands of the archipelago every day.
Read alsoSyros and Tinos, Cyclades in the wind
TINOS
Tinos, high place of pilgrimage and paradise for hikers.
Georgios Alexandris - stock.adobe.com
Tinos is considered the Lourdes of the Orthodox world.
There are around 750 churches and chapels scattered all over the island including the Panagia Evaggelistria, the imposing sanctuary of the Virgin located on the heights of the port which attracts thousands of pilgrims each year on August 15 (the day of the Virgin Mary ).
In addition to its religious side, Tinos is home to the famous dovecotes, mountainous landscapes, wide open spaces and many picturesque villages that delight hikers.
Paros, Naxos, the Central Cyclades
AMORGOS
The monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Pat on stock - stock.adobe.com
The most eastern Cyclades of the archipelago offers breathtaking landscapes.
Became famous at the end of the 1980s thanks to the
Big Blue
directed by Luc Besson, Amorgos is a volcanic and mountainous island which has managed to preserve its authenticity with its traditional Cycladic villages as well as a whole wild nature in certain steep places.
ANTIPAROS
Charming, relaxing, an idyllic setting for a peaceful stay in Antiparos.
Antiparos - stock.adobe.com
Separated by a one kilometer canal, Antiparos is the natural extension of Paros with the same small mountain ranges, postcard villages and golden sand beaches.
Reserved for pedestrians, Kastro, the mini-capital, unfolds a white and blue Cycladic decor highlighted with fuchsia bougainvillea.
A wonderful destination for a very peaceful holiday.
NAXOS
The door of the Temple of Apollo, the most famous and photographed monument of the Cyclades.
Freesurf - stock.adobe.com
The island of superlatives lives up to its name since Naxos is the largest, highest and most fertile of the archipelago.
Large beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, a diversity of unique landscapes, a range of archaeological sites to discover as well as ease of access due to its geographical position, Naxos is an ideal alternative to the stars of the archipelago. especially during the high season when they are quickly saturated unlike Naxos which offers unparalleled tranquility.
Read alsoParos and Naxos, inner beauties of island Greece
PAROS
Family, traditional, lively, Paros the must.
Alex Waltner - stock.adobe.com
A neighbor of Naxos, Paros is experiencing growing success, particularly with the French, it is now the most famous of the Cyclades.
Authenticity, natural beauty, diversity of soft and rural landscapes, picturesque and quiet villages, fine sandy beaches... The island is a postcard in itself and displays everything that can be expected of a Greek island.
Read alsoParos, our ten favorite hotels on the most endearing island of the Cyclades
The small eastern Cyclades
KOUFONISSIA, DONOUSSA, IRAKLIA AND SCHINOUSSA
Gradually popular with tourists, Koufonissia is quiet during the day and livelier in the evening.
JONATHAN - stock.adobe.com
Paradise beaches, calm and peaceful atmosphere, fertile countryside, local cuisine, hiking, these four islands are an ideal destination for spending relaxing and restful holidays, they cultivate their simplicity away from the major tourist centers.
Still confidential,
Koufonissia
,
Donoussa
,
Iraklia
and
Schinoussa
are the only inhabited islands of the archipelago and are distinguished by their tiny size (with just over 200 inhabitants, Schinoussa is barely 9 km²!) as well as their preserved way of life .
Read alsoIn Greece, small Cyclades, great escape
Santorini, Ios, the Southern Cyclades
ANAFI
The natural beauty of Anafi, one of the wildest islands of the Cyclades.
Karmen - stock.adobe.com
Located east of Santorini (1h35 by boat), Anafi is a mountainous nugget of less than 40 km².
The best way to discover its treasures like its wild nature, its very beautiful beaches, its monasteries and chapels is to hike through the many trails.
For the record, in Greek mythology, it was Apollo who created Anafi in order for the Argonauts to rest there.
It is indeed suitable for calm and quiet stays.
FOLEGANDROS
Katergo in the south of the island, one of the most beautiful beaches of Folegandros.
Allyson Sarilho - stock.adobe.com
Immense cliffs, landscapes as typical of the Cyclades as the architecture of its capital Chora, Folegandros arouses more and more the curiosity of tourists.
Located between Sikinos and Milos, its wild nature or the festive spirit that emerges from its capital in the evening do not detract from the authenticity that the island tries to preserve.
iOS
Splendid view from the Panagia Gremiotissa in Chora.
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Sunny and calm during the day, lively and festive at night, Ios has two faces and owes its reputation above all to its festive side, which is also the reason why it is very popular with young people.
But it's not just about nightlife.
It is one of the most beautiful islands of the archipelago, a unique jewel of the Aegean Sea, thanks in particular to the magnificent sandy beaches, the numerous coves and bays that border a coastline of more than 80 km, the windmills that make its charm or even the tomb of the famous poet Homer if we are to believe the legend.
SANTORINI
Santorini, one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
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Located in the Southern Cyclades, romantic and photogenic Santorini is the most spectacular of the islands in the archipelago.
With its picturesque white villages with blue roofs and shutters perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea, its breathtaking panoramic views of the caldera or its gastronomy including its world-renowned wine, Santorini lives up to its reputation and honors the status that is often conferred on it: that of the most beautiful island in Greece.
Read alsoTop 10 hotels in Santorini, the
Figaro selection
SIKINOS
The monastery of Episkopi dating from antiquity.
Petros-stock.adobe.com
By far one of the most unknown Greek islands for travellers, Sikinos is home to 240 inhabitants and covers 40 km² with a coastal length of 41 km.
Little greenery due to its rocky soil, still wild, it is still possible to stay in Chora the capital and in Alopronia the small port.
THIRASIA
Thirasia, the Santorini of yesteryear.
Ian Woolcock - stock.adobe.com
Previously attached to Santorini before the eruption of the volcano, Thirasia is today just opposite one of the "stars" of the archipelago.
Much less known than its neighbour, it has an area of only 9 km², has very few beaches and is thus almost not touristy.
Yet it offers the same extraordinary and fabulous view of the Caldera as Santorini.
How to go to the Cyclades?
GO TO THE CYCLADES BY PLANE
From France, it is possible to take a direct flight with Transavia or the Greek company Aegan Air for the Cyclades, thanks to the international airports of Santorini and Mykonos.
When transiting through Athens, you can always take a domestic flight to Paros, Naxos or Milos either with Aegean Air or with Air France (in collaboration with SkyExpress).
These three islands have a national airport.
Read alsoCyclades, Balearic Islands, Azores or Corsica, airlines are increasing flights for the summer holidays
GET TO SANTORINI, MYKONOS AND PAROS BY FERRY
Every day of the year there are ferries from Athens to
Santorini
and Mykonos.
And their number increases considerably with departures from morning to evening during the high season (from May to September).
Depending on the type of ferry, the journey time between Athens and Santorini is 5 to 9 hours with a ticket cost ranging from €20 to €60 for an economy class seat.
Do you want to get to your destination as quickly as possible?
In this case, try the high-speed ferry (with Golden Star Ferries and Seajets), the trip to Santorini is estimated at 5 to 6 hours compared to 8 and 9 hours for a trip on a conventional ferry (with Blue Star Ferries, and Zante Ferries).
To reach
Mykonos
, it takes around 2 to 5 hours depending on the type of boat, with a ticket price costing between 28 and 60 euros for an economy class seat.
The crossing on a high-speed ferry is between 2 and 3 hours while if you prefer to enjoy the trip without rush, a conventional ferry will get you to your destination in 4-5 hours.
The companies that serve Mykonos from Athens are Blue Star Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Fast Ferries and Seajets.
In high season, ferries connect Mykonos to Santorini several times a day.
The first leaves at 9:50 a.m. and the last at 2:50 p.m.
The duration of the journey is approximately two and a half hours at an estimated cost of between €20 and €70.
The companies are Golden Star Ferries, Seajets and Minoan Lines.
Ferries to
Paros
operate year-round from Athens' three ports, including Lavrion.
During the low season, two ferries are available per day compared to more than five during the high season.
The journey will cost you between 30 and 60 euros for an economy class seat.
Served by Blue Star Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Fast Ferries and Seajets, the crossing will take you 3 hours aboard a high-speed ferry.
Count 4h30 aboard a conventional ferry.