The Cycladic islands are magic. They include all from the most well-known and overly-loved like Santorini and Mykonos, to sacred gems like Delos, Despotiko and Keros, crowded only by hordes of archaeological treasure. Their shared signature – white and blue villages of singular beauty, rising against craggy rock surrounds. Alike in architecture (Cycladic building regulations serve to preserve the islands’ iconic style), but varied in character, it’s easy to spend week-on-week discovering the region without feeling like anything is getting too familiar.
THE ISLANDS
Listed below are the main island group members, organised by distance and ferry travel time from Athens Piraeus port.
Islands 2 hours and under by high-speed ferry from Piraeus:
- Kea (Tzia) – Athenian weekend escape just an hour by ferry from the mainland, low-key Kea has a smattering of beach coves for family swims and ancient sites to explore.
- Kythnos – Another city-break getaway with the well photographed double-sided beach of Kolona, authentic villages and just enough nightlife.
- SYROS – CAPITAL of the Cyclades with colourful Italianate architecture, self-sufficient Syros can be visited year-round. With a vibrant main town and cultural scene, the home of Rebetiko (“Greek blues”) is less impressive on the beach front.
- Andros – The greenest of the Cycladic islands, and unlike any of its dry neighbours, an impressive network of restored hiking paths take you through woods, waterfalls, streams, springs and down to secluded beaches. With streets paved in marble and lined by mansions and museums, its elegant and cosmopolitan town center was built by a rich maritime history.
Islands under 3 hours by high-speed ferry from Piraeus:
- Serifos – Under-the-radar but up-and-coming, easygoing Serifos with its picturesque hilltop Chora has a diverse selection of breathtaking beaches.
- Sifnos – Home to great gastronomy, Sifnos is often compared with Serifos. While Sifnos has greater appeal for food and culture lovers, Serifos is the more dramatic of the two landscape-wise.
- Mykonos – Blessed with pristine beaches and traditional villages touched with cosmopolitan-chic, the legendary party island is striking in more ways than one. Yet unfortunately overcrowded and over-priced, this is where celebrities flock to make merry.
- Delos – Uninhabited archaeological treasure and outdoor museum frequently visited as a daytrip from Mykonos.
Islands under 4 hours by high-speed ferry from Piraeus:
- Milos – Discreet jewel of the Aegean where the Louvre’s Aphrodite of Milos was uncovered, Milos is a showstopper of rock landscapes sculpted by the forces of nature
- Kimolos – A stone’s throw from Milos, the one village on this tiny island leads to an array of adventures in wild volcanic beauty, exotic beaches, and possibly some sightings of rare marine (the Mediterranean monk seal in particular) and bird life.
- Paros (and Antiparos) – A frequent entry in “Best Islands” lists, Paros is an all-rounder with just enough glam to please the jet set, while avoiding the runaway development of Mykonos and Santorini. Teal waters and golden shores welcome toddlers to teens with a notable watersports scene.
- Naxos – Our top family-friendly pick with dazzling and easy-to-reach beaches on the most coveted coastlines in the country. Explore mountain villages and ancient ruins as you drive through fertile lands that make it the only Cycladic island able to grow what it needs to feed itself.
From left: Rockscapes of Milos, beaches of Paros, Naxos’ Portara (photo by Daciana Cristina Visan) overlooking its main town
Islands 4 hours and more by high-speed ferry from Piraeus:
- Ios – Along with Mykonos, Ios has a reputation for being the island where party seekers descend. It also boasts some of the finest beaches the Aegean has to offer.
- Tinos – Spiritual heart of Greece with the country’s greatest pilgrimage site (church of Panagia Evangelistria), Tinos also impresses with beautiful villages, and a formidable tradition in marble arts.
- Folegandros – With fantastic cliffs and panoramas to match, Folegandros is for sensational sunsets and romantic walks to remember.
- Sikinos – Barely-touched Sikinos has three villages, a handful of hard-to-reach beaches (either on foot or by boat), and Manalis winery which continues its ancient winemaking tradition and original namesake of Oenoe (“winemaker”).
- Santorini (or Thira) – The quintessential Cycladic Greek island beauty, Santorini needs little introduction. While busy even off-season, it’s still worth a visit in Autumn to Spring to catch a vision of the glorious volcanic landscapes that brought it untamed fame.
- Amorgos – A good 6-hour journey by high-speed ferry from Athens, rocky and rugged Amorgos is where Luc Besson shot “The Big Blue”. Dive, hike, visit the astonishing Monastery of Hozoviotissa, or just be a beach bum, there is also vibrant night life scene to entertain after sunset.
- Anafi – In the shadow of Santorini but infinitely more serene, Anafi is for exploring by foot. More of a hiker’s than a beach lover’s dream, slow walks through arid and undulating terrain set against the bright blues of the sea and sky is therapy for any a tired mind.
From left: Vertiginous Folegandros (photo by Tom Waldek) and Santorini (photo by Alex Azabach), more famous for their views than their beaches.
Smaller inhabited islands: Koufonisia, Donoussa, Schinoussa, and Iraklia.
Islands with international airports / 
Islands with domestic airports
GETTING THERE
The Cycladic islands are well connected and easy to get to. Islands with airports you can fly into from Athens include Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini and Paros. The more well-established islands like Santorini and Mykonos also offer direct summer connections from major cities in Europe (e.g. Rome, London, Paris). Otherwise, all of its inhabited islands are served by ferries that predominantly depart from Piraeus port (Rafina and Lavrion are smaller alternatives) in Athens.
Spend at least four to seven days on each island before venturing off to the next. In general, we find that a trip of two islands a comfortable number when travelling with baby for a more relaxing journey.