Sailing the Cyclades
There are around 220 islands in the Cyclades, including the well-known islands of Santorini with its famous blue domed churches and Mykonos, known for its party lifestyle.
There are three points from which to explore the Cyclades Islands from, Mykonos, Paros and from Lavrion on the mainland. We recommend starting in Paros as it’s in the middle of the islands; an ideal starting point for a week or longer.
We would recommend this area of Greece is a destination for a keener sailor; with the meltemi blowing heavily during the summer season it’s an exciting sailing ground for an experienced crew.
What’s the weather like?
Without a doubt this is the windiest area in Greece to sail during the height of summer, July/August and also the beginning of September. This area is very open to the meltemi, which can blow a force 6 and above during the summer. We would only recommend this sailing ground to very experienced sailors, or if you were looking out of season in May or October.
This area of Greece is fairly far south, so enjoys a really warm summer with temperatures reaching up to 33 degrees in July and August. At the beginning and end of the season, May and October, you will find yourself bathing in temperatures in the early 20’s.
Expect mooring fees in most places except for bay stops. Prices vary depending on the type of harbour or marina you’re visiting and size of your yacht.
Exciting Sailing for Experienced Sailors
With over 220 islands to explore in the Cyclades there’s almost too much to see and do! The most commonly known are the famous Santorini with its blue domed churches and Mykonos for its party lifestyle.
This area is for the keener sailors, with the Meltemi blowing heavily during the summer season, it makes for some exciting sailing for an experienced crew.
We think starting in Paros is a great option, if you only have one week you can then go either north or south and see how far you get.
This is without a doubt the windiest area in Greece to sail during the height of summer, July/August and also the beginning of September. This area is very open to the Meltemi, which can blow a force 6 and above during the summer. We would only recommend this sailing ground to very experienced sailors, or if you were looking out of season in May or October.
Days 1 – 2, Arriving in Paros
Paros is one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades and a great place to begin your sailing holiday. Famous for its traditional Greek architecture, stunning beaches and lively nightlife this island is the perfect spot for all.
After checking in with the local charter company and enjoying your first night queyside in Paros you are free to start your sailing holiday. As you set off East from Paros you will sail by two fairly big islands, Naxos and Armorgos. We recommend Armorgos as a base for the night. Armorgos is covered in natural beauty and is one of the most beautiful Greek islands. The island has lots of traditional Greek architecture and fabulous beaches with crystal clear waters.
Paros Armorgos
Days 3 – 6, Creating Memories in the Cyclades
As you sail around the Cyclades you will never forget the beauty of each individual island, lined with traditional Greek houses and stunning beaches.
Visit Santorini in the South and Folegandros or Sifnos in the West. Santorini is one of the most photographed Greek islands, and it’s not hard to see why with its blue domed churches, white washed iconic houses and mesmerising views out over the Aegean. Nestled away from all the package tours and holiday makers is Folegandros. It is one of the smaller Cyclades Islands and truly stunning with its rugged cliffs and white washed houses.
Sifnos is a very popular island in the Cyclades and is a favourite ferry stop, with ferries arriving from all over the Cyclades. It is also a favourite stop for sailors as the port is lovely and there is lots going on in the island.
Santorini Folegandros Sifnos
Days 7 – 8, Stunning Sights Sailing to Paros
As you sail back to Paros from your last port it’s a great idea to visit some of the bays on AntiParos or moor up in Paroikia for a lunch time treat before heading back to Paros main port. Make sure you give yourself lots of time to get back to base so you can enjoy your final night at one of the delicious local restaurants that line the harbour in Paros town.
Paros
One Week Cruising the Cyclades
Now we’ve all heard of Mykonos and it tops many travellers’ guides as a place not to be missed. Experiencing it all by sea gives you a real feel for the stunning land and seascapes that can be found in the area.
This route stops off on plenty of stunning islands, all host to that iconic Greek look of white washed houses and donkeys tentatively treading through the winding streets.
Mykonos itself is one of our starting bases and with its own airport it’s safe to say the transfer is very easy! If you’re looking for somewhere to party until the sun rises or simply spend your days exploring the islands iconic white washed houses then this should be your route.
Like the rest of the Cyclades, the wind really picks up here, with the Meltemi blowing heavily during the height of summer. This route is really for the keener sailors who don’t mind a Force 6 gusting in, making for an exciting sail!
Days 1 – 2, Arriving in Mykonos
Once you have arrived in Mykonos and gone through your check in with the local charter company you can enjoy all that Mykonos has to offer. Mykonos is one of the most well-known islands in Greece; famous for not only its party loving nightlife but also its renowned white washed houses. During the summer months Mykonos sees many visitors who want to see the fantastic architecture.
After setting sail on day one it’s time to find a lovely island to explore, first stop Naxos. The largest island in the Cyclades, it is located in the centre between Paros and Mykonos. According to Greek mythology this was the nuptial isle of the god Dionysus, god of wine – which sounds like a great spot for us if that is anything to go by. Naxos is also known for its exotic beaches; you will find many stunning coves and bays as well as the western coastline which is perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Mykonos Naxos
Days 3 – 6, Greeting The Greek Islands
Continuing your sail in the Cyclades you will come to Paros. The main villages on the island are Parikia and Naoussa, both filled with lovely little tourist shops and tavernas offering delicious Greek food. Golden beach and New Golden beach are the most popular beaches on the island offering windsurfing and kitesurfing for those thrillseekers.
You will then find Sifnos, Serifos, Kithnos and Syros as you continue on your way back to base. These are all beautiful islands and offer great spots for an overnight stay or even just a short trip for lunch.
Syros Paros Sifnos Serifos
Days 7 – 8, Mooring Up in Mykonos
Sailing back to Mykonos you will come across the beautiful islet of Delos, which offers some tranquil coves and bays. Perfect to anchor off for a spot of lunch and relaxing dip in the Greek seas. Ancient history buffs might be attracted by the extensive archaeological remains, for which the island was given World Heritage status in 1990.
Head back to Mykonos with plenty of time for your last day as there is so much to see and explore here. Not only that – the island is known for it’s nightlife so what better way to end your last night than enjoying the local dance clubs.
Mykonos
Thrilling and Popular One Week Route
Starting from Lavrion is a great choice for a one week holiday being only 35 minutes from Athens airport and having its own charming town harbour this is an ideal starting point if you’ve got a week out on the water. There over 220 islands to explore in the Cyclades with the most popular islands being Santorini and Mykonos. In this area you can expect winds that make for thrilling sailing it is the perfect route for the keener sailor.
The winds are something to consider here, similar to our one week Mykonos route as the Meltemi blows heavily during the summer season, up to Force 6 making it an exhilarating sailing ground for an experienced crew.
Days 1 – 2, Arriving in Lavrion
After arriving in Lavrion and completing your check in with the local charter company you can relax on your yacht and try out the delicious restaurants nearby.
From Lavrion you can sail 10 miles south to visit Kythnos. Kythnos is a charming Greek island that is off most tourists’ radars despite its proximity to the mainland, thermal springs and 65 beaches. If you are looking for a beach then Kythnos has you covered, with 65 different sandy beaches to choose from. However if you are looking for a beach to impress, then look no further than Kolona where a lane of sand connects the islet of Ayios Loukas to Kythnos.
Lavrion Kythnos
Days 3 – 6, Island Hopping in the Cyclades
Sailing further south you will come across Serifos, Sifnos and Syros.
Serifos is the first one you will come across as you sail south from Kithnos. The main village on the island is Chora which has a lot of character and is very picturesque. It’s a great place to spend your evening where you will find many tavernas and bars to keep you busy throughout the evening.
Sifnos and Syros are also perfect spots for an overnight stay with lots going on here dya and night.
Syros Sifnos Serifos
Days 7 – 8, Long Hops Back To Base
As you near the end of your sailing trip it’s time to get in those last key bits of sailing. With a maximum of 15 miles sailing from the more Northern Islands and lots of open sea to have fun with you can get those sails up and enjoy your last few days.
Visit Kea as your last stop before heading back to base. Kea is one of the largest islands in the Cyclades archipelago; home to stunning beaches, clear waters and traditional Greek villages. If you’re a keen walker, then you’re in luck as Kea is a walker’s paradise. Explore a myriad of ancient paths throughout the island, which lead you through olive, fruit and oak trees so you can marvel just how lovely Kea is.
Give yourself enough time to get back to base though as you need to be back at base the night before check out.
Kea Lavrion
A Perfect Combination of Luxury and Culture
The Cyclades are renowned for some of their famous islands – not only have you got Santorini, a celebrity hotspot but you’ve also got Mykonos, a place that exudes luxury and old fashioned Greece in equal measures.
We’d only recommend this sailing route for the keener sailors, similar to our one week Paxos route as the Meltimi blows heavily during the summer season, up to Force 6 making it an exciting sailing ground for an experienced crew.
Days 1 – 3, Arriving in Paros
After arriving in Paros and checking in with the local charter company you have some time to enjoy the evening entertainment. Paros is one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades and a great place to begin your sailing holiday. Famous for its traditional Greek architecture, stunning beaches and lively nightlife this island is the perfect spot for all.
Sailing East from Paros will take you towards Naxos, the largest island in the Cyclades. It is located in the centre between Paros and Mykonos. According to Greek mythology this was the nuptial isle of the god Dionysus, god of wine. Which sounds like a great spot for us if that is anything to go by.
A short 10 mile sail from here will take you to Donoussa. Due to the size of Donoussa (it is very small) it has remained a quiet place for summer holidays with very few tourist facilities and lots of privacy.
Paros Naxos Donoussa
Days 4 – 7, Circling the Cyclades
As you sail further south around the Cyclades you will pass several big islands that are not to be missed. Armorgos and Irakleia are only a short 5 mile sail from each other and offer lovely anchorages among beautiful bays. They are also nice for an overnight stay with lots of local tavernas offering fresh Greek food, a great way to spend an evening.
Sailing further south will bring you to a couple of very popular islands in the Cyclades, Ios and Santorini. Santorini is one of the most photographed Greek islands, and it’s not hard to see why. With its blue domed churches, white washed iconic houses and mesmerising views out over the Aegean. Ios is famous for its wonderful beaches, picturesque villages and lively nightlife, it has something for everyone.
Santorini Armorgos Irakleia Ios
Days 8 – 12, Short Hops Around The Islands
Take your time meandering through the Western Islands in the Cyclades. A 10 mile sail from Santorini will take you to Folegandros.
Nestled away from all the package tours and holiday makers is Folegandros. It is one of the smaller Cyclades Islands and truly stunning with its rugged cliffs and white washed houses. Due to the terrain on the island a lot of the beaches are very hard to get to if you don’t fancy hiking. However as you will be sailing this is perfect for you to find a nice little secluded spot. You can anchor off in many of the bays and swim up the beach if you fancy exploring.
Milos and Sifnos are just a short sail from Folegandros and a must see with lovely ports for an overnight stay.
Folegandros Sifnos Milos
Days 13 – 15, One Last Stop Before Home
A short 5 mile sail from Sifnos will take you to Serifos, a beautiful island untouched by tourism with crystal beaches and little traditional tavernas, this is a must for families or those looking for some romance.
A great spot to get your sails up for a final sail is between Serifos and Paros. The wind in the area is perfect for some tacking in the open seas.
Give yourself plenty of time to get back to Paros so you can fully enjoy all it has to offer including the lovely beaches, local shops and exciting nightlife before cheking out the next morning.
Paros Serifos
Glamourous Mykonos
Much like our one week route this option builds on the same idea. This time going up to Tinos in the north and right down to Katapola on the island of Armorgos in the south.
This route is for the keener sailor with strong winds blowing through making for an exciting and adventurous sail.
Mykonos is famed for its non-stop party atmosphere, and is often referred to as one of the most popular and glamourous Greek islands. Paradise and Super Paradise beaches attract a diverse crowd of people and with bars right on the beach that stay open until sunrise we can see why this place is so popular.
However it’s not all nightclubs and going out in Mykonos, the island is simply stunning with the towns all having the same traditional Greek white washed houses. This island truly is picture perfect.
Days 1 – 3, Arriving in Mykonos
Once you have arrived in Mykonos and checked in with the local charter company you can enjoy your first evening in Mykonos.
On day 1 why not head south 10 miles and visit the islands of Paros and Naxos.
Paros is one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades and a great place to begin your sailing holiday. Famous for its traditional Greek architecture, stunning beaches and lively nightlife this island is the perfect spot for all.
Naxos is known for its exotic beaches, you will find many stunning coves and bays as well as the western coastline which is perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The west coast is the most tourist developed with seaside hotels, restaurants and water sport centres.
Mykonos Paros Naxos
Days 4 – 7, Pottering Around The Smaller Islands
A short sail from Naxos East will bring you to Donoussa. The only village and main port on the island is where you will find the most excitement, with many restaurants and little shops to keep you busy. There is not much transport on the island so it’s a great place to get rid of those sea legs and go for a walk. You will find many hiking trails that will take you all over the island.
Armorgos could be your next stop and is covered in natural beauty. One of the most beautiful Greek islands. The island has lots of traditional Greek architecture and fabulous beaches with crystal clear waters.
Donoussa Armorgos Irakleia
Days 8 – 12, Bobbing From Beach To Beach
A 15 mile sail from Irakleia to Sifnos will get some of those sea miles in and a great place to sail for all those keen sailors.
Sifnos, Serifos and Kithnos are brilliant overnight stays, with lovely ports home to traditional tavernas and prevision stores.
Kythnos is a charming Greek island that is off most tourists’ radars, despite its proximity to the mainland, its thermal springs and 65 beaches. If looking for a beach the Kythnos has you covered, with 65 different sandy beaches to choose from.
Kythnos Sifnos Serifos
Days 13 – 15, Sightseeing Along The Cyclades
As you sail East on your way back to Mykonos you will be stunned by the beauty of each island, covered in traditional white washed houses complimenting the clear blue waters.
Our favourite spots to visit for your last couple of days are Syros and Tinos.
The town of Ermoupolis on Syros is known as the capital of the Cyclades, it is the largest town in the Cyclades and you will certainly notice it after coming from a quieter place. It’s a bubbly town, which buzzes only like a town with an important cultural and commercial past can do.
Tinos island is ideal for a family holiday, the beaches are calm and relaxing with many tourist facilities. You will find some great restaurants and lovely bars in the town and along the harbour and a few lovely little shops for presents and provisions.
It’s now time to head back to base in Mykonos, give yourself lots of time to explore the beauty of Mykonos. Getting there early on your last full day is a great idea so you can sightsee around the town and enjoy your last night before checking out the next day.
220 Islands in the Cyclades to Explore
This route is a great extension from our one week starting in Lavrion. Giving you more time to explore as many of the 220 islands that make up the Cyclades and you can in two weeks!
Beginning in Lavrion is ideal as it’s only a 35 minute transfer from the airport and from here you can start with islands such as Kea and then make your way down to Irakleia and Katapola on the island of Armorgos in the south.
The Cyclades are made up of a group of islands in the Aegean Sea that are all clustered around the sacred island of Delos. We all know in Greece there are cats everywhere but did you know that the native Greek breed of cat or the ‘Aegean cat’ actually originated in this area.
Without a doubt, this is the windiest area in Greece to sail during the height of summer, July/August and also the beginning of September. This area is very open to the meltemi, which can blow a force 6 and above during the summer. We would only recommend this sailing ground to very experienced sailors, or if you were looking out of season in May or October.
Days 1 – 3, Arriving in Lavrion
After you have arrived in Lavrion and done your check in with the local charter company you can enjoy your first evening in Lavrion.
From here why not spend your first day on a short 5 mile sail to Kea. Kea is one of the largest islands in the Cyclades archipelago; home to stunning beaches, clear waters and traditional Greek villages. If you’re a keen walker, then you’re in luck as Kea is a walker’s paradise. Explore a myriad of ancient paths throughout the island, which lead you through olive, fruit and oak trees so you can marvel just how lovely Kea is.
Days 4 – 7, Relaxation At It’s Best
Head South from Kea for the next few days where you will come across some gorgeous islands to moor in for the evenings. Kithnos, Serifos, Sifnos and Irakleia are perfect places to visit for some relaxation with stunning beaches and lovely secluded bays. You will find traditional Greek tavernas amongst little bars with gorgeous views, perfect for an afternoon drink as the hot sun goes down.
Kythnos Sifnos Serifos Irakleia
Days 8 – 12, Creating Waves Island To Island
Short hop sailing is common in the Cyclades but you will find some spots where you may be doing over 10 miles at a time. This is a great time to get those sails up and enjoy some exciting sailing.
Head to Armorgos, Naxos, Paros and Syros, the more Northern islands in the Cyclades.
Naxos, the largest island in the Cyclades is located in the centre between Paros and Mykonos. According to Greek mythology this was the nuptial isle of the god Dionysus, god of wine. Which sounds like a great spot for us if that is anything to go by.
Syros Paros Naxos Armorgos
Days 13 – 15, Last Sail Back To Lavrion
As you head back to Lavrion with your last couple of days it’s a great opportunity to explore a different port in Kithnos. We recommend visiting Loutra or Mericha depending on where you went the first time.
Get back to Lavrion with plenty of time to enjoy your final night before checking out early the next morning.
Kythnos Lavrion