Greek Island Hopping Routes: The Definitive Guide
You’re planning to do some Greek island hopping for your next trip? You’re looking for the best Greek Island hopping itinerary?
Then look no further!
In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared this detailed travel guide.
A quick note before starting: In this travel guide, I will give you a 2 weeks Greek islands hopping route. For other durations, please read the following articles:
- 1 week Greek island hopping itinerary
- 10 Days Greek island hopping itinerary
- And if you prefer to visit Dodecanese and Rhodes island: Visit Rhodes, the definitive guide.
Now, let’s get back to your 14-15 days Greek island itinerary.
During your 2 weeks trip, you will discover some of the best islands of the Cyclades archipelago: Santorini, Amorgos, Naxos, Paros and Ios.
In addition to the must-see attractions for each stage of the itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.
So, what’s the best Cyclades island hopping itinerary?
Let’s find out!
Sommaire
1) Santorini (3 days)
For the 1st stage of your Greek island hopping itinerary, you will visit the world-famous Santorini island.
First things first: How to go to Santorini?
That’s simple, to get to Santorini, you will have 3 options:
- The best is to land directly in Santorini. Mykonos and Santorini are the only islands in the Cyclades with an international airport.
- If you plan to visit Greece before doing Greek island hopping, there are domestic flights to Santorini from several cities, including Athens and Thessaloniki. Very convenient!
- The last option is to take the ferry from Athens. The journey takes between 5 and 8 hours.
If you want to visit Santorini in 3 days, the best is to rent a car.
Sure, you can also use the public buses, but they are very crowded, they often don’t stop (as they are full!) and they don’t go everywhere. So renting a car is definitely the best solution if you want to be completely free!
What’s great is that all the parking lots are free on the island.
When booking your rental car in Greece, you should use Booking.com Cars website. It’s the best way to compare all car rental companies prices and customer reviews.
They also offer a Full Protection Insurance, to get refunded in case of accident or theft. Tested and approved! They have already refunded me more than 1200 euros to date.
If you already know your travel dates for your 2 weeks Greek island hopping itinerary, you can book your car right now to get the best prices. It won’t commit you to anything, as cancelling or modifying your booking is very often free.
Simply click the button below to compare rental car prices for 3 days in Santorini:
On your 1st day in Santorini, you will visit the 2 most famous villages of the island, Fira and Oia. You’ve probably already seen some pictures, with their typical white and blue houses and their luxury hotels with infinity pools located on the edge of the Caldera.
Here is the program of the day:
- To start your day, you will visit Fira: wander in the alleys, have a look at the luxury shops and enjoy the views over the caldera
- Then, follow the main street along the sea and head to Firostefani and Imerovigli, the 2 adjacent villages.
- If you feel like hiking a bit, you can continue on the walking trail that goes from Imerovigli to Oia town. This 2 hours hike is clearly the most beautiful in Santorini.
- If you don’t want to walk, you can simply take back your car and drive to Oia.
- Once in Oia, you can visit the village and enjoy its numerous small shops, bars and restaurant.
- At the end of the day, you should go to Oia Byzantine Castle ruins to admire the sunset. It’s the best sunset spot in Santorini!
Not bad for the 1st day of your 2 weeks Greek island hopping route, right?
Spend a night in Santorini.
The next day, it’s time to do one of Santorini’s most popular activity: a boat trip.
During this cruise, you will walk on Nea Kameni still active volcano, swim in Palea Kameni hot springs and visit Therasia, the island located in front of Santorini.
As this is a very popular activity, you have to book your cruise in advance. Just click the button below for more details.
There is also a luxury version of this cruise: you will sail on a catamaran and even watch the sunset from the boat! You can book it right there:
For your last day in Santorini, you should do a road trip around the island.
Here are the best places to visit:
- Visit the other villages like Pyrgos, Megalochori and Emporio.
- If you like archaeological sites, you can go to Akrotiri and the Ancient Thera.
- If you’re a wine enthusiast, you can book an oenology tour (in a small group) to visit the Santorini’s vineyards. You will also taste a dozen of the best wines. Book it right here!
- Then, you can end your day at the beach. Don’t miss the Red Beach, and its ochre cliffs, or Kamari and Perissa beaches with volcanic black sand. If you are travelling with children, the shallow waters of Monolithos beach will be perfect for you!
Spend a last night in Santorini.
You will find more details about Santorini in my article: Visit Santorini: the definitive guide.
When you rent a car for 3 days in Santorini, the best is to drop off your car at the port, and not at the airport. As you will take the ferry boat to reach the next island of your 2 weeks Greek island itinerary, it will be a lot more convenient.
By the way: you will have to rent a different car on each island, as you can’t take the ferry with a rental car.
Where to stay in Santorini
You must know that staying in Santorini, especially in the villages of the caldera like Oia and Fira, is quite expensive.
If you want a less expensive accommodation, it’s better to choose a hotel outside these 2 cities.
And of course, even more in Santorini than in any other place, book your hotels as early as possible!
To help you choose, I have made a selection of the best hotels in Santorini, depending on where you want to stay and your budget.
Best hotels in Oia
- Aethrio Hotel: Located in Oia, only a few steps away from the main square. You can rent double rooms, studio flats or apartments with balcony for most of them. The price starts from 160€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the swimming pool, the large rooms, the rooftop to admire the sunset. It’s one of the cheapest places in Oia, and it offers a great value for money!
- Caldera Premium Villas: Located in the centre of Oia. You will love the troglodyte suites with a breathtaking view of the sea and the caldera, starting from 290€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the design of the rooms, and the location.
- Theodora Suites Apartment: Located in the heart of the city. Studio flats with small kitchen, fridge, private terrace and hot tub, starting from 350€, breakfast included. What I loved: the hot tubs, the breathtaking view, the kind staff.
- Andronis Boutique Hotel: 5-star hotel located in Oia. You’ll enjoy large suites with a view of the caldera, private balcony and private hot tub or pool, starting from 800€ with breakfast included. Strong points: the idyllic scenery and the calm. It’s my recommendation for a one-week romantic stay in Greece!
- Katikies Hotel – The Leading Hotels of the World: This luxurious hotel offers rooms and suites with a great view, bathtub and spa. The price starts from 1000€ with breakfast included. What I loved: the pools, the spas, the splendid views and the food! It’s my recommendation for a luxury stay in Santorini!
Best hotels in Fira
- Galatia Villas: Located 10 minutes away from Fira’s city centre. The double rooms are quite basic but nice, and the price starts from only 80€ per night. Strong points: the hot tub on the roof, the kind staff, the great value for money for Santorini.
- Lilium Santorini Villa: Located on the edge of the caldera. These elegant and modern double rooms with sea view are available starting from 315€, breakfast included. What I loved: the pool, the exceptionnal location, the warm and welcoming staff.
- Cosmopolitan Suites – Small Luxury Hotels of the World: Located in the heart of Fira. You will enjoy lovely rooms with private balcony, decorated in the purest Cycladian style, starting from 550€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the infinity pool over the cliff, and the luxury hotel services. This is the perfect place to stay with your lover in Santorini!
- Aria Suites: Located in Fira, this high standard hotel offers only 6 suites and luxury villas, fully equipped (you even get a laptop), starting from 700€ per night. What I loved: the magnificent place, the pool and the staff availability. This is a great choice for a luxurious and romantic stay in Fira!
Other best places to stay in Santorini Island
- Memories Beach Hotel: Located just accross Monolithos beach. These comfortable modern rooms starts from 65€ per night, with breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the calm and the adorable staff.
- Rose Suites: Located in Vourvoulos, only 4 kilometers away from Fira. Those studio flats and apartments are well equiped and decorated, with a small kitchen and a private terrace. The prices are starting from 75€ per night. What I loved: the pool, the calm, the decoration. The fridge is also full with everything you need for breakfast. This is the best choice in Santorini for its exceptional value for money!
- Hippocampus Hotel: Located in Kamari, only 50 meters away from the beach. The rooms, with a view on the swimming pool or the garden, are starting from 85€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the ideal location close to the beach, and the really kind staff.
- Meltemi Village Hotel: Located in Perissa, only 5 minutes away from the Black beach. The rooms and suites with hot tubs are starting from 100€ per night, with the breakfast included. What I loved: the pools, the spa, and the great breakfast. A great choice for a stay on Santorini’s shore!
2) Amorgos (3 days)
Let’s now go to Amorgos, another island of the Cyclades archipelago.
From Santorini, you have to take the ferry to reach Amorgos. It takes around 1 hour.
If you need more information about the ferries rates and schedules, just click the button below. (You will need this website to plan the ferrys for rest of your trip, so don’t forget to bookmark the page!)
In Amorgos, you will need rent a car for the next 3 days. As there are no car rental agencies affiliated to Booking.com Cars in Amorgos, just rent your car when you will arrive at the port. There are many rental companies just next to the ferry pier and the prices are very similar.
For your 1st day in Amorgos, you should take your car and drive around the island:
- Take a walk in Katapola, where the ferries from Santorini arrives.
- Visit the lovely village of Hora (Amorgos’ capital), with its old mills!
- Have lunch in one of Hora’s taverns, and enjoy a typical atmosphere.
- Drive to the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa. You can also visit the inside.
- Make a stop at Agia Ana cove, just below the monastery
- End your day at Kalotaritissa Beach to go swimming. Don’t forget to go see the ship wreck of “The Big Blue” movie located nearby!
Spend a night in Amorgos.
For the next 2 days of your Greek island hopping itinerary, let’s go hiking a bit! With many walking trails all around the island, Amorgos is one of the best place in the Cyclades to hike.
You can have more information about the walking trails to plan your hikes on Amorgos’ official website.
During your hikes, you will also find many nice beaches and coves to rest a bit.
If you want more information about Amorgos, you should read my article: The 8 best things to do in Amorgos.
When your book your ferry tickets to Amorgos, you will notice that the island has 2 ports: Katapola and Aegiali.
You can arrive in one and leave from the other. Don’t go to the wrong port on your day of departure! Also, remember to tell your departure port name to the rental company when you will rent your car.
Where to stay in Amorgos
When you visit Amorgos, you can stay in one of the 2 main cities: Katapola and Aegiali. Choose between the 2 according to your port of departure!
Here is a selection of the best places to stay in Amorgos, to help you choose.
Best hotels in Katapola
- Amorgion Hotel: Located 1km from the port of Katapola, and at only 8-minute walk from the beach. The double rooms with private balcony, and a view of the Aegean Sea for some of them, are starting from 50€ per night, with an 8€ breakfast. Strong points: the pool, the private free parking, the warm welcome. It’s the only hotel with a swimming pool in Katapola!
- Barbara Pension: Located 5 minutes away from the beach, right next to the port of Katapola. The studio flats are equipped with a sink, a fridge and also have a balcony. The prices are starting from 55€per night. Strong points: the cleanliness, the quietness, the very kind owner!
- Diasino Studios: Located close to the port. The studio flats and apartments are modern, with terrace or balcony. The prices are starting from 60€ with a 5€ breakfast. What I loved: the calm, the location close to all the restaurants. It’s the best value for money in Katapola!
- Landeris Hotel: Located 3 minutes away from the beach, and close to the port. The rooms, studio flats and apartments are decorated in a rustic style, with wooden furniture. The prices are starting from 60€ per night with breakfast included. Strong points: the kindness of the owners, the delicious breakfast, the great advice!
- Minoa Hotel: Located 100m from the beach, close to the port. The bright and large double rooms, with balcony are starting from 80€ per night including breakfast. Strong points: the kind staff, the great breakfast.
Best hotels in Aegiali
- Pelagos: Located only 3 minutes from the beach and 100m from the port of Aegiali. The double rooms with balcony and sea view are starting from 35€ per night, with a 5€ breakfast. Strong points: the view, the welcome directly at your boat, the copious breakfast.
- Aelia Studios: Located on the sea side. The modern and cosy studio flats, equipped with a small kitchen with an oven and hotplates are starting from 60€ per night. What I loved: the design and the charm of the apartments, the location. It’s the best value for money in Aegiali!
- Vigla Hotel: Located 10 minutes away from the beach, in Tholaria, above Aegiali. The modern and bright large rooms are starting from 110€per night, with breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the copious breakfast, the comfort, the quietness, the great restaurant. If you’re looking for a nice hotel with a swimming pool in Amorgos, you should definitely try the Vigla!
- Aegialis Hotel & Spa: Located above Aegiali, this 5-star hotel (the only one in Amorgos) offers comfortable rooms with balcony starting from 140€ per night. Strong points: the big pool, the magnificient view of Aegiali and the sea, the spa, the quietness. It’s simply the best hotel in Amorgos!
3) Naxos (3 days)
After 3 days in Santorini and 3 days in Amorgos, it’s time to take the ferry again to continue your 2 weeks Greek islands hopping itinerary.
You’re about to discover Naxos, the largest Cyclades island, located only 1h15 away from Amorgos.
When you will arrive, as you did in Santorini, get your rental car for 3 days.
Once you’ve got your car, visit Naxos’ main town: Hora. There, you will see the island most iconic landmark: the Portara. It’s the only remain of a former temple dedicated to Apollo. The view of the island and the mountains is beautiful!
In Hora, don’t miss the Kastro district, with its typical alleys and many shops. Along the seaside, you will also find a lot of restaurants and cafés.
Spend the afternoon in one of the West Coast beaches.
Spend the night in Naxos.
The next morning, you will visit the 3 most famous mountain villages in Naxos:
- Halki, located in the centre of the island. There, you will enjoy many shops and the only distillery making a local liquor named “Kitron”. You should take a short stroll to Agios Giorgios Diasorites church, located a 10-minute walk from the village.
- Filoti, with its many typical taverns and restaurants as well as a church entirely made of marble. If you go to “Aria Spring”, located not far from the village, you can hike to the summit of Mount Zeus, the highest point of the Cyclades. It takes around 1h30 to reach the top.
- Apiranthos, a really small village. The road to get there offers gorgeous views of the sea and mountains.
End your day around Moutsouma to enjoy one of the East Coast beaches.
Spend a 2nd night in Naxos.
For your last day in Naxos, how about a boat trip?
During this cruise, you will go swimming in very beautiful places you can’t reach by foot or by car, like Rina Cave or Kalados Beach. You will also discover the Small Cyclades and Antiparos from the sea.
Soft drinks and snorkeling equipment are included in this 80€ per person tour.
If you don’t want to go on a cruise, you can also spend your day at the beach, take a short stroll, or go see the famous Kouros of Naxos, 2 big unfinished marble statues.
They are located in Apollonas (on the road before the village) and in Flerio.
Spend a last night in Naxos.
You will find all the details you need to visit Naxos in my free travel guide: The 10 best things to do in Naxos.
Where to stay in Naxos
If you’re going to visit Naxos, the best is to stay in Hora (the capital city) or its surroundings.
- Anatoli Hotel: Located a 10-minute walk from Naxos centre and the beach. The modern rooms with balcony and a view of the pool or the garden are starting from 45€ with breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the sauna, the hot tub, and the free transfer from the port and the airport.
- The Saint Vlassis: Located only 700m from the city centre and 500m from the Agios Georgios beach. This hotel offers comfortable and large double rooms, with an outdoor hot tub for some of them! The prices are starting from 60€ per night including breakfast. Strong points: the warm welcome, the good breakfast, the free parking. It’s simply the best value for money in Naxos!
- Xenia Hotel: Located in the centre of Naxos. The modern and well equipped double rooms are starting from 70€ with an 8€ breakfast. Strong points: the location in the city centre (really convenient to take the ferry), the kind staff, the comfortable beds.
- Hotel Grotta: Located only 700m from the Portara and 15 minutes from the beach. Those nice and bright double rooms with balcony are starting from 90€ with breakfast included. A great place for a romantic gateway in Naxos!
- Nissaki Beach Hotel: Located on Agios Georgios beach, the closest to Naxos. The double rooms are very well decorated, and with a balcony. The prices are starting from 220€ per night, with breakfast included. What I loved: The pool, the location next to the beach, the amazing breakfast, the staff. It’s the best hotel for a luxury stay in Naxos!
4) Paros (3 days)
You Cyclades island hopping itinerary will now take you to Paros, only 40 minutes away from Naxos by ferry boat.
You will also have to rent a car to discover the island.
On your 1st day in Paros, you will visit the Northern part of the island.
Take a stroll in Parikia, the capital, to discover its old town and Panagia Ekatontapyliani church. If you’re an history lover, you can also visit the Byzantine Museum and the Archaeological Museum.
Then, drive North to Paros Park. There, you can walk around the park for about 2 hours on the 3 marked trails. You can also go swimming at the beach located in the park.
Take back your car and go to Naoussa, a chic and trendy seaside resort with many shops and restaurants.
End your day and relax at one of the beach nearby: Siparos Beach, Stefano Beach, Lageri Beach, Santa Maria Beach or Kolymbithres, it’s up to you!
Spend the night in Paros.
For your 2nd day in Paros, explore the Southern part of the island.
First, visit the 3 lovely villages of Lefkes, Prodromos and Marpissa. You can get there by car or walk on the Byzantine trail that connects the 3.
Get back in your car and drive to the port of Piso Livadi to have a nice lunch in one of the many restaurants. You’ll love the fresh grilled fishes and the seafood.
To end your day, relax at the Golden Beach, Logaras Beach or Faragas.
Spend a 2nd night in Paros.
The next day, for your last day in Paros, you can go on a cruise around Paros and Antiparos. Many stops to go swimming are included in this tour.
If you don’t want to do a boat trip, you can also drive to Pounda village. From there, you will be able to take a Ferry boat to Antiparos (with your car). In Antiparos, you can visit the main village and enjoy the beaches.
You will find all information you need to organize your 3 days in Paros in my article: The 10 best things do in Paros.
Where to stay in Paros
In Paros, you will find most of the accommodations around Parikia (that’s convenient, because its where the ferries arrive), or in Naoussa, the island’s main seaside resort.
You will find here a selection of the best places to stay in Parikia and Naoussa.
Best hotels in Parikia
- Margarita: Located only 300m from the church of Parikia, and 400m from the beach. The double rooms with balcony are starting from 37€ per night. Strong points: the kindness and the advice of the owners, the warm welcome.
- Nostos Studios: Located only a minute walk from the beach and 1km from the port. The studios for 2 to 4 people, with a beautiful sea view, are starting from 70€ per night. Strong points: the terrace to admire the sunset, the warm welcome.
- Sunset View Hotel: Located only 10 minutes away from the port. The confortable rooms with balcony are starting from 80€ including breakfast. What I loved: the pool, the free shuttle from the port, the private parking. It’s the best value for money in Paros!
- Akrotiri Hotel: Located 2km from the port of Parikia. The clean and comfortable double rooms with sea view are starting from 100€ per night, with breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the view, the great breakfast, the kind staff.
Best hotels in Naoussa
- Surfing Beach Village Paros: Located directly on Santa Maria’s beach, a 5-minute drive from Naoussa. The nice bungalows, decorated in Cycladian style are starting from 30€ per night including breakfast. Strong points: the pool, the free transfer to the port, the location, the free deckchairs on the beach.
- Hotel Senia: Located 200m away from the centre of Naoussa, on the seaside. The rooms and suites with private balconies and amazing view are starting from 105€, with breakfast included. What I loved: the 2 pools, the free parking, the great breakfast. It’s the best value for money in Naoussa!
- Paliomylos Spa Hotel: Located 800m away from Naoussa. The bright and large double rooms are starting from 110€ per night, including breakfast. Strong points: the pool, the spa with massages, the decoration, the complete and varied breakfast.
- Villa Bellonia: Located 12 minutes away from the beach and 1km from Naoussa. The lovely rooms with balcony or private terrace are starting from 120€ per night, with breakfast included. What I loved: The pool, the comfort, the amazing breakfast. It’s the best choice for a romantic gateway in Paros!
- Saint Andrea Resort Hotel: Located 1.5km away from Naoussa, this hotel offers luxurious accomodation with private terrace and view of the garden and the sea, starting from 200€ per night. Strong points: the location in front of the sea, the kind staff, the big pool. It’s my recommendation for a luxury stay in Paros!
5) Ios (2 days)
For the last stage of your Greek island hopping itinerary, you’ll go to Ios.
It takes around 1h to get to Ios from Paros by ferry boat.
During your 2 days in Ios, you just have to relax and enjoy the beaches of Mylopotas, Kalamos and Manganari.
Ios is also well-known for its nightlife, especially during summer (from June to August), where the island is quite busy.
Starting from September, Ios becomes a really quiet place, and you will (mostly) have the beaches just for yourself. If you like quiet places, it will be amazing!
It only depends on what you’re looking for during your holidays.
Where to stay in Ios
- Avra Pension: Located close to the port and a 10-minute walk from the beach. The bright double rooms with balcony are starting from 40€, with a 5€ breakfast. Strong points: the home made delicious breakfast, the location, the warm and welcoming staff.
- Petradi Hotel: Located close to Mylopotas Beach. The double rooms with a sea view are starting from 80€, with a 9€ breakfast. What I loved: the pool, the free transfer from the port, the location, the view, the kind staff. It’s the best value for Money in Ios!
- Dionysos Seaside Resort Ios: Located on Mylopotas Beach. The modern and spacious double rooms are starting from 150€ per night, with breakfast included. Strong points: the pools, the free access to the private beach, the location on the seaside, the really kind staff. It’s my recommendation for a romantic gateway in Ios!
- Liostasi Hotel & Suites: This 5-star hotel welcomes you only 2km away from the port. You will love the elegant and comfortable suites, with a private terrace and sea view. The prices are starting from 320€ per night, with breakfast included. What I loved: the pool, the wellness center, the free shuttle, the amazing restaurant, the breathtaking view. It’s the best choice for a luxury stay in Ios!
6) Return to Santorini (1 day)
Your 2 weeks trip to the Greek islands is already over and you’ll have to fly back home.
From Ios, take the ferry (only 35 to 50 minutes) to get back to Santorini and take your return flight.
For 14 days Greek islands itinerary, just remove a day on one of the islands. I would advise you to spend only 2 days in Paros: as you’ve already done a boat-trip on the other islands, it’s alright if you don’t do this one.
For a 16 days itinerary, it’s also quite simple. Just add a day on one of the islands, depending on what you enjoy the most! And of course, if you need any help to plan your stay, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments.
Greece Tours
On Voyagetips.com, I give you all my best tips and itineraries to plan your trip to Greece by yourself. (Click here to read all my articles about Greece)
However, if you prefer to book a Greece tour with a travel agency, I recommend you to check the 10 best Greece tours by clicking the button below:
Renting a boat in the Cyclades
If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your itinerary in the Greek islands, you should book it with Samboat.
Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental.
So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Greece? 😊
Now you know how to do Cyclades island hopping! If you have any questions about your Greek island hopping itinerary, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section.
🚗 Rent a car
🗽 Book entrance tickets and guided visits
🏄 Book your sports activities
🚤 Book your rental boat
🌍 Take a travel insurance
🙎 Book a tour
⛴️ Book your ferry tickets in Greece
🚅 Book your train tickets
✈️ Book your flight
Greece travel guides
- Buy the Lonely Planet Greece guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
- Buy the DK Eyewitness Greece guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
You’re traveling to Greece ? These articles will help you !
Discover all my articles about Greece: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Greece are listed there.
- The 20 Best Things to do in Greece – The Ultimate Bucket list!
- The 15 Best Things to do in Peloponnese – All the must-see attractions
- Itinerary: 4-5 days in Greece – The perfect itinerary for a short stay in Greece
- Itinerary: 1 week in Greece – The best Itinerary to visit Athens + Santorini!
- Itinerary: 6, 7 or 8 days in Greece – The definitive guide to visit Athens + Peloponnese in a week
- Itinerary: 10 days in Greece – The definitive guide to visit Central Greece in 9-10 days
- Itinerary: 2 weeks in Greece – The best Itinerary to visit Athens + Central Greece + Cyclades (Santorini)
- Itinerary: 3 weeks in Greece – The best Itinerary to visit Athens + Central Greece + even more Cyclades islands!
- Itinerary: 1 month in Greece – The definitive guide to visit Greece in a month!
- Road trip in Greece – The best itineraries for 5, 7, 10, 15, 21 and 30 days.
Cyclades (Greek islands)
- The 15 Best Cyclades Islands to visit – With all the must-see attractions
- Amorgos: The 8 best places to see
- Andros: The 7 must-see attractions and activities
- Naxos: Top 10 things to do
- Paros: The 10 best places to visit
- Santorini: The definitive guide
- Tinos: The 10 best things to do
Dodecanese
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Discussion23 Comments
Hi,
Planning a trip to the Cyclades during the 2 last weeks of October… Do you think of anything different from your posted itinerary (island hopping- 5 islands) ?
Maybe the ferries schedules might be different from summer months?
Also, one more question:
What do you think will be the best way to get to Athens from the last island?
What do you think?
Tks
Serge
Hello Serge,
For your 2 weeks Greek islands hopping itinerary in October, you can do all the things I recommend for Santorini, Amorgos, Naxos and Paros.
You will be in Greece just before the end of the season, so it should be ok.
For Ios, I think it will not be possible to get there. There is only one ferry per week in October from Paros, and no ferry to get back to Santorini.
For the ferries schedules, the best is to check and book them in advance on this website: Ferriesingreece.
In addition to the schedules, you can see the journey time and organize your itineray easily!
Just be careful, after 31th of October, there is a lot less ferries.
About your other question: to get to Athens from Paros (As it will not really be possible to go to Ios):
– You can take the ferry to get back to Santorini (3 hours) and then a domestic flight to Athens.
– Take the ferry to Santorini and then another ferry to Athens.
Be careful, the ferry linking Santorini to Athens Piraeus harbor also stops on the 31th of October.
Enjoy your trip to the Greek islands, and if you have other questions, don’t hesitate!
Tks a lot Vincent for your reply and your advises. Very appreciated.
I spent a lot of time trying to find a way to do the hopping as I wanted, but I had to make some changes as I couldn’t get to stay on the Islands the number of nights I wanted…
I had to skip Ios and Amorgos as I could not get in and out from/to different islands in 2 or 3 days
So my plan as it is now (as per ferry schedules that fit) :
-Santorini 3 nights (from 17/oct)
-Naxos 2 nights
-Paros 3 nights
Then I have 2 options from Paros:
(Preferred one)
-Tinos 3 nights
-Andros 2 nights
-Athens 2 nights (leaving 01/nov)
(Or)
-Mykonos 3 nights (Already been on a previous cruise)
-Tinos 2 nights
-Athens 2 nights (leaving 01/nov)
What Is your impression of that plan?
Do you suggest to book the ferry tickets now (or as soon as possible) ??
Do you think we should book a car on every island?
Tks very much for your useful advise.
Regards
Serge
Hello Serge,
Good thing you checked for the ferries, as you can see outside of high season, it can become a bit complicated, and you really have to plan your trip according to the few ferries available.
Yes, you can definitely go to Tinos, andros and Athens for the 2nd part of your itinerary.
Tinos, and even more Andros are a bit out of the beaten tracks, you won’t meet many tourists there. These islands are still very authentic and quiet, I really enjoyed my stay there!
About the car, yes, you will need one on each island, else you will not be able to explore. Hopefully, the car rental companies are located right next to the ports, so it’s always very convenient.
For the ferries tickets, personally i would book them, so everything will be ready and you won’t have to think about organisation anymore.
Enjoy your trip to the greek islands!
Tks very much Vincent for your reply, and the useful infos.
Really appreciate.
Now looking forward for my great trip to the Greek islands.
Tks a lot for your help.
Best regards
Serge
You’re welcome!
Maybe see you soon on the blog for another destination!
hi love your island hopping page , im new to this but would love o do your 2 week greek island Santorini to Ios , is there anyway of fitting Mykonos in ?
Hi Lynne,
I am glad my island hopping guide is helping you to plan your trip!
Yes sure, you cab fit Mykonos just after Amorgos, it’s the most convenient for the ferries.
You should plan 2 or 3 nights in Mykonos, so you can:
-Add 2-3 more days to this itinerary
Or
-Remove the last leg of the itinerary, in Ios.
They both are “party islands”: Ios is a bit cheaper, so it attracts younger travelers while Mykonos offers a more upscale experience. It depends the ambiance you’re looking for!
Enjoy your trip to the Greek islands, and if you have other questions don’t hesitate!
Vincent,
Love your plan. Due to time, I need to skip iOS at the end and will fly out of Paros back to Athens.
I am planning 3 nights in Santorini, Amorgos, Naxos, and Paros. We have one extra night. Which island deserves an extra night?
Hi Jen,
For your 2-weeks itinerary in Greece, I would add an extra night in Santorini.
If you don’t have the time to see everything in 3 days, it will allow you to have one more day to explore the island.
You can also add one or more activities such as (click on the links for details):
– A wine tour with wine tasting
– A Greek cooking class + wine tasting
– A quad bike tour
– Water sports: jet ski, kayak, paddle, parasailing.
And there are many more options available. If you click on any of these links, you will have access to the whole list.
Enjoy your trip to Greece!
Hello, We have been planning 2 1/2 weeks in a Greece, delayed to summer 22. Planning 2 days in Athens, just want to show my kids the Acropolis. Then to Milos for 5 days. For the remainder we want to rent a house and tuck in for family time with fun day trips. Traveling with our teenagers who are great travelers. Originally planned for Crete but it’s logistically a bit much. Now I’m thinking about Andros with day trips to other islands. Please, can you tell me if this realistic. We have loved Mallorca and Sicily, as both afforded interesting destinations balanced with relaxing and living like a local.
Thanks,
Andrea
Hello Andrea,
Unfortunately, it’s not really possible to do day trips to other islands from Andros.
The nearest island is Tinos, but it’s at least 1h30 by ferry to get there, so 3 hours of travel over 1 day + the waiting time to embark or disembark on the boat + The time to get a rental car etc.. (can’t visit without a car). So that’s 4 hours wasted when being optimistic on timings!
In fact, it’s the same problem for all the Greek islands in the Cyclades archipelago.
They look close on the map but in reality by boat it takes a long time to travel between them.
The only 2 islands in the Cyclades that you can visit as a day trip are Naxos and Paros (only 30 minutes by boat between the 2, so you can stay in Paros and go to Naxos for the day or the contrary – And even for these 2, that’s not recommended, because these islands are quite big and you should spend a few days there to visit them).
If you want to visit more than one island during your stay, it is best to plan to spend at least one night on each, or ideally at least 2 nights.
Enjoy your stay in the Greek islands and don’t hesitate if you have any other questions to plan your Greek island hopping itinerary!
Good morning Vincent,
Thank you so much for clearing that up! So then after 5 days in Milos would you suggest a week in western Crete, Naxos or Paros? For easy day touring and exceptional beaches/beauty. Would we want to journey up to Skopelos?
Thank you !
Andrea
Hello Andrea,
Naxos and Paros are quite similar so it’s really up to you. Both have beautiful beaches and traditional Greek villages.
To decide, you can read my detailed articles about these 2 islands here:
– The 10 best Things to do in Naxos
– The 10 best Things to do in Paros.
Unfortunately I haven’t been to Crete yet so I can’t tell you if it’s better than Paros/Naxos in terms of beaches.
As for Skopelos, it’s a bit more complicated to reach: you first have to go Athens, and then to Agios Konstantinos (2h by car from Athens) and take the boat (5h crossing).
Personally, I would stay in the Cyclades as it’s the most convenient!
Enjoy your trip to Greece,
Vincent
Thank you so much ! You’re very kind.
Best, Andrea.
Hi Vincent
This is a very informative website with so much information, thank you! I’m just trying to decide what to go/where to go for next year’s summer holiday. I’m a teacher so unfortunately I’m tied to going away in July and August (the most expensive time!). I’m still debating about which group of islands to explore. I have read your Cyclades itinerary, which sounds amazing but wondered if you have any itineraries for the Sporades or Ionian islands?? I will be travelling with a husband and 2 children of 23 and 21. They like exploring and doing things, as well as having a bit of relaxation on the beach. I just want to make sure that I’m picking the right group of islands to suit my families needs, if that’s possible!!
Any advice would be very gratefully received!
Thank you so much for your help.
Becca
Hello Becca,
Thank you! I’m glad that my itinerary in the Greek islands is helping you to prepare your stay.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been to the Sporades or the Ionian Islands so I can’t tell you if it’s worth it or not.
For the Cyclades, to see if it’s right for you, you can read my detailed articles about each island by clicking here: Destination Greece and the Cyclades.
Don’t hesitate if you have any questions, and enjoy your trip to the Greek islands!
Hi Vincent, love your 14 day greek island itinerary!! We are travelling in the 3rd week of May 2023. I was thinking of booking a catamaran day cruise in Naxos and a few days later a speedboat tour in Paros/Anti paros. You have mentioned that Naxos and Paros are very similar, but i was hoping that the speedboat tour has the opportunity to get to places that a catamaran can’t get to… am i on the right train of thought or would these trips be too similar?
Kind Regards, Mel
Hello Melody,
With the catamaran day cruise from Naxos, you will go to the small cyclades.
With the speedboat tour, you can go to Paros and Antiparos.
They are not the same places but it is true that it is very similar since in the 2 boat trips, you will stop for swimming in the turquoise water. The aim is more to swim in places only accessible by boat than to visit.
Enjoy your trip to Greece!
Hi Vincent,
I am hoping to do a greek island hop this summer. I was thinking Santorini, Mykonos, Paros and Ios.
Where would be best to fit in Mykonos?
After reading some of the replies, I’m thinking to do it in-between Santorini and Paros (instead of doing Naxos and amorgos. Would this be recommended with ferry times ext?
Hi Jess,
I haven’t had the chance to visit Mykonos yet so I couldn’t tell you the best place to stay on the island.
Yes you can take the ferry from Santorini to Mykonos. Depending on the ferry company the crossing takes between 2h30 and 3h30.
You can check the timetable and fares by clicking on the green button in the article: “I check the ferry schedules now”.
Enjoy your stay in Greece!
Hi Vincent,
We are a party of 4 adults in our 50s
We are starting our Greek island experience in Santorini for 3 nights in September and then have 12 nights to explore other islands. We need to either finish in Paros or Naxos on the 20th September in order to fly back to Athens. We aren’t interested in Mykonos (been there done that in our 20s)
Do you have any suggestions re islands to visit? We were thinking keeping it to 4 or 5 islands in total.
Kind Regards
Melissa
Hello Melissa,
I generally recommend staying at least 3 days on a Cycladic island so I think 4 islands will be enough. 5 will be too much, especially if you take into account the ferry journey time.
For your itinerary, you can for example do Santorini, Amorgos, Naxos, Paros, as I recommend in this tour.
(If you want to add Ios, you can integrate it between Santorini and Amorgos).
The most important thing is to look at the travel time and ferries timetables, as there may not be ferry trips everyday.
I usually check on this website: Ferries in Greece.
Enjoy your stay in Greece!