Northern Cyclades Islands Itinerary

Embark in Lavrion, explore its ancient silver mines before setting sail to Kythnos, renowned for its sandy beaches and therapeutic hot springs.

Lavrion is known as the gateway to the Cyclades. Renowned for its ancient silver mines, Lavrion boasts a fascinating archaeological legacy, with remnants of ancient mining operations scattered across the landscape. Visitors can explore the Archaeological Museum of Lavrion to find out about the area’s mining history and marvel at the artifacts unearthed from these ancient works. Beyond its historical allure, Lavrion offers wonderful coastal views and beautiful beaches, making it a haven for sun-seekers and water enthusiasts. The Aegean Sea invites travellers to indulge in swimming, snorkelling, or simply basking in the Mediterranean sunshine.

Kythnos or Thermaiam (with its warm baths) is an understated beauty. It’s known as an approachable, friendly and joyfully hospitable place to visit. The island is blessed with 65 sandy beaches, the most impressive being Kolóna where a lane of sand connects the beach with the islet of Avios Loukas to Kýthnos.

Once you have explored the beaches head inland and follow paths that connect the villages together; ensure you take in the narrow-cobbled streets, white houses, village squares and the beautiful chapels and windmills. For a truly unforgettable experience, walk to the Katafýki cave, tasting apricots and wild mulberries on your way, and explore one of Greece’s biggest caves with its stalactites and stalagmites!

Finally, no one can visit Kythnos and not take a dip in the island’s famous hot springs—the only hot springs in the Cyclades.

Sail to Serifos to experience its unique Cycladic charm, rugged landscapes, and the picturesque town of Chora with its lively tavernas and cafes.

Serifos Island, with its rugged mining sites, has its own distinct Cycladic flair. With its arid and wild landscapes, Serifos stands out from its neighbouring islands. On your travels a visit to the town of Chora is highly recommended. This town has been built on a rocky hill and can be seen from the docks.

There are two parts to this town, Pano (meaning upper) Chora and Kato (meaning lower), both connected by a stairway. In the town’s narrow streets, you’ll find some bars, cafés, shops with arts and crafts, and taverns.

Livadi, the main port on Serifos, is another great place to explore. Enjoy the nearby cafés, fish tavernas and pastry shops located next to the seashore.

Paros is one of the largest and most fertile islands of the Cyclades with valleys, plains and farmland. It is famous for its golden beaches, clear blue waters and nightlife. However, it has many more dimensions. Rich in natural resources, cultural heritage, unique customs, traditional dishes and famous wine, this island has much to offer anyone that visits.

To explore the island’s culture, we recommend a visit to Parikia, the port and capital of the island. Parikia is an area of exceptional religious, archaeological and cultural importance. Once there, you can see the famous church of Panagia Ekantotapyliani (4th century), a magnificent monument and one of the most important Early Christian monuments in Greece. In contrast to the bustling town of Parkia, visit the village of Lefkes a beautiful and unspoiled settlement—the only mountain settlement in Paros. Picturesque, calm and amphitheatrically built among lush greenery, it preserves its traditional character. No motor vehicles are allowed which results in a beautifully peaceful visit.

Finally, no trip to Paros would be complete without trying some of Paros’s famous cheeses, and wonderful wines (labeled PDO=Protected Designation of Origin). If your visit coincides with the harvest, visitors can join in crushing the grapes and enjoy the accompanying festivities.

Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades islands, is a captivating blend of ancient history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture.

Steeped in mythology and history, Naxos boasts a wealth of archaeological sites, including the imposing Portara, a colossal marble doorway believed to be the entrance to an unfinished temple dedicated to Apollo.

Visitors can wander through the labyrinthine streets of the island’s capital, Naxos Town, where whitewashed houses adorned with vibrant bougainvillea spill onto narrow cobblestone alleys lined with charming cafes and boutiques.

The island’s diverse landscape offers opportunities for exploration and adventure, from hiking trails winding through lush valleys and olive groves to secluded beaches with waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

Mykonos, one of the most popular Cyclades islands, is known as a cosmopolitan and luxurious holiday destination. Its beach bars, clubs, high end shops and art venues draw people in from across the globe. However, Mykonos has another side to show.

It is also particularly picturesque, with stone-paved alleys, whitewashed houses, country chapels and windmills, that ooze peace and calm. This variety is what makes Mykonos so special and we are not the only ones who believe this; many famous stars visit or live on the island!

After a busy day exploring Mykonos, enjoy the culinary delights the island has to offer. Mykonos’ cuisine includes many varieties of pork and wonderful recipes for fish and seafood: sea snail casserole or risotto, mackerel with capers, sea urchins in vinaigrette, clams, mussels. To accompany your meal, try a cool soumada, a drink made using almonds.

Experience Syros’ cultural richness, from the neoclassical elegance of Ermoupoli to its acclaimed festivals and unique delicacies.

Syros is located in the very heart of the Cyclades. Syros is the island where visitors can see western influence mixed alongside Greek tradition. Ermoupoli is the capital of Syros and all the islands of the Cyclades. This once great trading hub now boasts neo-classical houses and beautiful squares.
Sýros enjoys a rich cultural life.

Throughout the year there are multiple internationally acclaimed festivals. There will be something for everyone’s musical tastes. For food lovers, Sýros is well-known for its gastronomic peculiarities! Halva pie (a pie made of thyme honey and roasted almonds), loukoúmi (a delight made of water, starch and sugar), “loosa” ham, fennel sausages and the San Mihalis spicy cheese are just a few of the delicacies to try during your visit.

Kea or Tzia was named after Ceos, a hero from Nafpaktos, who settled on the island in the 12th century BC. Later during the Venetian occupation, it was renamed Tzia.
Despite being part of the Cyclades, Kea stands out from the other islands as you will not see so many white-washed cubic houses or blue-domed churches. Instead, you will find elegant, neoclassic architecture and earthy colours. This picturesque island offers natural beauty but also some great little historic spots to visit.

On the south side of Nikolaos Bay- once a 13th century pirate strong hold – is a small port called Korissia which is definitely worth a visit. From the north-east of Kea town, you can see the famous lion carved from the native rock in the 6th century. This lion is thought to have chased away the island’s former inhabitants, the Nymphs. If you would rather visit shops and cafes, then Vourkari is the place to go. This small bay has traditional taverns and some small shops to enjoy. For the more adventurous visitor, Kea is a walker’s paradise with 36km of walking paths- 65% of them are stone paved paths, taking you through dense forests out to isolated beaches.

Conclude your journey with a peaceful sail from Kea back to Lavrion, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences of the Cyclades.

Enjoy a final breakfast onboard before sailing to your final destination of Lavrion for disembarkation.

If you haven’t already, we suggest spending a few days exploring Lavrion itself. Or why not travel to the capital of Greece, Athens, and explore this extraordinary city for few days?