The Cyclades islands

Ten days in The Cyclades islands:

The most famous island group in the Aegean Sea comprises some of the most beautiful islands in the world! You can expect gorgeous sandy beaches, architecture in white and blue, traditional lifestyle, folk music, warm, hospitable people, and barren landscapes with isolated chapels.

Anything else, you might ask… Well, food is not bad either! Here are the three islands I visited:

Naxos

Naxos is the biggest and the greenest island in the Cyclades. It has high mountains, fertile valleys, lush green gorges, stunning seascapes, and traditional villages perched high on mountain tops, where the inhabitants still wear their traditional dress and live off the fruits of the land. Naxos is also home to beautiful old churches and monasteries.

The landmark of Chora, the capital of Naxos is an imposing Venetian castle, is an old castle town with stone paved alleys where you can admire a unique blend of Cycladic and Medieval architecture.

There are numerous breathtaking routes on this island, which makes it the most loved one by hikers (I could only do a couple of those, due to time constraints).

The most popular traditional villages to visit around the island are: Aperathos is a colourful mountainous village home to five museums, stone-built houses, beautiful squares and narrow alleys paved with marble, and Panagia Drosiani, a beautiful church of the Early Christian Period and Filoti is a picturesque mountainous village, built on the top of a rock, surrounded by lush vegetation with cube-shaped houses and narrow stone-paved alleys.

Mykonos

I went on a day trip from Naxos. In contrast to other Cycladic capitals, the capital town (Hóra) of the island is not built in the shape of an amphitheatre but instead spreads out over a wide area. It is just amazing to stroll around its narrow marble streets and admire whitewashed houses with colourful doors and window frames, bougainvillea trees in purple bloom and hidden churches. There are 1,200, one for each inhabitant of the small island

One of the most scenic corners of the island is the so called “Little Venice”, an 18th century district, dominated by grand captains’ mansions with colourful balconies and stylish windows. With balconies perched over the sea, pictures of the famous Italian city spring to mind. You can relax at a waterfront café and admire the view of the quaint windmills standing imposingly on the hillside above, set against a luminous blue backdrop.

Using the Hora as your base, set out on a trip to discover the beauties of the island, in particularly its beaches. Along the southern coast you will find a great selection of the most cosmopolitan ones. Here, wild parties keep the crowds rocking day and night. I walked from Hora to Paraga beach (nearly two hours’ away, I know, I am crazy!) and from there to Paradise beach.

If you find yourself in Mykonos take the opportunity to explore the tiny archaeological gem of Delos, just a short boat trip away. Delos was a sacred island in ancient times, and according to mythology was the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis.

Santorini

Crescent-shaped Santorini (or Thira), the precious gem of the Aegean, is actually a group of islands consisting of Thira, Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palea and Nea Kameni in the southernmost part of Cyclades.

The whole complex of Santorini islands is still an active volcano and probably the only volcano in the world whose crater is in the sea. The islands that form Santorini came into existence as a result of intensive volcanic activity.

Santorini is considered to be the most sought-after place for a romantic getaway in Greece, since there are not many places in the world where you can enjoy exquisitely clear waters while perched on the rim of a massive active volcano in the middle of the sea! The island has a growing reputation as a “wedding destination” for couples not only from Greece but from all over the world.

Fira is the picturesque capital of the island; perched high up on the edge of the Caldera, it looks like a marvellous painting. Fira, together with Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani located high above on a cliff, make up the so-called “Caldera’s eyebrow”, the balcony of Santorini, which offers an amazing view of the volcano.

You can visit the volcanic island in front of the Caldera: there is a boat trip for 20 euros, it lasts three hours and you get to climb up to the volcano craters on top and also stop at the nearby hot spings.

There are some other villages around the island, some are more cosmopolita,  some more peaceful; they are surrounded by vast vineyards.