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Island Hopping in Greece: A Guide to the Cyclades Islands
- Heather Vergara
- 31 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Greece’s Cyclades Islands are a traveler’s dream - a collection of sugar-cube villages, sapphire waters, and slow, golden days. Each island has its own rhythm: Santorini, with its cliffside sunsets; Mykonos, with its cosmopolitan energy; and Paros and Naxos, with hidden beaches and authentic village life. And then there’s Crete – technically not part of the Cyclades, but a diverse and rich island you can and should add to your Greece island-hopping itinerary.
I spent eight glorious days in Greece as part of a Travel Advisor experience with my favorite in-country partner, Curated Greece. We started in Athens and then island-hopped to Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini. My husband and kids were sad they couldn’t join me, so I promised to take them in early summer 2026. We’ll experience Naxos and Crete, two of the islands I haven’t visited, and Santorini, my favorite island so far. Between these two trips, I will complete an island-hopping itinerary of Greece’s Cyclades Islands!
Athens, Mykonos, Paros, Santorini
Island-Hopping Greece's Cyclades Islands
📍Athens → 📍Mykonos →📍Paros → 📍Naxos → 📍Santorini → 📍Crete
Cyclades islands
While you can't fully experience all the islands in one trip, read on to get a flavor of each island as well as the must-dos to help you determine which ones to prioritize for your vacation to Greece!
Athens: Greece’s Cultural Capital
Most travelers to Greece spend a day or two in Athens at the start of their trip, although I don’t think it’s a must-do for everyone. While I appreciated being able to nap upon arrival to help recover from the overnight flight from the U.S., we won’t prioritize this stop for our family trip. I found the city of Athens a bit chaotic and gritty, and I felt it lacked the charm and architectural beauty of other European big cities. If you thrive on city vibes and history, and your itinerary can spare a night or two, put Athens on your list. However, if you’re short on time and not a city-lover, then I say skip it. If you do stop in Athens, here are the must-dos.
Athens: Acropolis amphitheater, authentic gyros, Plaka, changing of the guards
Athens must-dos:
The Acropolis and Parthenon – the Acropolis is the entire hill and complex of ruins, while the Parthenon is the Acropolis’s most famous temple.
The Acropolis Museum
Wander the Plaka neighborhood
Guided food tour – the best way to experience the city and culture!
An outdoor performance at the Acropolis amphitheater, Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Mykonos: the Glamour of the Aegean
Mykonos has long been the jet-set jewel of the Cyclades, attracting celebrities, creatives, and free spirits since the ‘60s. Spend your days drifting between beaches, boutiques, and bougainvillea-covered lanes, and your nights dancing under the stars.
We landed on Mykonos on a chilly, rainy day in late September, the first rain the island had seen since May! After touring and lunching at two Myconian Collection properties - there are 14 on Mykonos - the sun came out, welcoming us to this gorgeous island. We checked into our superb seafront terrace suites at Deos Mykonos, and then set off in a golf cart down the hill to wander Mykonos Town. With hot pink flowers atop crisp white staircases, a maze of painted cobblestone walkways winding past open-air cafes, and historic windmills standing guard over the glistening turquoise Aegean Sea, the town is as photogenic as it looks.
Mykonos: charming town, historic windmills, views of the Aegean, farm visit for cooking class
Mykonos must-dos:
Stroll through Mykonos Town – go early morning or late evening to avoid cruise-ship crowds. Don’t miss the windmills and Little Venice.
Take your pick of world-famous beaches - from the champagne-soaked sands of Psarou and Super Paradise to the more tranquil stretches of Agios Sostis and Fokos, Mykonos offers a beach for every mood.
Meet the locals on a farm tour and cooking class. This was one of my favorite meals of the trip!
Enjoy Mykonos’ legendary nightlife - sunset cocktails at Scorpios, DJ sets at Cavo Paradiso, or intimate dinners in candlelit courtyards. I want to say we partied like rockstars, but I fell into bed after dinner every night with a full belly and a full heart.
Take your pick of luxury hotels. Mykonos offers the largest concentration of all the Greek islands.
Left: Myconian Elia and Myconian Utopia; Right: Deos Mykonos
Paros: Relaxed Seaside Serenity
Tucked in the heart of the Cyclades, Paros is Greece’s understated gem - charming, chic, and effortlessly beautiful. While Santorini stole my heart, my favorite day in Greece was on the picture-perfect island of Paros when we met our handsome captain in Naoussa’s lively harbour for a cruise on the Aegean Sea. Lounging on the deck of our yacht, we explored secret beaches framed by turquoise seas, walled grottoes set against brilliant blue skies, and the picturesque fishing village of Antiparos. A few of us jumped in. The water is chilly in late September, but it’s worth it!
Top: Cruising the Aegean to the Blue Lagoon, Secret Beach, and Antiparos
Bottom: Strolling town, farm visit, catching the sunset
Paros Must Dos:
Visit Parikia (Paros Town) and the Church of 100 Doors
Cruise to the Blue Lagoon, Secret Beach, and the scenic island of Antiparos.
Visit the Venetian castle in Naoussa and immerse with the locals in Lefkes village. The towns on Paros were far less touristy than Mykonos. We wandered and shopped for hours!
Take your pick of more than 40 beaches - Chrissi Akti, Santa Maria, and Pounda are favorites.
Naxos: The Hidden Gem of the Cyclades
While its glamorous neighbors often steal the spotlight, Naxos offers fewer crowds, unique and lush landscapes, as well as some of the best beaches in the Cyclades. Known for understated luxury and warm hospitality, you won't find ultra-luxe resorts here, but you also won’t suffer from sticker shock like you will on the more popular islands, like Santorini. One of my luxury clients did a two-week itinerary of Greece and traveled with a toddler. Their favorite stop was Naxos, because it was so family-friendly, authentic, and uncrowded.
Naxos: Mountains, beautiful beaches, uncrowded towns, and Temple of Apollo's gateway
Naxos must-dos:
Explore Naxos Town (Chora) and visit the Portara (Temple of Apollo’s gateway) for sunset views
Experience authentic Greek life and farm-to-table flavor through a farm tour and cooking class
Enjoy the sun, sand, and crystal waters of Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios, and Agia Anna
Hike Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades, or go horseback riding along the beach
Santorini: Sunsets, Cliffs, and Unrivaled Luxury
Perched on the cliffs of the Aegean Sea, Santorini is a masterpiece of blue and white. With one of the world's most iconic landscapes shaped by fire and sea, it's no wonder this island is Greece's most popular destination. Nothing can compare to its rugged yet elegant study in contrasts - stark volcanic rock beside soft white-washed villages literally carved into the cliffside. Wander through the narrow alleys of Oia, sip crisp Assyrtiko wine while sailing the caldera, and watch the sun melt into the sea in a blaze of gold and pink.
I loved all three islands we visited - Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini - but Santorini stole my heart. I'm bringing my family to Greece next summer, and Santorini will be the one stop I repeat!
To understand Santorini’s uniqueness, the island’s geologic history must be explained. Formerly a circular island, one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in ancient history blew out the center, and now high cliffs jutting into the sea are all that's left of the crater rim. A beautiful bay has filled in the middle, while outlying islands are the remains of the crater’s sides. Sunsets on the island are particularly striking: most hotels and restaurants face west over the sunken volcano and the Aegean Sea.
Santorini: Windy caldera views
Santorini must-dos:
Splurge on a catamaran cruise that explores the unique volcanic beaches and sails into the caldera at sunset
Hike along the caldera and catch the sunset at the end
Schedule a Flying Dress photo shoot - I know a fabulous photographer!
Book a driver so you can winery hop and taste Santorini’s world-famous Assyrtiko wine
Relax and enjoy the views from your infinity pool
Flying dress photoshoot (and our Jon Hamm look-a-like photographer!)
Crete: Greece in Miniature
As the largest island, Crete is Greece in miniature - dramatic and diverse landscapes, ancient history, and vibrant culture. Unlike the smaller Cyclades islands, which you can experience in a few days, Crete’s size and diversity require more time to take it all in.
For our family vacation, we’ll spend six days on Crete and do a split stay, dividing our time between charming Chania town on the northwest side of the island and the luxury resorts of Elounda on the northeast side.
The sprawling diversity of Crete - rugged mountains, deep gorges, pink beaches, fertile valleys, ancient history
Crete must-dos:
Explore Chania’s Old Town - wander the Venetian harbor, lighthouse, and narrow lanes. Stop for seaside cocktails at sunset.
Visit the Palace of Knossos -Europe’s oldest city and the heart of Minoan civilization
Swim at one of Crete’s famous beaches like pink-tinged Elafonisi or Balos Lagoon, but go early or stay late to dodge the crowds. Or seek out hidden coves to relax in the Mediterranean sun.
Hike the Samaria Gorge, one of Europe’s most dramatic gorges - white cliffs, wild goats, and an epic finish at the Libyan Sea
Experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine in hillside tavernas, chic seaside cafes, and farm-to-table cooking classes
Wander the Lasithi Plateau - visit stone windmills, mountain villages, and the Cave of Zeus.
Relax in Elounda & Plaka, Crete’s luxury coast with calm bays, upscale resorts, and boat trips to Spinalonga Island.
When to Visit Greece
You’ve heard about Greece’s summer crowds and heat, so I advise visiting in the shoulder season if it works with your vacation schedule. We're heading there in late May right when the kids get out of school.
🌺Late Spring (May-June) offers warm, sunny days in the mid 70s to low 80s with blooming landscapes and clear blue skies. Prices and crowds are still moderate, and while the sea is chilly, it’s usually warm enough for swimming by June.
🍁Early Fall (September-October) offers the warmest seas, thinner crowds, golden light, and temperatures in the 70s-80s. Vineyards and olive groves are in harvest, adding a local flavor to your vacation. I visited in late September/early October, and we experienced some rain, the first rain the islands had seen since early May! The intense wind on Santorini prevented us from sailing the caldera, but overall, the weather was beautiful.
No matter when you visit, get up early to beat the crowds and work with an experienced Travel Advisor who has relationships with local suppliers and private guides. Build in rich experiences plus plenty of downtime to relax and soak it all in. Show Them the World can help make your Greece vacation easy … and spectacular!
Heather Vergara is a former PepsiCo marketing executive who left the corporate world to be a Mom and never found her way back. Instead, she focused on her passion for travel and adventure and created Show Them the World, a travel concierge service for busy families longing to reconnect and see the world together. She's now a Million Dollar Advisor with Gifted Travel Network, a Virtuoso agency. Heather has helped hundreds of families experience Hawaii, Alaska, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Italy, France, Greece, England, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Africa, Iceland, National Parks, and more to come!
Heather has an MBA in marketing from Indiana University, a Digital Marketing Executive Education certificate from Columbia University, and a BA in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives with her husband, two kids, and two furry dogs in Zionsville, Indiana.
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