Aegean Islands

The Cyclades, Dodecanese and North Aegean island groups, with classic island-hopping destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes.

This region consists of the South Aegean region (the Cyclades and Dodecanese) and the North Aegean region (Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria, Lemnos and more). Crete is treated as a separate region; the Saronic Gulf islands belong to Attica, the Sporades to mainland Central Greece, and Thasos and Samothrace to Northern Greece.

The Cyclades are the classic island-hopping area: Santorini's caldera cliff towns of Oia and Fira, Mykonos's windmills and Little Venice, the fishing port of Naoussa on Paros, the Portara gate and inland mountain villages of Naxos, the white rock coast of Sarakiniko and the sea caves of Kleftiko on Milos, the pottery and food of Sifnos, and the clifftop Chora of Folegandros. The ruins on Delos can be visited as a day trip from Mykonos. The Dodecanese lie right next to the Turkish coast; the medieval Knights' town on Rhodes and the Acropolis of Lindos are highlights, and Patmos, Symi and Kos are also popular. The North Aegean islands see fewer visitors, and Pythagoreion on Samos, the mastic villages of Chios and the olive groves of Lesbos feel more like everyday life.

A classic route such as Athens – Mykonos – Paros/Naxos – Santorini takes 7–10 days; adding Milos or the Dodecanese requires another 4–6 days. Ferries and high-speed boats leave from Piraeus and Rafina, and the main islands have airports. In peak season, book accommodation and boat tickets well in advance; the summer north wind (the meltemi) can cause sailings to be cancelled.

Destinations

Itineraries