THE CYCLADIC ISLANDS

Some people also include the islands of Ikaria (which is officially a north-east Aegean island) and Astypalea (which officially is one of the Dodecanese) among the Cyclades. Sorry to be bureaucratic about this, but I'm sticking with officialdom.

This is the perfect island hopping group and, while jumping between them, you'll notice both the diversity and the similarity of the islands. As it is a matter of individual taste, I shall resist the temptation of recommending the islands that I especially like, but you'll get my drift to some extent. And there's no hiding the fact that my personal favourite is Naxos. Do beware when island hopping during the high season (when accommodation can be at a premium) and especially during August when you might be at the mercy of the northerly wind, known as the 'meltemi' which whips its way through the islands especially the Sporades and the Cyclades. The strength of this wind can mean that, while two-oared fishing boats can be seen dancing their way merrily on the waves, the ferries, some as large as battleships, stay stubbornly at dock. Having had experience of the ferociousness of the meltemi after it had 'died down' and our ferry had been allowed to leave the harbour at Paros - where it had laid idle for three days - I can fully appreciate why they won't let the ferries out. The architecture is easily recognised and the houses, with their brilliant whitewashed walls, are reminiscent of sugar-cubes, hence some of the Hansel and Gretel type metaphors.

Columbus' Alternative Look at the Columbus travel site for  detailed discriptions to the Cycladic Islands.

Andrew was recently in contact with Mike Constantinou at Greece Accommodation Direct (well last year in fact) who was more than helpful in finding accomodation for him on the isle of Spetsei. Have a look at his site:  Accommodation Direct   An advantage of this is being able to plan your own island hopping agenda knowing that accomodation waits for you when you get there.

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One of the best books on the Cyclades 'The Aegean Islands: The Cyclades or  Life among the insular Greeks',   (called simply "The Cyclades" in this new edition) by Theodore Bent, first published in the late 19th century, has been reprited by 3rdGuides. It is currently available in book-form from us at, 8to paperback,. My first impressions is that this is a wonderful new edition. More details available by clicking the book

Alternatively Dt Jeffrey has a website enabling you to download 7 of the 20 chapters (to download all 20 chapters will cost you $16.00); here is the link: The Aegean Islands . Dr. Jeffery is hoping to reprint the book in a more normal 8vo format at around, and if he does we'll stock it and link it to our orders page. Watch this space, S.J. 

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Greek Island Hopping by Frewin Poffley . I used this book for the first time last March, having always believed in the past that its uses would be limited. What a pleasant surprise I was in for. This is a terrific book, not only for the ways and means of getting between islands and mainland ports but as a guide book in its own right. Particularly good for freelance travellers, hopping the Cyclades or Dodecanese.

Greek Islands by Dana Facaros  Originally called - but not to be confused with the above - Greek Island Hopping, this was my bible throughout the '80's and I still believe it to be the best all-round guide book to the Greek Islands. There is just about enough information on each island for it to be useful without baffling the reader with science.

  Mykonos, Santorini and the Cyclades by Dana Facaros . This is the book for you if you don't plan to stray off the Cycladic group. A shortened version of the book above, but just covering this group. Don't pay too much attention to the title. This is a good guide to all the Cyclades, not just Santorini and Mykonos.

Eyewitness Guide to the Greek Islands by Mark Dubin et al. A lovely looking book and one that I would use to plan a trip rather than take with me. Hugely informative - a real bedside-table book.

  Insight Guide to Greece . Another glossy, nice-looking and thoroughly informative book to the islands, generally.  

The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands ed. by Mark Ellingham . Normally a big fan of the Rough guides I can't help but feel that this one is a wee bit superfluous and that you might as well fork out the extra and buy the Rough Guide to Greece and the Greek Islands  also edited by Mark Ellingham. If this one could be replaced by a much more in-depth look at the Cyclades, the Saronic and the Sporadic Islands on top of their existing (and excellent) Ionian and Dodecanese/NEA guides they would have the market cornered. Good for the Cyclades as there are so many of them. SJ

Explorer Greek Islands by Anthony Sattin and Sylvie Franquet.  A nice well written, pictorial alternative to the "Rough Guide", very pretty. I would buy this as a reference book rather than a truly practical guide as it has some fascinating information to all the Greek islands with some great photos to whet the appetite, but like all general guides to the Greek islands it can only say so much on any one. Comes with its own map and deserves inclusion here.

Flora and Fauna

books can be found by clicking on the triffid

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THE ISLANDS:

Amorgos

Worth visiting 'The Amorgos Archaeological collection' Sorry, no link

A very useful site to Amorgos  is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on  Amorgos

Amorgos by Nikos Gatsos is an epic poem.

   CONNELL Christopher "IN THE BEE-LOUD GLADE"     A study with drawings of Greek village life on the southern Cycladic islands of Amorgos, Donoussa, Schinoussa and Irakleia

Museum: There is an archaeological collection here; sorry no link.

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Anafi

Andros 

The furthest north of the Cyclades, if coming from the mainland, Andros is best accessed from the port of Rafina, which is about an hour's bus ride from Athens (The bus leaves from behind the National Archaeological museum). A very green island with some nice beaches and a tradition of Karaghiozis (Greek shadow puppet theatre). I've been there four times and like the island more every time I go. Unusual for a Greek island the main town (Hora) is some distance from the main port and has little accommodation. Batsi is the main resort though you can stay in the main port.
You can join organized tours and the walking terrain is good. A terrific place to stay or to embark on your own personal odyssey. sunville come here via Athens

Books:

Andros Archaeological Museum       

Andros Maritime Museum      

Andros Museum of Modern Art - Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation

Palaiopolis Archaeological Collection

Zagora, Geometric settlement

A very useful site to Andros is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on  Andros

Antiparos  See Paros

A very useful site to Antiparos  is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on  Antiparos

Delos

Delos Archaeological Museum

Sites:

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Folengandros

If you like walking, peace and quiet and beautiful, rugged scenery, Folengandros is for you. Add to this, a stunning main town, perched on a hill, a thousand foot up with great tavernas and fine accommodation and this will be heaven to some. Recently, however, thanks to articles in Vogue amongst others, Folengandros has 'arrived' as far as the tourist industry is concerned. So get in there quick. The length of the island is a road, dropping you at trailheads for paths descending down to secluded coves and beaches, some of which are nudist. Many are served by taxiboat, weather permitting.

Books:

Please e-mail me if you know of a book which you feel should be included within these pages Stelios

Ios. Folegandros and Sikonos. Magic of the Cyclades with colour photographs, maps and drawings. IOS, PHOLEGANDROS AND SIKINOS are parta of the Cycladic islands "Click the pic" to order through or secure on line service

Site:

Cave Chryssospelia

Link:

A nice site to the island of Folengandros

[ Amorgos ] [ Anafi ] [ Andros ] [ Delos ] [ Folengandros ] [ Ios ] [ Kea ] [ Kythnos ] [ Milos ] [ Mykonos ] [ Naxos ] [ Paros ] [ Santorini ] [ Serifos ] [ Sifnos ] [ Sikinos ] [ Syros ] [ Tinos ] [ Map ]

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Ios

Like Mykonos, Ios is a party island but with less scope to escape if that's not your scene. A stunning looking island with some great beaches, Ios has attracted the young and fancy-free since the '60's and still does. Let this be a warning or a recommendation depending on your taste. Saying that trips to Naxos or Santorini can easily be arranged so you can take in a bit of culture between pints of Guiness!

Books:

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Kea (Zea, Tzia, Keos)

Map

Map of Kea/Tzia. Another in the excellent "Road" series. This has a scale of  1-40,000  "Click the pic" to order through or secure on line service

Sites:

Agia Eirini

Karthaia

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Kythnos (Thermia)

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Milos  (Melos)

The furthest west of the Cyclades, Milos is an almost idyllic island, with its typical Cycladic architecture and windmills. Like Santorini, Milos is a volcanic island with hot (and smelly) springs. The beaches on the south coast are excellent but the public transport system is not so you may find that it is necessary to rent your own transport. If you wish to get away from the port Adhamas and stay instead in the hill villages around Hora, there are good tavernas here too. If you're thinking that the name sounds familiar, this is where the statue of Aphrodite's Roman alter-ego was found. One of the most beautiful and famous pieces of sculpture in the world, the armless 'Venus de Milo'.

Museums:

Milos Archaeological Museum  Here can be found a replica of the 2nd c. b.c 'Venus de Milo' statue. The original is in the Louvre

Milos Folklore Museum

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Books: Please e-mail me if you know of a book which you feel should be included within these pages Jackson mail

Links:

Two nice sites to the island of Milos, the first of which is in German and includes lovely pictures, cleverly displayed in a right hand frame. Click on these for evocative pictures of Milos. The site also includes pics of Tinos, Folengandros and Karpathos.

also see

A very useful site to Milos  is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on  Milos

[ Amorgos ] [ Anafi ] [ Andros ] [ Delos ] [ Folengandros ] [ Ios ] [ Kea ] [ Kythnos ] [ Milos ] [ Mykonos ] [ Naxos ] [ Paros ] [ Santorini ] [ Serifos ] [ Sifnos ] [ Sikinos ] [ Syros ] [ Tinos ] [ Map ]

Mykonos

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Mykonos Archaeological Museum     

Mykonos Folklore Collection

  Mykonos, Santorini and the Cyclades  Mykonos, Santorini and the Cyclades by Dana Facaros
This is the book for you if you don't plan to stray off the Cycladic group. A shortened version of the book above, but just covering this group. Don't pay too much attention to the title. This is a good guide to all the Cyclades, not just Santorini and Mykonos 

Map

LINKS

This is a nice site for Mykonos with accomodation etc, part of a generic Greek site

and

A very useful site to Mykonos   is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on  Mykonos

[ Amorgos ] [ Anafi ] [ Andros ] [ Delos ] [ Folengandros ] [ Ios ] [ Kea ] [ Kythnos ] [ Milos ] [ Mykonos ] [ Naxos ] [ Paros ] [ Santorini ] [ Serifos ] [ Sifnos ] [ Sikinos ] [ Syros ] [ Tinos ] [ Map ]

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Naxos

Andrew's favourite island this! It's up there with Stelios too! Oh, to be in Naxos at pretty much any time of year. Not a paradise, just a self-sufficient island with some of the most stunning mountain villages anywhere in Greece. The residents are extremely friendly. It has a Venetian capital set on a hill, Minoan remains and a few Kouroi (gigantic sculptures of men) just lying around in fields (the one at Apollon is, apparently 35 foot long!). I am normally reluctant to give away my favourite parts of Greece but this is one of them and I can only hope that, as Naxos is the biggest of the Cycladic islands, it will be able to cope with the few people who'll listen to my advise!

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A terrific Greek website in the English language is Naxosnet

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This link will take you to the site for the hotel of Aghios Prokopios, 4KMs outside the fantastic town of Naxos and 3KMs from the airport. It also has information for the area; situated as it is 200 metres from the sandy beach of Aghios Prokopios and 600 metres from the one at Aghia Anna or Plaka beach. No payment or gratuity of any kind has passed hands (damnit!) in the inclusion of this site, its webmaster just e-mailed me so if you wish your site to be included on this page, let me know Stelios

This link is to the hotel Saint George, situated on the town beach, just outside  the wonderful harbour  town of Naxos. Remember no payment or gratuity of any kind has passed hands (damnit!) in the inclusion of this site, its webmaster just e-mailed me so if you wish your site to be included on this page, let me know Stelios

A very useful site to Naxos  is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on  Naxos

Check out the Weather on the island of Naxos thanks to Yahoo.co.uk

Ikaros Sudios A nice, informative site for those of you lucky enough to be able to spend a week or three on the wonderful island of Naxos.

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Naxos Archaeological Museum Unmissable!, though scarey, perched near the top of the Chora and with floorboards that when stepped upon appear to make the artefacts shake!

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Sites:

Grotta on Naxos, Metropolis Square

Hyria on Naxos

Naxos, Chora, castle and Glezos tower

Sangri

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Books: Please e-mail me if you know of a book which you feel should be included within these pages Stelios

Map

         Map of Naxos       Map of Naxos 1-50,000 A greatly detailed map to the Cycladic island of Naxos, produced with the co-operation of the Greek army

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Paros

  It's over twenty years since I spent more than just a few hours on Paros, with its butterflies and red-haired priests, probably because it really is the Piccadilly Circus of the Cyclades. You can get to pretty much any other island from here but my memory of Paros was that it was well worth spending a week there (even though three days of that week was forced upon me by the meltemi) and this is the ideal place on which to start any island hopping activities. It has been said that Paros is beginning to 'go down the Ios path' but I believe it is a big enough island to cope with a few ravers. If you're not keen on the port-resort of Parikia, then try Naoussa in the north - these are the two main bases. Antiparos is worth nipping over to see and I understand you can now book accommodation there. The only site worth seeing is a spectacular cave in the south of the island, but there are some nice beaches and the one village has a really nice feel to it with a pleasant mix of clientele, even though it is slightly expensive and trendy. Sunville come here on domestic flights via Athens.

Paros Archaeological Museum

Sites:

Paroikia: Ancient Cemetery

Paroikia: Ancient Pottery Workshop

  Brennan, Fionnuala: On a Greek Island: A Personal Experience. "Many people dream of living on a beautiful island in the sun. Fionnualla Brennan realised that dream when she and her husband resigned their jobs in 1977 and took their two young children to live on a Greek island"
The island in question is Paros in the Cyclades. "Click the pic" to order through or secure on line service 

Map:

A very useful site to Paros is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on  Paros

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Santorini (Thera)

Probably the most photographed of all the Greek islands, the view from Santorini's capital, Fira, at sunset takes the breath away. Built into the hillside with stairs taking you down ( and a funicular railway taking you up!),Fira is a must-see destination. The restaurants and bars at the top of the hill charge a pretty penny but who can blame them. If you are interested in archaeology or ancient history one of the most important sites in Greece is to be found here. Slowly and painstakingly being excavated by Professor Doumas, continuing the work begun in the '60's by Professor Marinatos, is the 2nd millennium BC site at Akrotiri on the east coast, where they have already unearthed some absolutely magnificent wall paintings. There is a rather convincing theory that Santorini was the fabled Atlantis, which revolves around Solon's translations of the Egyptian dating system; apparently if you divide all of Solon's figures by a factor of around ten, you're on the right track. Because Solon had indicated that Atlantis submerged around 3000 years before the battle of Troy (13th century BC) - this would date the Atlantis story at around 4500BC. However, divide 3000 years by 10 to 300 years and you've found the date of the catastrophic eruption of Santorini almost to the day. Also worth seeing, to the north of the island is the village of Oia, which also has stunning views. The beaches are black because of volcanic activity and are perfect for sunbathing, though do beware that black absorbs light. So sunbathing time should be cut down. I have many a friend who has been badly sunburned on Santorini. Also well worth seeing are the beautiful views from Oia at sunset. Sunville come here on domestic flights via Athens.

Check out the Weather on the island of Santorini thanks to Yahoo.co.uk

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Archaeological Museum of Thera

Prehistoric Museum of Thera

Sites:

Akrotiri on Thera  

Ancient Thera   

...and with a remarkably similar front cover...

SANTORINI. Thirassia. An Island of Lava  Santorini is one of the Cycladic islands. with 172 colour illustations, ;13 maps and plans.   "Click the pic" to order through or secure on line service

   Mykonos, Santorini and the Cyclades  Mykonos, Santorini and the Cyclades by Dana Facaros
This is the book for you if you don't plan to stray off the Cycladic group. A shortened version of the book above, but just covering this group. Don't pay too much attention to the title. This is a good guide to all the Cyclades, not just Santorini and Mykonos

A very useful site to Santorini is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on Santorini

Serifos

Chora Castle

Traditional Settlement

A very useful site to Serifos is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical inform