Cyclades
A Mediterranean archipelago of stone, sunlight and sparkling blue sea — with vineyards, ancient sites, and white cubist houses.
If you want to experience a wonderful fusion of stone, sunlight and sparkling blue sea, then a visit to the Cyclades islands is a must.
These islands form a Mediterranean archipelago where you can find vineyards, ancient sites and cubist houses. On visiting the Cyclades, you get to see ancient sites, lively nightlife, shops, restaurants, Byzantine castles and beautiful beaches.
One of the main attractions of the Cyclades is the white, mirage-like groups of houses that you find along blue waters and along cliffs and hillsides. The two towns of Oia and Fira in Santorini show typical Cyclades architecture where whitewashed houses are built on top of each other. Mykonos town is another architectural delight — square white houses found along maze-like streets that will really bewilder you.
Cyclades is the best place to visit for history lovers; there are numerous museums and archaeological sites where you learn more about the rich history of the islands.
The main Cycladic islands worth visiting
- Santorini — the iconic caldera and sunset.
- Mykonos — beaches, nightlife and whitewashed alleys.
- Naxos — biggest and most fertile, with long sandy beaches and mountain villages.
- Paros — perfect balance of beauty, food and atmosphere.
- Milos — moon-like rock formations and hidden coves.
- Sifnos — gastronomy capital of the Cyclades, with stunning food and quiet beaches.
- Folegandros — dramatic cliffs, almost no cars, magical sunsets.
- Tinos — a foodie island full of marble villages and Catholic pilgrimage sites.
- Amorgos — wild and remote, with the famous Monastery of Hozoviotissa clinging to a cliff.
Swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing, scuba diving and parasailing are all on offer — and hikers find Cyclades a haven thanks to ancient mule tracks linking the villages of every island.
