The Cyclades have a wealth of beauty that can be enjoyed by everyone. Whatever your budget, from sunrise to sunset, nature’s treasures are free to enjoy.
Blue skies, sparkling seas, picturesque beaches and stunning views are what makes life on a Greek island such a gift. Some islands in the Cyclades also have that added bling, offering luxurious villas, fine dining, designer shops and a vibrant nightlife.
Where are the Cyclades?
The Cyclades are the group of islands located southeast of Athens, off the southernmost point of the mainland. There are 220 Greek islands and islets sprinkled across this part of the Aegean Sea. Only 24 of them are inhabited. The nearest to the mainland is Kea (40 minutes from Lavrio port) while Santorini, Anafi and Amorgos are the furthest away from the mainland.
The Cyclades covers a huge area, with the southernmost islands being some considerable distance away from those nearer the mainland. Santorini, for example, is around 147 miles (236 kilometres) from Piraeus Port. Ferry times range between four and a half hours and ten hours, depending on whether you catch the high-speed ferry or not. Whereas the journey from Rafina port to Andros takes less than two hours, and from Piraeus to Mykonos it’s just two hours and 40 minutes on a fast ferry. The distance between Mykonos and Santorini is approximately 109 kilometres (67.7 miles). Therefore, the recent seismic activity near Santorini didn’t affect Mykonos or Andros.
How will you arrive? Budget or bling?
Bling: You could fly to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos via Athens and Thessaloniki. Alternatively, these islands also receive some flights direct from other countries over the summer season. For example, British Airways has direct flights from London Heathrow to Mykonos on its 2025 summer schedule, with business class seats available. You can also arrive at Mykonos and Santorini by private jet or yacht.
Budget: Budget airline EasyJet, offers direct flights from London Gatwick direct to Mykonos and Santorini. At time of looking, they were offering fares in April from as little as £38.99 on some dates, while on others they were anything up to £192. So, it pays to be flexible and pick your dates carefully. If you are coming from a country without direct flights to Mykonos, you can choose to change at Athens, or possibly Munich, Paris or London. Smaller airports that receive domestic flights from Athens are found on Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros.
Flight or ferry?
When flying into Athens, you can also transfer to the islands by ferry. Ferries run year-round from all of Athens’ three ports, namely Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. On 26th February 2025, the economy fare on a conventional ferry from Rafina to Mykonos cost just €38, with a four-and-a-half-hour journey time. A flight from Athens with Aegean airlines on the same day cost €70, taking just 45 minutes. See Ferryscanner for more details.
How will you spend your days in the Cyclades?
Start the day well
Bling: You could start your day on the terrace of your own villa. After a dip in the pool, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, while taking in the sea views.
Budget: Wake up in a traditional whitewashed village house to the sound of bells from the local church. Take a stroll along to a nearby café to join the locals for a morning coffee, before heading to a market for some fresh fruit and vegetables for lunch. You could even call into a bakery for fresh pastries on your way back. Panakopita or tyropita?
Travel around the island
Bling: When you venture out for the day, you could book a taxi or hire a car. It’s also possible to charter yachts to sail around the islands. This is truly the best way to find good swimming spots. On Mykonos, water taxis also connect the town with the beaches. You can even arrive at the exclusive Nammos Mykonos resort by yacht, chauffeur driven car or land at Nammos Mykonos helipad. Mykonos and Santorini also have helipads. Therefore, you could charter a helicopter for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the islands. Popular day trips include Tinos Island for its rich culture and Naxos for its mythology.
Budget: On the islands of Santorini, Naxos and Paros you’ll find fairly good bus services. Other islands may only serve routes between main towns and tourist sights. However, the best way to explore the villages and beaches is to rent a car. Go to one of the compare websites to find the best prices. On 26th February 2025, a one-day rental started at just £8.91.
One of the most pleasurable ways to spend your time in the Cyclades is island hopping by ferry. The islands with big ports serve as hubs for the smaller islands around them. These hub islands include Syros, Tinos, Mykonos, Sifnos, Paros, Naxos, Milos and Santorini. For example, the ferry from Mykonos to Tinos takes just 35 minutes and costs from €10 each way.
Meet new people
Bling: The rich and famous head to the pristine private beaches of the most exclusive beach clubs. Here you can find VIP services and the possibility to relax on the beach and meet up with new friends for drinks or a gourmet meal. Mykonos hosts a selection of exclusive events, parties and social gatherings that provide the opportunity for celebrities to network and socialise.
Budget: Local people tend to be very friendly and generous to strangers whom they recognise are on a low budget, like themselves. Linger over a coffee with them, show an interest in their culture, and you will find some real gems that will offer advice on the cheapest places to buy food, places to visit and local festivals. In fact, food festivals are a great way to meet people, and you may even bump into other English speakers.
Explore the history of the islands
Bling: A pleasant morning can be spent at one of a treasure trove of historical sites in the Cyclades. These include the ancient theatre on Milos, which still hosts entertainment and social gatherings. Then there is Ancient Karthea on Kea, home to the doric temple of Athena dating back to the late 6th century BC. Or take a visit to Delos, one of the most important sanctuaries in ancient Greece. Today, the whole island of Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Budget: For those who love history, the islands are steeped in legends and mythology. There are many fantastic Greek ruins and venetian fortresses to explore. On Mykonos, you can also visit the archaeology and folklore museums, and a 15th-century complex of five interconnected churches. On Naxos the remains of a doorway from a temple to Apollo stands on the islet Palatia, and you can see the temple of Demeter, which has columns constructed of marble.
Go shopping
Bling: Mykonos is the place to go for luxury clothing boutiques. You will find prestigious designer labels, such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Chanel and Blumarine. Located five minutes from Mychonos Chora, is Nammos Village, which offers luxury and sophistication in a selection of exclusive boutiques. They sell jewellery and fragrances, as well as evening and holiday wear to add some bling to your holiday wardrobe. As you stroll around towns and villages, look out for galleries selling local artwork, pottery and crafts to add some Greek charm to your home.
Budget: As well as the supermarkets and minimarkets, you will find local farmers and fishermen selling produce and fish at outdoor markets. Often this is early in the morning, like the one on the harbourfront of Mykonos town. Some weekly markets also sell clothes – simply ask the locals where they go. Browsing the gift shops is another great pastime.
Two-bedroom Mykonos property on the sea for €550,000
A day at the beach
Bling: The Cyclades islands have a good selection of private beaches, with everything prepared for you to have a relaxing time on the beach (such as sunbeds, umbrellas, drinks and showers etc.) One of the most exclusive beaches on Mykonos is Frangias beach, as it is very private. If you are very fortunate, you might find your dream home a few steps from the sea.
Budget: You don’t have to pay out for a serviced beach – there are also plenty of free beaches on the Cyclades islands. When you own an island home, you are more likely to take your own umbrellas and beach towels down to the beach to enjoy the sun, sea and relaxation. Some of the best beaches are a little off the beaten track, but it’s really exciting when you find a secluded cove with no one on the beach. You will feel like the richest person in the world as you take in the beautiful tranquillity all to yourself!
Pamper yourself
Bling: From spa treatments to yoga and meditation sessions, there’s an array of wellness activities to promote physical and mental well-being. Luxury spas are mainly found on the bigger islands in hotels.
Budget: A one-hour massage can cost between €50 and €75 at a spa. But there are a few smaller places that offer massages at a lower price. The Dido shop on Andros sells homemade herbal creams and soaps, but they also offer tourists a rejuvenating massage or reflexology. After a long day walking around historic ruins, it is a welcome treat. Alternatively, lie on the beach and ask your partner to massage some suntan lotion on your back, then let the heat of the sun warm your skin into a pleasurable state of wellness.
Go for a walk
Bling: The islands have some beautiful villages, seafronts and inland scenery for pleasant walks. On Mykonos, there’s a fantastic beach path from Platis Gialos to Paradise Beach. You can stop for drinks and food along the way and catch a water taxi back. On Santorini there is a 10-kilometre cliff trail with stunning views.
Budget: On Naxos, there is a lovely walk through the Tragea Valley, and Paros has an old Byzantine path that runs from the village of Lefkes across to the east coast. Sifnos and Amorgos also have lovely places to walk. Even the lesser-visited islands have good areas to explore on foot, such as the circular path around Amorgos.
Watch the sunset
Bling: At the end of the day, relax with a sunset cocktail on the waterfront of Little Venice, Mykonos. This iconic area has bars and restaurants right on the water’s edge, plus charming waterfront houses with balconies suspended above the sea.
Budget: On all the islands, people walk outside to appreciate the beautiful sunsets. In remote areas, you can thoroughly enjoy the display without distraction and the glittering night sky that follows. Stargazing is particularly good on Naxos, which has minimal light pollution and frequent clear skies. So, just find a place to lie down and be amazed at the millions of shimmering stars.
Enjoy the nightlife
Bling: A-listers love the exclusive Mykonos nightclubs. Popstars Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande, film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Gerard Butler, and socialites Paris Hilton and Linsey Lohan, have all been spotted partying on Mykonos. There is even a Mykonos Party Concierge service to guide you to the best places. Top clubs include, Cavo Paradiso, which attracts world-renowned DJs to its beautiful island setting, with a pool, light shows and sea view. Other venues include Void, Nammos and Lio Mykonos, which offers a cabaret show with dancers, acrobats and international artists.
Budget: Pleasant evenings can be spent at family-run tavernas and bars. Venture to some of the inland villages for great food at reasonable prices. For an authentic Greek evening, attend a food or drink festival. These events bring people together to celebrate local produce such as potatoes, fish, honey, olive oil, raki, wine and traditional sweets. Often, the evening will include food, drink, music and Greek dancing.
Studio apartment on Tinos with sea view terrace for €220,000
Sleep in your own home
At the end of the day, nothing beats sleeping in your own bed, in your own house. When you buy a Greek island home, you will be able to live life at a slower pace, get up when you want, eat what you want and take a dip in the pool in total privacy.
In addition, a property purchase in the Cyclades is considered a good investment. Since 2016, property prices here have been gradually increasing each year. While the most popular tourist islands are nice to visit, the lesser-known islands still offer beautiful beaches, sparking blue waters, great food, amazing sunsets, charming villages and houses for sale at affordable prices.
Bling: There is a strong demand for luxury properties in the Cyclades. The most famous and luxurious of the Cyclades islands are Santorini and Mykonos. Paros and Naxos are also attracting a lot of interest.
Budget: Among the most affordable Cyclades islands are Andros, Tinos and Syros. On Tinos, you can still find a traditional village house needing renovation for less than €140,000 and a two-bedroom renovated apartment with sea views for around €220,000.
The most bling and budget Islands
Bling: Mykonos
Mykonos has a reputation for being the most “bling” Island, due to its luxury hotels, superb dining experiences, luxury shopping, beach resorts and lively nightclubs. Most of the action on Mykonos takes place on the west and south coasts in and around Mykonos Town. However, you can also find luxury villas in more tranquil surroundings. Elite areas to buy a villa include Agios Ioannis, Pouli and Aleomandra. For sea views, also consider Agios Lazaros, Agios Stefanos, Choulakia and Elia.
Budget: Andros
Just a one-to-two-hour ferry ride from Rafina is the island of Andros. With villages and holiday homes dotted around the island, it has maintained its quiet island charm. Hikers love the mountainous hinterland with its beautiful green valleys, fresh springs, waterfalls, historical sites and old watermills. Despite having beautiful beaches to suit everyone, the island isn’t overly touristy. The most beautiful village is Chora, which has several museums. Other lovely villages on the island are Batsi, Ormos and Gavrio, and you will find numerous tavernas to enjoy traditional Greek dishes.
Property prices are very affordable, with a two-bedroom house costing from €130,000. There are modern four-bedroom villas costing around €700,000, as well as homes with whitewashed walls, blue shutters, stone floors and wooden beams for around €200,000.
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