I spent simply shy of two months journey round Greece within the summer time of Coronavirus. Touring throughout COVID was fairly the expertise however I’m very blissful I used to be in a position to do it particularly because the quantity of vacationers was a fraction of regular instances. I visited the Ionian islands (Zakynthos and Kefalonia) in addition to the capital of Athens earlier than transferring to the Cyclades.
I spent most of my time touring by way of the Cycladic islands visiting ten totally different islands and subsequently buying a ton of information about what to anticipate from touring within the islands.
It was fairly the particular expertise visiting these iconic islands with their impossibly picturesque white homes, blue doorways, cobblestone streets, and pink bougainvillea timber. Hopefully you’ll get pleasure from it as a lot as I did and I hope this information helps you alongside your means!
What are the islands within the Cyclades
As you’d anticipate, there are a ton of islands within the Cyclades. There are such a lot of islands which might be inhabited and uninhabited that it will take you a lot months to go to all of them.
I used to be in a position to go to ten of them and felt like I bought an excellent style of it.
In whole there are the next islands:
The islands with hyperlinks are those I visited and subsequently you possibly can learn my detailed guides for every of these islands in case you are planning a visit your self!
Sifnos Castro District
When is the most effective time to go to the Cyclades
The Cyclades has very favorable climate with a light local weather 12 months spherical. The summers are scorching however by no means overly so since you at all times have the ocean breeze and the winters are by no means tremendous chilly. It rains little or no within the Cyclades with hardly any rain in any respect in the summertime months.
Climate within the Cyclades
The Greek islands get pleasure from a really snug local weather 12 months spherical. The islands do have seasons however they aren’t excessive in that winters are by no means tremendous chilly and supers usually are not tremendous scorching (however nonetheless scorching). It doesn’t get very humid right here and the quantity of rain per 12 months is minimal in comparison with different elements of Europe. 
As I visited throughout the summer time months, it was 30-35 levels throughout the day and 25 levels at evening. Within the fall and spring, you possibly can nonetheless anticipate temperatures to be within the 20-25 vary with loads of solar. Within the winter months (if you happen to resolve to come back throughout off season), the temperature continues to be a snug 15-20 levels throughout the day however with extra clouds and better likelihood of rain.
In the summertime months, it will probably get tremendous windy and for days at a time. In Mykonos, I believed my helmet would rip off my head at instances whereas driving my ATV.
Peak Season within the Cyclades
The height months are from the top of June to the top of August. These are the months the place the islands could be extraordinarily filled with vacationers from everywhere in the world coming in together with cruise ships.
Anticipate crowds always of the 12 months in Santorini
The costs are additionally the most costly throughout these months as a lot of the income generated on this interval subsidize the dearth of earnings within the different months. If you happen to’re searching for a celebration and to be with numerous totally different folks, then that is your interval to go to. Eating places will likely be packed, seashores will likely be busy, and there will likely be loads of life right here so that you can get pleasure from.
Or come to a spot like Amorgos the place it’s peace and quiet on a regular basis.
If you’re extra into the concept of getting a seashore to your self or exploring with out the crowds, completely keep away from coming in the summertime months. Particularly keep away from coming throughout the center of August across the vacation of the Virgin Mary. Your entire mainland of Greece clears out and goes to the islands and these locations grow to be completely packed. That is the most costly time to go to as nicely.
One of the best time to go to the Cyclades
I traveled across the Cyclades throughout the time of Coronavirus and within the peak summer time months. For probably the most half, it was by no means overwhelming as a result of worldwide tourism outdoors of the EU is essentially non-existent. It was nonetheless busy particularly in August, however was by no means excessive for me. Nevertheless, in future years, I believe I’d keep away from coming to the islands in the summertime months, particularly extremely touristy locations like Mykonos and Santorini.
Questioning the streets in Mykonos
It’s merely means an excessive amount of of a catastrophe throughout the months of July and August to even take into consideration visiting. Not solely do you pay 50% extra, however you’re basically going to a music competition for that extra cash.
One of the best instances to go to the islands in my view are mid September to early November, and the months of April and Might. The climate continues to be very nice within the fall and spring however not overly scorching. Swimming could be too chilly for some in these instances however that’s a small worth for me to pay as I’m not obsessive about the seashores in Greece anyhow. In abstract, keep away from visiting the Cyclades in the summertime months just like the plague.
Getting round within the Cyclades
Getting between the islands, or island hopping is all executed by way of the ferry system.
On the brink of disembark the ferry
There’s a very complete ferry system within the Greek islands, particularly within the Cyclades as there are such a lot of of them. I took at least ten totally different ferries whereas island hopping as a result of that’s actually the one strategy to get round. There isn’t a strategy to fly between island to island however fairly solely common flights from Athens to islands with airports like Milos, Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini, and Paros.
Ferries within the Cyclades
Don’t fear, the ferries are greater than succesful and a few of them are literally fairly luxurious. Every island has its port city (or cities if you happen to’re in Amorgos) and there are common ferries that join the island to different islands.
View of Serifos from the ferry
I’ve written a really complete information about Greek ferries so ensure that to learn that in case you are eager on an island hopping journey!
The White Cycladic Homes
In a lot of the Cycladic islands, homes have been painted white to replicate the tough summer time solar. So, it began for let’s say “bioclimatic” or “ecological” causes, to make homes slightly extra warmth resistant, with the data folks had on the time. All Cycladic island homes have been fairly nicely insulated, though with primitive means — partitions have been constructed with stone (enduring warmth and chilly very nicely ) whereas roofs (vaulted or not) have been insulated too, with a mix of wooden, mud, hay, and pozolanic (volcanic ash) cement.
Have a look at that stunning home!
One factor to notice is that partitions weren’t painted with white paint, since white paint was fabricated and mass-produced all world wide,solely after 1905 – 1915. As a substitute, asbestos was used to supply an nearly white shade. It was additionally used as an inexpensive materials for a lot of different functions, like portray tree trunks to kill pests, making the sides of pavements extra seen, ornamenting small roads, and many others. This was NOT the case in Santorini however in most different Cycladic islands.
And extra lovely white homes in Folegandros
Okay I believe you get the concept (in Milos Plaka)
When is the most effective time to take photographs?
No journey to the Greek islands is full with out taking some superb photographs of the whitewashed stone homes, the cobblestone streets, and the pink Bougainvillea flowers.
i took so many photographs, noticed so many villages that basically simply look the identical however it by no means bought outdated!
A variety of shadows throughout the early morning (Mykonos Island)
One of the best time to take photographs of those villages are in the course of the day. It’s because you need the white of the buildings to actually present and that is greatest when the solar is at its peak. Additionally, when the solar is at its highest level, there are much less shadows on the partitions of the buildings which permit for higher photographs in my view. Typically, there is not going to be many individuals strolling round in the course of the day both as most individuals will likely be on the seashore because it’s too scorching to be strolling outdoors.
However a lot better throughout the day time! In Amorgos Chora
After all, there isn’t any dangerous time to take photographs and they are going to be Instagram worthy regardless, however these are my ideas. Courageous the warmth and get the most effective photographs!
Or this lovely pink home in Marpissa
Getting round once you’re on the island
When you’ve made it to the island, how do you get round? Whereas the islands are principally fairly small, it’s not tiny sized like Caye Caulker in Belize the place you possibly can stroll or bicycle across the complete island briefly time. Even the smallest of the Cyclades in Folegandros is round 10km by 3km which is way too massive to stroll.
Public Transportation
Each island has a public bus that can take you between factors of pursuits. Normally these are the primary cities within the island in addition to among the extra widespread seashores. In Folegandros for instance, there was actually just one city of curiosity so the bus stopped in any respect the assorted seashores within the island. Along with the bus, there was additionally a public ferry that took passengers between seashores, a lot of that are tough to entry by land.
The buses are old skool however they’re dependable and low cost. They usually don’t come fairly often (possibly as soon as an hour) so if you happen to miss it, you may be ready for fairly a while. I paid round €1.50 to €2.00 per experience after I did take the buses. If you happen to’re two folks, then it’s truly cheaper to only hire a scooter since a spherical journey bus for 2 folks will likely be €Eight or so which is about half of what a scooter prices per day.
Renting a scooter in Greece
Renting a scooter can in all probability take up its personal weblog put up with all of the intricacies round. I’ll attempt to preserve it easy.
Scootering in Greece
By far the easiest way to see the islands is by scooter. I rented a scooter on just about each island I went to (ATV on a number of) as a result of like I mentioned, there’s simply no higher strategy to do it!
A scooter is kind of low cost, makes use of little or no gasoline, is small so parking is rarely a difficulty, and is quick sufficient since you by no means journey greater than 70 km/h on the islands anyway.
To be able to hire a scooter in Greece, you should have an EU drivers license or an worldwide drivers license with motorbike endorsement. Whereas different nations could also be lax about these guidelines, Greece doesn’t fiddle. They implement and test this with out fail. In case you have an American drivers license for instance with none worldwide allow add-on, you’ll not hire a scooter full cease.
In case you have an EU drivers license, you will have the AM, A1, or A designations (test the again of the cardboard). Which one you have got will decide the scale of the motorcycle you possibly can hire.
- AM – 50cc solely
- A1 – As much as 125cc
- A2/A – You may hire a motorbike at this level so any scooter will do you fantastic
I solely have the AM which implies I can solely hire the 50cc scooters. I did have one store in Milos by some means misinterpret my license and gave me a 125cc as a substitute. Undecided in the event that they deliberately did that or if I simply bought fortunate.
Scooters in Greece value roughly €15 per day for a 50cc and €20 for a 125cc within the peak summer time months. In off season, you possibly can anticipate a 25% discount in worth. Costs could be negotiated slightly bit however usually they’re set as a result of the businesses don’t wish to interact in a worth battle to the underside with one another.
50cc vs 125cc scooters
If you’re one particular person, a 50cc is sufficient. The scooters are small however highly effective sufficient to get you the place it is advisable go. I had 50cc more often than not and will rise up hills with out situation. On the steepest of hills, it maxed out at 30 km/h. For 2 folks, 50cc is borderline too weak. I believe for flat surfaces it will be okay however you’re risking it in case you are going up a steep hill.
A 125cc will likely be greater than sufficient for 2 folks in any circumstance.
Hire an ATV in Greece
If you happen to don’t have a moto license or any kind, you possibly can nonetheless hire an ATV. Nevertheless, the identical applies with worldwide drivers allow. In case you have a Non-EU drivers license, you possibly can solely hire an ATV if in case you have a global allow. In any other case, if in case you have an EU license, you simply want the B class which is for automobiles to drive an ATV.
ATV and having fun with the sundown
I rented an ATV in Mykonos and it was loads of enjoyable I need to say. Since they’re much larger machines, you’ll wish to hire at the least the 170cc machines. These are a lot quick sufficient for the islands and may do hills no drawback even with two folks. Some locations hire 50cc ATVs however I’d not mess with these as they are going to be questionably sturdy sufficient for 1 particular person and completely not sturdy sufficient for 2 folks. I’ve heard of {couples} pushing the rattling factor up a hill. If you happen to’re feeling like a boss, you possibly can go for the 400cc ATVs which might go previous 100km/h however you’ll by no means attain that pace on the islands anyhow.
The worth for a 170cc ATV is roughly €30-35/day within the excessive season with a strong low cost within the off season.
Do it is advisable communicate Greek?
The brief and lengthy reply isn’t any. Greek residents are required from a younger age to be taught English and it exhibits off nicely. The youthful technology and even a lot of the older technology can communicate English very nicely. As you’re additionally touring to the Cyclades which caters to a great deal of vacationers from everywhere in the world, folks will communicate English no drawback.
After all, it by no means hurts to be taught some native phrases. And by phrases I imply easy phrases. After two months, the extent of my vocabulary was nonetheless simply
Yassos – Howdy
Kalimera – Good morning
Kalmispera – Good Afternoon/night
Efkaristo – Thank You
Yamas – Cheers
Opa! – Used for every thing it apepars.
Consuming Water within the Cyclades
In contrast to the capital Athens, and possibly a lot of the mainland the place ingesting water is completely drinkable, no faucet water is drinkable within the Cyclades islands. This was a little bit of a shock to me however each resort and guesthouse will let you know to not drink the native water.
Truck stuffed with water bottles delivering to the retailers on the islands
This implies you may be consistently shopping for bottles of water on the native grocery retailer or mini market.
Whereas that is annoying, the water may be very low cost right here as I might get a 6 pack of 1.5L water for €2-3.
What’s the funds for the Cyclades Journey
A visit to the Cyclades isn’t low cost. If you happen to’re an avid backpacker or funds traveler, the Cyclades particularly in the summertime months is not going to be sort to you. Whereas it’s not costly per se, it’s in all probability one of the costly elements of Greece to journey to. You must keep in mind; small island, imports every thing, numerous vacationers, greater costs.
Consuming wine and having fun with the views
However, there are tons of funds choices out there and even hostels on the larger islands like in Mykonos. Some islands like in Sifnos even supply a tenting choice for €15 an evening.
Touring in the summertime months
If you happen to’re touring in the summertime months, I’d put together to spend extra because it’s the excessive season and every thing will value extra. Assuming you wish to keep in a midway first rate lodging, hire a scooter, and benefit from the Greek meals outdoors of gyros and souvlaki, I’d funds one thing like this:
- Lodging: €50-100 an evening
- Scooter: €15-20 per day
- Meals and drinks: €25-50 per day
This implies it’s best to funds anyplace from €85 to €170 per day. After all you possibly can spend a lot much less if you happen to don’t wish to hire any scooters and eat gyros daily (they’re solely €2.50 or so every). Nevertheless, I believe the lodging are the primary stumbling block as a result of there are simply not that many low cost choices.
If you’re finally two folks, you possibly can anticipate to spend much less on the lodging since you possibly can break up it. Nicer Airbnbs could be had for €150 an evening throughout the excessive season and I by no means spent greater than €50 for a dinner with two. After all, add in some sundown cocktails and the works and your funds will enhance shortly.
Or you possibly can blow your complete funds at a spot like this in Mykonos that comesm with €18 cocktails
€18 not sufficient for you? How about €22 at this epic bar in Mykonos
Touring within the shoulder seasons
If you happen to journey throughout Spring or Autumn, the lodging will likely be less expensive. Yow will discover some legit choices for considerably much less. Meals and drinks will nonetheless be the identical however your scooter or ATV rental will likely be a very good deal cheaper.
As a solo traveler, you might in all probability get away with spending €60 on the low finish, however €100 a day will likely be fairly snug.
Ultimately, the Greek islands do not need a backpacker vibe like say in Caye Caulker, Belize. It’s extra catered to households and wealthier purchasers as a result of let’s face it, they need the cash!
What number of days to spend in an island?
Effectively the fitting reply is so long as it is advisable actually get a really feel for the island. After all, that is totally different for everybody and in case you are time constraint like the remainder of us, then that is additionally an enormous situation.
After visiting a dozen islands round Greece, I believe the fitting quantity is someplace between three to 5 nights. After all extra nights can also be welcome however fewer than Three nights per island isn’t doing it justice in my view.
The larger islands like Zakynthos and Kefalonia positively warrant 4 or 5 nights simply as a result of sheer dimension. Smaller islands like Mykonos, or Folegandros could be seen in three nights with out situation.
Ultimately it actually relies on what you’re after. If you happen to simply wish to stroll across the villages and see the primary sights, then two nights might even be sufficient. If you happen to actually wish to take it a extra cheap tempo, see the primary websites, and revel in your keep, then at the least Three nights.
All the time anticipate to eat nicely on the islands
The larger islands like Paros and Naxos are in all probability higher served with 4 nights in my view simply because there’s a lot extra to see.
Go to the Seashores of the Cyclades
The seashores within the Cyclades are well-known world wide. Nevertheless, I’m not loopy in regards to the seashores right here. I went to numerous seashores however they’re usually my model. Most seashores get very busy in the summertime months and lots of are the sunbed and umbrella model seashores the place you possibly can see the sunbeds for miles. Maybe I’ve simply grow to be too spoiled touring the world and visiting sandbanks within the Maldives!
Lovely seashores in Milos
The seashores themselves are good however nothing out of this world. Some seashores are sandy, others are pebbly, and others are simply rocky. The water shade is deep and exquisite however it’s nothing I’d write dwelling about. The truth is, the most effective seashores in Greece I visited have been in Crete and the Ionian islands of Kefalonia and Zakynthos. However, many many individuals come right here only for the seashores and love the sunbed scene so if that is your model, you then’ll like it.
Or this seashore in Ios
The place to remain within the islands
One other loopy subjective query that isn’t a one reply for all. There are not any scarcity of lodging on these islands for any worth stage. It actually simply relies on what you’re after.
Keep in a stupendous cycladic home like this
Need ocean views? A villa? or a typical cute Cycladic home? Or you’re broke and wish to remain on the most cost-effective lodging doable? All of it relies on what you’re after.
Or a spot with a view like this one in Santorini
Sometimes, if you happen to’re a solo traveler, I’d suggest staying in the primary city, or the Chora in lots of the islands (some islands have a special title for his or her major city). It’s because all of the eating places, bars, and usually cute Cycladic streets will likely be in these cities so that you don’t must go far. It’s not at all times the most affordable choice to remain within the Chora however there’s normally moderately priced choices.
The Choras of the islands are usually positioned away from the primary port. It’s because in olden instances, the inhabitants of the island most popular to construct their cities excessive up within the mountains away from plain sight so to guard themselves from pirate assaults. The one cities which have their Chora as the primary port city are Naxos and Mykonos.
What to eat within the Cyclades?
Ah surely one in every of my favourite topics. Let’s simply preserve this brief lets? You’ll:
- Eat Greek meals
- Haven’t any scarcity of scrumptious choices
The meals in Greece is one in every of my favourite issues in regards to the nation. The elements are extremely contemporary, scrumptious, wholesome, and above all very inexpensive. The Cyclades presents all the most effective that Greek delicacies has together with many native twists. It’s secure to say that each meal I had began off with a Greek salad, which might be the one motive I felt good throughout my journey since I consumed all my every day beneficial quantity of greens in a single meal.
Octopus Drying in Milos
I adopted this with both contemporary seafood, lamb chops, souvlaki, or no matter appeared interesting on the menu that day. Greek delicacies has a lot selection that I by no means bought bored with it.
Wonderful seafood at Medousa
The truth is, I believe I had Greek meals for just about each meal throughout my two months as a result of there weren’t many different choices and why would I deviate?
Basically, the price of meals within the Cyclades is barely greater than the mainland as a result of it’s far more touristy, and so they should import a lot stuff because the Cyclades islands are small and customarily not so arable. Whereas the islands will develop native livestock, most different elements have to be imported.
Greek salad, the most effective invention within the culinary world.
For lunch and dinner, I’d typically pay round €15-20 for myself and this would come with a half sized Greek salad (in the event that they provided it), a major, and a glass of wine. If you happen to’re two folks, then you possibly can actually get probably the most bang for the buck as a half liter of wine is often €4-6, a Greek salad can be €6-8, and mains have been round €10-15. I by no means spent greater than €50 for 2 folks and this may be fairly a feast. After all, yow will discover these fancier locations particularly in Mykonos, Santorini, or Paros the place you possibly can spend €100 per particular person however why trouble when Greek tavernas are already so scrumptious?
On the funds facet, Greece stands above the group as a result of their gyro is among the greatest avenue meals innovations ever. Sliced pork or rooster meat, together with contemporary veggies, tzatziki all wrapped in a heat pita is a transparent winner. Better of all? These would value between €2.50-€Three which implies you possibly can eat tremendous low cost if you need and nonetheless not sacrifice on style or high quality. My lunches would typically be a gyro pita with further souvlaki meat skewers and I’d pay €5-6 for lunch daily. Complete bliss.
Anyhow, did I miss something? In all probability. Let me know if you happen to’re planning a visit and have extra questions within the feedback!
Proceed Studying:
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