Cyclades Islands attractions

Before a violent volcanic eruption in 1650 BC, Thirassia was part of Santorini’s mainland and now the pretty islet lies just off its western coast. With small pretty beaches, blue-domed churches, ancient stone villages and a population of only about 200, the little island is a perfectly serene spot to visit.

Situated in Chora Mykonos (aka Mykonos Town), the waterfront quarter of Little Venice is one of the island’s top sunset-viewing spots. Rows of whitewashed old fishermen’s houses—now occupied by bars, shops, and restaurants—back onto the seafront, their brightly painted red and blue balconies jutting out over the water.

Recognized with the prestigious Blue Flag award, sweeping, golden Kalafatis Beach (often written Kalafati Beach is Mykonos’ water sports epicenter. Choose between activities from scuba diving to windsurfing to stand-up paddleboarding and water skiing—or soak up the rays on one of Mykonos’ quieter stretches of sand.

The cruise port of Mykonos offers easy access to both the town itself, called Chora, as well as the rest of the island and its sun-drenched beaches. Take time to get a little lost in the town’s maze of charming streets and traditional buildings full of shops, cafés, and restaurants before heading back to the ship or hotel.

The whitewashed windmills lined up on a hill overlooking Mykonos Town are a signature island sight. Capped with wood and straw, the 3-story conical windmills were built in the 16th century to mill flour. Out of the 16 preserved windmills on the island, seven are found in the area of Kato Mili overlooking the Chora Mykonos harbor.

Paradise Beach is one of Mykonos’ most well-known stretches of sand, with two main beach clubs offering umbrella and sunbed rentals. By day, this popular beach is a water sports hot spot, with swimsuit-clad revelers enjoying banana boat rides, Jet Ski jaunts, Flyboard and parasailing adventures, and scuba diving excursions. Come late afternoon, its legendary party scene gets going as fun-seekers flock to the beach bars and clubs for music, dancing, drinking, and fun.

Most visitors come to Ano Mera, in the interior of Mykonos, to see the Byzantine Panagia Tourliani Monastery, fronted by an ornate bell tower with triple bells. Its interior is perhaps even more impressive, with carved marble and wood, Byzantine frescoes, crystal chandeliers, a gilded pulpit, and a wooden altar screen with scenes from the New Testament.

One of the most-visited Greek islands, crescent-shaped Santorini is served by multiple cruise lines. While the island has two ports, the Port of Santorini (Athinios Port)—located midway along the island on the caldera side—is the only one that serves passenger liners. Athinios connects Santorini to Athens and islands such as Mykonos, Milos, and Therasia.

A rocky promontory jutting into the caldera, Skaros Rock soars 65 feet (20 meters) into the sky, cutting a striking silhouette that can be seen as far as Fira and Oia. One of Santorini’s most memorable natural features, this black lava-rock cliff is an ideal vantage point for admiring the sunset over the Aegean Sea and Kameni islands.

Stretching for around 3 miles (5 kilometers), dark-sand Kamari Beach is sandwiched between the blue Aegean waters and the mountain peak of Mesa Vouno. With a bar- and restaurant-lined promenade behind it and lots of facilities nearby, it’s one of the best places to park yourself for a day of relaxation.

White Door Theatro performs itsGreek Wedding Show, Santorini’s top theatrical performance, in the courtyard of a historic building in central Fira. The interactive show casts the audience as guests at a traditional 1940s Greek wedding, complete with song, dance, and plate smashing. The ticket price includes local wine and meze snacks.

Winding through whitewashed villages and rugged Mediterranean landscapes, the clifftop Fira to Oia hike is one of Greece’s most beautiful walks. The trail links Fira, Santorini’s postcard-perfect capital, with Oia, a village known for its sunset views, and takes you along the rim of the sunken crater of the island’s dormant volcano. For most trekkers, every inch of the 6.5-mile (10.5-kilometer) trek is worth it.

Tucked away from the buzzing nightlife of Mykonos Town, Ornos Beach is draped around a sheltered bay whose calm water makes it a popular family swimming spot. A generous selection of seafront restaurants, tavernas, and resorts offer plenty of amenities for a day in the sun or a longer stay on the island’s quieter side.

With gleaming white-and-blue buildings perched on a clifftop overlooking the glittering Aegean Sea, Fira (or Thera) is every bit the postcard star of Santorini. The island capital, the main port of call for holidaymakers, is famous for its stunning views, lively nightlife, and archaeological museums.

Set on the island’s highest hilltop, Santorini’s ancient capital was once a thriving center of commerce and culture. Today, visitors can enjoy views of the Aegean while walking among ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras, including a central agora, temples, porticoed administrative buildings, and an impressive theater.

On an island ringed by postcard-perfect beaches, Kleftiko Beach stands out as the most spectacular. Set on the southwest corner of Milos, this stretch of coastline dazzles with white cliffs and sea stacks rising directly from the cobalt Aegean Sea. Explore the coastal caves where pirates once lurked, dive into the crystalline waves, and try to spot basking monk seals.

The tiny Cycladean island of Delos is home to a UNESCO-listed archaeological site with excavated remains of classical temples, villas, palaces, amphitheaters, and baths. Admire the mosaics, statuary, bronze reliefs, and other treasures unearthed at the site inside the nine galleries of the adjacent Delos Archaeological Museum.

Looking out over the Old Port and marking the entrance to historic Mykonos Town, Manto Mavrogenous Square (Plateia Manto Mavrogenous) is the lively epicenter of the island of Mykonos. The square boasts shops, restaurants, and cafes along its seafront promenade, while its white-painted, blue-shuttered buildings make for a pretty photo op.

A small but impossibly photogenic port, backed by volcanic, red-hued cliffs, Amoudi Bay offers views across to rugged Thirasia and up to Oia, which teeters on the caldera edge. Catamarans come and go, waterfront tavernas serve up the catch of the day, and you can hike to a small beach with an islet cliff jumpers love.

The Terrace of the Lions, built around 600 BC to honor Apollo, is today the most iconic image of Delos island. Nearly a dozen of the squatting guardian cats once lined the Sacred Way, but only seven have survived. The ones you see today perched atop piles of brick and rubble are replicas; see the originals in the site’s museum.

Blue-flag and black-sand, Perissa Beach is one of Santorini’s most popular stretches of sand. About 20 minutes from Fira, the capital, this idyllic spot comes loaded with amenities, from beach chairs to seaside cafes to views of ancient Thera on a nearby mountaintop. Perhaps more importantly, Perissa also offers routinely calm conditions, crystal-clear waters, and plenty of room to roam.

Named for the Saracen pirates who once used this stretch of coast as a strategic lair, Sarakiniko Beach is one of the most striking on Milos, with a lunar landscape featuring smooth white-stone ridges, craters, and arches. Today, swimmers and sunbathers arriving by pleasure boat have replaced marauders and the beach is one of the top attractions on the island.

Famed for attracting the rich and famous, Psarou Beach is one of the trendiest (and prettiest) on the island of Mykonos. Superyachts moor in the emerald waters just offshore, while luxury beach clubs line the water’s edge. Set in a deep cove, this dazzling beach is sheltered from the winds, so the sea remains calm and crystal clear even on blustery days.

More than 400 steps lead down to Antiparos Cave, an otherworldly cave on Antiparos’ southern peninsula. Those who make the long trek down are rewarded with sights of historic stalagmites and stalactites—one is believed to be around 45 million years old—plus ancient inscriptions, believed to date back to the Neolithic period, and incredible views of the Aegean sea below and across the water to Paros.

Named after the whitewashed chapel perched above, Agios Ioannis Beach is considered one of the best along Mykonos' southwestern coast. With its fine sand lapped by transparent water, this stretch of coastline is ideal for swimming and sunbathing, and its relatively remote location guarantees a quieter vibe. The beach offers sunset views with the island of Delos on the horizon.

One of the most expansive sand-covered beaches on the island of Mykonos, Kalo Livadi Beach is a paradise for sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts. The lively beach bars attract a younger crowd while families flock to this popular beach for the calm, shallow water. Rent an umbrella and beach chair, or take a spot on the public beach for hours of relaxation.

The tiny uninhabited island of Despotiko, southwest of Antiparos, is home to a fascinating set of ancient Greek ruins that once formed a sanctuary devoted to Apollo. For the archaeologists who continue excavating it, the site is a veritable treasure trove of finds; for everyday visitors, it’s a quieter alternative to the better-known relics on Delos, and a place to discover lesser-seen beaches like Livaldi.

Hugged by volcanic cliffs, Firiplaka Beach (Paralia Firiplaka) is one of the top spots for a beach break on Milos. This long stretch of soft sand and turquoise water along the south side of the island has shallow water and is sheltered from the winds, making it ideal for sun seekers of all ages.

Firopotamos Beach is one of the most picturesque spots on Milos to take a dip, thanks to its perfectly transparent water, traditional white-and-blue houses lining the shore, and steep coastal cliffs bookending its bay. Located within striking distance of the island’s main town of Plaka, this charming cove is ideal for a quick swim or a day at the seaside far from the crowds.

If you prefer your beaches on the wild side, add Agios Santos Beach (Paralia Sostis) on the southern peninsula of Antiparos island to your itinerary. Unmanaged and unspoiled, the beach itself is a mere dash of golden sand, fronted by a startling turquoise sea with calm water, which is ideal for snorkeling away from the crowds.