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How did the Cyclades get their name?
- Deriving their name from the word ‘kyklos,’ meaning ‘circle,’ the Cyclades islands surround the sacred island of Delos.
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What makes the Cyclades a popular destination?
- The Cyclades are the most popular and visited group of islands in the Greek Isles.
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What are the Cyclades best known for?
- The islands are famous for their beautiful white beaches, iconic whitewashed clifftop villages with stunning views, and winding cobblestone alleyways.
- Visitors can admire the blue-domed churches and historic hilltop windmills that add to the islands' charm.
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1. Andros
Explore lush landscapes or visit charming villages rich in history.
The northernmost island of the Cyclades with a rich naval tradition, Andros is lush and green in the south with fertile plains, lush vegetation, and abundantly flowing streams and scorched and barren in the north with mountain ranges and rocky coastlines lined with spectacular white sandy beaches. The capital of the island, Hóra and features an interesting combination of medieval, neoclassical and island-style architecture, narrow cobblestones streets, shady tree-lined squares, and quaint churches. Hóra is home to famous Greek captains and ship owners, and the island has long been the holiday haunt of wealthy Athenian shipping families.
2. Amorgos
Discover stunning cliffside views or go diving in crystal-clear waters.
Dramatically rugged, the small island of Amorgos is narrow and long with spectacular beaches, scenic bays, rugged caves, ideal spots for diving, and ancient footpaths leading through steep rocky terrain. Parts of the island soar high above sea level, boasting breathtaking views out over the Archipelago, and the island is famous for being the location where the famous freediving movie, The Big Blue, was shot in 1988. Inhabited from as early as 3,300 BC, Amorgós has a long cultural history and tradition and warm and welcoming locals that greet you with a smile.
3. Anafi
Visit secluded beaches or explore dramatic hiking trails with breathtaking scenery.
The remote island of Anafi is the southernmost island of the Cyclades and is a paradise of spectacular natural beauty with footprint-free white sandy beaches, gin-clear waters, and a few ancient ruins. Visitors reach the island through the bay of Ayios Nikolaos, over which the picturesque village (Hóra) stands, built on the ruins of a Venetian castle as an amphitheater and featuring narrow stone-paved alleys and whitewashed dome-roofed houses and narrow stone-paved alleys. Greek Mythology has it that Anáfi gave shelter to the Argonauts.
4. Antiparos
Go cave exploring or visit pristine beaches perfect for a peaceful retreat.
Lying southwest of Páros, the tiny islet of Antiparos is ideal for a relaxing escape from the bustling and busy island of Páros. Once connected to Páros by a causeway, the little island can now be reached from the west coast resort of Poúnda or Parikía by boat. Known as Oliaros in ancient times, Antíparos has several beautiful beaches and the massive Cave of Antíparos on Ayios Ioánnis Hill, which was discovered during the reign of Alexander the Great and boasts a breathtaking array of stalactites and stalagmites. The main town (Hóra) of Antíparos is built around a 15th century Venetian castle and features charming stone-paved streets, whitewashed houses decorated with blossoming pink and purple bougainvillea and an enchanting central square with shady eucalyptus trees.
5. Delos
Explore ancient ruins or visit one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites.
Surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea, just a few miles away from cosmopolitan Mykonos, the tiny, uninhabited Delos is one of the most important archeological sites in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ionians arrived in 1,000 BC, and by 700 BC, Delos was a major religious center and later became a thriving commercial port, particularly in the third and second centuries BC. The ark of history is now an open-air archaeological museum with mosaics and marble ruins covered in blooming wildflowers in spring, offering visitors the chance to walk around the revival of the glory of the Greek civilization.
6. Donoussa
Discover untouched beaches or go snorkeling in turquoise waters.
Donoussa is the northernmost island of the Small Eastern Cyclades and is the perfect place to get away from it. The tiny island is just over eight square miles and boasts magnificent and empty sandy beaches, rugged landscapes crisscrossed with low stone walls, and spectacular caves like Spiliá Tíchou (Cave of the Wall) with its beautiful stalactite formations, and Fokospiliá (seal cave), on the eastern coast of the island. The island is also known for its unique Greek culinary delights such as soúvli, a cream made of barley, a type of pasta called aranistá, honey-dipped spiral pastries known as kserotíyana, prickly pear jam and rakí made of dried figs.
7. Folegandros
Visit charming hilltop villages or explore rugged coastal cliffs.
Named after the son of King Minos, Folegandros is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Cyclades and captivates visitors with its stunning white sandy beaches, gin-clear waters, and beautiful architecture. Traditionally a place of exile, the remote and off-the-beaten-track island is popular with artists and photographers for its towering cliffs, terraced fields, wild, untamed landscapes, and charming towns. The capital town of the island (Hóra) features sugar-cube whitewashed houses showcasing traditional Cycladic architecture, balconies draped with beautiful bougainvillea, winding cobblestone streets, and high on a hill above the sea is the Venetian castle Kástro.
8. Ios
Go beach hopping or explore vibrant nightlife in this lively island paradise.
Ios (meaning flower) or Niós, as the locals call it, is one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades. In ancient times, Íos was covered in oak woods, which were later used for shipbuilding. The Ionians built cities at the port of Gialós and Íos town, which were later used as Venetian strongholds. The island is also known as the burial place of Homer, and an annual festival celebrating Homer is held in May every year. Mountainous coastlines are lined with stunning white sandy beaches and over 400 quaint and blue-domed chapels, traditional villages have picturesque arcade-covered alleys, snow-white little houses, and ancient windmills, and the island is renowned for its nightlife.
9. Iraklia
Discover hidden caves or visit tranquil beaches away from the crowds.
Iraklia is a tiny island at the western edge of the Small Eastern Cyclades with just two villages Ayios Georgios (by the harbor) and Panayia, and only 115 residents. The island has rolling hills with dense vegetation, scenic bays with crystalline waters and caves boasting impressive stalactites and Cycladic remains. The waters around the island are home to the marine turtle Caretta caretta, and the Mediterranean seal Monachus monachus and the simplicity of Irakliá’s scenic nature makes it the perfect spot for an idyllic getaway from it all.
10. Kea
Explore scenic hiking trails or visit ancient ruins scattered across the island.
Kea, also called Tzia, is a favorite spot wealthy Athenians due to its proximity to Athens. The island boasts rugged mountains and fertile valleys, rolling fields and olive groves, patchwork vineyards, off-the-beaten-track beaches, and picturesque coves. Home to the largest oak forest in the Cyclades, the island is ideal for bird-watching and hiking, and geologists will delight in the many small caves in Áyios Timótheos and Kálamos. Nestled in the center of the island, the picturesque capital town of Ioulis is built on the ancient city-state by the same name and features charming ceramic-tile roofed houses, winding cobbled streets, arched passages, and lovely squares. Kéa has been known since ancient times for its wine, almonds, and honey.
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