A Cyclades Island Hopping Route: Two Weeks Across the Aegean

• Days 1 to 7: Paros
• Naoussa, Lefkes, beaches and marble quarries, with a day trip to Antiparos and optional visit to Naxos.
• Day 8: Paros to Mykonos
• Direct ferry (30 minutes to 1.5 hours) and transfer to your villa.
• Days 8 to 14: Mykonos
• Mykonos Town, nightlife, beaches, Ano Mera, and a day trip to Delos.
• Departure
• Fly from Mykonos or continue your onward journey.

Arriving on Paros

Most journeys to Paros begin with an international flight into Athens, followed by a short domestic flight of around 40 minutes to Paros National Airport, placing you on the island with minimal friction.

Paros is also well connected by sea, with regular ferry routes linking it to Athens and neighbouring Cycladic islands. High-speed crossings from Piraeus take around three hours, while slower ferries extend the journey to four or five, offering a more unhurried approach across the Aegean. 

In the summer months, additional departures run from Rafina, closer to Athens International Airport. Most services arrive in Parikia, the island’s main port and a natural starting point for exploring.

Staying in Paros

Paros is the ideal first stop for your Cyclades island-hopping route; there’s a wealth of culture and history to absorb, with seamless connections to many lesser-known islands and hidden gems. Here are some of the finest luxury villas in Paros you can book for your trip:

Paros is often considered one of the more authentic islands in the Cyclades, offering a broad appeal that draws in all ages and inclinations, from lively coastal scenes to quieter, more culturally-rooted experiences.

Naoussa

On the north coast, the harbour town of Naoussa brings together traditional fishing life and a more contemporary island rhythm. Small boats line the waterfront beneath a Venetian fortress, while just beyond, a mix of traditional tavernas, restaurants and low-lit bars shape the evenings. 

Lefkes

Inland, Lefkes offers a different perspective. Once the island’s capital, it sits among the hills, its narrow streets and whitewashed houses softened by bougainvillaea and shaded squares. There is a stillness here that invites a slower pace, whether wandering between churches and viewpoints or simply pausing to take in the surrounding landscape.

Beaches and Watersports

Along the coast, conditions are ideal for watersports, particularly windsurfing, with beaches such as New Golden Beach drawing both beginners and experienced practitioners. 

On the other hand, lesser-travelled spots like Lageri Beach allow you to slow down and appreciate the gentle rhythm of the waves whilst sinking your toes into the warm, golden sand.

Culture and History

The former marble quarries at Marathi provide an awe-inspiring look into the past, revealing the island’s long-standing connection to craftsmanship and antiquity.

A short ferry crossing from Paros brings you to Antiparos, where the pace softens almost immediately. Centred around its small harbour town, the island is easy to explore in a day, with a mix of low-key beaches, quiet coves and a good selection of simple tavernas. 

You might spend the morning by the water, traversing sheltered sandy bays to more remote stretches framed by pale rock, before venturing inland to the cave at Agios Ioannis, whose vast, time-worn formations hint at the island’s long history. 

For a change of scene, small boats run to nearby islets such as Despotiko, where archaeological remains sit undisturbed against an open, elemental landscape.

Staying on Antiparos

For those who prefer a gentler rhythm to their holiday, Antiparos might be a better starting point for your Cyclades island-hopping route. You’ll still able to visit Paros when you want to, thanks to the frequent and effortless crossings, but you’ll return each day to a setting that feels quieter and more removed.

Travelling from Paros to Mykonos

Bidding farewell to Paros may pull at the heartstrings for a moment, but you’ll soon find yourself drawn into the ineluctable energy of Mykonos.

There are direct ferries (or private sea taxis) from Paros to Mykonos, taking between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours depending on the route and service.

As you near the island, whitewashed houses and domed churches come into view above an animated shoreline. Ferries arrive at Mykonos’ main port at Tourlos, from where it is a short drive to your villa. During the summer months, it is worth booking tickets in advance, particularly for morning departures when conditions tend to be calmer. Not to worry, though, our Villa Specialists will facilitate your seamless arrival. 

Staying in Mykonos

Mykonos has a reputation for its energy and star-studded social scene, but beyond this, there’s a smattering of charming, authentic villages, archaeological wonders and beautiful beaches just waiting to be discovered. 

That’s why our luxury Mykonos villas are the ideal base for exploring this magical island. They’re tucked away from the livelier corners, offering space and privacy, while still keeping everything within reach whenever you choose to step out.

Mykonos offers more than its reputation suggests, with a mix of coastal landmarks, cultural sites and quieter corners waiting just beyond the surface.

Little Venice

On the western edge of Mykonos Town, Little Venice sits just above the water, where sunbleached houses line the shoreline, and waves reach almost to their foundations. Daytimes are spent wandering through narrow streets of galleries and small shops; evenings at seafront bars, with views stretching out across the Aegean. Nearby, the windmills of Kato Mili offer a natural vantage point, particularly as the light begins to fade.

Delos

A short boat journey from Mykonos, Delos offers a striking contrast to the island’s more contemporary pace. As one of Greece’s most significant archaeological sites, it carries a sense of scale and history, with ruins that trace the outline of an ancient city. 

In 1990, Delos gained UNESCO World Heritage status, thanks not only to its impressive age - the site dates back to the 3rd millennium BC - but also because it is reputed to be the birthplace of the twin deities Apollo, god of the sun, and Artemis, goddess of the moon. 

Exploring with a guide brings greater depth to the experience, connecting the remains to the myths and figures that once defined the island.

Ano Mera

Inland, the village of Ano Mera provides a quieter counterpoint to the island’s capital. Centred around a traditional square, the village is home to historic monasteries and remnants of earlier settlements, including the 16th-century Panagia Tourliani Monastery. It is a place to step away from the coastline, where a slower rhythm takes hold and time is spent between simple cafés, local restaurants and a handful of cultural landmarks.

Nightlife

Mykonos’ nightlife centres around Mykonos Town, particularly in areas such as Little Venice, Lakka and around Agia Moni Square, where evenings begin with relaxed drinks before building into a more energetic scene. From long-standing venues with a lounge-like feel at dusk to larger clubs hosting internationally recognised DJs, the atmosphere is varied yet consistently vibrant, drawing a crowd for both its setting and its music.

The Cyclades Islands are multifaceted, allowing you to experience the essence of Greek culture in your own unique way. Some days will begin with still mornings by the water, rolling into evenings wandering bustling villages, sampling hearty seafood dishes and dancing until the early hours.

This itinerary offers a handy outline, but the most rewarding journeys are those tailored more closely to your passions.

Our team knows these islands intimately and can refine each detail, from selecting the right villa in Paros, Antiparos and Mykonos to arranging seamless travel between them. If you would like to shape a Cyclades itinerary that feels entirely your own, we would be delighted to help.