These are the best places to travel this summer

Cyclades

Greece Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Domes of Phira. Thira.

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Cyclades

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

On a quest to find the Greek islands of your dreams? Start, here, in the Cyclades. Rugged, sun-drenched outcrops of rock, anchored in azure seas and liberally peppered with snow-white villages and blue-domed churches, this is Greece straight from central casting, with stellar archaeological sites and dozens of postcard-worthy beaches. Throw in a blossoming food scene, some renowned party destinations and a good dose of sophistication, and you really do have the best of Greece’s ample charms.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • The remains of the ancient city of Karthaia founded in the 12th century BC on the south-eastern coast of the Greek island of Kea in the Cyclades archipelago.

    Karthaia

    Cyclades

    From the 8th century BC until the 7th century AD, this remote twin cove was the site of the ancient city of Karthaia, one of Kea's four historic city…

  • Ancient pottery in Museum of Prehistoric Thera.

    Museum of Prehistoric Thera

    Fira

    Opposite the bus station, this well-presented museum houses extraordinary finds excavated from Akrotiri, which has been settled since neolithic times…

  • NAXOS ISLAND, GREECE - OCTOBER 24, 2016: Restaurant in Naxos Chora old town, Naxos island in Greece; Shutterstock ID 1946588611; your: Erin Lenczycki; gl: 65050; netsuite: Digital; full: POI 1946588611

    Kastro

    Hora (Naxos)

    The most alluring part of Hora is the 13th-century residential neighbourhood of Kastro, which Marco Sanudo made the capital of his duchy in 1207. Behind…

  • The ruins of ancient Thira, a prehistoric village at the top of the mountain Mesa Vouno, Santorini, Greece.; Shutterstock ID 2073629570; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi 2073629570

    Ancient Thira

    Santorini

    First settled by the Dorians in the 9th century BC, Ancient Thira consists of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine ruins and is an atmospheric and rewarding…

  • Art Space

    Art Space

    Santorini

    This atmospheric gallery is on the way to Kamari, in Argyros Canava, one of the oldest wineries on the island. The walls and niches of the wine caverns…

  • Ancient Lion of Kea

    Ancient Lion of Kea

    Cyclades

    The enigmatic 8m-long Kea Lion, chiselled from schist sometime between the 9th and 6th century BC, lies along the ridge beyond the last of Ioulida’s…

  • Moni Zoödohou Pigis

    Moni Zoödohou Pigis

    Cyclades

    A flight of whitewashed steps leads to the fortified monastery of Moni Zoödohou Pigis, high above the Kastro. Originally built as a women’s monastery in…

  • Temple of Apollo

    Temple of Apollo

    Hora (Naxos)

    From Naxos Town Harbour, a causeway leads to the Palatia islet and the striking, unfinished Temple of Apollo, Naxos’ most famous landmark (also known as…

View more attractions

Plan with a local

Experience the real Greece

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.
Get started

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Cyclades

Go Beyond

Cyclades and beyond

Beyond Cyclades