Must-see attractions in Cyclades

  • Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral

    Fira

    Sitting prominently on the caldera edge in Fira, the Orthodox Cathedral can be seen from many parts of Santorini. Built in 1827, it was badly damaged in…

  • Ornos

    Mykonos

    Ornos, Mykonos' third-biggest settlement, straddles an isthmus 3km south of Hora. The small south-facing beach is wall-to-wall umbrellas and beach bars…

  • Cultural Village

    Santorini

    In cooperation with the lauded Selene restaurant, this Pyrgos venue explores the traditional way of life in Santorini before it became a tourist mecca…

  • Catholic Cathedral

    Fira

    The peaceful Catholic Cathedral of Santorini, dedicated to St John the Baptist, is off the standard tourist route and well worth seeking out. The church…

  • Aegean Maritime Museum

    Hora (Mykonos)

    Amid the barnacle-encrusted amphorae, ye olde nautical maps and navigation instruments, there are numerous detailed models of famous sailing ships and…

  • Tinos Archaeological Museum

    Tinos

    Along with the usual huddle of headless torsos, this museum has a collection that includes impressive clay pithoi (large Minoan storage jars) and a mosaic…

  • Kalo Livadi

    Mykonos

    Adding to the scrappy surrounds of this sandy beach is the ruined shell of Lohan Beach House, the setting for MTV show Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club…

  • Archaeological Collection of Serifos

    Serifos

    This modest museum displays fragments of mainly Hellenic and Roman sculpture excavated from the kastro. Panels in Greek and English retell the legend of…

  • Thermal Spring of Alykes

    Milos

    Hot water bubbles up through the sand of a beach, 3km southeast around the bay from central Adamas, heating the water close to shore. Sadly, it's…

  • Phylakopi

    Milos

    This ancient Minoan town in the island’s northeast (on the main road en route to Pollonia but poorly signed) was one of the earliest settlements in the…

  • The Folklore Museum of Apiranthos

    Naxos

    Housed in a traditional building in the village square, this museum represents a traditional Apiranthos house of a century ago, with three rooms (kitchen,…

  • Venetian Fortress

    Andros

    The picturesque ruins of this fortress, built by Venice's doge (duke) Enrico Dandolo in the early 13th century, stand on an island linked to the tip of…

  • Horio

    Cyclades

    Just west of Kastro, above steeply terraced fields and reached by a flight of whitewashed steps, is the reclusive, beautiful Horio. Still home to a dozen…

  • Agios Ioannis

    Mykonos

    Also known as Agios Giannis (both names mean St John), this built-up beach settlement has a slim crescent of sand studded with umbrellas and lapped at by…

  • Archaeological Museum

    Fira

    Near the cable-car station, this museum houses a few impressive finds from Akrotiri and Ancient Thira, such as vast amphorae and painted oil burners…

  • Folk Museum Collection

    Hora (Naxos)

    This small, well-curated, privately owned collection gives a digestible account of elements that make Naxos’ history special: succinct displays cover…

  • Museum of Fine Arts of Apiranthos

    Naxos

    Exhibits the creations of 75 artists from Apiranthos (painters, sculptors, printmakers and potters) and artists from all over Greece. It is in the…

  • Marble Quarries

    Naxos

    The area between Melanes and Kinidaros has been the island's marble quarry since ancient times. Marble is still collected from this region, and you'll see…

  • Sacred Harbour

    Delos

    Today's tourist boats pull into a pier constructed on the site of an ancient harbour, positioned at the main ceremonial entrance to the Sanctuary of…

  • Ancient Cemetery

    Paros

    North along the waterfront is a fenced ancient cemetery dating from the end of the 8th century BC. It was in use until the 3rd century AD. Excavations in…

  • Agios Stefanos

    Mykonos

    Only 500m north of the New Port, this narrow but popular curve of sand is backed by tavernas, restaurants and hotels. You can walk here from Hora in 40…

  • Mykonos Folklore Museum

    Hora (Mykonos)

    Housed in an 18th-century sea captain’s house, this moderately interesting museum features a large collection of furnishings and other artefacts,…

  • Tower of Sanoudos

    Hora (Naxos)

    These are the remnants of a 13th century castle, the Tower of Sanoudos, which was once surrounded by marble balconies. Around it, within the centre of…

  • Museum of Popular Art & Folklore

    Sifnos

    This quirky museum has an intriguing assortment of old costumes, pots, textiles and photographs. It's on the central square just opposite the post office;…

  • Stoa of Philip V

    Delos

    Together with the South Stoa, this 72m-long portico formed a grand processional route to the Sanctuary of Apollo. It was dedicated to the god in 210 BC by…

  • Monument of the Bulls

    Delos

    Built in the 4th century BC, this narrow building is believed to have a housed a trireme – a tribute to Apollo following a victorious battle of Demetrius…

  • Kastro Orias

    Kythnos

    Located on Cape Kefalos, a 90-minute picturesque ramble northwest from Loutra, these beautifully situated ruins are all that remains of a medieval city of…

  • Historical & Folklore Museum of Antiparos

    Antiparos

    This tiny museum on the main street shows off intriguing old photographs, antique maps, manuscripts and all sorts of bits and pieces associated with life…

  • Agia Anna

    Hora (Mykonos)

    This small golden-sand beach, right on a busy thoroughfare, is not one of Mykonos' finest but it is centrally located, popular with families and good for…

  • Grotto of Heracles

    Delos

    This rock shelter was used as a temple to the legendary hero Heracles. Prior to that, it's thought to be the earliest location where Apollo was worshipped…

  • Dodekatheon

    Delos

    Dating from the 3rd century BC, this small temple was dedicated to the 12 principal gods of the Greek pantheon. Statuary from the temple is housed in the…

  • Byzantine Museum

    Paros

    The Byzantine Museum, within the Panagia Ekatontapyliani compound, has a collection of icons and other artefacts.

  • Episkopi

    Kythnos

    This wide swathe of coarse grey sand is a 30-minute walk north of the harbour. There's a popular beach bar at one end and a tiny church at the other.

  • Ftelia

    Mykonos

    There's a somewhat barren feel to this long, sandy beach that's often buffeted by strong winds – good for windsurfers, less so for everyone else.

  • Milos Folk & History Museum

    Milos

    Peruse traditional costumes, woven goods and household artefacts in a series of traditionally furnished rooms, right by the main church courtyard.

  • Lena’s House

    Hora (Mykonos)

    This traditional 19th-century Mykonian house (with furnishings intact) takes its name from its last occupant, Lena Skrivanou, who died in 1968.

  • South Stoa

    Delos

    This 66m-long portico, originally supported by 28 Doric columns, was built in the 3rd century BC, lining the route to the Sanctuary of Apollo.

  • Afanis Naftis

    Andros

    The large bronze 1950s statue of a sailor stands in the square at the tip of the promontory, celebrating Andros’ seagoing traditions.

  • Church of the Nativity

    Cyclades

    Dating from 1592, this whitewashed church within the kastro (castle) ruins is the island's oldest. It's typically locked.