Glad I could help :) Naxos is a big island with so many things to do and see. I promise you won't get bored. I enjoy taking day-trips while being there. There is a tavern in Naxos Town called Apostolis. Might wanna check it out! Oh, have in mind that during sunset everyone gathers around Portara to enjoy the views, so leave a bit early to avoid the traffic. The first time I couldn't believe that I almost missed it lol I've been there more than 4 times. I've also got plenty of friends who have visited Naxos twice as much.. Naxos is great for Greek island hopping as well. You can get pretty easily from Naxos to Paros, Antiparos, Koufonisia (Small Cyclades), Delos, Mykonos, Amorgos and more!!! p.s. A seaside walk around the beach is even better <3
I'm no expert on Syros ... not being a Greek ... but can only give my impressions as an American, who has enjoyed beaches all over the cycladic Isles: in Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Mykonos, Amorgos, sifnos, serifos, milos et etc. I'd always wanted to see Syros, particularly for the impressive Capitol Plaza in Hermopolis. So at the end of one of my trips, I reserved 3.5 days for Syros.
What I discovered is that the island seems to be about 95% Greek -- residents AND vacationers -- and frankly is not that interested in tourists from Elsewhere. (A clue to that was that, on my final day, I wanted a postcard with an aerial view of the square .... and spent well over an hour scouring the port town fruitlessly. Syros does not sell postcards because, well, they're all greek and they know what it looks like because they go there a lot).
I didn't have a car, but the bus system is circular and touches on most of the beaches, so I had a look at all of them, and next trip went to one that looked fairly promising .... but it was not nearly as large nor as nice as many beaches on the islands I listed. The beachgoers were entirely greek and it was like ending up at a party to which you had not been invited. Your kids certainly would not make many friends at the waterside. I wouldn't go back to Syros.
Frankly from what you want, I think that ANTIPAROS might be a better choice for you.... it has a number of sandy beaches, and two that are right on the fringe of the port town, that whole area is extremely walkable. IN fact, I can think of nothing more enjoyable of an evening than strolling along the "agora" (Market lane) that wanders right thru the center of the village to the sunset bay, with shops and tavernas and cafes lining it. There are several plusses: with 10 days, you can easily take the short (10 minute) ferry to Paros, explore the port town of Parikia and then take a bus or rent a car for 1 day to swoop around that island ... then go back to the quieter scene of Antiparos at end of day. Also, Antiparos has water sports and guys who run boats around, so there's stuff to do. To return to mainland, conventional ferry is just 4 hours, and many flights per day.
You describe an "ideal" but for that kind of place, with family accommodation, at the Height of High Season --You are starting VERY late. And in fact, no matter how early you might book, in end of July there is NO place in Greek isles that isn't crowded. That's just a fact of life. One of the plusses of Antiparos is that it isn't set up for package- tourism, so its lodging stock is limited, thus beaches can't be totally cram-jammed. The minus is, lodging stock is limited so booking for high season is a real challenge For example, Kouros Village, just yards from a a great beach, with 1 & 2 BR apts, would be perfect for you ... but doubtless is booked solid by now for late July. However, do check booking.com and airbnb, and LOOK at LOCATION -- don't fall for pretty photos of a place that's waaay out of the way, where you'll have to get into a car many times a day to go swim or buy a coffee. Good luck!
My opinion is that although those islands seem tiny on a map, they have plenty to offer for several days. I appreciate that some people travel faster than others, but why spend precious time commuting among islands rather than enjoying the islands their selves? I would make a point to spend at the very least 4 nights on each island, no need to add more destinations.
Now if those should be the islands you mention or others... It's a personal call. Personally I would tend to replace at least Mykonos with another one, maybe Paros or Naxos or Antiparos or something, but that's just me...
If you will read such articles closely, you'll probably find that they're talking about High Season, July-August, when all Greek islands are jampacked with UK/Europe visitors, many of them on "package holidays" -- like US Spring Break Collegians flocking to Florida ...mainly interested in beaches, beer, late-night whoopee. But neither of these islands is a package-holiday "hive." And Antiparos is never party-party, just more populated. Paros, for about 6 weeks, is a "Mykonos wannabe" meaning clubs stay open late in the heart of the Port Town. That's all. NONE of this applies to you. Read carefully, consider the source, worry less... Research is key -- people who rely only on what they can access on their phones are prone to panic-- a quick look at an actual guidebook will bring a broader perspective. Have you tried that yet?? You can do it for FREE (secret source: your local public library). .
You will have the best chances of booking well-located rooms (near or on a beach, with sea views), if you focus on AFTER August 22 or so .... that's when Greeks & Europeans have to get their children into school, so crowds begin to thin out. A great trio would be Serifos, then Sifnos, then Naxos and/or Antiparos. For the latter (you'd have to time it to get a ferry from Western Isles to PAROS, then Antiparos is a hop across the water).
• SERIFOS - simple and small, peaceful enough that 3 days there is like a week elsewhere... no fawncy boutiques, but I'm in love with Coralli Bungalows, under trees, just 30 paces to the water. The only expedition is to Chora at top of the town. A great First STop to decompress, after the stress of packing & rushing to start your trip.
• SIFNOS and NAXOS are both Stars for hiking -- this website lists & describes dozens of great hikes, with photos! - http://www.cycladen.be/IntroductionEng.htm . Both have good bus systems so no need to rent car the whole time, just to explore island 1-2 days, great landscapes to explore. Good food in each isle ... in Naxos, the most fertile of all the Cycladics, loads of fresh local produces & meats, Olive oil wine et etc ... many vineyards and in early Sept there are village wine festivals. Ask about them at the harborside shop that specializes in all-Naxian products.
• AMORGOS is easy to access from Naxos -- of the 2 areas, I'd choose Aegali, much more attractive beach, backed by high hills. I think there's a more luxe hotel there if that's what you want, I loved Askas Pension, so friendly. Again, fantastic hiking.
mike has a point... in some of the places, like Naxos & Antiparos, if you want a house it probably will be waay back from the beach, you might need to have a car. However, depending on whether you are going at the Height Of the July-August High Season or not (it is ALWAYS helpful to give approximate dates, "summer" isn't enough), you may be able to get more easily a "1 bedroom studio unit" -- which would have the bedroom & main room with table chairs, 2 day beds, kitchenette or kitchenette "ell" plus balcony or patio. These units are often in buildings right on the sands, or only a few yards away... this would make it much easier to enjoy a beach without having to drive, lug baby stuff, strap him into carseat etc.
Most of the Greek islands have maintained its traditional unspoilt atmosphere especially if you compare them to other holiday destinations in Europe... which is the reason why we have fallen in love with the islands and keep coming back every summer.
We did the boat trip from Corfu to Paxos/Antipaxos... not sure if the boat trips are going end of May as it is still early but you can for sure hire a private boat. If you are coming from (touristy) Corfu, then both islands will for sure be unspoilt in comparison.
We spent a few days in a hotel of Paxos, some 5 years ago. There were of course tourists in the first half of July (not lots of them, as the hotel capacity isn't big). But I don't think that the Island will be touristy in May.
Day trippers from Parga spend usually late morning and early afternoon at Antipaxos and come then to Paxos for 1 hr or 2, before leaving for Parga after 4pm.
Hi!!!
Last summer I was sailing around those Islands and this summer I'll repeat! Is the best place ever! You can swim without danger and there are the best beaches in the mediterranean sea!
Santorini and Mykonos are really nice, but full of tourist and really really expensive! I recommend you this other small islands around the same area: Antiparos, Despotiko, Koufonissi, Sifnos. Paros and Naxos are not as tourist as Santorini, but they are big islands, so is difficult to find the traditional greek experience there...
If you need more info about those islands, or maybe info about sailing around them (is the best way to travel around greek islands), don't hesitate to contact me in a private message.
Good luck!!!