Things to Do in Cyclades Islands

Archaeological buffs and lovers of legends can't miss a trip to the sacred island of Delos, the archaeological jewel of the Cyclades. Travelers can see firsthand where the ancients lived and clamber over the ruins they left behind. Held sacred as the mythological birthplace of Apollo, Delos was at the heart of the ancient world as an important religious and commercial center, reaching its zenith in the Hellenic period around the 5th century BC.

The huge site sprawls along the island’s west coast, from the stadium in the north to the old trading warehouses to the south. Standouts include the Sanctuary of Apollo temples and the Terrace of the Lions. The remains of private houses surround the semicircular theater, and the site includes several agoras, monuments, sanctuaries and temples. You can see finds from the excavations at the site museum, including the original lions from the much-photographed Terrace of the Lions. Another must-do is the climb up nearby Mt Kythnos for views over the island, sea and site.

The four windmills lined up on a hill overlooking Mykonos Town are a signature island sight. All up there are around two dozen windmills on the island, but these four are the most famous. Capped with wood and straw, the three-story conical windmills were built by the Venetians in the 16th century to mill flour. They remained in use until the early 20th century.

The Bonis Windmill overlooking Little Venice houses a folklore museum, while others around the island now serve as very unusual homes. The views from the windmills over Little Venice and the harbor are stunning, especially at sunset. Sailing into harbor, the windmills are one of the first sights of Mykonos.

Surrounded by the boutiques and bars that have made Mykonos the Aegean’s most stylish and sophisticated Greek island, the flower-bedecked Church of Panagia Paraportiani is a highlight of a wander through the town’s picture-perfect Little Venice. The island’s most famous and most photographed church is made up of four whitewashed chapels, topped by a further bright white chapel on the upper storey, reached by an external staircase. Built between the 14th and 17th centuries, the church once guarded the entrance to the town’s castle, long since destroyed.

The multi-layered nature of the church gives it a unique shape, rising from the squared-off white chapels on the ground level to the domed church of the Virgin Mary on the top. Don’t miss the chance snap a photo of the church, standing out in brilliant white against the deep blue sky of the Aegean.

The archaeological site at Akrotiri may be closed, but fortunately you can get your fill of excavations at the site of Ancient Thira. There’s a mix of ruins to explore, including Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine remnants, excavated in the 1890s. Take a tour to identify the different structures – temples, houses, the market (agora), theater and gymnasium.
At its height, this was a thriving center, with dramatic sanctuaries hewn into rock, temples, an impressive theater and porticoed administrative buildings. The central area is the Agora, the old commercial hub, encircled by temple sanctuaries ringing the city. There are also ancient cemeteries here, unearthed since the 1960s.

Don’t miss the views over the coast while you’re here.

Known world-over for its cosmopolitan lifestyle and booming nightlife, Mykonos is a favorite amongst visitors on the Greece leg of their Mediterranean tour. With a load of wonderful beaches to park at, Mykonos is also filled with museums and other tokens of cultural life. The town itself is a wonderful maze of charming little streets and traditional buildings full of shops, cafes and restaurants. Feel free to get lost when exploring Mykonos.

How to Get to Mykonos
Now with two ports, one of which is the relatively new, but smaller marina, all sorts of cruise liners, yachts and other boats swarm the island of Mykonos, making it a common ferry destination from places like Rafina or Piraeua, where you can catch a ride daily. Mykonos also has an international airport only a few miles away from the town itself, offering flights from a number of major European destinations.

One Day in Mykonos
Though there may not be much to do along the port itself, you are less than five minutes away from the village of Mykonos, where you can find plenty to do, day or night. During the day, there are a handful of sandy beaches, either in Mykonos town, or nearby Platys Gialos or Paranga. Also check out the famous 16th-century windmills or its famous folklore or archaeological museums, both unforgettable treasures of the island.

Port Information
Mykonos is capable of hosting some very large cruise ships that can also hold vehicles or higher-speed catamarans, and finding such ships is quite easy. On the ferry side, Mykonos works on a four-season schedule, each have different connections and routes depending on the company, so be on the lookout a few weeks prior to each season.