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Greek island group in the Aegean Sea
Photo: Cindy Atkinson, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Cyclades are a group of Greek Islands, located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea (south of Athens and north of Crete). The archipelago contains some 2,200 islands, islets and rocks; but only 33 islands are inhabited. The Cyclades are best known for the islands of Santorini and Mykonos, but plenty of less heavily-touristed islands can be found here.
A group of islands: * Kea — a quiet island popular mostly with vacationing Greeks, close to Athens but it feels remote * Kimolos — small satellite island of Milos * Kythnos * Makronisos * Milos — the least touristed of the larger Cyclades, volcanic with spectacular rock formations * Serifos — a small, quiet island with great beaches, traditional town * Sifnos
This group includes the most famous destinations, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos: * Antiparos — a small island just west of Paros, relaxed and with nice beaches * Andros — the second largest and most northerly island, traditional and tranquil, green and mountainous, with many beaches * Delos — a small uninhabited island close to Mykonos, famous for its archaeological sites. * Mykonos — a popular tourist destination, with excellent beaches and the most vibrant night life * Naxos — the largest and greenest island in the group, with excellent beaches * Paros — a popular tourist island with attractive landscape and good beaches * Syros — a traditional island with Italianate architecture, large main town, good beaches * Tinos — a traditional island, cathedral is major pilgrimage site, good beaches
A group of islands: * Amorgos — has a famous monastery and just a few beaches * Anafi — a small unspoiled island located east of Santorini * Folegandros — a beautiful, quiet island to the west of Santorini * Ios — famous as a young people's party island * Santorini (Thira) — a spectacular volcanic island, one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world, with amazing landscape, unusual beaches and a vibrant night life. * Thirassia — a small satellite island of Santorini, with which it formed the same island until the huge volcanic eruption of 2nd millennium BCE * Sikinos — a small rocky island with a few beaches and good walks
A group of small islands within Little Cyclades, southeast of Naxos, including: * Ano Koufonisi * Kato Koufonisi * Iraklia * Schinousa * Donousa
By ferry
gr/booking run daily from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. Ferries operate to all the islands in the Cyclades, some of the larger islands also have a highspeed catamaran service.
Travel by ferry. They are safe, regular, cheap and fun. The biggest ferry hub within the Cyclades is in Paros which has links to many islands.
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