ΓΛΩΣΣΑ

ONE WEEK SAILING IN THE CYCLADES ISLANDS

Start in Alimos marina, visit Paros, Mykonos and more islands

Cyclades is the most popular sailing destination in Greece. The traditional atmosphere of the islands, the reputation they have for ideal holidays, as well as the golden beaches in all of the islands, attract an increasing number of visitors from Europe and the whole world. 

Sailing conditions are rather challenging. During the summer months, the 'Meltemi' prevails, which is a constant, north wind that can reach up to 7-8 beauforts, but it's actual force is hard to be predicted. The meltemi starts almost every year in early July and lasts till mid August; the rest of the time is easier to sail around the islands. The route includes also a difficult day, sailing from Sounion to Mykonos, which might last around 10 hours. It is necessary to have a long route, in order to arrive to Mykonos and have the time to spend 2 days there, so you can enjoy the island.

Athens has two main marinas for sailing yachts; Allimos on the south coast and Lavrion port at the east coast. Alimos marina is closer to Athens City Center and many people prefer to sail from Alimos, so they can combine it better with a visit to Athens.


The Chart of the Trip

Caption Here

Click on the image to enlarge

Alimos - Sounion - Mykonos - Paros - Serifos - Kythnos - Alimos

Note: The map is based on Navionics.com


Video Highlights of the Trip


The Description of the Trip

Day 1: Alimos marina - Cape Sounion (23 nautical miles - nm)

The trip starts on Saturday evening from Alimos marina, located at Athens South Coast, 20 minutes drive from Athens City Center. Use the morning and afternoon to get the food supplies from the stores near the marina, or have them delivered on time to th eyacht.Sail before 6 pm so that you can sail during day time to Sounion. The bay is spectacular, mostly because of the Poseidon Temple, mounted on the hill above the cove. The Temple is lit at night and looks impressive.

The bay has very good holding to the northern winds, but is totally open to southern winds and partially exposed also to the western winds. When there are strong northern gusts, the bay gets very windy. Sometimes, we prefer the bay of Anavissos, few miles to northwest, to avoid the strong gusts in Sounion.

Caption Here

Yachts in Alimos marina


Bali 5.8
58 ft
•
2025
8
Καμπίνες
•
12
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
NEW
ΣΕ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ
ΑΠΟ: €7,614.00/ΕΒΔΟΜΑΔΑ
Bali 5.2
52 ft
•
2026
8
Καμπίνες
•
12
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Lagoon 51
51 ft
•
2026
8
Καμπίνες
•
14
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Fountaine Pajot Aura 51
51 ft
•
2025
7
Καμπίνες
•
12
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Lagoon 51
51 ft
•
2023
8
Καμπίνες
•
12
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
51 ft
•
2023
6
Καμπίνες
•
12
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Fountaine Pajot Elba 45
45 ft
•
2023
6
Καμπίνες
•
12
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Bali 4.4
44 ft
•
2026
5
Καμπίνες
•
10
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
41 ft
•
2025
3
Καμπίνες
•
8
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Lagoon Sixty 7
67 ft
•
2023
5
Καμπίνες
•
10
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Lagoon 55
55 ft
•
2024
4+1
Καμπίνες
•
8
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Bali 5.4
54 ft
•
2022
5
Καμπίνες
•
10
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
51 ft
•
2022
5
Καμπίνες
•
10
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Bavaria C50
50 ft
•
2019
4
Καμπίνες
•
7
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490
49 ft
•
2024
4
Καμπίνες
•
11
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Beneteau Oceanis 47
46 ft
•
2026
5
Καμπίνες
•
10
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Lagoon 46
46 ft
•
2026
6
Καμπίνες
•
10
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Bali 4.6
46 ft
•
2025
7
Καμπίνες
•
12
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Lagoon 46
46 ft
•
2023
6
Καμπίνες
•
12
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Fountaine Pajot MY.6 PowerCat
46 ft
•
2022
4
Καμπίνες
•
6
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
46 ft
•
2020
5
Καμπίνες
•
10
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Bali 4.2
42 ft
•
2025
5
Καμπίνες
•
11
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Lagoon 42
42 ft
•
2022
6
Καμπίνες
•
10
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Bali Catsmart
41 ft
•
2024
6
Καμπίνες
•
8
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
Bavaria Cruiser 41
41 ft
•
2018
3
Καμπίνες
•
8
Επιβάτες
•
Μαρίνα Αλίμου
All Yachts in Alimos
Caption Here
Days 2, 3: Sounion - Mykonos (64 nm) 

On Sunday morning prepare for a long trip, up to 10 hours to the island of Mykonos. It lies 64 miles to the east, so, you will probably enjoy a pleasant sailing trip under beam reach; the northern wind will blow from the side of the boat, creating ideal sailing conditions. The day comes ahead with a challenging route, as wind force near Mykonos is one of the strongest across the Aegean Sea. Late afternoon you should be arriving to the port of Mykonos. 

Take a good rest and enjoy the night in Mykonos town, one of the most famous resorts for its night life. 

The next day relax in Mykonos island; there are many options. From visiting the nearby islet of Delos, the sacred island in ancient times, to sailing the south coast of Mykonos or just have a relaxed day in the town, meeting celebrities in the streets and the coffee shops.

What our guests say...

Milos P, Serbia
Milos P, Serbia
Experience Jul 2022 | Reviewed Jul 2022

Unforgettable

We keep coming back to Sail in Greek Waters, they are always at our disposal, providing support during our sailing adventure, helping with daily affairs (finding a spot in crowded por...

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Ruslan S, Madrid
Ruslan S, Madrid
Experience Jul 2024 | Reviewed Jul 2024

Amazing holidays in and with Greek waters

We booked two different charter boats for one week each in July 2024, a monohull and a catamaran. My partner and I crewed the monohull and had friends over f...

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Oscar S, Madrid
Oscar S, Madrid
Experience Jul 2025 | Reviewed Nov 2025

Perfect Sailing Experience

We spent an unforgettable week sailing through the Ionian Islands this past July with a Lagoon 42 catamaran and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We were a fa...

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Ian, USA
Ian, USA
Experience Oct 2023 | Reviewed Oct 2023

Sail in Greek Waters

I'm an experienced sailors but chose to have Kosta join us and skipper the boat (Lagoon 42). It worked out really well, I loved sailing and navigating with Kosta, he was 100% fle...

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Kimberly D, USA
Kimberly D, USA
Experience Sep 2023 | Reviewed Sept 2023

Choose Sail in Greek Waters for a Perfect trip of a lifetime!!!!

Do your research! We are thrilled that we did ours and found Kostas and his team at Sail in Greek Waters. There are so many sailing ex...

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Fanis, Greece
Fanis, Greece
Experience Jun 2023 | Reviewed Jun 2023

Heartwarming experience

I couldn't recommend more chartering from them. Kostas treats his boats with care and respect, he is not just there to take the money and run. He is also there to assist, guid...

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Ayr M
Ayr M
Experience Aug 2022 | Reviewed Nov 2022

First time sailing in Greece and we can't wait to return!

This was the first time we'd done anything like this and it was amazing. We're going to recommend Sail in Greek Waters to every...

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Cristina T
Cristina T
Experience Sep 2022 | Reviewed Oct 2022

Great sailing trip visiting Cyclades islands

We went for a sailing week and we had Kostas as skipper. Everything went very smoothly, from checking the boat to planning the trip and handing over the...

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Diana
Diana
Experience Sep 2022 | Reviewed Oct 2022

Amazing week sailing with Kostas

We chartered a boat with Sail in Greek Waters in September. Kostas was super helpful, answering all the questions we had, arranging groceries supplies and providing...

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Hellena Zecevic
Hellena Zecevic
Experience Aug 2022 | Reviewed Aug 2022

Life time experience

This was the trip of my life and my first sailing adventure! Such a great experience, the best Capitan in the world. The boat was very good equipped, has everything. It was so ...

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ΟΛΕΣ ΟΙ ΑΞΙΟΛΟΓΗΣΕΙΣ
Day 4: Mykonos - Paros (18 nm) 

On Tuesday, continue the trip to the next destination, Paros island.Depending on weather conditions and wind force, decide where to berth, either in Naousa, the port at the north, Paroikia, or even Livadi, a smaller port but with good protection to the strong north winds. Another option could be Antiparos, the little islet at the west side of Paros, especially for those who wish a relaxing day at the golden beaches of the islet.

Since the trip from Mykonos to Paros is not so lengthy (2-3 hours), if you leave Mykonos early morning you may have a quick stop in Rhenia islet, an awesome place for free mooring and swimming for few hours. It is expected to be a a pleasant sailing day, travelling down wind.

Caption Here
Caption Here
Day 5: Paros - Serifos (36 nm)

In a way Paros island is the farthest destination of this itinerary. Since the return day is only 3 days away, the first route to head back starts from Paros and turns west, to the island of Serifos. The route is expected to last for 6-7 hours, so it's a good advice to start early morning (by 6 am) to arrive early noon in Serifos and find one of the few available spots in the beautiful port. 

If possible, choose to berth at the south side of the small pier, so when docked, have the wind coming from the aft-side. 

Spend the night in the bars of the town over the hill, with a panormic, breath-taking view to the endless Aegean Sea. 

Day 6: Serifos - Kithnos (25 nm)

On Thursday the itinerary continues north, to the island of Kithnos. Either you sail by the east coast of Serifos and then head west, either you sail by the south coast and then head north (as depicted in the chart above), the distance does not change significantly and when there are strong winds, each option has the 'hard part' heading north. We found the second option harder, as we were travelling with strong winds over 7 beauforts. It was impossible to sail up wind, with gusts stemming out the strait among Kithnos and Serifos. The solution should be to sail further west, avoid the effect of the strait, and then tack to north-east and the port of Kithnos. Never the less, sailing in that area was a highly challenging and unforgettable experience.

Either you decide to berth in the fish port of Merichas or in the beautiful bay of Kolona, you will be amazed by the beauty and the charm of the dry land of Kithnos island. The small tavernas on the port of Merichas offer a good option for dinner ashore.

Caption Here
Alimos, the main marina in Athens
Day 7: Kithnos - Alimos (44 nm)

On the last day of the trip, head northwest toward Alimos marina. You can enjoy first the swim in Kolona bay and then enjoy the beautiful return. After Sounion, the route becomes more interesting, sailing close to Athens South Coast.

After our return to Alimos, we enjoyed a beautiful evening in Athens City Center.

Note: Above data (distances, berthing information, etc.) are included merely for informational purposes and are not accurate. Please assess a nautical chart before your trip, to ensure a safe and pleasant trip.

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