SAILING IN THE TOP DESTINATIONS OF THE CYCLADES ISLANDS: TWO WEEKS ROUTE

 Day 1: Start from Lavrion - Sail to Cape Sounion (5 nautical miles)

Your Cyclades sailing adventure begins from Athens, Greece's main air gateway.  The primary marinas for accessing the islands are Lavrion and Alimos. While Lavrion is closer, a sailing trip from Alimos follows a similar route.

Lavrion port centers around a charming town with a lively pedestrian area, brimming with traditional tavernas and bars.  The convenience of a food market, grocery stores, and chandlery adds to Lavrion's appeal.  The Lavrion Olympic Marina is also just a short distance away.  If it weren't for the vibrant (and sometimes loud) Friday and Saturday night scene near the port, Lavrion would be the perfect starting point for your sailing holidays in the Cyclades!

Day 2:  Sail to Serifos island (42 nm from Cape Sounion)

Our two-day plan to reach Milos required a longer passage on one particular day. This involved a six-hour sail to the picturesque port of Serifos. The northerly wind provided an exhilarating downwind journey, propelling our sailing yacht across the Aegean.

We anchored in Serifos's Livadi marina and were fortunate to secure one of the last available spots. This small marina fills up quickly, reflecting the island's popularity.  By nightfall, the expansive Livadi bay was nearly at capacity with anchored yachts.

Day 3: Sail to Adamas, the port of Milos (27nm)

Our sailing trip continued south to Milos. En route to Adamas, the island's main port, we paused at Sarakiniko, one of Milos's most spectacular spots.  The lunar-like landscape, with its stark white, jagged cliffs overlooking the crystal-clear Aegean, is truly breathtaking. These volcanic rock formations create a striking contrast with the tranquil waters, a captivating sight for visitors and sailing yachts alike.

The calmer winds that day allowed us to savor a few hours at Sarakiniko.  However, this northerly-exposed coast makes anchoring impossible when the northerlies blow.

Kleftiko's rock formations are truly unique.  The coastline features steep, jagged cliffs, some of which have tumbled into the sea over time or due to volcanic activity. The water is crystal-clear, and the sandy seabed provides secure anchorage.  Perhaps the most impressive feature is the large, cove-like cave formed by massive fallen rocks. Boats can enter unseen from the outside, creating a secluded haven for swimming and snorkeling. Like so many of these remarkable spots, Kleftiko must be experienced firsthand to be fully appreciated.

The northerly winds held steady throughout the day and night, making our anchorage at Kleftiko perfectly comfortable.  The moonlit nightscape was equally stunning, as the lunar glow illuminated the sharp rocks, creating a truly magical spectacle.

Kimolos, along with Polyaigos and the much larger Milos, form a distinct island group, with the former two often considered Milos's satellites.  A shared characteristic is the powerful volcanic influence on their geology, resulting in the impressive landscapes we admire.  Kimolos, too, boasts a stunning coastline, with long, sandy beaches and remarkable rock formations.

These features are evident throughout the island, particularly around its small port, Psathi. Berthing spots are limited, and the outer dock is reserved for larger motor yachts.  A handful of tavernas cluster near the port and along its sandy beach.  The simplicity and tranquility of Kimolos are truly unique

Day 7: Folegandros- Ios island (17 nm)

Our next day began at dawn, as we set sail north for Ios. The northerly wind had picked up to 20-23 knots, creating challenging upwind conditions.  Fortunately, the waves remained manageable, allowing us to reach Ios, though the journey took longer than anticipated.  Rather than heading straight to port, we first visited the beautiful cove of Magganari on the southeastern coast. This easterly approach also gave us a better angle to the wind. Magganari is a truly stunning spot, with several smaller bays within the larger cove, dotted with small, sandy beaches along its shimmering coastline. We anchored and dove into the inviting sea, relaxing after our challenging sail.  After a couple of hours and a light lunch, we headed west toward the port.  Along the way, we sailed past Milopotas cove, another fantastic Ios destination, known for its long, sandy beach that stretches across much of the cove.

Day 8: Sail to the Minor Cyclades (24 nm to Koufonissi island)

 Sailing from Ios to Koufonissi with the northerly winds was a pure delight. The close-hauled wind added to the thrill of sailing our yacht, while the waves remained manageable, thanks to the protection afforded by Naxos and Paros.  The four-hour sail brought us to the Minor Cyclades and the islet of Koufonissi. The small marina was full upon our arrival, so we anchored in the main cove, just off the island's small village.

Berthing in Koufonissi marina can be challenging due to its size, demanding excellent yacht maneuvering skills, especially in the occasionally strong winds.  The bay in front of the village, however, is spacious and offers reliable shelter thanks to its sandy bottom.

We spent the evening in the village, enjoying dinner at one of its simple restaurants and later drinks by the beach. The island's simplicity and tranquility provided wonderful relaxation as we soaked in the stunning scenery.

Day 10: Sail to Antiparos island (24 nm)

The next day we set sail to Antiparos, toward west. Having completed our tour in the Minor Cyclades, we were feeling that we started the return trip back to Athens. Yet, we were sure that wonderful destinations were still lying ahead of us.

The trip to Antiparos was wonderful; there was a wind of approximately 20 knots, gusting up to 25-27, but the waves were rather small, since most of the trip took place below the islands of Naxos and Paros. It took us around 3 hours to get close to Antiparos. We made a stop in the bay of Despotikon for a relaxing swim, and later we continued north, to anchor by the port of the island.

Our first stop, the bay of Despotikon is a wonderful swimming spot. The bay is formed by the two neighboring islands, Antiparos and Despotikon. This area has full protection from most wind directions, and definetely from the northerlies. The depth is ideal across the big bay, reaching up to 13 meters, while the sandy sea bottom offers great protection to the yachts. The high level of safety, in addition to the vast size of the bay, mark this bay as an ideal destination in difficult days, even when you need a safe anchor at night, without better solutions in mind. The landscape offers the classic Cycladic view of dry hills and crystal sea.

However, for that day we decided to sail further north, close to the port of Antiparos. The port is not suitable for sailing yachts, due to its shallow waters, in addition to the fact that it is constantly full with local boats. The best option is to anchor south of it, either adding a rope to the southern quay, or not. Anchorage there is safe, because of the large area with shallow waters (up to 5-7 meters), and the sand on the sea bottom.

The port is very vivid, full with bars and restaurants. It is worth visiting for a wonderful night out, although it is necessary someone to stay on a yacht, when anchored ourside the port. 

It was still early when we finished berthing the yacht, so we went to explore the island. First, we visited the Church of Panagia Ekatotapiliani, near the port. This magnificent church, a significant religious site and architectural marvel, captivated us with its intricate design, beautiful courtyard, and sense of history.

We decided also to rent a car and explore the inland of Paros. We visited the villages in the inland (Lefkes, Marpissa and Prodromos), as well as the Stones of Sela. In Lefkes, we admired the traditional architecture and the panoramic view from the village. In Marpissa, we wandered through the narrow streets and admired the traditional houses and the windmills. The Stones of Sela are an impressive geological phenomenon, with huge granite rocks sculpted by erosion into strange shapes. The sight of these rocks is truly breathtaking and creates a sense of awe and wonder.

We arrived to the port of Syros, only to be amazed by the spectacular architecture and the beautiful buildings that were conspicuous from a good distance. Berthing was not hard, since the port is large, and we arrived early in the afternoon. The harbor master is highly capable and always available to suggest the right spot and help with anchorage and the supply of water and electricity. We finised with the berthing procedures and left the yacht to explore the town. 

Ermoupoli, beckons with its captivating blend of history and neoclassical charm.  Founded in the early 19th century, it quickly became a vital trading hub and the first, modern boatyard in Greece was developed, leaving a legacy of grand architecture.  Miaoulis Square, the city's heart, is framed by impressive buildings, a testament to its prosperous past.  The bustling port welcomes visitors with open arms.  Here, the iconic Apollo Theater, a miniature La Scala, hints at the city's rich cultural heritage.  Nearby, the majestic Church of Agios Nikolaos overlooks the harbor, while the Vaporia district's colorful houses cling to the hillside, whispering tales of seafaring tradition.

Day 13: Sail to Kythnos island (35 nm)

Our sailing trip continued  west, toward the island of Kythnos. Kythnos is gifted with an amazing coastline, with plenty of small coves, and there are two ports: Merichas, the main port of the island, on the western coast, and Loutra, a small marina for yachts, at the eastern coast.

Usually we prefer the west coast, mostly because of the closer distance to Athens, as well as the top jewel of the island, the bay of Kolona. This a long bay, separated in two parts by a strip of sand, creating a unique spectacle. Yachts anchor in any side of the beach, and people enjoy relaxing and swimming in the crystal waters.

The trip to Kythnos was easy, because the winds were calm. Northern winds reach the yacht in the beam, as she crosses the Aegean Sea from East to West. In case of strong winds, this area is affected by very large waves, as it is located just under the straight of Cavo Doro, between the islands of Evoia and Andros, famous for the unfavorable weather conditions, when northern winds prevail.

Day 14: Return to Lavrion Port (24 nm)

The next day, we completed our trip to Lavrion port. The wind was stronger now, making difficult to sail the yacht without engine. We decided to head first to Kea, have a swim in Koundouros beach, and then continue to Lavrion. It would be quite hard trying to sail straight to Lavrion.

After a couple of hours in Koundouros bay, we headed to Lavrion. We arrived in the afternoon and after the check-out process, we enjoyed a peaceful evening in Lavrion, chatting about the wonderful memories we gained in our trip.