Top Things to do in Cyclades
Top Hotels in Cyclades
10 Cultural Tours in Cyclades That You Shouldn't Miss
The Cyclades is a group of Greek islands with beautiful, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains and lush valleys. Glamorous Santorini and Mykonos attract the jetset, while lesser-known isles, such as Milos and Naxos, are the perfect places for beach lovers. Ruins, including the 11th-century Dorian settlement and volcanic ash-preserved Ancient Akrotiri in Santorini, amaze those with a bent for ancient history. Sifnos' cuisine wins it admirers. Hydrofoils, ferries and catamarans connect the islands.
Restaurants in Cyclades
1. Santorini Fira-Oia-Firostefani 4 Hours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Our journey begins from Fira or we may pick you up from your hotel or cruise ship and we stroll to discover the Caldera hidden gems and take pictures. Afterwards we proceed to visit the beautiful village of Firostefani and enjoy the caldera and admire the view of Thirassia, a beautiful island and debris of the old Santorini, the Volcano, the mountain Skaros which is protected by UNESCO and the numerous blue-roofed churches. The journey continues to Imerovigli where we can see and take pictures of the caves, the place where the old Habitants of the island used to live. Then, we head to the edge of Imerovigli to see the well-known Skaros, an UNESCO protected mountaint that really floats on the air and take pictures of the region. On the way to Oia, we can witness red, black and yellow volcanic lava on the left side of the mini bus.
Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Experienced local driver/and guide
Exclusions: Gratuities (optional), Food and drinks, unless specified
Reviewed By db3266
This was by far the best way to get a full view of the gorgeous island of Santorini! Tour guide was awesome!! Very knowledgable and extremely accommodating! Gave my wife and I plenty of time at each stop to take in the breathtaking views!! Unfortunately due to my poor planning, we had to take the tour later in the day, but they were soooo good, it didnt even matter! Still an excellent tour and HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!
2. Sightseeing with a Mykonian
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
We will see the highlights of the island, I will tell you about the history of it as I have heard it from my grandpa and read from books and visit the natural northern beaches accompanied with traditional homemade Greek and Mykonian flavors.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, A treat full of Mykonian and Greek flavours!!!, Bottled water, Pick-Up and Drop-off at your location or hotel
Exclusions: Please bring beach towels with you...
Reviewed By LifeDesigning
This experience was the highlight of our time in Mykonos. The food was amazing - home grown or made on Matt, our host’s, granddad’s farm. We also loved that we were getting off the beaten track and discovering the chapel and sights up in the mountains. Matt was accommodating, knowledgeable and made sure we all had a great time. We actually went in July 2019 but I took too long in making the review so couldn’t select that date. But it was too good not to share!
3. Private Classic Santorini Panorama: Visit the most popular destinations!
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 260 reviews
Explore the entire island with a flexible 6-Hour private tour. Travel in the comfort of a deluxe and air-conditioned minivan with an experienced local driver/guide. Visit the most known and “do not miss” destinations in Santorini as well as non touristic sights. Seize the opportunity to admire unique views and take memorable pictures of blue domed churches, steep cliffs and volcanic landscapes. Stroll around the picturesque pathways in a traditional settlement and be involved with the local culture and lifestyle. Later on the trip, relax and swim in the black sandy beach and optionally savor Greek recipes in a seaside restaurant. Breathtaking views as well as local wine & handmade Santorinian products will be available at the Monastery of Prophet Elias on the islands's highest peak. Departure time is flexible. The afternoon tour may include an amazing sunset experience from the village of Oia or a less touristic one from the lighthouse and the highest island's point.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Experienced local driver/guide, Private transportation by air-conditioned & deluxe van, Maps & live commentary, Flexible Pick up & Drop off
Exclusions: Cable car tickets (6 EUR per person, per ride) for cruise ship travelers, Lunch in a seaside tavern (optional)
Reviewed By reyesandrea015
I booked this excursion with a group of girls and we all LOVE IT!! I would highly recommended. Everything outstanding and the attention to detail was phenomenal.
4. Best of Santorini, Private 4 hour Island tour, Oia, winery, Pyrgos, Caldera
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 23 reviews
Explore Santorini, in this 4-hour private tour of the island, with your English speaking driver. Visit wineries to taste the famous local wines and explore traditional villages like Oia, Fira and Pyrgos. Enjoy great views of the brilliant flooded caldera; stroll above the rooftops of the homes carved into the cliffs and gaze into the deep blue waters of the caldera far below. Santorini is the most spectacular of the islands in the Cyclades, and this will be a tour to remember.
Inclusions: Experienced local English-speaking driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Local taxes, Transport by private vehicle, Pick up at the top end of the cable car for cruise ship passengers, Flexible departure time, Flexible itinerary - ask us if you want to make changes
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Wine-tasting, Gratuities
Reviewed By nixamo
We were on a 7 day Med cruise from Athens, but wanted to spend more time in Greece after the cruise. Aphrodite arranged the hotels and rental cars along with some great travel advice. Great trip, rental car was delivered to the hotel and dropped at the airport hotel, never easier. Saw all the key sites especially the one you don't want to miss, Meteora.
5. Santorini Classic Highlights Tour
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 13 reviews
Santorini Classic Highlights Tour is an all-day pure Santorini experience that you can’t miss! Joining this tour you will discover an authentic Santorinian villages, amazing caldera landscapes and volcanic beaches, and you will have the opportunity to enjoy your lunch by the sea escorted by an English and Spanish speaking guide. The Santorini Classic Highlights Tour concludes with Santorini’s most treasured moments as we will take you to the village of Oia to enjoy the magnificent sunset! Embark on a tour that will take you only to the best of Santorini!
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Escort
Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities
Reviewed By soupirsam
we booked this for the black sand beach stop, Akrotiri, winery and monastery. the view stops at the beginning were actually right next to our hotel so we had the privelige to those views on our stay. the big coach bus is PACKED when you are all on and the island is windy, highly recommend bringing medicine if you get nauseous easily. the guides were sweet and kind and helped navigate large groups well. i am grateful for them taking us around their island. we passed on the last Oia stop as our hotel sunset view was just as good if not BETTER for the lack of people. this coach bus tour is a great way to view the island in a short period and to see the big sites! if you have time to spend on the different beaches beyond the tour i recommend! overall this tour was good and worth the money, they do offer hotel pick up and dropoff which is nice!
6. Archaeological bus tour to Akrotiri excavations & Red beach
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 34 reviews
Prophet Elias Monastery – Megalochori village – Akrotiri Excavations – Red Beach - Perivolos Beach – Last stop for wine tasting With this tour you will visit the traditional villages of Santorini, charming monasteries, great beaches and the famous Akrotiri excavations. You will admire amazing views and learn about the history of the island.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Children under 4 years old can get free, Pick up and drop off service, English speaking guide
Exclusions: Excavation site entrance 14.00 E, Children under 4 years old will not reserve a seat on the bus. They will sit on parents' lap., Wine tasting costs
Reviewed By euit2016
What an amazing experience! Everything you want to see in one day. We enjoyed sailing with King Thiras and a fun experience. Easy pick up and great guidance. We hope to see you again.
7. DELOS, the island of god Apollo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Delos is one of the best preserved ancient towns, a rival to Pompeii. For the people back then Delos was very special, as they believed it was the birth place of god Apollo. Today people who visit it can get an idea of the life back then, by seeing the ancient houses, temples, shrines, the theater, and more. An interesting detail is that all the houses of Delos were fitted with bathrooms, and a sophisticated system of sewers would take the used waters to the ocean. Delos was the first Duty Free place in history, as well as the first melting pot. It was also famous as a slave trade center, and the visitor will see, among other things, the big slave market. The guide will narrate the history of the place from the prehistoric times, to the archaic period, to the Athenian domination, to the Roman occupation, to the present day. The Museum houses exceptional artifacts, and things of everyday use, discovered in the private houses. Finally, Delos is a paradise for photographers.
Inclusions: The tour guide
Exclusions: Private transportation, Ferry tickets, and entrances., Head sets
Reviewed By SarahDiallo
We purchased the tickets by the pier for the tour for Delos, the tickets were 20 Euros. We thought this was a reasonable price, little did we know that we were only paying for the boat transport there. We were surprised with a queue and an additional charge of 12 euros, this was poorly communicated so took us and a lot of others by surprise. Other than that it has good historical content but there is only so much you can see there. After an hour we had seen everything we needed to see and went back to the boat to wait for an hour before departure. Wouldn’t say it is a must see.
8. Santorini Full Day Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
On this bus tour, travel to the highest point of the island and take a cruise to visit the majestic islands of the area such as Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and Therasia.
Inclusions: Local taxes, Guided tour of Santorini, Boat trip, Pickup from meeting points
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Volcano entrance fee 4,00 Euro per person
Reviewed By Andreas C
We booked via Cretan Holidays our stay in Heraklion, a car rental and one excursion.We received top quality products, quick responce, exceptional customer service!
9. Santorini - The pearl of the Aegean
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Make your dream come true in one of the most amazing destinations worldwide! Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km south-east from Greece's mainland. It is the most active volcanic center in the Aegean Arc, though what remains today is largely a caldera. The name Santorini was given to it by the Venetians in the 13th century and is a reference to Saint Irene. Before then it was called Kallisti, Strongili or Thera. Today, Santorini is the only inhabited Caldera (volcano cauldron) in the world. Unlike other islands in Greece, the towns and villages sit densely on top of the massive cliffs of the Caldera and from a distance appear like snow capping the towering mountain tops. The colored strata of the volcanic rock of these cliffs are spectacular in themselves: chocolate brown, rust red, yellow ochre, white and cream will never let you forget.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Ferry ticket, Transfer from the meeting point or hotel + back, island excursion with live tour guide
Exclusions: Lunch, Snacks, Coffee and/or Tea
Reviewed By Tania L
I did the Gramvousa and Balos tour with my family on may 31st and we had a terrible and stressful experience. We waited for almost 25 mins to be picked up in the morning and the boat was overcrowded. These things I could set aside and forget given it was maybe beyond the control of the bus driver to pick us up at scheduled time, or that it is tourist season and the boats might be overcrowded. What I have a problem with, is that it WASN’T ADVERTISED that on both Gramvousa and Balos in order to get to the beach, visitors need to walk over treacherous and dangerous volcanic rocks and there would be no designated walking path. We were also not warned that we need hiking boots to get off the boat as the rocks are absolutely not suitable for beach footwear. It only says for visitors who want to hike up to the fortress to wear walking shoes. It doesnt say the volcanic rocks aren't appropriate for small children and older individuals. The free time we had on Gramvousa island was 1 hour and in Balos 2 hours which was 2 hours LESS THAN ADVERTISED. I travelled with a 2 year old child who fell twice on the rocks in Balos and could've seriously injured himself had he hit his head. My other 2 family members who are women close to 70 year old couldn't even see the Balos lagoon because it was dangerous to walk 200m over the dangerous rocks. One of them nearly twisted her ankle and the other hurt her back while trying to balance on the rocks so they had to go back to the boat and wait over 2 hours for the boat to leave Balos. The tour was not as advertised and actually not disclosing crucial information about the volcanic rocks visitors have to walk over in order to reach Gramvousa and Balos beach is not only misleading but dangerous for the health of visitors. The tour guide by the name Sergio was rude when I expressed my concerns about the safety of the tour and that there was even a man who got seriously injured and was bleeding down his leg. Sergio told me how I wasn't climbing the Himalayas and that I didn't need hiking shoes. As a matter of fact, I did trekking in the Himalayas and I felt safer trekking there than walking 200m to Balos beach. And why I felt safer? Because I had proper footwear. The tour was terrible and my family members could not even access the highlighted parts of the tour, such as the lagoon. I will take this matter to the Greek ministry of tourism. I sent an email to the tour organizer, Viola, after the incident expressing my concerns, and I also asked for a refund. I got NO reply. Just shows how sketchy and unprofessional these people are.
10. Mykonos: Superior Yacht Cruise to Rhenia Island and Guided Tour of Delos
Overall Ratings
4.4 based on 35 reviews
Upgrade your experience with special services found in the 7-hour Concierge Class cruise of the elegant and spacious 112-foot motor-sailer yacht.Visit with guide the natural insular archaeological site of Delos and swim to a secluded bay of Rhenia island with extended on-board buffet and complimentary wine, beers and soft drinks.Elegance, tradition and value all in one! What You'll Do: • Upgrade yourself with special services on the elegant 112-foot motor-sailer yacht • Experience the attentive treatment of our crew, your on board-concierge • Discover the sacred island of Delos with Licensed English Speaking Guide • Swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters of the nearby uninhabited islet of Rhenia • Savour a Greek feast of an extensive Mediterranean style buffet • Treat your thirst with a selection of complimentary wine, draft beers and soft drinks • Reach your cruise stress-free with included pick-up and drop-off shuttle service • Stay connected with free use of Wifi on board
Inclusions: Superior Motor-Sailer yacht for 7 hours + crew, Licensed English Speaking Guide at the archaeological site of Delos (about 1h30min disposal), On board buffet lunch, Complimentary white & red house wine,soft drinks,water and instant coffee/tea throughout the cruise, Complimentary draft beer at lunchtime, Complimentary pick-up and drop-off shared shuttle transportation, Complimentary snorkeling gear (mask with snorkel and fins), Farewell drink, WiFi on board, All safety equipment, Fuel surcharge, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Entrance fees at the archaeological site of Delos (Euro 12,00 per person payable by cash on site), A selection of extra beverages is available on board on additional charge, Beach towels available on board on additional charge, Gratuities
Reviewed By katietelfordo
The trip was really fun! We had loads of time to sunbathe and swim! Unfortunately due to covid we couldn’t snorkel as the gear couldn’t be shared at this time which is fair! I would suggest to bring your own. There is not much to see though so it’s not a must to being snorkelling equipment. The Delos tour was interesting to see and it was great having the guide to listen to. Food was lovely and in abundance. We had loads of space to social distance on the boat and we got to experience proper sailing on the sailing boat. The hostess was extremely helpful and kept us well hydrated and the captain was very friendly too thanks for the trip guys!
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