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Island hopping in the Cyclades - Paros, Naxos, Santorini and Crete
Overview
Introduction
For a real taste of what the Cyclades offer the visitor then you must head for the lesser known islands - often harder to get to but much more rewarding for the effort.
We offer 19 Cycladic islands, some which even the Greeks have not heard of or visited.
For this 14 night itinerary we have selected four Cycladic island gems, Paros, Naxos, Santorini and Panormos on Crete.
This tailor-made holiday blends the iconic landscapes of Santorini and the vibrant appeal of Naxos and Paros, before concluding with the serene, lesser-known charm of Panormo in Crete, offering a perfect balance of quintessential Greek island experiences and rewarding exploration off the beaten path.
All our tailor-made island hopping holidays can be combined to form multi centre itineraries, combining well known islands like Santorini and Mykonos with unknown, lesser visited jewels still radiating the very essence of Greece, which their popular brethren have long since lost.
Itinerary includes:
- Outbound flight to Mykonos Airport
- Return flight from Heraklion Airport, Crete
- All transfers (road and ferries)
- 3 Nights at Paros Bay Hotel, Paros (Bed and Breakfast)
- 4 Nights at Astir of Naxos, Naxos (Bed and Breakfast)
- 3 Nights at Kalimera Hotel, Santorini (Bed and Breakfast)
- 4 Nights at Panormo Beach Hotel, Panormos, Crete (Bed and Breakfast)
Agenda
Day 1 - 3 - Day of arrival - Paros
On arrival at Mykonos Airport you will be transferred to the port for your ferry transfer to Naxos (approx 40 minutes).
Paros is a beautiful, popular Greek island in the Aegean's Cyclades group, known for its charming whitewashed villages like Parikia (capital) and Naoussa (vibrant port), stunning sandy beaches, traditional Cycladic atmosphere, and history linked to its famous fine marble. Experience the epitome of relaxation and luxury at Paros Bay Hotel, perched on a small cliff overlooking Parasporos Beach. This strategically positioned hotel offers unrivalled sea views, creating an idyllic setting for the start of your island hopping holiday.
Overnight at Paros Bay Hotel, Paros (Bed & Breakfast)
Paros Bay Hotel
Day 4 - 7 - Naxos
This morning you will be transferred to the port for your high speed ferry to Naxos (approx. 25 minutes). On arrival will you will be taken to your hotel, the Astir of Naxos. Situated 100 m from Aghios Georgios beach and around 600 m from Naxos Town. The hotel features traditional local architecture and offers all the comforts which a guest would expect from a modern hotel. The rooms all come with an en suite bathroom and are fully-equipped as standard. A swimming pool and a poolside snack bar are also available.
Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades, famous for its fertile landscapes, long sandy beaches like Agios Prokopios, Venetian-Cycladic capital, Chora with a hilltop castle and the iconic Temple of Apollo gate. It offers a mix of ancient ruins, mountain villages, hiking (Mount Zas) and traditional Greek culture.
Overnight at Astir of Naxos (Bed & Breakfast)
Astir of Naxos
Day 8 - 10 - Santorini
This morning you will be transferred to the port for your ferry to Santorini (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes). On arrival will you will be taken to your hotel. The Kalimera is a small and very friendly hotel located on the edge of the traditional village of Akrotiri, 10 kms to the south of the capital Fira. The pretty village is away from the main tourist areas, although it does have half-a-dozen tavernas and is known for its Minoan archaeological site dating from the eruption in 1625 BC.
Santorini is a popular volcanic island in the Aegean Sea, famous for its dramatic caldera, whitewashed cliffside villages like Oia and Fira, breathtaking sunsets, and unique red/black sand beaches, a result of a massive volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC that shaped its iconic crescent shape and stunning scenery.
Overnight at the Kalimera Hotel, Santorini (Bed & Breakfast)
Kalimera Hotel
Day 11 - 14 - Panormos, Crete
This morning you will take the ferry from Santorini to Heraklion, Crete (approx. 1 hour 40 mins). On arrival at Heraklion, you will be transferred to your hotel in Panormos (approx 1 hour). The Panormo Beach Hotel is a ‘small and friendly’ 3-star village hotel which enjoys an excellent location in pretty Panormos. A minute’s walk away is Limni Beach, reached by steps down and with a handy taverna above. Three minutes in the other direction brings you to the heart of Panormos and the tavernas above the harbour and central beach.
The atmospheric village of Panormos has everything we look for – oodles of laid back charm, two good sandy beaches, a photogenic harbour (with church above and tavernas to each side) and, above all, a true Greek village atmosphere. Yet, remarkably for such a pretty place, foreign tourism here is still low-key and there is only one hotel. Panormos has everything close to hand, including some ten tavernas and a good selection of local shops in the narrow streets leading down to the harbour and beach. A fun trip is the ‘road-train’ which runs to villages in the hills. For bright lights Rethymnon can be easily reached by the frequent local bus.
Overnight at the Panormo Beach Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Panormo Beach Hotel
Day 15 - Day of departure
This morning you will have a transfer to Heraklion Airport for your return flight home.
Accommodation
Kalimera Hotel - Night 8 to 10
This small and very friendly hotel is on the edge of the traditional village of Akrotiri, 10 kms to the south of the capital Fira.
This small and very friendly hotel is on the edge of the traditional village of Akrotiri, 10 kms to the south of the capital Fira. The pretty village is away from the main tourist areas, although it does have half-a-dozen tavernas and is known for its Minoan archaeological site dating from the eruption in 1625 BC.
The hotel has only 23 rooms, including family maisonettes and a couple of suites, on 3 floors or in a bungalow garden unit behind the pool. All are nicely furnished in a tasteful modern style and possess air-conditioning, fridge, TV, hairdryer, shower room and balcony or terrace. Most have some form of sea view, either over the road to the caldera or across vines to the south coast.
Some open-plan maisonettes for families are available. These have a sleeping gallery above a living area and are for up to four persons. The facilities are the same as the rooms.
The hotel has a well-liked garden bar and restaurant serving honest home cooking (and the occasional BBQ) and an attractive freshwater pool measuring some 80 sq m. A roof-garden bar operates in the summer evenings.
The bus stop for Fira Town is nearby (service at least hourly) and a small beach at the foot of the caldera below can be reached in around 10 minutes via a steep track.
The Kalimera offers a quiet, friendly alternative to the more commercial areas, yet is within a short (c 20 min) bus ride of the capital and walking distance of beaches. Good value for Santorini.
Panormo Beach Hotel - Night 11 to 14
This typically ‘small and friendly’ 3-star village hotel enjoys an excellent location in pretty Panormos. A minute’s walk away is Limni Beach, reached by steps down and with a handy taverna above. Three minutes in the other direction brings you to the heart of Panormos and the tavernas above the harbour and central beach.
This typically ‘small and friendly’ 3-star village hotel enjoys an excellent location in pretty Panormos. A minute’s walk away is Limni Beach, reached by steps down and with a handy taverna above. Three minutes in the other direction brings you to the heart of Panormos and the tavernas above the harbour and central beach.
The hotel has 43 rooms on its three floors and has a lift. Rooms are simply furnished and are twin or double bedded. They possess a bathroom with bath and/or shower, TV, WiFi, room safe (local charge), mini-fridge, hairdryer and balcony. Although not built directly above the sea, some have partial sea views.
To the front and side is the small swimming pool which has walk in steps, with attractive garden surrounds and served by a seasonal pool snack bar. A continental breakfast is provided.
Although the hotel is a little dated in parts, we consider this is compensated for by the friendly staff, good value pricing and convenient location in this prettiest of Cretan seaside villages.
Route Map
Best time to go
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC
Time Difference
GMT + 2 hours
Currency
Euro
Language
Greek
Average flight times
3 hours 45 minutes
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Average temperature
Average rainfall
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- FEB
- MAR
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- JUL
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- SEP
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