Greek dreams: 3 x island hopping in the enchanting Cyclades

There's nothing quite like island hopping in the Greek Cyclades: from one paradise to the next, with the sun always shining on your face, the sea in the background and a plate of fresh tzatziki within reach. The Cyclades are ideal for combining several islands: every crossing is a mini adventure and no two islands are the same. Will you go for the white houses and lively atmosphere of Mykonos, the charming villages and beautiful beaches of Paros, or the artistic vibe and rugged nature of Tinos? Here are three great routes that will help you discover the best of the Cyclades – whether you love hidden bays, charming villages, culinary surprises or beautiful design hotels. Every island is a party!

Route 1: Island hopping from Naxos to Mykonos – sun, sea and Cycladic charm

Island hopping in the Cyclades is a dream for every Greece lover. White houses with blue shutters, cosy tavernas, hidden bays and that wonderfully relaxed island life: you'll find it all on this two-week route. I've been busy for months in advance looking for the most beautiful hotels, the nicest beaches and the tastiest restaurants. And mapping out the perfect route.

From Amsterdam, you can fly directly to Mykonos with Transavia. Because the flights always arrive early, you have plenty of time to take a boat from the port of Mykonos to one of the other Cycladic islands. We therefore went straight to Naxos, the largest Cycladic island, where we first spent a few days relaxing. Read my blog about Naxos for tips on what to do and see there and where we stayed.

After a few days on Naxos, take the ferry to Paros. Here you will discover authentic villages such as Naoussa and Lefkes, beautiful beaches and lively beach clubs with a relaxed atmosphere. From Paros, you can easily take a day trip – or stay for a few nights – to the charming neighbouring island of Antiparos, which feels a little more undiscovered. Think: unspoilt bays, crystal clear water and a cosy village centre full of boutiques and fish restaurants. The crossing to Antiparos takes only fifteen minutes, so a day trip is really easy to do and you can just take your car with you. Read the best tips on what to do on Paros here.

Because you have to end up on an island with an airport from which you can fly back to Amsterdam, we ended up on the sophisticated island of Mykonos. The narrow streets of Mykonos town with their whitewashed walls, colourful doors and cosy boutiques are a real treat to wander through, and of course you must visit the iconic windmills and Little Venice. And do you like to party? Then there are plenty of fun (and also expensive) beach clubs where you can party until you drop. Read my blog about Mykonos here.

Route 2: From Paros to Ios and Santorini – island hopping with a golden edge

During this second island hopping route, you will discover three completely different islands in two weeks, each with its own atmosphere and charm. From relaxed Paros, via surprisingly fun Ios, to breathtaking Santorini. A route full of sun, sea, beach and a good dose of Greek magic.

Once again, we flew from Amsterdam to Mykonos, from where we immediately continued by boat to Paros. This island embraces you with its relaxed atmosphere and stylish villages. Especially the atmospheric Naoussa, where you can stroll through the photogenic white streets, eat the most delicious fresh fish at the harbour and enjoy relaxing days on the beach. Paros is one of my favourite Greek islands, it has just the right balance between conviviality and tranquillity – ideal for a relaxed start to your trip. We stayed here for a week. Read my blog about Paros with the best tips here.

After a week, we took the ferry to the lesser-known island of Ios. Ios is a party island, which we didn't notice much because we were there early in the season, but there is so much more to it. We discovered beautiful beaches, charming restaurants and the capital Chora, which comes alive in the evening with cosy bars and rooftop terraces. We stayed on the island for five days. Read my tips for visiting Ios here.

Finally, we travelled on to Santorini, an island that had been on my bucket list for years and is really worth visiting. The beautiful views over the caldera, the white houses and hotels that seem to be stuck to the mountains. Cute villages with blue church towers and cool beach clubs. And from Santorini, you can also fly directly back to Amsterdam. Read my blog about Santorini with my tips for places to visit here.

This route is perfect for those who love variety: from the relaxed beaches of Paros to the lively energy of Ios and the spectacular scenery of Santorini. Three completely different islands, one unforgettable trip.

Route 3: Island hopping off the beaten track – from Naxos to Syros, Tinos and Mykonos

During our third island hopping trip through the Greek Cyclades, we visited four islands with four completely different atmospheres and four fantastic hotels that made our trip unforgettable.

Once again, we flew to Mykonos and immediately took the boat to Naxos, an island known for its long beaches, charming villages and relaxed vibe. We had been here before, so we knew we wanted to stay at Plaka beach again. This time at the Sundunes Hotel, a stylish and modern new hotel right on the beach. It was wonderful to start our holiday in such a relaxed way. Read my blog about Naxos for tips on what to do on the island.

Then we went to Syros, the main island of the Cyclades and slightly less touristy. Here we stayed at Syros Soul Suites, in the middle of charming Ermoupoli. The classic facades, marble squares and colourful streets that you encounter everywhere in Ermoupoli give the island a classic Mediterranean atmosphere, taking you back in time a little. Syros is a small island, so three days is enough to explore the whole island. Read my blog about Syros here.

Then it was time for Tinos, where we stayed at the brand new Odera Tinos – and what a discovery that was! Sleek design, warm tones, infinity pools and a view of the Aegean Sea that you can't get enough of. Tinos itself surprised us with picturesque villages, beautiful beaches and culinary delights in hidden Greek tavernas. Tinos is also home to Greece's most important church, a well-known place of pilgrimage. This was perhaps our favourite stop of the trip. Read all about this island in my blog about Tinos.

We ended our route on Mykonos at the Rocabella Hotel near Agios Stefanos beach. We had already been to Mykonos once, so we skipped the expensive beach clubs this time. We did go into town again, which was super busy and touristy, but it was great to see it again, especially Little Venice. You can read all about it in my blog about Mykonos.

Best time to travel and transport between the Greek Cyclades islands

Best time to travel: May, June and September are perfect – the weather is lovely and it's less crowded.

Book the ferries in advance: Popular routes can fill up quickly, especially in high season. There are several websites where you can book ferries. Take a look at Direct Ferries, for example, to see all the options available on the day you want to travel. If the island is close to the island you want to visit, ferries often go directly there, but sometimes you may have to make a stopover. However, loading and unloading passengers on the boats is very quick, just like taxis. And some boats are faster than others. We often choose Seajet boats because they are very fast (and therefore a bit more expensive), but you will reach your destination quickly.