After spending just under a week exploring Greece’s steamy capital city, I was ready to hit the road–or should I say sea–in search of some Greek island magic.
Over the course of twelve days, we’d be exploring a total of five islands that are part of a chain known as the Cyclades (alternatively spelled Kyklades) to the southeast of mainland Greece. They form an almost circular shape, making a highly practical route for travelers to move from one to the next.
Our stops would include a few islands I was already well familiar with and a few I’d never heard of before; on the itinerary were Mykonos, Paros, Ios, Santorini, and Milos.
May was just coming to an end and so high season hadn’t quite kicked off yet; this meant the possibility of chillier weather that likely wouldn’t be ideal for sunbathing or swimming, but also that we’d have the luxury of exploring the islands with relatively few tourists.
First, allow me to introduce you to Mykonos, Paros, and Ios. Keep your eyes peeled for a recap of the remaining islands coming soon!
Mykonos
I couldn’t very well go to Greece without swinging through Mykonos, one of the country’s most famous and iconic islands. I’m sure you’ve seen the old windmills and the whitewashed buildings of Mykonos Town depicted on postcards and magazine covers, in calendars or the wall of your dentist’s waiting room.
You may also have heard that Mykonos appeals quite strongly to a young and energetic demographic looking to let loose, spring break style, in the beachside clubs.
My two nights on Mykonos skewed toward the latter. I would have liked to explore more of the island–even a simple stroll through town during daylight hours would have been nice–but I really can’t complain about hanging out at the aptly named Paradise Beach for a couple of days, even in spite of the stormy weather we encountered at times.
Our lodging was the even more aptly named Paradise Beach Resort, one of a string of resorts located along this lovely little strip of sandy beach on the island’s southern shore. The place was full of young people looking to have a good time (it’s a popular stop for Contiki and Busabout tour groups), and the attached bar provided them (us?) plenty of opportunities to do so.
A late afternoon happy hour slash dance party got things going every day, and the UV sensitive body paint came out every night. Body shots were had, poles were danced on, booties were shaken (not stirred). I had a slight suspicion I might be getting too old for this kind of thing, but attempted to shrug off the ensuing hangovers in stride.
During the days, I loved the shaded restaurant area for working despite a noticeable shortage of power outlets, and gyros pitas were at the ready for a quick and easy (and cheap) lunch option.
All in all, my Mykonos experience probably wasn’t everything it could have been, but I’ve long since come to terms with the fact that there’s only so much you can do with two days in a destination.
Paros
Paros is one of the islands I’d never heard of before this trip, which is a shame because it really does have a little something for everyone. We had three days on this island instead of just two, yet we still barely scratched the surface of what there is to do on the third largest island in the Cyclades.
Our base was in the city of Naoussa at the gorgeous Hotel Kalypso. From the bay views to the beautiful interior design to the delicious breakfast buffet, everything about this hotel was divine. We were situated near grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, and every other convenience we could have needed, and the staff was exceptionally gracious.
Naoussa itself is a great place for evening drinks and energetic-but-not-over-the-top nightlife, and across the bay you’ll find Kolimbithres, a small settlement that’s home to an environmental and cultural park, beaches, and most importantly the Kolibithres Taverna where I enjoyed the Best Greek Food of My Entire Trip.
If you know how much I loved the food in Greece, you’ll understand why this title deserves all capital letters.
For history lovers, the archeological sites and museums are must-sees. Paros is famous for its fine-grain, semitranslucent marble (referred to as Parian or Lychnite marble) which was highly sought after during the classical era for use in Greek sculptures.
Touring the mining quarries is just one of many activities we hoped to do but were unable to due to time constraints. We did, however, get to visit the historic monastery of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony) for some sweeping panoramic views from the top of Kefalos Hill.
But the history of Paros is hardly limited to dry land. The activity I most sorely regretted missing was a dive with Aegean Diving College to explore submerged ancient civilizations, wreck sites and protected environments teeming with marine life.
The center is owned and operated by an oceanographer-biologist and offshore engineer, and its focus is marine environmental education. To explore ancient underwater worlds in the company of such a knowledgeable expert would have been an experience to remember, and one I intend to have when I inevitably return to Paros.
If your idea of a vacation is to rent a car, drive aimlessly and take in the beauty of the countryside and the charm of traditional villages, well, Paros is the perfect place for that.
Oh, and did I mention wine tasting? How about hiking? Kitesurfing? Fishing? The possibilities are truly endless; visit ParosWeb for all the details.
Ios
Though I was sad to say goodbye to Paros, I was about to be pleasantly surprised yet again by the island of Ios. As we zipped away from the port and up the hillside toward the town of Chora, we were treated to the first of many incredible views this island has to offer. We were excited to get exploring, but first we had to get settled into our accommodation at Pavezzo Guesthouse.
Perched on a hillside just four minutes away from the city center by foot, Pavezzo is pretty ideally situated. Our hostess, Angela, went above and beyond to make our stay as pleasant as possible; she had a knack for sensing the precise moment we needed coffee, she hand-delivered biscuits and cakes for breakfast, and made sure we had a long list of attractions to see and activities to fill our limited time on the island.
Once we were armed with a to-do list, we set off to find transportation in the form of a quad bike rental from a place just around the corner. Over the course of an afternoon, we managed to see much of the island, including Homer’s Tomb (the great Greek poet is said to have died on the island) and a bit of the rugged northern shore, a hidden church (one of 365 the island has), and finally a killer sunset from the top of Chora Town.
Our night would be rounded out with an amazing meal at a restaurant called Elia. Elia is regarded as one of the best restaurants on Ios and also happens to serve excellent cocktails capable of winning over even the most discerning drinker.
As for nightlife, well, Ios certainly has it. Slammer Bar will leave you good and drunk if not totally unconscious–their signature shot involves bashing you over the head (while wearing a helmet, you know, for safety) with whatever happens to be nearby.
Traffic is another popular spot for young travelers who want to “earn” swag by drinking copious amounts of shots, but rest assured, mellower nightlife options do exist in Chora as well. You just have to amble through the charming narrow pedestrian streets to find them.
The following day, we got to enjoy an outing on the sea with Let’s Go Fishing-Ios Sportfishing and Sea Activities. Though we didn’t catch a darn thing, we got to see the island from a new perspective while basking in the sun and enjoying a few beers. No. Complaints. Here.
For dinner the second night, we severely overindulged on delicious Greek tapas at Katogi. The overindulgence may have had to do with the fact that we waited until 10:30 to eat (when in Greece, do as the Greeks do!). In any case, it was another excellent meal and a perfect way to end our time on Ios.
Stay tuned for Santorini and Milos in Part 2…
Have you visited the Cyclades? Which Greek island is your favorite?
I visited the gorgeous islands of Paros and Ios as a guest of each individual municipality; opinions expressed herein are 100% my own. Please note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.
