Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Kea, Kythnos and Syros The Secret Cyclades

Kea - Kythnos – Syros

Starting from between £2520 to £3390 per person for 10 days depending on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

Itinerary Highlights

  • Discover a more authentic side to the famous Cyclades islands
  • Take an electric bike tour around Kea’s biggest bay, Agios Nikolaos
  • Hike ancient trails off the beaten track on the wild island of Kythnos
  • Relax on serene sandy beaches with sparkling waters
If you’re longing for quiet beaches, authenticity and roads less travelled, forget Mykonos and Santorini. This ten-day trip takes you to three lesser-visited Cycladic islands, where you’ll discover another side to this famous part of Greece.

Begin on the island of Kea, just an hour from Athens and a favourite among stylish Athenians. While you’re here, you’ll soak up stunning views and sample delicious local produce during an electric bike ride around the island’s biggest bay. You’ll then take the ferry to Kythnos, which has managed to keep itself a secret from mass tourism and has a wild and wonderful atmosphere. Spend your days here lounging on charming beaches and hiking along scenic trails where an abundance of wildflowers and aromatic herbs grow. Your final island stop is Syros, with plenty of time to explore small villages, hilltop churches and beautiful beaches. We’ll arrange all transfers and ferry trips, and you’ll have a hire car on each island for exploring at your own pace.
Greece © orlio/Fotolia
Greece © orlio/Fotolia
Greece © leonovo/stock.adobe.com
Greece © leonovo/stock.adobe.com
Greece © Dagmar Schwelle/LAIF-REA
Greece © Dagmar Schwelle/LAIF-REA
Greece © Y. Papadimitriou/stock.adobe.com
Greece © Y. Papadimitriou/stock.adobe.com
Greece © Thierry DUDOIT/EXPRESS-REA
Greece © Thierry DUDOIT/EXPRESS-REA
Cyclades - Greece © Zoé Fidji
Cyclades - Greece © Zoé Fidji
Greece © Kevin Mallett/Gallery Stock
Greece © Kevin Mallett/Gallery Stock
Greece © Faustine Poidevin
Greece © Faustine Poidevin

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Your ten-day Greek island escape begins with a direct flight to Athens, which takes just over three-and-a-half hours from the UK. When you land, you’ll be transferred to the port of Lavrio to catch the one-hour ferry crossing to Kea. From here, pick up your hire car and make your way to your hotel.

For the next three nights you’ll stay in a great location – think sparkling sea views and unspoilt beaches that are never far away. This evening, unwind at your hotel with a massage or tipple in the bar before dinner to enjoy its restaurant’s locally-inspired dishes.

This morning, explore this incredible island by driving at your own pace. Charming Kea is a favourite spot among stylish Athenians, yet has managed to retain its distinct character. Explore its wilder side along road tracks that lead to secluded beaches and clifftop monasteries, or simply soak up its pleasures sipping local beer in village tavernas.

We can also arrange for you to take a private boat trip around the island today, if you’d rather see the sights from the water. Whatever you decide to do, keep your eyes peeled for the little donkeys that call the island home.

This morning, meet your private guide at Mylopotamos for an electric bike tour around the bay of Agios Nikolaos. You’ll cycle to the picturesque port of Korissia before arriving in Vourkari, the lively seaside village that’s a hot spot for boaters in summer. After passing through Kokka, continue to Kea’s historic lighthouse to see a stunning sunset. Today is all about immersing yourself in the simplicity of the island as you visit small churches, take in glittering sea views and enjoy the scent of the maquis, the fragrant shrubland. On the way back, pop into a local restaurant for dinner to round off the day.

After a leisurely breakfast, drop off your hire car at the port, before taking a ferry to Kythnos, which takes just under an hour. When you arrive, pick up your next hire car and settle in for three nights on the island in a quietly luxurious hotel. All that’s left to do now is choose between heading to sandy beaches, exploring quiet coves or simply staying put on a sun lounger. This evening, enjoy Greek and international dishes at your hotel restaurant.

Covered in vines, fig trees and almond trees, this beautiful island has escaped overdevelopment by keeping crowds of tourists at bay. While access is easier than it used to be, Kythnos still lies off the beaten track, with a rugged authenticity that makes it so enticing. Today is yours to spend enjoying it, whether that means winding between bougainvillaea-lined alleyways in colourful villages or relaxing on incredible beaches like Kolona. Take a dip in the ancient hot springs of Loutra, or visit the Mesolithic site of Maroulas, the only site from this period that’s accessible in the Cyclades.

Today, wander ancient trails on a hike led by a private guide. You’ll begin at the archaeological site of Vryokastro, northwest of Kythnos – admire the aqueduct, acropolis, incredible temples and Kolona in the distance. After taking in the ancient history, continue through countryside and farmland, breathing in scents of thyme and clary sage as you head towards the sands of Apokrousi. Along the way, listen out for the buzz of bees, hard at work producing garrigues honey (a local specialty) and look out for the impressive dry-stone walls. When you reach Apokrousi, the island’s largest beach, dive straight into the refreshing sea.

Today you’ll head back to the port to drop off your hire car and take a ferry to Ermoupoli, the capital of Syros. On arrival, collect your next hire car and head to your hotel where you’ll spend the next three nights. Once you’ve settled in, head out to discover the local area and find a restaurant to enjoy tasty local dishes.

It’s your last two days in Greece, so once you’ve fuelled up with a delicious breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to head out and explore this exciting island. Think neoclassical architecture, beautiful beaches, pastel-coloured villages and spectacular views of unspoilt valleys and mountains. There’s plenty to do on the island, from swimming in the crystal-clear Aegean or shopping for local delicacies to take home.

When it comes to exploring Ermoupoli, don’t miss Ano Syros, a medieval hilltop village in pastel hues, with breathtaking views and a summit topped by Saint George’s Cathedral. The 17th century Monastery of Capuchin is an equally impressive landmark. To the south is Vrontado, the modern part of the city and home to the Orthodox Church of the Resurrection of Christ. If you like, we can also arrange a private guide to show you around the city.

Sadly, it’s time to pack your suitcase, take any last-minute snaps and wave goodbye to the stunning Cyclades. After tucking into breakfast at your hotel, drop off your hire car at the airport before catching the short flight to Athens, which takes around 35 minutes. From here, board your three-and-a-half hour flight back to the UK.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

BOAT TRIP AROUND KEA

Sailing along the coast of Kea is our favourite way to truly appreciate it, and this private boat trip will take you to all the best spots. From the water, you’ll have a great view of the incredible forests that cover the island as you head towards the archaeological site of Carthaea. Along the way, you’ll stop at a small, quiet beach where you can cool off in the transparent water and even do a spot of snorkelling.

PRIVATE TOUR OF ERMOUPOLI, SYROS

Discover the capital of Syros in the company of a knowledgeable private guide. The tour begins in the port district, where you’ll find the Church of the Assumption, built in 1828. Its main attraction is the Byzantine icon, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, created by Domenikos Theotokopoulos (better known as El Greco). In the pleasant Miaouli Square is the imposing town hall, built by Ernst Ziller in the 1870s, along with a fascinating archaeological museum. Continue your walk through old streets, where churches and monasteries mingle with shops and impressive homes. End the tour at the Apollo Theatre, inspired by Milan's La Scala, a vestige of the 19th century economic boom.

WITH A FEW MORE DAYS… VISIT TINOS

Tucked between Andros and Mykonos, Tinos is one of those islands that doesn’t make the front page of travel magazines – but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. This island is full of history, home of Aeolus in ancient mythology, and an important religious site for Orthodox Christians. The Panagia Evangelistria, the main church of Tinos Town, houses a miraculous icon of the annunciation that’s one of the most important in Greece. In the island’s villages, life is serene and nature is as wild and wonderful as on any Cycladic island. If you have a few days to spare, don’t miss it.

Why visit Greece with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Greece

  • Our local Concierges
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Estimated Price

Dependent on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

The prices shown here are merely a guide, as all of our trips are entirely tailor-made. Tailor-made travel involves multiple moving parts, and prices can vary hugely depending on the season of travel, the lead time before the proposed travel date (last minute deals are pretty much a myth), availability, your choice of accommodation and any additional activities you want to include. That means the only exact price will be the one we quote you, which we can adapt to suit your budget. The estimated starting cost for this trip is between £2,520 and £3,390 per person. The average starting price for this trip is £2,800 per person.

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