Hello! I am planning the details of a 13 night trip to the Cyclades in early June 2019. I thought that I had settled on 3 nights in Sifnos, then 2 in Santorini, then 3 in Crete, and 3 in Naxos. The ferry schedule works and I have booked our accommodations in Sifnos and Santorini. After that I am second guessing myself. I have read a lot of comments about the size of Crete and how hard it would be to explore in just a few days. I am wondering if we should:A) add another night in Sifnos and two more in Naxos; or B) go to another island (thinking Folegrandos or maybe Milos). If we go with option A is there opportunity to visit some of the smaller islands for day trips?
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
I hope by now you've realized that the order in which you plan to hop is not the most efficient use of your time. The correct order would be Sifnos>>Naxos>>Santorini>>Crete>>Athens, leaving the mainland for the end of your trip so you aren't backtracking or trying to rush back to the mainland for your outbound flight. Upon arriving at ATH fly straight to Sifnos, then continue on by ferry to the other islands, then fly or ferry back to Athens at the end.
Crete is huge and it takes a minimum of a week with a rental car just to barely scratch the surface, so your alternative plans make good sense. You can go from Sifnos>>Paros>>Naxos>>Santorini>>Athens. From Paros you can take a daytrip to Antiparos by local shuttle ferry that takes less than an hour.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks, Lee. Unfortunately, I have already confirmed our hotels for Sifnos and Santorini so they will have to remain in that order. How can I figure out how to most wisely spend our time on the other 3? Also, may I ask why Paros instead of Folegrandos or Milos?
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
My suggested itineraries are just about saving as much time in transit as possible, and Paros is close to Sifnos and is only an hour from Naxos. There's no reason why you can't do Sifnos>>Santorini>>Naxos>>Paros>>Athens. I suggested Paros for the shortest time to travel from Sifnos, but whichever islands you do choose keep in mind that the final stop is Athens, so you want to choose islands that are on a route that will take you there without backtracking.