Cyclades - Ecotourism Greece

Cyclades

The Cyclades islands are a stunning destination for anyone who loves nature, culture and history. These islands offer a unique opportunity to experience ecotourism and sustainable tourism, which are ways of traveling that respect the environment and the local communities. Ecotourism and sustainable tourism aim to minimize the negative impacts of tourism, while maximizing the positive ones. They also promote conservation, education and empowerment of the people who live in the destination.

Explore the Cyclades. Read about each one:

A relatively quiet island away from mass tourism, Amorgos was named after a rare herb (locally known as linokalami), which was used to make clothing in ancient times. Its capital or Hora, with cobblestone streets, traditional windmills and whitewashed island houses, was built inland to protect it from pirates.

Amorgos

A simple way of life is preserved at Anafi, which is much calmer than neighbouring Santorini, and offers much better beaches overall. Unexplored caves, hiking paths and medicinal herbs are part of Anafi’s offerings, so are intriguing architecture and a variety of archaeological discoveries. Of particular splendour are the wildflowers in spring with the smell of sage and thyme in the air, in true Mediterranean style.

Anafi

Close to Athens from the Rafina side (only two hours), Andros is a comparatively green Cycladic island with abundant water. A centuries-old, rich naval tradition and strong cultural heritage make it a highly interesting spot for cultural travellers. Andros is rich in flora such as blackberry bushes, fig trees, ivies, myrtle, wild acorn trees, wild mint and much more. Its fauna include badgers, hares, snakes, partridges and weasels.

Andros

Accessible only by boat from Mykonos, Delos is arguably the most magnificent archaeological site of the Cyclades and one of the most important in Greece. Today uninhabited, Delos represents one of the primary religious centres of the Greek world in antiquity. It was a holy island, dedicated to the god Apollo. It was also a city without defensive walls yet with theatres and other public buildings, developed around the temple of Apollo.

Dilos

Donousa, where Dionysus supposedly hid Ariadne from Thesseus, feels like a captivatingly remote island at the edge of the world. Indeed it is the northern-most island of the Cyclades with just about 150 inhabitants. Yet this is precisely what makes Donousa so magical, complete with its fantastic beaches, rooms to let, bakery, handful of restaurants and traditional seaside café-cum-supermarket. This is a quiet and serene island, perfect for those who don't want to be plagued by tourists yet in search of the real Greek island experience.

Donousa

Folegandros is located between Milos and Sikinos, bathed in the bright light of the Aegean. It offers many surprises for the traveller such as intact architecture of its communities, paths that run to different corners of nature, beautiful secluded sandy beaches with crystal waters, cobblestone streets and the castle of the main town. Folegandros is spread over 32 square kilometres only, although its population reaches 600 residents in busy periods. The main town is closed off to cars and motorcycles, helping to preserve the serene, traditional atmosphere.

Folegandros

Ios may be truly one of the most beautiful islands of Greece. Its long golden beaches, clean sea, secluded coves and intense night life have made the island internationally known as the island of youth. However Ios, which has been connected with the name of the poet Homer, has still a lot to offer to visitors apart from sun, sea and entertainment, with rich Cycladic tradition not known by most tourists.

Ios

Irakleia (also spelled Heraklia, Iraklia or Iraklea) is the most western island of the Small Cyclades south of Naxos and north-east of Ios, and a truly quiet island with barely any vehicles. The island has a surface of18 square kilometre and has two villages with 120 residents. Locals are occupied with fishing, livestock-farming, agriculture and apiculture.

Irakleia

Although relatively close to Athens, the lively island of Kea (or Tzia in Greek) is not well known by tourists. It is an island with numerous natural attractions, rich traditions and authentic hospitality. This is the

Kea (Tzia)

Lying discretely between the better-known islands of Sifnos and Milos, Kimolos is ideal for those seeking a calmer experience in an enchanting setting with fascinating historical monuments and geological attractions. The island features a unique variety of rocks, where the white colour of “chalk” dominates (Kimolos comes from Kimolia, which means chalk in Greek). In Venetian times the island was known as Argentiera (Silvery) because of its silver-white reflection against the waves.

Kimolos

At last a very peaceful island that helps visitors find tranquillity within. Windless coasts and golden sandy beaches with the bluest of waters await visitors, along with small natural swimming pools, modest sea caves, fabulous island feasts and great seafood. Nonetheless, there are around 370 inhabitants on this island, which makes it almost overpopulated when compared to others of the same size. There’s also an uncharacteristically high proportion of young people on Koufonisi.

Koufonisi

Tourists usually ignore Kythnos, considering it a barren island that is not the easiest to reach. But because it’s not “fashionable”, it is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the mineral-rich thermal springs in the north of the island. There are over 30 small beaches that are mostly deserted and five villages. The villages are truly Cycladic in their architecture with cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses and central squares.

Kythnos

Welcome to the island of Venus de Milo, the famous statue that now lies in the Louvre. It’s volcanic past makes the island intriguing in terms of nature, with different coloured rocks, natural springs and over 70 pristine seas. Plaka, the capital of the island, is 200 meters above the gulf of Milos, complete with a castle and appealing churches. Read more bellow...

Milos

Known as a party island and a nightlife haven, Mykonos has a charming side that goes beyond typical island tourism – if you look hard enough. It is indeed one of the most picturesque islands with its winding streets and characteristic windmills. Read more bellow...

Mykonos

Considered the largest island of the Cyclades spread over 448 square kilometres with a population of 20,000, Naxos is known for its cuisine, charm and hidden surprises. Historical significance, architectural landmarks, castles, towers, mountains and fertile valleys await the visitor. Read more bellow...

Naxos

Paros may well be known as a holiday party island, but it offers so much more than meets the eye. When visitors first disembark at the main town of Parikia, they may not be impressed with all the development, although it does offer charming streets, neoclassical buildings, old springs and worthy sights in its midst. Parikia has always been the centre of the island since ancient times, and boasts some archaeological treasures (See section on Archaeology). Read more bellow...

Paros & Antiparos

Beyond being known as the island of beautiful sunsets, Santorini or Thira today offers much to the eco-visitor, as many hotels have kept the traditional style of architecture without spoiling the surroundings. Read more bellow...

Santorini

Here's a Cyclades island that is greener than the rest and calmer than most. The people of Schinoussa make their bread more from farming and fishing than into tourism, which gives the island a different, more authentic flavour. The islanders breed their own cattle and produce their own wine. The main town or Hora has a museum, decent tavernas and idyllic cafes.

Schinoussa

Relatively less touristic than most other Cyclades, Serifos is a surprisingly green island with fertile valleys and a coastline full of bays and coves. Raw beauty and old traditions against wild mountains over 75 square kilometres and barely 1200 inhabitants make Serifos a natural hideaway for those who would rather avoid the tourist crowds.

Serifos

There's a distinct harmony that lies between the whitewashed settlements and the Venetian castle or kastro with its historical towers. Tranquil sandy beaches with little wind, old monasteries and a venerable castle greet visitors to this island, replete with delicious local produce and rich cultural traditions.

Sifnos

This is one of the lesser known islands and least touristic of the Cyclades. It is quite small at 41 square kilometres only, and all its old ways and traditions remain intact. The main town or Hora lies next to the other settlement of Kastro. The town actually boasts some wonderful stone-built mansions of decades past, as well as the white traditional houses. Cobblestone streets, vaulted windows and typical cafes abound in this little hamlet, that is Cycladic and Aegean in its architecture as it gets.

Sikinos

When you leave the dusty port of Piraeus with its drab buildings on the mainland by ferry and dock into Syros a couple of hours later, you feel like you've reached another world in another era. The main town of Ermpoupolis is a happy and delightful place that is heavy with culture, graced with coloured neo-classical mansions and infused with a Catholic tradition not seen elsewhere on the island.

Syros

Thirasia

Thirasia

Often overlooked by foreign travellers, Tinos has much to offer to the adventurous eco-traveller. The Greeks see it mostly as a religious island for pilgrimage, made popular by Panagia Tinou (Virgin Mary of Tinos). Yet Tinos is about unique Cycladic architecture, many picturesque towns with cobblestone streets that are now sparsely populated, secluded beaches, walking paths, famed pigeon hotels, windmills and eclectic nature. The island boasts spectacular natural landscapes to delight in and explore, including some protected regions such as the wetlands of Kolymbithra and the region of Tsiknias, which falls under the network Natura 2000.

Tinos

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Thirasia