Picture it now: the high-stress exam period is done and dusted, demanding projects have been wrapped up, and the holiday season is beckoning. Plans for a well-deserved and unforgettable island adventure are being drafted and no stone is left unturned. Particularly for youthful holidaymakers, ripe for the holiday they’ve been dreaming of.
So here are a triumvirate of Cycladic islands where you and your pals can confidently head off for a fun, dreamy break. Get ready to create some amazing memories!
Ios
Often the synonym for carefree youthful merriment, Ios magnetises not just Greeks, but folks from across the European continent. The passage to the island commences at Piraeus port and depending on your chosen vessel and budget, the trip can range from a brisk 3-4 hours to a more unhurried 11-12.
The Chora of Ios, in true Cycladic fashion, serves as the focal point: charming backstreets, homes gleaming in their signature white. Navigate through the Chora, and you’ll find yourself at the sanctuary of Panagia Gremiotissa.
When the call of the sea becomes irresistible, you’re faced with a plenitude of choices. Maybe you’ll opt for the Magganari region with its pristine sandy shore or the settlement of Mylopotas, renowned for one of the Aegean’s most sublime beaches. If you seek serenity, the clear waters and pebbles of Psathi offer an idyllic alternative.
Unsurprisingly, the pulsating nightlife is the island’s main attraction. Beginning with the beach bars scattered across the organised coasts, the revelry continues into the small hours in the bars and clubs peppered throughout Chora’s narrow lanes.
Anafi
Anafi has that special something that often ensures visitors return again and again. It is the go-to destination for those seeking a bohemian retreat characterised by serenity and wonderful surroundings. It’s on the outer fringes of the Cyclades, ‘hidden’ behind the glamourous presence of Santorini. Still, its vibrant energy holds its own when weighed against even some of the most famed Aegean islands.
You can get to Anafi from Piraeus port, via two to three ferry departures each week, in a trip that lasts around 10 hours. The island’s main attraction? Its stunning beaches and its Chora (main town), which is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Cyclades. It’s constructed in an amphitheatrical style at an altitude of 260 metres, offering sweeping vistas, dome-topped residences, and charmingly narrow lanes.
The island beaches are split into two categories: the sandy, wind-protected paradises in the south, such as Kleisidi, Roukounas, Megas Potamos, and Monastiri, offer a stark contrast to their rocky, less populated counterparts in the north. It’s a must-visit for those who relish the thrill of wild camping, a practice that, regrettably, seems to be waning in recent years.
Unforgettable experiences to enjoy on the island include the ascent to the white chapel of Panagia Kalamiotissa, poised on Anafi’s highest peak. Pack your sleeping bag and provisions, set off in the afternoon, and after a hike of around one hour and fifteen minutes, prepare yourself for an astounding view of the Aegean and neighbouring islands. A night under the monastery’s cloister, surrounded by such raw beauty, is a well-deserved reward.
Antiparos
Shifting the focus, we find ourselves in Antiparos, a location that consistently dazzles with its genuine ambiance and unassuming nature. Despite receiving worldwide recognition, hosting Hollywood celebrities and influential politicians, Antiparos seamlessly fuses together multiple elements. Stark beauty, peaceful nooks, authentic Cycladic landscapes perfect for leisurely meanderings, an ancient history for those keen on a temporal adventure, and a lively nightlife. You can reach the island from Piraeus, Lavrio or Rafina, with a trip time of 3-7 hours to Paros, followed by a brief ferry ride from the ports of Paroikia or Pounta.
Savour meandering through the lanes, weaving between whitewashed houses with their vibrant blue windows and striking bougainvillea, indulge in the traditional flavours, and get carried away by the island’s nightlife. Make time to visit the castle, an impressive example of fortification dating from the 13th-16th centuries. The island has significant archaeological and geological value, but the true heartbeat of Antiparos is the cave tucked away in its interior. Known to locals as “The Refuge”, this is one of the deepest caves in the Balkans, decked with stalactites and stalagmites. At an altitude of 171 metres, the cave’s depth is as remarkable as its winter temperature, a consistent 15 degrees Celsius.
As the night blankets the island, “La Luna” discotheque is the island’s “place to be”. If it’s open, it’s an absolute must-visit, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience, capturing perhaps the very essence of the Cyclades. Like a well-crafted cocktail, Antiparos mixes the old and the new, the peaceful and the lively.
Read also:
Antiparos: Ancient History, Natural Wonders and Coastal Charm
