Blue-domed churches and white cubic houses line the cobbled streets forming a labyrinth that leads to the bluest sea you’ll ever feast your eyes on. This is the quintessential postcard of the Cyclades – Greece’s prized group of 220 islands including the infamous party town of Mykonos, the stunning volcanic island of Santorini, and the picturesque fishing village of Paros.
Ever since 7000 BC, long before party-goers and wealthy yachtsmen discovered them, the Cyclades were inhabited by the Minoans, the Romans and even the Turks. Today visitors can still see these influences throughout the islands, from the sacred island of Delos to the Venetian fortress of Exobourgo.
Choosing just one island to visit can be hard so most people island-hop instead. The easiest way is to take a flight to Mykonos or a flight to Santorini then hop on a boat or ferry to the surrounding islands. To avoid the summer crowds head to the less popular islands of Naxos or Siros which offer the same Greek isle holiday but with fewer crowds. For an even more authentic experience, do as the Greeks do and head to Tinos, one of the largest Cyclades, lined with long stretches of sandy beach.