Details

Itinerary

Arrive at least one day early to Athens to test ride the bikes.

Bike mileage listed for each day is that day’s standard bike route.  Depending on your party’s cycling level, most daily routes can vary by adding mileage or minimizing mileage.

The itinerary below is standard, but you can opt to spend more overnights on certain islands if your vacation is cycle oriented, such as Paros and Naxos which have numerous bike route choices.  Or you can opt for more overnights on other islands, such as Mykonos or Syros, if you’re more inclined to sight see.   The best thing about the Cyclades islands is that each one is an absolutely winning destination.

An important factor to remember about ferry hopping is that the Boats Rule.  Your itinerary is dependent on ferry schedules which do not, as some foreigners may think, run at all hours nor between all islands.  Because ferry schedules dictate your arrival and departure time to each island, this affects your cycling schedule.  Bikers are limited to ferries since most high speed boats tend not to accommodate bicycles because they lack hulls for vehicles.

Day 1:  Syros  

Depart from Piraeus an early morning ferry to Ermoupoli, the picturesque capital of the Cyclades.  Admire the neoclassical buildings, an opera house and the casino adjacent to a church.   Choice to walk up to Ano Syro, the charming medieval, carfree neighborhood or take a quick warm-up ride to Kambos in the barely populated north end of the island.   20 km, 12 miles

Day 2: Syros

The cycling route takes you counterclockwise on a loop of the southern portion of the island.  A half dozen or beaches beckon you to stop en route but wait till Vari Beach which is the best spot for lunch and swimming.  36 km, 22 miles

Day 3:   Options to go to Tinos, Mykonos, an extra day on Paros or an extra day on Naxos

Mykonos is famous for its all night parties, shopping and beaches but it is not really a biking destination.  Cyclists opt for Mykonos to visit the nearby World Heritage site of Delos Island.   Tinos is also a choice with scant foreign tourists.  Cyclists are rewarded biking in traditional villages that feature basket makers, Venetian era dovecotes, marble sculptors and windmills.  It is easy to spend 3 days or Paros or Naxos as both have a large network of paved roads to choose from.   Ask us for more info about Day 3 options.

Day 4:   Naxos  

If you opt to go to Mykonos on Day 3 you will take a morning boat to car-free, bike-free Delos Island and an afternoon boat to Naxos.   Depending on your desires and ability, you can bike to the olive oil museum or an ancient 6th century BC unfinished statue still lying in its quarry or to Agia Anna beach.

Day 5:  Naxos

Cycle the interior of the island to an impressive kouros unfinished in its quarry.  Continue to Halki an adorable little village famous for its kitron liqueur made from lemon leaves.  Bike further to Aria Springs and hike to Za Cave.   48.60 km, 30 miles  For ambitious cyclists, challenge yourself to circle the island 82 km, 51 miles

Day 6:  Paros

It’s only a 45 minute ferry from Naxos to Paros.  En route to your hotel in the fishing village of Naoussa stop for a short hike to Korakas Lighthouse with spectacular views.   Stop again to swim at the unusual Kolymbithres beach whose rocks will wow you.  You also have the option to cycle to Santa Maria beach far northeast end of the island.

Day 7:  Paros

Maximize your cycling on Paros by making a loop of the island  50 km, 30 miles.  Or stretch the loop further by adding Antiparos island which is only about 10 minutes away by boat.  Antiparos is a more relaxed version of Paros.   Bike to the famed Antiparos cave adding 18 km, 11 miles to the loop. .

Day 8:  Departure

On your last morning on the island, bike up to car-free Lefkes, an adorable village that is the island’s the highest and was the Byzantine capital of Paros.  34 km, 21 miles

Itinerary

Arrive at least one day early to Athens to test ride the bikes.

Bike mileage listed for each day is that day’s standard bike route.  Depending on your party’s cycling level, most daily routes can vary by adding mileage or minimizing mileage.

The itinerary below is standard, but you can opt to spend more overnights on certain islands if your vacation is cycle oriented, such as Paros and Naxos which have numerous bike route choices.  Or you can opt for more overnights on other islands, such as Mykonos or Syros, if you’re more inclined to sight see.   The best thing about the Cyclades islands is that each one is an absolutely winning destination.

An important factor to remember about ferry hopping is that the Boats Rule.  Your itinerary is dependent on ferry schedules which do not, as some foreigners may think, run at all hours nor between all islands.  Because ferry schedules dictate your arrival and departure time to each island, this affects your cycling schedule.  Bikers are limited to ferries since most high speed boats tend not to accommodate bicycles because they lack hulls for vehicles.

Day 1:  Syros  

Depart from Piraeus an early morning ferry to Ermoupoli, the picturesque capital of the Cyclades.  Admire the neoclassical buildings, an opera house and the casino adjacent to a church.   Choice to walk up to Ano Syro, the charming medieval, carfree neighborhood or take a quick warm-up ride to Kambos in the barely populated north end of the island.   20 km, 12 miles

Day 2: Syros

The cycling route takes you counterclockwise on a loop of the southern portion of the island.  A half dozen or beaches beckon you to stop en route but wait till Vari Beach which is the best spot for lunch and swimming.  36 km, 22 miles

Day 3:   Options to go to Tinos, Mykonos, an extra day on Paros or an extra day on Naxos

Mykonos is famous for its all night parties, shopping and beaches but it is not really a biking destination.  Cyclists opt for Mykonos to visit the nearby World Heritage site of Delos Island.   Tinos is also a choice with scant foreign tourists.  Cyclists are rewarded biking in traditional villages that feature basket makers, Venetian era dovecotes, marble sculptors and windmills.  It is easy to spend 3 days or Paros or Naxos as both have a large network of paved roads to choose from.   Ask us for more info about Day 3 options.

Day 4:   Paros  

Take the morning boat to ancient Delos island, a World Heritage Site sanctuary with no cars or roads. A mid-afternoon ferry lands you in Paros at Parikia port with its charming windmill roundabout.  Bike the back road to your seaside accommodations in Naoussa. 10.50 km, 6.50 miles  After hotel check-in, bike to the isolated tip of the island to take a forty minute hike on a raw beauty dirt path to Korakas Lighthouse built in 1887.  4.47 km, 2.7 miles

Day 5:  Paros

Lots of cycling options. Make a loop around Paros, stopping at the delightful Valley of the Butterflies atop a hill in a surprisingly woody area.  56 km, 35 miles.   Or take a short ferry to Antiparos island to bike to the famous Antiparos Cave and get another work-out walking up and down its 400 steps.   61 km, 38 miles (long version)

Day 6:  Naxos

A morning ride to Lefkes, the highest town in Paros and perhaps its prettiest with colorful homes and shops. 21.60 km, 13.40 miles.  A short 45 minute ferry transfer brings you to Naxos, the greenest of the Cycladic islands.  Afternoon biking options:   Agia Anna Beach 11 km, 6.80 miles or  the olive oil museum in Eggares 18 km, 11 miles or Alyki pine forest 45 km, 28 miles

Day 7:  Naxos

A morning ride inland to see an impressive kouros unfinished in its quarry.  Continue to Halki an adorable little village famous for its kitron liqueur made from lemon leaves.  Bike further to Aria springs and hike to Za Cave.   48.60 km, 30 miles  For ambitious cyclists, challenge yourself to circle the island 82 km, 51 miles

Day 8:  Departure

Whether you are leaving Naxos by boat or air, you have time for a morning ride to Dimitra Sanctuary to see the restored pagan temple and Byzantine church.  Start the ride by 8:30 am and there’s time enough to shower before check-out at noon and head to the port or airport.   35 km, 21.80 miles

Electric Bike

• E-bikes upgrade cost 50 euros a day.   See Our Bikes and Our Gear   for more info
  

Carbon Road Bike

• Upgrade to a Specialized Tarmac Sport, carbon fiber frame and fork. Cost is 70 euros a day. See Our Bikes and Our Gear for more info

Travel Insurance

• Travel insurance is required to participate in a CycleGreece tour.  For comparative rates see Insure My Trip.   Cost of coverage depends on various factors including your state or residence, your age, dates of travel. Travel insurance is not provided for flights booked using frequent flyer mileage. Some policies require booking within 15 days of paying your trip deposit, such as, cancel for any reason or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

Airport Transfer On Arrival

• Private transfer from Athens Airport to Athens hotel. You are met at the arrivals exit by one of our team holding a sign with your name on it. We wait for you regardless of how late your plane may arrive. No waiting in taxi or bus lines. 170 euros per transfer for up to 8 persons.