7-day itinerary
7-Day Cyclades Sailing Itinerary
A realistic week from Athens: Kea, Kythnos, Syros, Mykonos and Tinos, with daily distances, wind notes and the stops that are worth the detour.
Overview
A week in the western and central Cyclades
This Cyclades sailing itinerary is built for a one-week charter that starts and ends at Lavrio, the main base on the Athens Riviera for the Cyclades. It keeps most legs between 10 and 25 nautical miles, leaves the afternoons for swimming and harbour towns, and has a built-in plan B for the meltemi, the strong summer north wind of the Aegean.
For the region itself, its islands and the yachts we offer there, see the Cyclades yacht charter guide. This page is the day-by-day plan.
This route suits
- Crews with some sailing experience
- Skippered and crewed charters
- Island hopping from Athens
- Mixing busy and quiet islands
- Seven-day Saturday to Saturday charters
- Monohulls and catamarans
Day by day
The Cyclades sailing itinerary at a glance
Distances are approximate straight-line figures between harbours; the real distance sailed depends on the wind angle and is usually longer. Your skipper or our base team will adjust the plan to the forecast each morning.
Lavrio to Kea (Vourkari)
≈ 13 nmAn easy first leg across the Kea channel after the afternoon check-in. Vourkari bay on the north-west of Kea is well sheltered, with tavernas along the quay and the village of Ioulida on the hill above. If you board late, Kea is close enough to reach before dark.
Kea to Kythnos (Kolona)
≈ 15 nmSouth to Kythnos and the Kolona sandbar, a narrow strip of sand joining Kythnos to the islet of Agios Loukas with water on both sides. A swim and lunch stop here, then the night at anchor or in Merichas, the island's small port, or at Loutra with its natural hot springs.
Kythnos to Syros (Ermoupoli)
≈ 25–27 nmThe longest crossing of the week and the one to plan around the forecast. Ermoupoli is the administrative capital of the Cyclades, with neoclassical mansions, a marble town square and the Apollon theatre. The town quay gives easy access to provisions before you head further east.
Syros to Mykonos or Rinia
≈ 14–18 nmWith a favourable wind, continue east to Mykonos for an evening in Chora, or stop at the quieter bays of Rinia, next to Delos. Delos is an archaeological site with fixed opening hours; most visitors go over on the tour boats from Mykonos, so check the current rules with your skipper before planning a stop.
Mykonos to Tinos (or back to Syros)
≈ 10–12 nmTinos is a short hop north-west and has a very different feel from Mykonos: marble-carving villages, dovecotes and the Church of Panagia Evangelistria above the port. If the meltemi is strong, this is the day to stay put or to return downwind to Syros instead.
Syros to Kythnos
≈ 25 nmThe route turns west for the return. Leaving early gets you across before the afternoon wind builds. Kythnos has several anchorages on its west coast that work in a northerly, and Loutra or Merichas are both options for the night.
Kythnos to Lavrio
≈ 24 nmThe final leg back to the mainland, passing close to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. Most charter contracts ask you to be back at the base on the evening before disembarkation, so plan an early start and a relaxed lunch stop on the way.
nm = nautical miles. One nautical mile is 1.852 km. A cruising yacht typically covers 5 to 7 nm in an hour under sail, depending on the boat and the wind.
Suitable yachts
Yachts that work well for this route
For the open crossings of the Cyclades, many crews choose a larger sailing yacht or a catamaran for stability. Exact availability and price are confirmed in writing after your enquiry.
Guide
Planning your Cyclades sailing itinerary
Contents
Why this Cyclades sailing itinerary starts from Lavrio
Lavrio sits on the south-east tip of Attica, less than an hour by road from Athens International Airport. It is closer to the Cyclades than the marinas in Athens itself, which saves several hours of sailing on the first and last day of the week. Kea, the first island on this Cyclades sailing itinerary, is only around 13 nautical miles away, so you can leave on the afternoon of embarkation day and still arrive in daylight.
If you would rather start further south, a charter from Paros or Mykonos puts you in the middle of the islands from the first day. Read more about the Athens bases on our yacht charter Athens and Lavrio page.
The meltemi and how it shapes the route
In July and August the meltemi blows from the north or north-east across the Aegean, often strongest in the afternoon and sometimes for several days in a row. It is the single biggest factor in any Cyclades sailing itinerary. This route is designed so that the long crossings (Kythnos to Syros and back) run roughly east and west, across the wind rather than straight into it, and so that there is always a sheltered harbour within a few hours.
When the meltemi is forecast to be strong, the usual changes are simple: cross early in the morning, swap Mykonos and Tinos for a second night in Syros, or spend an extra day in Kythnos. Our article what is the meltemi? explains the pattern in more detail, and the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research publishes free wind and wave forecasts through its POSEIDON system.
Best time of year for this route
May, June and September are the most comfortable months for this Cyclades sailing itinerary: the sea is warm from June, the harbours are less crowded and the meltemi is usually lighter and less persistent than in high summer. July and August are the busiest weeks, with the warmest water and the strongest winds. October can still be very pleasant, with shorter days and more variable weather. See the best time to sail in Greece for a month-by-month view.
Highlights on the way
Kea and Kythnos
Kea and Kythnos are the closest Cyclades to Athens and much quieter than the islands further south. Kea has the lion of Ioulida, an archaic carving in the rock outside the main village, and good walking. Kythnos has the Kolona sandbar, fishing harbours and the thermal springs at Loutra.
Syros
Syros is the working heart of the Cyclades. Ermoupoli has a real town atmosphere all year, with a market, shipyards and grand nineteenth-century buildings, and Ano Syros, the medieval Catholic quarter, sits on the hill behind it. It is the best place on the route to stock up.
Mykonos, Rinia and Delos
Mykonos needs no introduction. From the water you see its other side: quiet bays on the south coast and, next door, the uninhabited coves of Rinia. Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, lies between the two (see the UNESCO listing for Delos).
Tinos
Tinos is known for its marble craft villages such as Pyrgos, its hundreds of dovecotes and its pilgrimage church. It is busy around the religious holiday of 15 August.
How far can you sail in a week?
This route covers roughly 125 to 135 nautical miles over seven days, an average of under 20 nm a day. That is a comfortable pace for a cruising yacht and leaves time for swimming, lunch at anchor and evenings ashore. Trying to add Paros, Naxos or Santorini to a one-week loop from Athens usually means long days at sea and no margin for weather. If you want the southern islands, consider a two-week charter or a one-way trip; our guide how many islands can you visit in a week? covers the trade-offs.
| Day | Route | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Lavrio to Kea (Vourkari) | ≈ 13 nm |
| Day 2 | Kea to Kythnos (Kolona) | ≈ 15 nm |
| Day 3 | Kythnos to Syros (Ermoupoli) | ≈ 25–27 nm |
| Day 4 | Syros to Mykonos or Rinia | ≈ 14–18 nm |
| Day 5 | Mykonos to Tinos (or back to Syros) | ≈ 10–12 nm |
| Day 6 | Syros to Kythnos | ≈ 25 nm |
| Day 7 | Kythnos to Lavrio | ≈ 24 nm |
Alternative routes in strong wind
A good Cyclades sailing itinerary always has a plan B. If the meltemi is forecast at the strong end of its range for several days, a week in the western islands (Kea, Kythnos, Serifos and Sifnos) keeps the legs shorter and closer to the mainland. Another option is to sail the 7-day Saronic itinerary instead, which stays in calmer water close to Athens.
Bareboat, skippered or crewed?
The Cyclades are not the easiest Greek waters for a first bareboat charter because of the meltemi and the open crossings. Experienced crews with the right licence sail this route bareboat every summer; many others prefer a skippered charter, where a local professional handles the boat and the weather decisions. For a fully serviced week with a chef and crew, see our luxury yacht charter Greece page or crewed yacht charters. Licence rules are explained in do I need a licence to charter a yacht in Greece?
Practical tips for the week
- Arrive at harbours such as Ermoupoli and Mykonos by early afternoon in high season; space on the quay fills quickly.
- Keep the long crossings for the mornings, when the wind is usually lighter.
- Carry enough water and fuel to be flexible; you may decide to stay an extra night at anchor.
- Plan to return to the base the evening before disembarkation, as set out in your charter agreement.
- Check the forecast every morning with your skipper or base, even when the plan looks settled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need to sail the Cyclades?
Seven days is enough for a loop of the western and central Cyclades from Athens, like the route on this page. To include the southern islands such as Paros, Naxos, Ios or Santorini, most crews choose ten days to two weeks or a one-way charter.
Is this Cyclades sailing itinerary suitable for beginners?
It suits crews with some sailing experience or a skippered charter. The meltemi and the open crossings make the Cyclades more demanding than the Ionian or the Saronic Gulf. First-time charterers often choose a skipper for this region.
Can we start the itinerary from Mykonos or Paros instead?
Yes. Starting from Paros or Mykonos places you in the centre of the islands, which suits routes to Naxos, the Small Cyclades, Ios or Santorini. Tell us your preferred base and we will check which yachts are available there.
What happens if the meltemi is too strong?
The route is changed, not forced. Typical options are crossing early in the morning, staying an extra night in a sheltered harbour, or switching to the western Cyclades. Safety decisions rest with the skipper.
Can we visit Delos by yacht?
Delos is an archaeological site with fixed opening hours, and most visitors arrive on the tour boats from Mykonos. Ask your skipper about the current rules for private yachts before you plan a stop.
When should we book a Cyclades charter?
For July and August, start looking several months ahead because the most popular yachts are booked early. Read how far ahead to book a yacht charter in Greece.
Plan your trip
Sail this Cyclades sailing itinerary
Send your dates, group size and preferred base. We come back with the yachts that are actually available, their exact specifications and a written quotation.
Keep exploring
Where to go next
Compare the cruising regions, pick the charter format that fits your crew, or go straight to the yachts that match your dates.
Request availabilityItineraries
- 7-day Cyclades itinerary→
- 7-day Ionian itinerary→
- 7-day Saronic itinerary→
- A first week in the Ionian→
- How many islands in a week?→
