Brief presentation of the Dodecanese and Cyclades Itinerary DayDestinationMiles 1Athens - Mykonos96 2Mykonos – Patmos71 3Patmos – Leros26 4Leros – Kalymnos24 5Kalymnos – Kos15 6Kos – Nisyros24 7Nisyros – Symi44 8Symi – Rhodes24 9Rhodes – Halki43 10Halki – Tilos – Nisyros32 11Nisyros – Astypalaia56 12Astypalaia – Amorgos48 13Amorgos – Paros38 14Paros – Syros39 15Syros – Athens76

Athens - Mykonos / 96 miles day 1 Mykonos Mykonos which is often called the “Ibiza of Greece” is a beautiful island in the Cyclades. According to mythology, this was where Heracles killed the giants. The town Chora is the place you should really explore. Here you can see the windmills, the Parapotiani church, the main square of Chora “Laka” and the museums. There are lots of water sports offered in Mykonos, as well as diving and horse riding. The most popular beaches are Platy Gialos, Psarou, Elia and Super Paradise. The island is famous for its unique nightlife.

day 2 Mykonos – Patmos / 71 miles Patmos Patmos is a beautiful island which captivates the visitor from the first moment. It was here where St. John had his vision and wrote the apocalypse and this is why Patmos is sometimes called “The Jerusalem of the Aegean”. Visitors can see the cave where St.John is said to have received his Revelation (the Cave of the Apocalypse) and the Monastery of St. John which looks like a huge fortress above Chora. The main communities of Patmos are its capital Chora and Skala. The island is quite windy, so it is good for windsurfing. There are a lot of beautiful beaches on Patmos such as Psili, Grikos, Petra, Merikas, Vagia, Aspri, Agriolivado and etc.

day 3 Patmos – Leros / 26 miles Leros Leros, the island of Artemis, is a mountainous, green island with high cliffs and many small bays and villages. One of the most striking features of Leros is the Kastro of the Virgin Mary (Panagia Kastrou) that towers above the island’s capital. Just outside Partheni there are the remains of a temple of Artemis. Leros has numerous wonderful beaches all with crystal clear waters. There are water sports at several beaches like wind surfing and jet ski. Snorkeling and underwater fishing are very popular here too. The most popular beach is Alinda. Another popular beaches are Panteli and Xirokampos.

day 4 Leros – Kalymnos / 24 miles Kalymnos The first thing that comes to mind when one talks about Kalymnos is the sponges. The sponges are the trademarks of Kalymnos as they are the main occupation of most of its residents. Kalymnos is the third bigger island and the second more populated in Dodecanese. The island is famous for its wild beauty and is perfect for those who love climbing. The most popular beaches of Kalymnos are Myrties and Masouri.

day 5 Kalymnos – Kos / 15 miles Kos Kos is the third largest island in the Dodecanese. It is the birthplace of the father of medicine Hippocrates which was born in the island round 460 B.C. and founded the Great School of Medicine of Kos. The island is famous for its tight vegetation and temperate climate. Kos has many places worth visiting. In the capital, Kos, there is an interesting archaeological museum, the Kastro from the 13 th century, the plane of Hippocrates where he supposedly taught and read and the Mosque of Gazi Hassan Pasha from However, the most important monument of the island is the ancient Asklipeion. As for swimming, Kos provides beaches for all tastes and preferences. The most popular beach on Kos is Paradise beach. Other popular beaches are Tagaki, Mastihari, Lambi and the beaches in Kardamena and Kefalos.

day 6 Kos – Nisyros / 24 miles Nisyros Nisyros is a small island in the Dodecanese between Kos and Tilos. What strikes the visitor most about Nisyros is its wild beauty and striking colours. There are many things to see on the island. Above the capital Mandraki, there is the 15 th century monastery dedicated to Panagia Spilianis (Virgin Mary of the Cave). There is also a fortification nearby, Paleokastro, which dates back to the 4 th century BC and the Kastro of the Knights of St.John. One of the natural attractions of Nisyros island is the volcano which lies on the Lakka plateau. Wonderful villages Nikia and Emboria are also worth visiting. There are a lot of beautiful small bays and beaches here such as White Beach, Pachia Ammos and Cholchaki.

day 7 Nisyros – Symi / 44 miles Symi Symi is one of the most beautiful islands of the Dodecanese that has a little bit of everything. The island derives its name from Poseidon’s wife Syme. The most important sight on the island is the monastery of the archangel Michael (Taxiarchou Michael). Here, there are two museums, a laographic and a religious. In Ano Symi you can visit the old Castle of the Knights and the archeological museum. Symi has beautiful beaches. The best beach is considered to be Pedi. Other popular beaches are Emborio beach, Marathounda and Nanou beach.

day 8 Symi – Rhodes / 24 miles Rhodes Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese Island group of Greece. It is a beautiful island which is perhaps well known for the famous Colossus of Rhodes – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Before it was destroyed, the statue stood over 100 feet high, which made it the tallest statue in ancient times. The capital, Rhodes, is very beautiful. Here, in the old part of the town, you can visit the castle of the Grand Master, the Castle of the Knights and walk on the road of the Knights. Other places of interest include the ancient city of Lindos and Trianda in the Petaludes Valley, also known as the Valley of the Butterflies. The island has many beautiful and unique beaches.

day 9 Rhodes – Halki / 43 miles Chalki This tiny mountainous island (28 sq km) has a population of just 500. The island possibly got its name from the copper (in Greek chalkos) that was once mined here. Some of the most important sites of Chalki are : ancient crusader castle, church of St.Nicholas, Old monastery of Michail Panormitis and Pefkia with Apollo’s temple. The island has fine beaches with crystal clear waters such as Pondamos, Trachia and Areta.

day 10 Halki – Tilos – Nisyros/32 miles Tilos Tilos is a small and very beautiful island between Nisyros and Chalki. The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The remains of the ancient town in Megalo Chorio, the Venetian Castle, the byzantine churches and the bones of dwarfs found in Harkadio cave, reveal a lot about the island’s history. Most beaches on Tilos are quiet and unorganized. The only organized beach is Livadia.

day 11 Nisyros – Astypalaia / 56 miles Astypalea Astypalea is the most westerly of all islands of the Dodecanese. “Astypalea” means “ancient city”. Worth visiting in Astypalea are the little archaeological museum and the remains of a Roman Villa in the village Maltezana (Analipsis). There are a few nice beaches in walking distance from Astypalea town (Hora). The most popular beach is Maltezana. The island is great for windsurfing, snorkeling and relaxing.

day 12 Astypalaia – Amorgos/48 miles Amorgos Amorgos Greece is the easternmost island of the Cyclades. The island of Amorgos used to be a major center of the Cycladic civilization so the island is gifted with significant archaeological sites. In Chora, the capital of Amorgos, the visitors can visit the Byzantne Monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa buit into a Cliffside. The 13 th century Castle, located on the highest point in Chora is also worth visiting. Other places of interest include: the Gavras Tower, the ruins of the Roman Baths, the churches of Agia Triada and Agios Ioannis in Lagada and the ancient capital of the island – Minoa – in Katapola. Many visitors select Amorgos as their vacation destination, because of its numerous lovely beaches and clear waters. Amorgos Greece is the easternmost island of the Cyclades. The island of Amorgos used to be a major center of the Cycladic civilization so the island is gifted with significant archaeological sites. In Chora, the capital of Amorgos, the visitors can visit the Byzantne Monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa buit into a Cliffside. The 13 th century Castle, located on the highest point in Chora is also worth visiting. Other places of interest include: the Gavras Tower, the ruins of the Roman Baths, the churches of Agia Triada and Agios Ioannis in Lagada and the ancient capital of the island – Minoa – in Katapola. Many visitors select Amorgos as their vacation destination, because of its numerous lovely beaches and clear waters.

day 13 / 38 miles Amorgos – Paros/ 38 milesParos Paros is located in the centre of the Cyclades between Naxos, Mykonos, Ios, Sifnos and Syros. The island takes its name from Paros, the leader of the Arcadians, who went there in the 10 th century BC. Paros has everything to offer to the visitors: beautiful landscapes, lovely beaches with crystal clear water, picturesque harbors, archaeological sites and numerous churches, chapels and monasteries. We suggest visiting the Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani (Our Lady of a Hundred Gates), the remains of the ancient temple to Apollo, the famous Aesclepio and the Venetian Citadel in Naousa. The island has many beautiful beaches and is famous for its wines and white marble.

day 14 Paros – Syros / 39 miles Syros Syros has everything that a Greek island should have: fine beaches, attractive bays, antiquities, restaurants, taverns, bars and a hectic night life. It is the main administrative island of the Cyclades prefecture. Syros has been inhabited since the stone age. Homer mentioned the island and called it Sirin. In the capital of the island we suggest visiting the Apollo theatre, the Archaeological museum and the churches of Agios Demetrius, Treis Hierarches and Agios Nikolaos. The stalactite cave Agios Stefanos, the archaeological excavations at Halandriani and Kastri are also worth visiting. The popular beaches are Galissas beach, Vari, Finikas Bay and Gialos.

day 15 Syros – Athens / 76 miles Athens Athens, the capital of Greece, is the birthplace of Western civilization. Athens is a city with a wide variety of things to see and do. The first place you should visit is, of course, the Parthenon. Other archaeological sites include the agora, the market, with the temple to Hephaistos, the temple to Zeus and the arch of Hadrian. At the Syntagma Square you can visit the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. The colorful Plaka neighborhood is also worth a visit. Athens is also famous for its nightlife. The most popular beaches are in Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Nea Makri, Crysi Akti, Lagonisi, Kavouri and Alimos.