Scattered like pearls in the shimmering Aegean Sea, the Cyclades islands with their white-washed villages, blue-domed churches and sandy beaches present the classic image of Greece. So-called because of the circle they form around sacred Delos, the 20 or so Cycladic islands are the original and best place for island-hopping.
In this guide, we’ll share some of our favourite island combinations with Santorini and top tips for making the most of your Greek island-hopping adventure. Decide your place and pace on a Santorini Island hopping adventure – escapism in a Santorini Cave House before a hop to one of the Cycladic islands close by.
Experience another stunning Greek island on a Santorini Island Hopping Adventure
Santorini is ideally located and well connected for a spot of island hopping around the Greek islands. Whilst it’s easy to spend a week on Santorini and not get bored, there’s something special about island hopping in Greece. The excitement as you spot the shoreline from your sun-drenched ferry, the first glimpse of the port and the anticipation of exploring another island – this is what summer in Greece is all about.
How many islands should I visit?
For a 7-night holiday, we’d recommend you visit 2 islands. If you’d like to visit 3 islands, 9 days would be ideal. This will allow you sufficient time on each island to explore and relax whilst minimising the time and cost spent moving between islands.
How easy is it to island hop from Santorini?
Greece and its islands are generally well connected by ferry routes. In particular, the Cyclades island chain which Santorini is part of have an excellent inter-island connectivity, especially during the summer months. With the right planning and research a Santorini island hopping holiday is very easy to arrange.
Dos and Don’ts of island hopping from Santorini
- Book your accommodation in advance. The days of turning up at the port and finding a really good place to stay are unfortunately over (unless you are really really lucky). For hidden gems in the Cyclades, check out i-escape.com.
- When planning your Santorini Island hopping adventure, research and book your ferry tickets in advance. Ferries do get booked up quickly, especially the most popular ferry routes. Most accommodation requires you to check out by 11 am and check in at 3pm so where possible book a ferry which minimises the amount of time hanging around at the port or having to store luggage.
- Allow enough time to get to the port by organising transportation from your accommodation to the port. It’s a 20-minute drive from Demeter Cave House to the ferry port (called Athinios) and we recommend arriving at least 1 hour before your ferry is due to leave. Ask your accommodation on the other islands to arrange pick-up/drop-off at the port.
- Don’t try to ‘do’ too many islands. Sure, island hopping is fun, but it can also be tiring. If you try to put too many islands into the itinerary, you could be spending a disproportionate amount of time on ferries, waiting for ferries and not actually being able to see much of the destination itself. That’s why we recommend 2 islands in 7 nights.
- Allow for unexpected delays when travelling by ferry. We would not recommend you travel by ferry to catch you return flight on the same day.
- Ask us for our personal recommendations. We’ve been fortunate to live in Greece for 15 years and visited quite a few of the islands. What’s more, quite a number of our guests have done some of the suggestions below so we have real experiences to share with you. Just send us a message and we’ll get back you to right away.
Our Top 5 Favourite Island Hopping Combinations from Santorini
1. Santorini & Mykonos: Ibiza meets Shirley Valentine
Why We Like This: Total contrast of landscapes and vibe; it combines the awe-inspiring, unique beauty of Santorini with the glamour, great beaches and vivid nightlife of Mykonos. Two Greek island supermodels in 1 trip!
Why Go to Mykonos?
Beautiful beaches, a great music and nightlife scene and top end restaurants and beach bars (you’ll need a decent budget in Mykonos!) The pretty main town or chora as its called is picture-postcard perfect; a pretty fishing harbour, its buzzing clubs and pubs, its trademark windmills, the area called ‘little Venice’ waterfront, and its clothes, jewellery and designer boutiques all vying for your Euro. Alternatively there are some beach resorts a short drive from Mykonos town if you like to be by the beach. Mykonos gets its fair share of visitors (as many as Crete!) in the summer months so don’t expect a sleepy Greek island.
Suggested Itinerary
Fly to Santorini (either direct or via Athens), 4 nights in Santorini, 3 nights in Mykonos
Fly from Mykonos to your home destination either direct or via Athens.
(If you prefer to fly in and out of Santorini, we suggest 3 nights Santorini, 3 nights Mykonos, 1 night Santorini. It may also be possible to fly into Mykonos for 3 nights and fly out of Santorini after 4 nights)
Ferries between Santorini & Mykonos
You have quite a bit of choice of ferries between Santorini & Mykonos, but we would recommend taking SeaJets World Champion Jet which based on 2011 schedule leaves Santorini port at 12:15 and arrives at Mykonos at 14:15 (price approx. 80 Euros)
Ferries between Mykonos & Santorini
If you need to return from Mykonos to Santorini, then go for the SeaJets World Champion Jet or Power Jet leaving at 09:50 or 12:40 respectively arriving at 11:45 or 15:25 (approx. 80 Euros)
2. Santorini & Folegandros: the island to totally unwind
Why We Like This: You can combine Greece’s most photogenic and popular island, Santorini with the laid back and unspoilt Greek island of Folegandros, which is still off the normal tourist trail (although becoming popular!). What’s more the ferry journey is just 55 minutes (based on 2023 schedule)
Why Go to Folegandros?
One of the smallest and prettiest islands in the Cyclades, Folegandros makes you relax. With no airport and only 1 main road, holidays here are all about lazy days and even lazier evenings. This is really the place to unwind, grab a book and disconnect from the world. The main town called Hora has many delightful places to eat, most open air and the village is a typical whitewashed affair with breath-taking sea views. A rugged coastline indented with little bays and coves promises the clearest, turquoise waters – and a top tip is to take one of the round island boat trips which operate in the summer.
Suggested Itinerary
Fly to Santorini (either direct or via Athens)
3 nights in Santorini
3 nights in Folegandros,
1 night Santorini.
(Note: there is no airport in Folegandros and the island is best reached from Santorini by ferry)
For accommodation in Folegandros, we recommended i-escape who specialise in unique, boutique hideaways. Previous guests who have stayed with us at Demeter Cave House stayed at Anemomilos and Blue Sand Boutique Hotel and highly recommended them both.
Ferries between Santorini & Folegandros
There are limited options for travel from Santorini to Folegandros. Previous guests have taken the SeaJet SuperJet which leaves Santorini at 15:00 and arrives at 15:50 (based on 2023 schedule). The return from Folegandros leaves at 10:55 arriving 11:45.
3. Santorini & Milos: Mysterious and Magical
Why We Like This: A perfect duo of Cyclades islands. Santorini will capture your heart with romantic sunsets, jaw-dropping caldera views and pretty villages. Milos is all about it’s uniquely varied coastline with amazing beaches, coves and seaside villages – a catamaran or sailing trip around Milos island is an absolute must!
Why Go to Milos?
Home to over 70 beaches and being almost entirely volcanic, the coastline of Milos is one of the most varied of all Greek islands. Stand out beaches include the lunar landscape at Sarakiniko, the beautiful coves and arches at Kleftiko and the hidden beach at Tsigrado, accessible by boat or if you’re felling brave, a rope ladder. Highly recommend taking one of the sailing or catamaran cruises which circumnavigate the island, stopping off along the way for swimming and snorkelling.
Suggested Itinerary:
Fly to Santorini (either direct or via Athens)
3 nights in Santorini
3 nights in Milos
1 night in Santorini
Santorini to Milos Ferries
Daily ferry connection expected with SeaJets. The SeaJet 2 leaves Santorini Port at 15:00 arriving at 17:05. For your return from Milos to Santorini, the SuperJet leaves Milos at 09:50 and arrives in Santorini at 11:45
4. Santorini & Paros: Pristine beaches and magical villages
Why We Like This: Paros has everything you could wish for from a Greek island, including amazing beaches, turquoise waters and pretty white-washed towns and villages. After three days enjoying the dramatic landscape of Santorini which appears on calendars around the world, Paros is an ideal combination for your Santorini island hopping adventure.
Ferries Santorini to Paros
Getting to/from Paros is super easy as it’s on the main ferry route for quite a few different companies. Runs daily.
TOP TIPS: Stay in or close to Naoussa. By far the nicest town on the island.
5. Santorini & Naxos: The Cyclades island with everything
Why We Like This? One of the most varied and stunning islands in the Cyclades. Authentic villages, some of the best food we have eaten in Greece and beaches galore! We found a real gem too through i-escape called Kavos Naxos Hotel. If we had chance to escape for a few days in the season, this would be Number 1 on our list. And the food at this small boutique hotel was nothing short of exceptional.
Ferries from Santorini to Naxos
As with Paros, there are many options to travel between Santorini and Naxos, with daily connections.
If we had one top tip it would to be not to try and visit too many islands on your Santorini island hopping adventure. It’s not just about ticking them off but surely spending enough time to explore, relax and recharge on these wonderful Cyclades islands.
Our golden rule : 7 nights 2 islands maximum.
