The closest Cycladic island to Athens, Kea (also called Tzia) is a quietly stylish retreat of pine-clad hills, stone-terraced valleys and turquoise coves. Sailors drop anchor in the yacht-favorite harbor of Vourkari or the bay of Agios Nikolaos, then climb to Ioulida, the amphitheatrical hilltop capital with its maze of lanes and the famous stone Lion of Kea. Don’t miss a swim at Gialiskari or Otzias beach, or a seafood lunch on the Vourkari waterfront.
Durations 7 days in Cyclades
7 Nights: Classic Western & Central Cyclades (*many more variations available)
- Day 1: Lavrio – Kea (Korissia or Vourkari)
- Day 2: Kea – Kythnos (Kolona Beach / Merichas)
- Day 3: Kythnos – Syros (Ermoupoli – the elegant capital)
- Day 4: Syros – Mykonos (or Rhenia Island for swimming, overnight in Delos/Mykonos)
- Day 5: Mykonos – Serifos (Livadi)
- Day 6: Serifos – Kythnos (Loutra)
- Day 7: Kythnos – Lavrio (Arrival late afternoon)
- Day 8: Check-out in the morning at Lavrio.
About the Route
Kea
Begin your yacht journey in Kea (Tzia) by arriving at Vourkari’s charming marina, where colorful boats line the quay and you can enjoy a leisurely coffee at a waterfront café. From there, sail to Otzias Bay for a refreshing morning swim in calm turquoise water, before continuing to Korissia to stroll along the harbor promenade. Climb up to Ioulis, the island’s whitewashed hilltop capital, wandering narrow lanes and pausing to see the ancient Lion of Kea, carved into rock outside the village centuries ago. Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a taverna overlooking the sea, sampling local cheese and honey. In the afternoon, anchor off Gialiskari or Sykamia beach for swimming and snorkeling in clear water framed by pine-covered hills. As the sun sets, drop anchor in the sheltered bay of Vourkari for a quiet dinner aboard beneath the stars.
WHAT TO SEE
Vourkari harbor, Lion of Kea, Ioulis (Chora), Otzias Bay, Korissia
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK
Sample Kea’s excellent local cheeses and prized thyme honey, alongside fresh-caught fish served simply with island olive oil. Pair your meal with a glass of local wine as you watch the sun dip behind the hills.
Kythnos
Begin your yacht journey in Kythnos by arriving at Merichas, the island’s main port, for a coffee at a harborside café before setting sail. Head to Kolona, one of the most striking anchorages in the Cyclades, where a narrow strip of golden sand connects the coast to the islet of Agios Loukas, with turquoise water on both sides ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Continue to Loutra, known for natural thermal springs bubbling into the sea, a truly unique spot for a soak. Later, visit the traditional village of Dryopida, with its whitewashed houses, tiled roofs, and winding alleys, for a relaxed lunch of local cheese pies and grilled meats. As afternoon turns to evening, cruise to Apokrousi or Fikiada beach for a peaceful swim. Spend the night anchored off Kolona, watching the sky turn pink before a starlit dinner on deck.
WHAT TO SEE
Kolona beach, Loutra thermal springs, Dryopida village, Merichas harbor
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK
Taste Kythnos’s soft “sour” cheese of Thermia and kopanisti, along with pasteli sesame-honey sweets and thyme honey rated among the finest in Greece. Enjoy them with local sausages or a glass of traditional Thermia wine.
Syros
Begin your journey in Syros by arriving in Ermoupoli, the elegant capital of the Cyclades, where neoclassical mansions rise above the harbor and Miaouli Square buzzes with morning life over a fresh coffee. Wander up to Ano Syra, the medieval hilltop quarter, for sweeping views across the Aegean, or admire the pastel townhouses of the Vaporia district along the waterfront. Sail on to Kini Bay, where sheltered turquoise water is perfect for swimming, then paddle ashore for lunch at a seafront taverna. Continue to Delfini Beach for an afternoon of snorkeling amid quiet coves. As the light softens, cruise toward Finikas, a calm bay favored by sailors for its shelter and clear water, and watch the sunset paint the harbor gold before a peaceful night at anchor.
WHAT TO SEE
Ermoupoli, Ano Syra, Vaporia district, Kini Bay, Finikas
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK
Don’t miss San Michali, Syros’s celebrated hard cheese with protected designation of origin, alongside creamy kopanisti and local loukoumia sweets in flavors like rose and mastic. Pair them with halvadopita, a traditional honey-almond nougat, or a glass of local wine.
Mykonos
Begin your journey in Mykonos by arriving at the marina near Mykonos Town, where you can enjoy a morning coffee overlooking the iconic windmills before wandering the narrow lanes of Little Venice. Sail along the coast to Paradise Beach or Super Paradise, known for their lively energy, golden sand, and crystal-clear water perfect for swimming and paddleboarding. Continue to the quieter Agios Ioannis or Ornos Bay for a relaxed lunch at a beachfront taverna, savoring fresh seafood with sweeping sea views. In the afternoon, anchor off Psarou Beach for snorkeling in calm water framed by rocky headlands. As evening falls, return to Mykonos Town to stroll the harbor promenade and watch the sunset from Little Venice’s waterfront balconies, before a night at anchor with the town’s lights twinkling in the distance.
WHAT TO SEE
Mykonos Town windmills, Little Venice, Paradise Beach, Psarou Beach, Ornos Bay
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK
Try kopanisti, Mykonos’s spicy, peppery soft cheese, and louza, the island’s air-cured pork tenderloin, both true local classics. Pair them with a glass of crisp Cycladic white wine or a refreshing ouzo as the sun goes down.
Serifos
Begin your journey in Serifos by arriving at Livadi, the island’s main harbor, for a fresh coffee before setting off along the rugged coastline. Sail to Psili Ammos, one of the finest sandy beaches in the Cyclades, ideal for swimming in shallow, crystal-clear water. Continue to Agios Sostis or Sykamia Beach for quiet snorkeling among rocky coves. In the afternoon, head into Chora, Serifos’s dramatic hilltop capital crowned by a Venetian castle, and wander its whitewashed lanes for a relaxed lunch overlooking the sea. Back on board, cruise along the coast to discover secluded bays perfect for an afternoon swim. As evening approaches, anchor in the sheltered waters of Livadi Bay, watching the lights of Chora glow above the harbor while enjoying dinner under a starlit sky.
WHAT TO SEE
Chora (Serifos Town), Psili Ammos beach, Livadi harbor, Agios Sostis
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK
Sample Serifos’s cured pork louza and its distinctive “cheese of the pit,” a peppery gruyere-style cheese aged underground, alongside chickpea soup slow-cooked in a clay pot. Pair them with a glass of the island’s revived Serifiotiko white wine or a taste of souma, the traditional local grape distillate.