The Cyclades: Naxos & Santorini

Your trip starts at Santorini airport where you will be met by a taxi which will take you to the port for your ferry to Naxos. The ferry journey between the islands takes two hours. On Naxos you will be met at the port and taken to your hotel. If the day time allows you to do so, you can make the 1,5 hour walk to Chrisostomos starting from the port. This way you get to know the town and will admire great views over Chora whilst stretching your legs.  

If your flight arrives too late for the ferry to Naxos and you outbound flight is after 6 pm, you will stay first in Santorini and then in Naxos. 

A bus will take you to Chalki, located in the center of the Tragea plain. Today you explore this fertile inner land of Naxos, with secular olive trees and rich vegetation. You will walk on cobblet paths to the majestic statue of an unfinished Korous from the 6th century BC. Along your way you will find the fortified hamlet of Kastro. The walk ends in Melanes, where a bus will take you back to the hotel.

Distance: 10, 14 or 19 Km

Ascent/descent: +150, 300 or 400/-150 or -300 m

After a short transfer to Kynidaros, enjoy a gentle walk to the small village of Eggares. Explore its picturesque churches and two restored olive presses one of which dates back to 1885.  Enjoy lunch in one of the tavernas on the stone- built main square before returning to your hotel. Visit of the olive press in Eggares    

Distance: 7 Km

Ascent/descent: +100/-400 m

Today you will take another public bus or taxi to the village of Filoti to start today's walk. From the village, built at the foothills of Mt. Zas (also known as Mount Zeus), you climb to the summit of this legendary mountain. Upon reaching the summit, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Naxos and the surrounding islands. After descending back down, you walk through agricultural fields and along a monastery to the village Apiranthos one of the biggest villages on Naxos.

After a relaxing break in a local café, you can take a taxi or public bus back to Naxos Chora.

Distance: 12 Km

Ascent/descent: +650/-650 m

Today you will travel from Naxos to Santorini. In the morning you may visit the Castle in Naxos town (Chora) and the museum and enjoy a relaxing morning.   The hotel bus will take you to the port of Naxos. The ferry usually departs around one o’clock and arrives two and a half hours later on Santorini. As the ferry arrives through the submersed volcano crater you will be impressed by the views to the steep coloured cliffs of this ancient volcanic island and the whitewashed villages on top. It is said that the eruption that happened here 3,600 years ago, ended the Minoan Civilization. It may also have been the source for the legend of Atlantis.  You may walk a short round walk from Akrotiri along the caldera or you visit Akrotiri Ancient Site that is within walking distance from your hotel. 

Distance: 7,3 Km

Ascent/descent: +240/-240 m

Today a transfer will take you to Perissa, from where you start climbing via an old path to an exposed saddle. This part of the island is one of the very few places that pre-dates the devastating volcanic eruption. First you walk up to Ancient Thira - the capital of the island in Ancient and Roman times, then descend via an old path to the quiet interior of the island, walking through vineyards and through picturesque villages. Continuing through the volcanic landscape, you walk back to Akrotiri village.  

Distance: 13 Km

Ascent/descent: +580/-550 m

This morning you will catch a public bus to Fira, the capital of Santorini. Here you can explore the narrow alleyways of this whitewashed town, built on the top of the volcanic cliffs. You may also wish to visit the museum of prehistoric Thira and the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon, you make the famous walk from Fira to Oia. You will mainly walk along a well-maintained mule-path with fabulous views of the lagoon and the spectacular steep cliffs. When you reach the small town of Oia you will be picked up and transferred back to your hotel. 

Distance: 10,3 Km

Ascent/descent: +300/-400 m

A transfer will bring you from the hotel to the Santorini airport. 

If you have always dreamed of visiting Santorini, this trip will take you there and to Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades. The hikes offer continuous moments of wonder - a great view over the gulf, walking between the olive groves, remains of ancient cities. If you'd like to enjoy the sea, you can add a couple of rest days before or after the trip. 

For our trips, we always select accommodations with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be included, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation provided for the trip you’re interested in.

We place great importance on the choice of lodging and select hotels with care and attention. We know how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We prefer welcoming and charming accommodations, ideally family-run, that truly embody the spirit of the place and can welcome you with comfort and warmth.

Where, due to the nature of the route, the choice of accommodations is limited, we select the option that best aligns with our standards.