Windmills on Mykonos Island, Greece. Photo via Flickr:Hassan Rafeek

Boat docked in one of the Greek ports. Photo by Hans Eberhard Breiter

Cyclades Islands

Greece Bike + Barge Tours

Cycle Greece’s islands as you ride past the birthplace of a Neolithic culture

The Cyclades Islands, comprised of more than 30 islands, were the cradle of the first European civilized society 5,000 years ago. It is also here that Greece shows its most unadulterated side in all its variety: Gleaming white cubic houses with blue shutters and labyrinth lanes give the typical architectonic flavor to the island towns. The mostly ragged coastlines show impressive geological formations, turquoise-blue sea, and fantastic sandy beaches. Experience the fascinating mixture between antiquity and modern times on your motorized sailing ship or on your bike and absorb the beauty of the central archipelago of the Greek Aegean.

All of our bike and boat tours in Greece can be found here.

Skill Level

This is a moderate, guided bike and boat tour. This tour requires a considerate level of fitness, ideally acquired by daily biking. The daily distances range from 12 to 22 miles (20 to 35 km) and lead through hilly or mountainous areas. Some uphill stretches are included. The roads are mostly asphalted. You can always choose to skip a bike tour and spend the time sunbathing on the ship instead. The Cyclades are relatively susceptible to wind. Normally this results in only a minor modification of the tour route. However by strong wind conditions the travel route may markedly different from the planned route. Our substitute tour leads you into the Argosaronic Gulf, one of the most historic regions of Greece: We cross between the Greek mainland and the Peloponnesian and discover the islands of Egina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and the Methana peninsula. A highlight of this journey is a visit to the ancient Epidauros with the best preserved theatre in Greece.

Where You’ll Stay

On the comfort class boat, the Panagiota

What’s Included

  • Accommodations for 7 nights on a motor yacht in a double cabin with private all-in-one bathroom (toilet & sink with hand-held shower)
  • 5 x half board and 2 x full board
  • Bed linen and towels
  • 6 guided cycling tours as per itinerary
  • 21-speed trekking bicycle with pannier
  • Overview maps for each daily route, on board
  • Entry fees to museums & archaeological sites
  • English speaking tour guide

What’s Not Included

  • Drinks on board (tally sheet)
  • Meals ashore
  • Gratuities for tour guide and crew (optional)
  • Bicycle protection (€10 for hybrid bicycle and €20 for electric bicycle)
  • Airport transfers

Cyclades Islands Map

TourBike+Boat
TypeGuided
SkillModerate
Length8 days
From€1390 Rates
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Tour Dates

May 7, May 14,  May 28, June 4, June 11, September 3, September 10, and September 17, 2016

Tour Boats

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Cyclades Islands Map

Day 1: Arrival in Athens (Piraeus)
Day 2: Kythnos Island, 15 mi. (25 km)
Day 3: Seriphos Island, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 4: Siphnos Island, 12 mi. (20 km)
Day 5: Syros and Mykonos Island, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 6: Delos Island and Tinos Island, 15 mi. (25 km) 
Day 7: Kea Island, 8 mi. (12 km) 
Day 8: Departure

*All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

Day 1: Arrival in Athens (Piraeus).
Individual journey to Athens airport and collective transfer to Marina Zeas, the yacht harbour of Piraeus close to Athens and only 25 km (15 mi.) from Athens airport. Check-in from 2 p.m. on the Panagiota. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in Piraeus.

Day 2: Kythnos Island, 15 mi. (25 km)
Kythnos Island has been famous for its cheese and honey since ancient times. The first cycling tour, which will start in the harbor of Merichas will first lead to the capital Chora and offers beautiful views of the coastline. Chora is an appealing village, situated on a high plateau. Its angular alleys are decorated with painted flowers and geometric patterns. Then the cycle route leads to Driopida, a picturesque village. In the afternoon the motor yacht will take us to Siphnos for a relaxing time at the beach. Afterwards, you return to Merichas and can spend the evening hours in one of the quaint taverns. 

Day 3: Seriphos Island, 22 mi. (35 km)
Seriphos is a small island far from the tourist track, with deep valleys, countless bays and coves and lots of beautiful sandy beaches. From the harbor town of Livadi, you will cycle Greece along a serpentine road to the main town of Seriphos, whose cube form houses nestle along a mountain ridge high above the sea. Continuing on through untouched landscape to the Byzantine monastery of the Archangel Michael, you will return to Livadi along a panoramic road on the East coast. In the afternoon, the ship will arrive at Siphnos, which has a lovely beach. Overnight stay in Kamares.

Day 4: Siphnos Island, 12 mi. (20 km)
The island of Siphnos, which is famous for its ceramic artwork, is only inhabited in land  as its coast drops steeply into the sea. The cycling tour begins in the harbour of Kamares. The route leads through a green, hilly terraced landscape to the central highlands with the island’s capital Kastro, which is a defensive settlement built on a steep cliff face and has been a listed as a protected town since 1975. In the afternoon, board the ship and sail to Syros, where you can round off the day in one of the numerous cafes on the spacious harbor promenade.

Day 5: Syros and Mykonos Island, 19 mi. (30 km)
Ermoupolisis the capital town of the Cyclades and offers visitors an unforgettable view upon arrival. The town which is built on two hills is different from the other Cycladic towns. Pastel-colored houses, many of which have classical facades dominate the townscape. You will bike along the coast of Syros, full of bays and coves along the entire southern half of the island, to the beautiful beach of Galissas. Continuing on, passing the convent of Saint Barbara, the route leads back to Ermoupolis. In the afternoon, it is off by boat to Mykonos. This picturesque town, with its famous windmills and its white cube form houses, is ideal for a  stroll. With a bit of luck you may even see the mascot of Mykonos in the maze of alleyways, the pelican Petros.

Day 6: Delos Island and Tinos Island, 15 mi. (25 km)
In the morning you have the opportunity to visit the important ancient sites on the island of Delos, where, according to Greek mythology, the god Apollo and his twin sister Artemis were born. After lunch, back on board to crossover to Tinos to first visit the famous Evangelistria church in Tinos town. Today’s bike tour leads along a high road to the mountain village of Tarambados, a village full of walled dove towers with their filigree architecture, which represents remnants from Venetian times.After today's bike tour, the boat sets off to Kea.

Day 7: Kea Island, 8 mi. (12 km)
The starting point of today's bike tour is the lovely harbor of Korissia. From here, begin you cycle tour to the picturesque main town of Ioulis which is situated in the mountains and from there continue your bike tour to the white beach of Otzias, where the Mediterranean will tempt you to a refreshing swim before returning to Korissia. In the afternoon last sail to Piraeus and overnight stay in Piraeus.

Day 8: Departure from Piraeus/Athens.
End of tour after breakfast.

*Please note: the Cyclades are relatively susceptible to wind. Normally this results in only a minor modification of the route. The alternative route leads into the Argosaronic Gulf, one of the most historic regions of Greece. You will cross between the Greek mainland and the Peloponnesian to discover the islands of Egina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and the Methana peninsula. A highlight of this journey is a visit to the ancient Epidauros with the best preserved Greek theater.

If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike and boat tours or view all our featured bike trips, specials, and news.

Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064

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Cyclades Islands Boats + Barges

Panagiota Photo

Panagiota Greece Comfort Class Boat The Panagiota, our latest finding in Greece, is an affectionately restored two-masted motor yacht, 23 ft. wide and 102 ft. long. It was built in 1990 and modernized in 2001 in conformity with the requirements of cruises.

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+1 570-965-2064

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