Cyclades Islands - affordability ranked?
Jan 31st, 2018 | 04:41 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 33
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Cyclades Islands - affordability ranked?
Hi all,
The girlfriend and I have narrowed down our destination islands just about as far as we can, and at this point (hours upon hours of reading by now.) We're down to looking for tie breakers. Since we tend to be on the frugal side, and we usually hunt for lower prices we figured we'd use relative prices to help us make some choices. Obviously we're not talking about eliminating all of the most expensive places or anything (ex: Santorini is probably the most expensive island alongside Mykonos, but we're still going to do Santorini either way.)
Does anyone have a good resource that breaks down the the relative affordability of the different islands? Obviously there are plenty of comments mentioning Santorini and Mykonos are the two most expensive in high season (which happens to be when we're going,) but I have no clue how the rest compare.
Of particular interest are the following islands: Paros, Naxos, Ios, Milos, Folegandros, Sifnos, Serifos, and Amorgos
We're visiting this year between June 23rd and July 10th.
Thanks!
The girlfriend and I have narrowed down our destination islands just about as far as we can, and at this point (hours upon hours of reading by now.) We're down to looking for tie breakers. Since we tend to be on the frugal side, and we usually hunt for lower prices we figured we'd use relative prices to help us make some choices. Obviously we're not talking about eliminating all of the most expensive places or anything (ex: Santorini is probably the most expensive island alongside Mykonos, but we're still going to do Santorini either way.)
Does anyone have a good resource that breaks down the the relative affordability of the different islands? Obviously there are plenty of comments mentioning Santorini and Mykonos are the two most expensive in high season (which happens to be when we're going,) but I have no clue how the rest compare.
Of particular interest are the following islands: Paros, Naxos, Ios, Milos, Folegandros, Sifnos, Serifos, and Amorgos
We're visiting this year between June 23rd and July 10th.
Thanks!
Jan 31st, 2018 | 11:50 PM
#2
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,682
Likes: 0
Fortunately for you, June isn't high season, so you will probably get a better room rate for the first week of the trip.
It's very difficult to compare prices for accommodation on different islands, because each hotel is different. On Santorini, room rates are primarily determined by location. Hotel rooms on the beach side of the island (e.g. Perissa and Kamari) are about the same as at beach resorts on islands like Paros and Naxos. Hotels on the caldera rim are much more expensive, so you can economise by staying on the beach side and take the bus to Fira or Oia for the view. Accommodation on small islands like Folegandros is often more expensive than on large ones like Naxos.
Location is all important for meals and drinks too. Sit at a table on the caldera at Santorini, or Little Venice on Mykonos, and you will pay a premium for the view. There are notorious tourist trap restaurants near the cable car station in Fira on Santorini. Find a taverna on a back street and you will get by a lot cheaper. Look at prices on the menu before sitting down at a table.
Probably the best indicator of price differences is what you pay for a beer or a cappuccino in a cafe, as these are standardised items wherever you go. Again, you will pay for the view in touristy areas. Of the islands on your list that I've been to, prices are about the same, except for Santorini and Mykonos. Sometimes its easier to find good prices on the large islands than the smaller ones.
It's very difficult to compare prices for accommodation on different islands, because each hotel is different. On Santorini, room rates are primarily determined by location. Hotel rooms on the beach side of the island (e.g. Perissa and Kamari) are about the same as at beach resorts on islands like Paros and Naxos. Hotels on the caldera rim are much more expensive, so you can economise by staying on the beach side and take the bus to Fira or Oia for the view. Accommodation on small islands like Folegandros is often more expensive than on large ones like Naxos.
Location is all important for meals and drinks too. Sit at a table on the caldera at Santorini, or Little Venice on Mykonos, and you will pay a premium for the view. There are notorious tourist trap restaurants near the cable car station in Fira on Santorini. Find a taverna on a back street and you will get by a lot cheaper. Look at prices on the menu before sitting down at a table.
Probably the best indicator of price differences is what you pay for a beer or a cappuccino in a cafe, as these are standardised items wherever you go. Again, you will pay for the view in touristy areas. Of the islands on your list that I've been to, prices are about the same, except for Santorini and Mykonos. Sometimes its easier to find good prices on the large islands than the smaller ones.
Feb 1st, 2018 | 04:02 AM
#3
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Santorini has the reputation for being expensive and crowded all over yet I found it not bad price wise and the crowds manageable, despite travelling during peak season. Depends on your accommodation requirements; if you are happy with a rustic room, you might pay EUR160-170 per night for two people with continental breakfast and have the most fabulous caldera view. We stayed here but there are many similar places:-
Gallery | Oia Old Houses
Car rental is not expensive, the bus system is crowded however but has a really good network all around the island. Renting a car gave us freedom to explore the island and find restaurants away from the caldera, many times they were recommendations from local people. Food can be as expensive or inexpensive as you like, you can order in a pizza or other take out food and have the best caldera view without the premium by sitting on your balcony. In the above link, we had the balcony shown at the bottom right hand corner. You can visit the local bakeries (fourno) or souvlaki restaurants. There were crowds at sunset but it did not affect us as we would be on the balcony, you don't see the sunset itself from this angle, you will have to join the crowds to see it. Once past the red door and down the steps, you don't see or hear crowds. There are many such properties on Santorini, take a look on airbnb. The tavernas at Ammoudi are not expensive and neither are several others in Oia. Some restaurants do charge a fortune for the privilege of the view: Greek cooking and upscale don't go together IMO, better to find simple tavernas that serve fresh local produce in rustic surroundings.
Gallery | Oia Old Houses
Car rental is not expensive, the bus system is crowded however but has a really good network all around the island. Renting a car gave us freedom to explore the island and find restaurants away from the caldera, many times they were recommendations from local people. Food can be as expensive or inexpensive as you like, you can order in a pizza or other take out food and have the best caldera view without the premium by sitting on your balcony. In the above link, we had the balcony shown at the bottom right hand corner. You can visit the local bakeries (fourno) or souvlaki restaurants. There were crowds at sunset but it did not affect us as we would be on the balcony, you don't see the sunset itself from this angle, you will have to join the crowds to see it. Once past the red door and down the steps, you don't see or hear crowds. There are many such properties on Santorini, take a look on airbnb. The tavernas at Ammoudi are not expensive and neither are several others in Oia. Some restaurants do charge a fortune for the privilege of the view: Greek cooking and upscale don't go together IMO, better to find simple tavernas that serve fresh local produce in rustic surroundings.
