156 Best Sights in The Cyclades, Greece

The Jersey tiger moth returns year after year to mate in Petaloudes (Butterflies Valley), a lush oasis of greenery in the middle of this dry island. In May, June, and perhaps July, you can watch them as they lie dormant during the day, their chocolate-brown wings with yellow stripes still against the ivy leaves. In the evening they flutter upward to the cooler air, flashing the coral-red undersides of their wings as they rise. A notice at the entrance asks visitors not to disturb them by taking photographs or shaking the leaves.

Upper Fira's exhibition hall, named for the famous ship owner, hosts many international conferences as well as concerts. Visitors can admire acclaimed seasonal exhibitions that reflect the culture and nature of the island through painting and sculpture.

One of the most popular beaches on Paros's southeastern coast, Piso Livadi has trees offering natural shade, but lounge chairs and umbrellas are also available to rent. The small resort town of Piso Livadi, once an ancient port for the marble quarries, surrounds the sandy stretch of well-developed beach and is filled with lodging options, tavernas, restaurants, and cafés. Boats depart from this port for Mykonos, Naxos, Amorgos, Ios, and Santorini. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

South of town, Plaka Beach is a natural extension of Ayia Anna Beach. It's a gorgeous two-and-a-half-mile stretch of sand filled with dunes and bamboo groves. Most of the beach is undeveloped, but you can still find sun beds to rent in organized areas. Come early to grab one in the peak season. There is a range of tavernas, restaurants, and café-bars within walking distance. At the southern end is Orkos, haven to wind- and kitesurfers. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Spacious, sandy, and pleasant, Platis Gialos is a popular southern beach that's protected from the island’s strong summer winds. Kids enjoy playing in the shallow waters, while adults head to deeper waters to try out the numerous water-sports rental options. The array of taverns, restaurants, and cafés is perfect for any food break. The beach is lined with rental umbrellas and chairs, and getting to it is easy by Mykonos Town beach boat and bus service. You can drive here, too, but parking spaces may be hard to find. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

Although the capital town is primarily beloved for its Venetian elegance and picturesque blind alleys, Naxos's most famous landmark is ancient: the Portara, a massive doorway that leads to nowhere. The Portara stands on the islet of Palatia, which was once a hill (since antiquity the Mediterranean has risen quite a bit) and in the 3rd millennium BC was the acropolis for a nearby Cycladic settlement. The Portara, an entrance to an unfinished Temple of Apollo that faces exactly toward Delos, Apollo's birthplace, was begun about 530 BC by the tyrant Lygdamis, who said he would make Naxos's buildings the highest and most glorious in Greece. He was overthrown in 506 BC, and the temple was never completed; by the 5th and 6th centuries AD it had been converted into a church; and under Venetian and Turkish rule it was slowly dismembered, so the marble could be used to build the castle. The gate, built with four blocks of marble, each 16 feet long and weighing 20 tons, was so large it couldn't be demolished, so it remains today, along with the temple floor. Palatia itself has come to be associated with the tragic myth of Ariadne, princess of Crete.

Ariadne, daughter of Crete's King Minos, helped Theseus thread the labyrinth of Knossos and slay the monstrous Minotaur. In exchange, he promised to marry her. Sailing for Athens, the couple stopped in Naxos, where Theseus abandoned her. Jilted Ariadne's curse made Theseus forget to change the ship's sails from black to white, and so his grieving father Aegeus, believing his son dead, plunged into the Aegean. Seeing Ariadne's tears, smitten Dionysus descended in a leopard-drawn chariot to marry her, and set her bridal wreath, the Corona Borealis, in the sky, an eternal token of his love.

The myth inspired one of Titian's best-known paintings, as well as Strauss's opera Ariadne auf Naxos.

North of Palatia, underwater remains of Cycladic buildings are strewn along an area called Grotta. Here are a series of large worked stones, the remains of the waterfront quayside mole, and a few steps that locals say go to a tunnel leading to the islet of Palatia; these remains are Cycladic (before 2000 BC).

This beach may have two names, but its known for one thing: being pretty. Located in the southwest part of Syros, it features smooth, yellow sand with scatterings of small pebbles. It shares the same views of Schinonissi and Stroggilo (the two small uninhabited islands) as neighboring Agathopes beach. Small boats and yachts often park here adding to the quaint views. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Within walking distance of Antiparos Town, this beach has two parts, referred to by locals as Psaraliki One and Psaraliki Two. Yellow, soft sand fills both and each is dotted with natural shade trees; lounge chairs and umbrellas are available during the summer months. The shallow waters make it a favorite for families, and its southeasterly placement on the island keeps it sheltered from gusty Cycladic winds. Several tavernas are close by. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.

With shiny yachts moored in its clear, pretty waters, sandy Psarou attracts vacationing international VIPs, Greek TV stars and singers, and the rich and/or famous. That oversized and high-priced beach bed and umbrella may be empty, but it may have been rented in advance by someone who doesn’t want you to have it. If you know someone, you can make an advance reservation for one, too.You might bump into someone’s bodyguard; several may be casing the beach. Sophisticated yet lively restaurants are plentiful, and they host afternoon and evening parties that are fun but not crazy. If you drive from Mykonos Town, a steep scenic road leads to the beach, but once you get there you'll notice parking options are slim. Many opt for valet parking run by private companies. You can also reach Psarou by taking a short walk from nearby Platis Gialos or hopping on a boat one stop away at Ornos Bay. Amenities: food and drink; parking (paid). Best for: partiers; swimming.

One of the island's quietest beaches is a stunning, wide cove of fine sand bordered by green cedar trees. Its name comes from a nearby hill that was used to scout for pirates back in the day. Today, its beauty remains untouched by development. Only a few tavernas and restaurants surround this corner of beach, which rarely gets crowded. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; swimming.

A backdrop of red-and-black volcanic cliffs adds no small amount of drama to this strand of multicolored pebbles and red-hued sand, and the timelessness of the place is enhanced by the presence of nearby ancient Akrotiri. Crowds sometimes pile in during July and August, and a few too many loungers and umbrellas detract from the stunning scenery, but for the most part this is one of the quieter beaches on the south side of the island. There's a rough path from the parking area to the beach. The beach has been known to close due to rocks falling, and entering would be at your own risk. Amenities: food and drink; parking (about €2, not always imposed). Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Located in the next cove southeast of Panormos Beach, Rohari remains just as popular in the summer as a favorite northern beach destination. Fully organized, the beachfront cantinas are the perfect spot for a cool drink; there are beach umbrellas and chairs for rent. It's within close proximity to the village of Panormos, which has a wide selection of tavernas and cafés for a beach-day break. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Next to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral is the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, from the Venetian period. The name and coat of arms of the Ghisi family, which took over Mykonos in 1207, are inscribed in the entrance hall.

Discovered in 1735 by the wandering Jesuit monk Nicholas Sarrabat, excavations began in 1816 and famously unearthed the Venus de Milo in what is thought to have been the gymnasium. A small plaque commemorates the site of the find, and there is a plaster copy of the statue in the archaeological museum.

Beyond the Sacred Way is one of the most important sites on the island, the Sanctuary of Apollo. Three separate temples originally stood here flanked by altars, monuments, and statues, although not much remains of them. The main temple was grand, fittingly called the Great Temple of Apollo (circa 480 BC). Inside the sanctuary and to the right is the House of the Naxians, a 7th- to 6th-century BC structure with a central colonnade. Dedications to Apollo were stored in this shrine. Outside the north wall a massive rectangular pedestal once supported a colossal statue of Apollo (one of the hands is in Delos's Archaeological Museum, and a piece of a foot is in the British Museum in London). Near the pedestal a bronze palm tree was erected in 417 BC by the Athenians to commemorate the palm tree under which Leto gave birth. According to Plutarch, the palm tree toppled in a storm and brought the statue of Apollo down with it. In The Odyssey, Odysseus compares the Phaeacian princess Nausicaa to a palm he saw on Delos, when the island was wetter.

Immediately to the right of the Archaeological Museum is the small Sanctuary of Dionysus, which was erected in about 300 BC. Outside the sanctuary you'll find one of the more boggling sights of ancient Greece: several monuments dedicated to Apollo by the winners of the choral competitions of the Delian festivals, each decorated with a huge phallus, emblematic of the orgiastic rites that took place during the Dionysian festivals. Around the base of one of them is carved a lighthearted representation of a bride being carried to her new husband's home. A marble phallic bird, symbol of the body's immortality, also adorns this corner of the sanctuary.

Several sandy footpaths from the main road lead you to one of Paros's most popular family-friendly beaches; the boat that travels to nearby Lageri also makes a stop in Santa Maria. Little fishing boats dock in the distance from the sandy cove, which is filled with sand dunes and lined with green brush. There's no natural shade, but in peak season it's well equipped with beach chair and umbrella rentals from seasonal cafés. Several tavernas are within walking distance. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Within walking distance of Tinos Town, this beach is a peaceful little corner of Tinos. One or two tavernas are nearby, but Stavros beach is really known for its fine sand and its beautiful surroundings. The turquoise waters remain clear, and shady green trees dot the area surrounding Ayios Stavros, the pretty whitewashed church that gave the beach its name. Come during sunset, as it makes for one of the most romantic settings on Tinos. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; swimming.

As its name implies, this is where Antiparians head to watch their island's fantastic sunsets. Clear water and golden sand are guaranteed, but ideal beach weather is not—located on the west coast, the beach isn't sheltered from the Cycladic winds that can stir things up. When the winds do die down, the conditions are ideal for snorkeling and swimming. The beach is also known as Sifneiko, because the neighboring island of Sifnos can be seen in the distance. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.

Young and wild, gay and straight: All head to Super Paradise to let loose, though the more sedate LGBT crowd now head to Elia. The stunning sandy beach is one plus, but the beach bars and clubs truly dominate the scene. Summer months mean daily late-afternoon beach parties, where drinks and dancing rule. Hired bikini-clad models move to the beat of the music to encourage a crazy party atmosphere that includes people dancing everywhere and anywhere they can. For those not in the party mood (yet), umbrellas and sun beds can be rented and dining options are available for a meal; Super Paradise Rooms is right on the beach for those who need a place to crash. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; showers; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: partiers.

This marble Archaic temple, circa 530 BC, was lovingly restored by German archaeologists during the 1990s. Demeter was a grain goddess, and it's not hard to see what she is doing in this beautiful spot. There is also a small museum here (admission is free). The 25-minute walk here is splendid.

A short distance north of the Monument of the Bulls is an oval indentation in the earth where the Sacred Lake once sparkled. It is surrounded by a stone wall that reveals the original periphery. According to islanders, the lake was fed by the river Inopos from its source high on Mt. Kynthos until 1925, when the water stopped flowing and the lake dried up. Along the shores are two ancient palaestras (buildings for physical exercise and debate).

East of the Agora of the Competialists you’ll find the entrance to the Sacred Way, which leads north to the temple of Apollo. The Way was once bordered by beautiful marbled statues and monuments created by various kingdoms and city states of Ancient Greece. It was also the route used by pilgrims during the holy Delian festival.

A short walk from the main road, marked by a sign, three caverns are bored into the hillside. The largest of them, the Cave of the Nymphs, is 300 feet deep. This is where the world-famed Parian marble was mined—the marble of the Acropolis, of the Temple of Poseidon, of Venetian palaces, and of monuments all over the world. The Venus de Milo, Nike of Samothrace, and countless other masterpieces all began here.

The name Sangri is a corruption of Sainte Croix, which is what the French called the town's 16th-century monastery of Timios Stavros. The town is actually three small villages spread across a plateau. During the Turkish occupation, the monastery served as an illegal school, where children met secretly to learn the Greek language and culture.

In the back of their quaint neoclassical house, the Vallindras family has supplied Naxos and Greece with kitro liqueur from their distillery since 1896. Before you take the free tour, sample various flavors and strengths of the Greek aperitif that is marked with a Protected Destination of Origin (PDO) status. In the distillery room, examine the more-than-100-year-old copper equipment, which continues to produce the island's strong, traditional aperitif.