Walking the Greek Cyclades: Santorini & Paros

Santorini is known the world-over and it's villages, Fira and Oia, are two of the most photographed, especially at sunset! Paros has a more laid-back vibe, so you can experience this contrast. The walks are relaxed and take you to ancient hill-top villages, remote lighthouses, Byzantine monasteries, along sandy beaches and to places where the views cannot be compared. If you want to discover these two island gems in the heart of the Aegean Sea then this tour is for you!

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 9 Years

Since this is a Slower Adventure tour the distances on the walks will not be challenging and can be anywhere between 6km and 13km. However, as is typical in the Mediterranean do not underestimate the fact that the trails can at times be quite rocky and you will need to be sure-footed. Take it slow and you will be rewarded with stunning views, both coastal and otherwise. The walks will be on a combination of gravel tracks, countryside trails and at times on quieter minor roads. 

The accommodations on this tour are hand-picked and charming. On Santorini accommodation is very expensive. On this tour we have chosen to use very comfortable hotels to keep the costs down. They are locally-run and offer a very warm welcome. If you prefer more upscale accommodation we can upgrade you to more superior accommodations with a supplement if you wish.  

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is available to solo walkers, although there is a supplement due to the fact that some of the costs (such as transfers) are not shared. Single rooms are available on request and a supplement is payable.

Meals

Daily breakfasts will be included at your accommodation every morning. In some places the breakfasts are buffet-style or continental, but occasionally you will be able to pick from a menu. Dinners are not included, however there are options to dine out either at your accommodation (if they have a restaurant) or in the villages and towns in which your accommodation is situated. Lunch is also not included, but you can find small stores in which to purchase items for a picnic lunch or stop at a local cafe if there is one en route. 

Some of the walks on these islands are sign-posted and some are not.  We provide navigation in the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which you can download for use off-line. See your information pack on how to do this. You will need to use the app to navigate. Simply follow the little blue line (you are the dot) to ensure that you won't get lost. 

The best times to visit the islands of Santorini and Paros is when we have them available to book, which is in the spring, beginning in mid-April to the end of June and in the autumn in September and October. July and August are too hot and will be much busier too. At the beginning of the season things on these islands generally tend to open slowly, so for example there may not be as many restaurants open at this time and the frequency of buses, should you need to take one, will also not be as great. Ferries may also be more limited, so please be prepared for less availability on these too. This can also be said for the end of the season. If you book during these times you will need to be prepared for this and accept that this is the case on these small islands. On the other hand, the colourful spring flowers are wonderful to see at this time! In June you will be able to smell the aroma of growing herbs and in October crocuses will be in bloom and the ferries will be crowd-free.

If you wish to travel in September, this is the busiest month so we recommend that you book at least 6 months or more in advance. These islands get very busy, so it is better to book in advance generally in order to avoid disappointment. 

This tour can only be booked up until the third week in October due to end of season hotel closures. 

Located in the centre of the Aegean Sea, the Cyclades archipelago is characterized by a mild and dry climate, with winter temperatures that rarely drop below 10°C and with sometimes high summer temperatures but which are often mitigated by the breath of Etesian (Meltem), the characteristic wind that constantly blows in the Greek islands.

The climate is typically Mediterranean with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. The rains fall mostly in the winter months, between November and March, while during the summer months, especially between May and September it hardly ever rains. On average, less than 400mm of rainfall per year falls in the Cyclades.

This tour begins in Santorini, which has an airport. There are flights to Santorini direct from Athens and from other gateways, such as Milan, Zurich and from some UK hubs, such as Bristol and Birmingham. An included transfer will bring you from the airport to your hotel in Fira. However, we can also arrange ferry tickets from Piraeus to Santorini, should you choose to travel by ferry. Please ask your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.

Your tour finishes in Paros, but includes either a ferry ticket back to Santorini if you wish to fly out of that airport, or a ferry to Piraeus if you wish to continue your journey. We can also add extra nights in Athens should you require it. Please ask your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.

Since you will be taking a ferry on this tour and will be expected to carry your luggage onto it and off it, we highly recommend therefore that you pack as lightly as you can, as there will be slopes and possibly stairs to negotiate. On all other included transfers your luggage will be taken with you. Please limit your luggage weight to 20kg or less.