📷 Photo by Dimitris Kiriakakis on UnsplashCentral Cyclades: Mykonos, Delos, Paros, Naxos and Amorgos
Six days of island hopping from Mykonos and sacred Delos through Paros and Naxos to the cliff-hanging monastery of Amorgos, with ferries between every island.
- Distance
- 180 km (112 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 29 min
- Suggested days
- 6
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Greece
- Updated
- May 13, 2026
At a glance: 6-day road trip of about 180 km (112 mi) with 9 stops, from Little Venice and the Windmills, Mykonos to Hozoviotissa Monastery, Amorgos. About 2 h 29 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Greece
Route description
The route covers five islands, so ferries are needed between them; check the current timetable, as services are thinner outside summer, and check whether and when vehicles are accepted before bringing a campervan. Start in Mykonos Town at Little Venice, rows of old merchants’ and captains’ houses with balconies over the water, beside the seven windmills at Kato Mili. Arrive early for sunset, as the cafés fill about an hour before in July and August.
Delos is reached only by boat from Mykonos, so plan your crossing around the boat times. According to myth the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it is a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site (1990) with the Terrace of the Lions and mosaic-floored houses. Allow most of a day, and take water and a hat as shade is limited.
Take a ferry on to Paros and begin at Naoussa, a fishing-harbour town on the north-east coast with whitewashed lanes, small churches and the ruins of a Venetian fortress on the harbour wall. Go early for fewer people and take care on the ruins when the sea is rough. Then drive to Parikia for Panagia Ekatontapyliani, a Byzantine complex traditionally dated to 326 CE; despite the name, ‘Hundred Gates’, it has 99 doors.
Inland, Lefkes is a hillside village of neoclassical houses and bougainvillea-covered squares, and the start of the Byzantine Road, a 3.5 km marble-paved path down to Prodromos. The marble is slippery and almost shadeless, so wear proper hiking shoes and carry water. Village roads are narrow, so a campervan is better left at the edge.
Continue by ferry to Naxos, where the Portara, the marble doorway of an unfinished temple of Apollo begun around 530 BC, stands on the islet of Palatia at the harbour entrance and is known for its sunsets. Drive inland to Apiranthos, a mountain village at about 650 m with marble lanes and Venetian towers; it is steep, so park at the edge and allow two to three hours. On the north-east coast, the unfinished Kouros of Apollonas, about 10.7 m tall, lies in an ancient quarry up an unpaved road; park carefully, as the roadside edge is deep.
Finish with a ferry to Amorgos and the Hozoviotissa Monastery, founded in 1088 and clinging to a cliff about 300 m above the sea on eight levels. You climb 271 steps, so wear sturdy shoes and take your time. Check the current timetable for the return, as services to Amorgos can be sparse outside summer.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Little Venice and the Windmills, Mykonos
ViewsMykonos, GreeceRows of old merchants' and captains' houses with balconies over the water in Mykonos Town, beside a row of seven whitewashed Venetian-era windmills at Kato Mili. Walk the stretch between them at sunset, arriving early, as the cafés fill about an hour before in July and August.
- 29 km
Delos
HistoryMykonos, GreeceA small island that Greek myth names as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, now a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site (1990) with the Terrace of the Lions and mosaic-floored houses. It can only be reached by boat from Mykonos, so plan your crossing around the boat times.
- 338 km
Naoussa, Paros
ViewsNaoussa, GreeceA fishing-harbour town on the north-east coast of Paros, with whitewashed lanes, small churches and the ruins of a Venetian fortress on the harbour wall. Explore on foot, go early for fewer people, and take care on the fortress ruins when the sea is rough.
- 411 km
Panagia Ekatontapyliani, Paros
HistoryParikia, GreeceA Byzantine church complex in Parikia, traditionally dated to 326 CE and linked to Saint Helen, with a main church, two chapels and a baptistery. Despite its name, 'Hundred Gates', it has 99 doors; it stands in town, so combine it with a stroll through the old quarter.
- 511 km
Lefkes and the Byzantine Road, Paros
NatureLefkes, GreeceA hillside village in the middle of Paros, known for neoclassical houses and bougainvillea-covered squares, and the start of the Byzantine Road, a 3.5 km marble-paved path down to Prodromos. The marble is slippery and almost shadeless, so wear proper hiking shoes and carry water.
- 616 km
Portara, Naxos
HistoryNaxos, GreeceThe monumental marble doorway of an unfinished temple of Apollo begun around 530 BC, standing on the islet of Palatia at the entrance to Naxos harbour. A paved footpath leads out from the waterfront, and the spot is known for its sunsets.
- 717 km
Apiranthos
OdditiesApiranthos, GreeceA mountain village at about 650 m on Mount Fanari, with marble-paved lanes, steps and arches, Venetian towers and several small museums. It is built steeply, so expect many stairs; park at the edge and allow two to three hours.
- 815 km
Kouros of Apollonas, Naxos
HistoryApollonas, GreeceAn unfinished archaic marble statue about 10.7 m tall, left lying in an ancient quarry above Apollonas, probably because it was too heavy to move. The quarry lies up an unpaved road above the village; park carefully, as the roadside edge is deep, and walk the short rise.
- 962 km
Hozoviotissa Monastery, Amorgos
HistoryChora, GreeceA white monastery founded in 1088 and clinging to a sheer cliff about 300 m above the sea on the south coast of Amorgos, built on eight levels. You reach it by climbing 271 steps, so wear sturdy shoes and take your time.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
6 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Little Venice and the Windmills, Mykonos → Naoussa, Paros · 47 km · 0 h 39 minOn the way: Delos.Overnight nearby, for example: Maragas Camping (12 km); KOULA CAMPING (8 km).
- Day 2: Naoussa, Paros → Panagia Ekatontapyliani, Paros · 11 km · 0 h 09 minOvernight nearby, for example: KOULA CAMPING (1 km); Maragas Camping (19 km).
- Day 3: Panagia Ekatontapyliani, Paros → Portara, Naxos · 26 km · 0 h 22 minOn the way: Lefkes and the Byzantine Road, Paros.Overnight nearby, for example: Maragas Camping (6 km); KOULA CAMPING (19 km).
- Day 4: Portara, Naxos → Apiranthos · 17 km · 0 h 14 minOvernight nearby, for example: Maragas Camping (15 km); Plaka Camping (14 km).
- Day 5: Apiranthos → Kouros of Apollonas, Naxos · 15 km · 0 h 13 minOvernight nearby, for example: Naxos Camping (19 km).
- Day 6: Kouros of Apollonas, Naxos → Hozoviotissa Monastery, Amorgos · 62 km · 0 h 52 minOvernight nearby, for example: Aegali camping (10 km); Καστάνης (3 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Little Venice and the Windmills, Mykonos → Delos. Ferry crossing needed
- Delos → Naoussa, Paros. Ferry crossing needed
- Lefkes and the Byzantine Road, Paros → Portara, Naxos. Ferry crossing needed
- Kouros of Apollonas, Naxos → Hozoviotissa Monastery, Amorgos. Ferry crossing needed
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Central Cyclades: Mykonos, Delos, Paros, Naxos and Amorgos?
6-day road trip of about 180 km (112 mi) with 9 stops, from Little Venice and the Windmills, Mykonos to Hozoviotissa Monastery, Amorgos. About 2 h 29 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Central Cyclades: Mykonos, Delos, Paros, Naxos and Amorgos?
We suggest 6 days: about 2 h 29 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Central Cyclades: Mykonos, Delos, Paros, Naxos and Amorgos start and end?
It starts in Little Venice and the Windmills, Mykonos and ends in Hozoviotissa Monastery, Amorgos.
Which countries does Central Cyclades: Mykonos, Delos, Paros, Naxos and Amorgos pass through?
Greece.
Where can you camp along Central Cyclades: Mykonos, Delos, Paros, Naxos and Amorgos?
OpenStreetMap lists 13 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Maragas Camping, Aegali camping and KOULA CAMPING.
When is the best time for Central Cyclades: Mykonos, Delos, Paros, Naxos and Amorgos?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
