Greece: Bike and Boat the Cyclades & Saronic Islands Bike Tour

DAY 1: We can board our home away from home, Thalassa, after 2pm. This deluxe yacht is docked at the Marina Zeas in the port city of Piraeus, about 6 miles from the Athens city center. It accommodates 16 guests in handsome teak-furnished cabins that have two beds and a private bathroom. We will meet the crew, learn what’s ahead at an orientation and enjoy our first dinner together on board. 0 miles.

DAY 2: We depart Athens early in the morning and motor to the western Cyclades island of Kythnos to begin our adventure. Kythnos is the land of cheese and honey. It is also an island of sweeping plateaus, fig trees, fragrant fields of thyme, gorgeous beaches and charming villages.

Docking in the port town of Merichas, we start cycling inland toward the island’s capitol of Chora on our bicycles. The winding, narrow alleys here are enchanting, made out in geographic patterns with flowers painted within. Then we continue onto Dryopida, an historic village nested in a ravine, known for its ochre ceramic tiled roofs. 15 miles. 

DAY 3: In the morning we sail to Serifos, a small island that was once a significant source of copper and iron mining and was used as a place to banish criminals. Today, it’s adored for its wild beaches, white-washed homes built along hillsides, and numerous bays and coves.

With a population of only 1200 people, we’ll start exploring on our bikes from the harbor town of Livadi and make our way to the main town of Serifos. Then we will pedal to the beautiful Monastery of Taxiarches, dedicated to the island’s protective archangels Michael and Gabriel. On a hill overlooking the sea, the whitewashed walls and deep red painted doors are stunning against the blue sky. When we return to our boat, we’ll head to the island of Syros for the night. 17 miles.

DAY 4: Waking up in the Syros capital of Ermoupli, you will appreciate the pastel-painted buildings and neoclassical architecture, in stark contrast to the white structures of the other islands. Today’s bike ride takes us along the coast, dotted with picturesque bays and coves. We will visit one of the island’s more famous beaches along the way – Galissas Beach is known for its crystal clear and calm water.

On our way back to our yacht, we can visit the Monastery of Saint Barbara. Built in 1900, it is run by nuns and open for daily church service. Syros has many celebrated churches of both Catholic and Christian Orthodox traditions. Islanders are proud of the fact that the two religious traditions co-exist peacefully. In the afternoon we sail to Kea Island. 21 miles.

DAY 5: Our trek around Kea Island begins in the beautiful harbor town of Korissia. Being close to Athens, you’ll likely see Athenians who rely on this beautiful island as a weekend getaway. The first photo you might want to snap today is the lighthouse of Agios Nikolaos, one of the oldest lighthouses in Greece and the first one built in the Cyclades. It was constructed in 1831 over the ruins of a temple dedicated to Poseidon, god of the sea.

The ride takes us to Kea’s capital, Ioulis. From its main square, you can actually see Athens. Then we pedal on to Otzias Beach and take a refreshing dip in its protected clear waters. We’ll ride back to Korissia and say so long to the Cyclades Islands as we sail onto the Saronic Gulf for Poros, part of the Saronic archipelago. 15 miles.

DAY 6: You’ll love exploring the harbor town of Poros, with its iconic clock tower. Built in 1927 to commemorate Greece’s first century as an independent nation, it was considered one of the most accurate timekeepers in the world. It is certainly one of the most picturesque.

The American writer Henry Miller once wrote: “The island (of Poros) revolves in cubistic planes, one of walls and windows, one of rocks and goats, one of stiff-blown trees and shrubs, and so on.” We will circle the island by bike to explore those planes, rocks, goats, and shrubs. Along the way we will learn about the island’s lemon tree forest and take a swim at Russian Bay. In the afternoon we’ll be back on board Thalassas, savoring a beautiful lunch as we motor to Aegina. 14 miles.

DAY 7: The island of Aegina has many claims to fame, and at the top of that list could be the Temple of Aphaia, which will be a stop on today’s ride. Built around 480 BC, it is dedicated to the goddess Athena and is one of the best preserved temples in the country. From the hilltop where it sits, there are stunning views of two sides of the Aegean Sea.

Be sure to pick up some pistachios after today’s bike ride. They were first brought to the island in the 1860s from Iran. Grown natively and roasted in small batches, Aegina pistachios are considered some of the best in the world. We’ll board Thalassa for the last time and head back to Athens in the afternoon. Then we will celebrate our Greek odyssey with a captain’s dinner on board. 22 miles.

DAY 8: We’ll say our goodbyes after breakfast. Adio and safe travels!