Naxos & the quiet south

Quiet South Cyclades

Naxos & the quiet south

Nine nights through Naxos, Amorgos and Ios for travelers chasing the smaller, southern Cyclades rather than the main tourist circuit.

4 islands 9 nights from €450 / person

Naxos gets the lion's share of this trip, nights that give the largest Cycladic island room to show its beaches, mountain villages and working port. From there the route drops south to Amorgos, one of the quietest and least developed islands in the group, before finishing on Ios. Nine nights at a relaxed pace mean two transfers total, both manageable, with real time to settle in on either end.

Why this order

Naxos anchors the trip because it is the best-connected island in the southern Cyclades, reached from Piraeus on four sailings a day. Naxos to Amorgos runs on Blue Star's twice-daily conventional service — no fast-ferry option exists on this leg, so it needs booking ahead regardless of season. From Amorgos, the onward connection back into the main Cyclades network runs less often than islands like Paros or Naxos, so this route allows a full day for that transfer rather than treating it as routine. Ios closes the trip because, unlike Amorgos, it sits on frequent lines back toward Santorini or Piraeus.

Best for

Suits travelers who want Amorgos specifically, its monastery and quiet coastline, and are willing to accept a slower, less frequent ferry network to get there. The relaxed pace fits islands where the main activity is a hike or a swim rather than sightseeing. Skip it if Amorgos's remoteness and thin ferry schedule sound stressful rather than appealing, or if you need a fast, predictable trip.

Islands on this route

  1. 1
    Athens (Piraeus) Athens (Piraeus) Piraeus, the port for greater Athens, is where nearly every Cyclades itinerary actually begins — plan the gate, not just the city. Recommended nights: 1–2
    3h 30m · SeaJets · from €65
  2. 2
    Naxos Naxos The largest Cyclade: mountain villages, working farms and the best long sandy beaches in the group. Recommended nights: 3–4
    1h 45m · Blue Star Ferries · from €24
  3. 3
    Amorgos Amorgos The far edge of the Cyclades — a cliffside monastery, two separate ports, and the longest crossing in this group. Recommended nights: 2–3
    No direct ferry
  4. 4
    Ios Ios Ios earns exactly two nights: one long day at Mylopotas beach, one late night up in the Chora. Recommended nights: 2–2

Who sails it

Frequently asked questions

Why this order?

Naxos anchors the trip because it is the best-connected island in the southern Cyclades, reached from Piraeus on four sailings a day. Naxos to Amorgos runs on Blue Star's twice-daily conventional service — no fast-ferry option exists on this leg, so it needs booking ahead regardless of season. From Amorgos, the onward connection back into the main Cyclades network runs less often than islands like Paros or Naxos, so this route allows a full day for that transfer rather than treating it as routine. Ios closes the trip because, unlike Amorgos, it sits on frequent lines back toward Santorini or Piraeus.

Best for?

Suits travelers who want Amorgos specifically, its monastery and quiet coastline, and are willing to accept a slower, less frequent ferry network to get there. The relaxed pace fits islands where the main activity is a hike or a swim rather than sightseeing. Skip it if Amorgos's remoteness and thin ferry schedule sound stressful rather than appealing, or if you need a fast, predictable trip.

How we plan it?

Ios has no airport, so the flight home has to be booked out of Santorini or Athens with a connecting ferry built in — don't plan a same-day departure from Ios itself. The Naxos–Amorgos leg runs only twice daily with no fast alternative, so treat that booking as fixed before arranging anything else.

Times, prices and frequencies are indicative and change by season and operator. Always confirm the live timetable before you book.