Top Things to do in Cyclades
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Top 10 Ancient Ruins in Cyclades, South Aegean
The Cyclades is a group of Greek islands with beautiful, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains and lush valleys. Glamorous Santorini and Mykonos attract the jetset, while lesser-known isles, such as Milos and Naxos, are the perfect places for beach lovers. Ruins, including the 11th-century Dorian settlement and volcanic ash-preserved Ancient Akrotiri in Santorini, amaze those with a bent for ancient history. Sifnos' cuisine wins it admirers. Hydrofoils, ferries and catamarans connect the islands.
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1. Avenue of the Lions
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
An ancient street dating back to the seventh century BC lined with majestic stone lions.
Reviewed By Luis-in-Arizona - Gilbert, United States
The row of these seven 2600-year-old sphinx like lion statues is one of the main, iconic image of the island. However, only one of the Iions is original. These lions on the site are perfect copies of those originals that are in the museum in Delo for safety and conservation reasons. It gives you a perspective on what it would have looked like coming to the island when the lions were in their original position. Delos is an island that is currently uninhabited and is mainly an archaeological site . You can’t stay there , only the people that are workers stay on the island . You can get to it by Ferry from the island of Mykonos. In June 2019, we left the old port in the afternoon because we missed the 10am boat. We recommend the guided tour without a doubt, unless you are not going with someone who knows the subject, you will just see pillars and stones piled on an island with a very nice view. Once we disembarked, we met up with a tour guide who was quite informative, extremely nice, and knowledgeable. We got a sense of how bustling a place Delos was at that time. When the tour ended, we had time to tour the museum and some other parts of the island, then took the ferry back to Mykonos. Don't miss the museum! Don't forget to bring sun block, a hat (there are very few shady places), and water! If you run out of water, inside the museum they give away a bottle of water per person. It takes about 4 hours to tour the island (including the guided tour). Take hiking shoes since there is a nice hike uphill were you can get a fabulous view . Mount Kynthos, at 370 feet, is the island's highest point. Up there, are remains of the Temple of Zeus and Athena. To ancient Greeks, this peak seems to look like the spot from which Poseidon had pulled the island up from the deep. Two warnings: bathing and pets are not allowed on the island.
2. House of Masks
3. House of Dionysus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
These crumbling ruins of an ancient Greek dwelling still contain some fairly well-preserved mosaics.
Reviewed By Luis-in-Arizona - Gilbert, United States
It is a very nice visit if accompanied by a guide who can explain well not only the house but also the stories on the uses and customs of those who lived here, making us imagine how life was inside this house. The white marble columns, the mosaic in the courtyard, the rooms and the water drains they all give us an idea of the houses of that time. The mosaics are splendid and well preserved. It is one of the many gifts that the island of Delos offers. But if you go to Delos you have to visit it all, it is all an archaeological site and it all deserves. Delos is an island that is currently uninhabited and is mainly an archaeological site . You can’t stay there , only the people that are workers stay on the island . You can get to it by Ferry from the island of Mykonos. In June 2019, we left the old port in the afternoon because we missed the 10am boat. We recommend the guided tour without a doubt, unless you are not going with someone who knows the subject, you will just see pillars and stones piled on an island with a very nice view. Once we disembarked, we met up with a tour guide who was quite informative, extremely nice, and knowledgeable. We got a sense of how bustling a place Delos was at that time. When the tour ended, we had time to tour the museum and some other parts of the island, then took the ferry back to Mykonos. Don't miss the museum! Don't forget to bring sun block, a hat (there are very few shady places), and water! If you run out of water, inside the museum they give away a bottle of water per person. It takes about 4 hours to tour the island (including the guided tour). Take hiking shoes since there is a nice hike uphill were you can get a fabulous view . Two warnings: bathing and pets are not allowed on the island.
4. Naos Tou Apollona - Portara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,286 reviews
Reviewed By _N5854HS - Athens, Greece
best sunset i ever saw on cyclades.An ancient temple where you can see the sun goes down,in the sea.beautiful romantic place for couples
5. Ancient Thera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,292 reviews
This 11th century BC Dorian settlement includes remains from Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
Reviewed By 335kimberleyp - Grimsby, United Kingdom
Ancient Thera is at the top of a mountain and well worth a visit for anyone enjoying archeology . Just a word of warning it is worth the 10euro fare for a mini bus up and down the winding road then to access the site it is a tiring uphill climb to the summit , the stunning views alone are superb and the bus allows two hours visit which is ample time to inspect the remains of the ancient Hellenistic city .
6. Ancient Roman Theatre - Milos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By FrangipanniBrisbane
The amphitheatre is close to the small village of Klima and many archaeological sites can be found near the small church on the hill above the village
7. Archaeological Site of Delos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,500 reviews
Reviewed By humuhumu_fish - Bolton, United States
We took the Ancient Delos tour through our cruise ship, but anyone else can do this as well. A round trip ferry takes you from the old port in Mykonos to the island of Delos where you can walk among the archaeological ruins of Delos. We spent a couple of hours on Delos and it was one of the highlights of our entire trip. If you have time, I recommend hiking up towards the temple of Isis on the path to the right of the museum building. The views from up there were great and hardly anyone ventured that direction (my son and I had it to ourselves).
8. Tower of Zevgolis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By duhoz - Beroun, Czech Republic
What a haven. The best traditional village with great authentic feel of Naxos. I was happy to to come hear on ma around the island tour on the scooter. The village is nearly untouched by the tourists. Immerse in the beauty of village and just wander around the narrow street white washed tiny houses where locals really live. Nice taverns can be found no marble-paved street close to main square. Zevgolis Tower is impressive 17th century tower initially belonged to Kastri family and their coat of arms depicting a lion is on the lintol of the main entrance.
9. Archaeological Site of Skarkos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
When I first visited Ios in the early 1980's the site of Skarkos was not known yet, since its discovery goes back to 1984 and the excavations started two years later with archaeologist Marisa Marthari being mainly in charge. The conservation efforts were awarded the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage in 2008. Today the site on a hilltop between Ios Bay and the islands most fertile area of Kambos is well protected and organized. Fenced off, the place can only be visited daily, except Tuesdays, from 8am to 3.30pm. Entrance fee is 4€ to be paid at a little stone building to the right after one has gone through the gate. Plenty of oleander bushes add some colour to the excavation. There is almost no parking at Skarkos, just for the employees at the site. The best way to get here is anyway by walking, especially on the official hiking path No 1 in 20 minutes from Chora. A path, which then continues to Epano Kambos. There is no direct path from the harbour. By the ticket office is a small exhibition room with photos and 3 information boards in Greek and English. There are three more excellent information boards on the site itself. They are worth reading, since to a layperson the ruins itself don't offer much understanding, besides that they are mostly fenced off. The finds of this settlement of the Early Bronze Age (mid 3rd millenium BC) are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Ios in Chora.
