While you can go on a holiday at any time of the year, depending on where you’re going, there are months that may be better than others. It all depends on what vibe you prefer when it comes to your trip. Having been to a few Greek islands, here’s my thoughts on the best times to visit the Cyclades Islands.
The Cyclades
The Cyclades is a group of Greek islands located southeast of the mainland in the Aegean Sea. They include about 220 islands, however some of the major ones you may have heard of are Santorini, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Delos, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, and Tinos.
Many of the islands have become very popular holiday destinations. Each one has its own characteristics, but they’re mostly known for their beaches, ancient sites, rugged landscapes, and traditional blue domed churches and pristine white villages overlooking the sea.
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When to visit the Cyclades
April
Travelling in April can be great for solo travellers since you don’t have to stick to school schedules. Flights tend to be cheaper as it’s outside of high season. It’s also better to go later in April when the season starts, but if you go during the Easter holidays (the Greek Easter is later in April) it could work out a little more expensive.
May
Late May is also one of the best times to visit the Cyclades Islands. If you still want more of a quieter experience but still need a little hustle and bustle, May is perfect as the season starts to kick off.
Going at this time of the year may be better on your budget. Flights are reasonably priced and you can find decent accommodation at a nice price too.
June
For me, the start of June the best time to visit the Cyclades Islands. Although I don’t like the crowds, I do like a bit of a buzz, so June offers the best of both. Having said that, it also depends on the island you’re visiting. Somewhere like Santorini may still be busy but nothing like it would be in July or August. I went in June and found is still packed at Fira but speaking to locals they said it’s even worse a few months later.
If you want to travel earlier in the year, avoiding the busy holiday months of July and August, pick June. I’ve been at the early and later part of June and both times were great.
This month has the right balance of night life, hustle and bustle. Everything is open but at the same time you’re not fighting (as much) to be served or standing in really long queues.
April and May are in the “low season” months. Early June can be classed as slipping into high season, but if you go early in the month, the atmosphere is a lot less than in July or August.
September
Post summer holiday rush is also one of the best times to visit the Cyclades Islands. It’s a lot calmer as the summer rush is pretty much over and many people start to go back to work and kids back to school. The ferry schedules are still frequent at the start and middle of the month so island hopping is also a cool option in September. You’ll find like in June, in September has a nice blend of busy and quiet periods. The hot weather of the summer months will start to cool off a little by this time.
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October
Early October is a little later in the season. Like September, it’s past the summer holiday rush.
It’s a lot quieter so you may find the ferry frequency and numbers travelling slightly reduced. It’s best to visit earlier in October if you do choose this month since going later may restrict your travel options.
September and October are also classed as “low season” months.
If you’re thinking of visiting the Cyclades, these months are the quietest, coolest (although still very hot). They can also be less expensive when it comes to booking flights and accommodation.
Visiting the Cyclades during high season
July and August (known as “high season” months) are the busiest times of the year. Due to school holidays and summer in general, there are more crowds and temperatures can get very high.
As this is peak time, travel and accommodation costs will also increase. If you book far enough in advance you may be able to get a last-minute deal.
Hope this helps. It’s based on my own experiences of visiting but gives you an idea of what you can expect — although it will vary depending on which island and when you choose to go.
Let me know if you have any questions. If you’re thinking of island hopping, check out my 5 tips to book greek ferries post for ideas and advice on booking Greek ferries.
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