Self-Launched Sailing Greece: Mykonos to Athens

Fly into Mykonos Airport (JMK) — budget flights from Athens take ~45 mins with Sky Express or Olympic Air (~£60–80 one-way). Alternatively, take a Hellenic Seaways high-speed ferry from Piraeus (Athens) to Mykonos (~5 hrs, ~£35). Check into your hostel or budget studios in Mykonos Town (Chora). Spend the afternoon wandering the iconic whitewashed lanes, visit Little Venice at sunset, and grab a drink at a harbourside bar. Mykonos is expensive to eat out — stock up on supplies at a local mini-market and save budget for the islands ahead.

🚌Fly Athens→Mykonos (~£60–80) or Piraeus high-speed ferry (~£35, book via ferryhopper.com or directferries.co.uk)

🛏Budget studios or hostel dorm in Mykonos Town — e.g. Carbonaki Hotel area guesthouses or Airbnb studio (~£40–60/night)

• →Explore Mykonos Chora on foot — free
• →Watch sunset at Little Venice waterfront
• →Visit the iconic windmills of Kato Myli — free
• →Evening stroll along the old port harbour

Take an early morning ferry from Mykonos to Syros (Ermoupoli) — crossings run daily with Blue Star Ferries or Hellenic Seaways (~1–1.5 hrs, ~£12–18). Ermoupoli is the elegant capital of the Cyclades, far less touristy than Mykonos. Stroll the neoclassical Miaouli Square, browse the famous laiki (street market) for local loukoumades, honey and handicrafts, and seek out the family-run silver jewellery workshops in the old town — mirroring the G Adventures stop. Climb to the Venetian Ano Syros hill neighbourhood for panoramic views. Sleep in an affordable guesthouse.

🚌Mykonos → Syros ferry (~£12–18, ~1–1.5 hrs) — book via ferryhopper.com

🛏Budget guesthouse or studio in Ermoupoli, Syros (~£30–45/night) — e.g. Rooms to Rent near the port

• →Explore Ermoupoli street markets — free to browse
• →Visit Miaouli Square and the Apollo Theatre
• →Browse family silver workshops in the old town
• →Climb to Ano Syros for panoramic Cyclades views — free
• →Try local loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) from a market stall

Kythnos is one of the quietest, most authentic Cycladic islands — barely touched by mass tourism. Take a morning ferry from Syros (~2 hrs, ~£15). Rent a scooter (~£15/day) or use the local bus to reach Loutra, the island's small spa village famous for its natural hot springs flowing directly into the sea. Snorkel in the clear bays around Kolona — a stunning double beach sand bar. The island has very affordable tavernas; eat fresh grilled fish at the harbour in Merichas. Stay in a simple rooms-to-rent guesthouse.

🚌Syros → Kythnos ferry (~£15, ~2 hrs) — check schedules on openseas.gr

🛏Simple guesthouse or rooms-to-rent in Merichas or Chora, Kythnos (~£25–40/night)

• →Soak in the natural thermal sea springs at Loutra — free
• →Snorkel at Kolona double beach — free (bring or rent snorkel gear ~£5)
• →Rent a scooter and explore the island's quiet roads (~£15/day)
• →Fresh grilled fish lunch at a harbour taverna in Merichas

Kea is one of the closest Cycladic islands to Athens yet feels genuinely off-the-beaten-path. Take a morning ferry from Kythnos to Kea (~1 hr, ~£10–12). From Korissia port, it's a short local bus or taxi ride (£3–5) to Ioulis (Chora), the charming hilltop capital. The must-see is the ancient stone Liontas (Lion of Kea) — a 6th-century BCE carved lion near Ioulis, a 10-minute walk from the village, entirely free to visit. Hike the old kalderimi cobblestone paths between villages, swim at Koundouros or Pisses beach. Seafood dinner at a small taverna in Korissia.

🚌Kythnos → Kea ferry (~£10–12, ~1 hr) — book via ferryhopper.com; local bus/taxi to Ioulis (~£3–5)

🛏Guesthouse or apartment in Ioulis or Korissia, Kea (~£30–50/night)

• →Visit the ancient stone Lion of Kea (Liontas) — free
• →Wander the winding lanes of Ioulis (Chora) — free
• →Hike old kalderimi cobblestone paths between villages
• →Swim at Koundouros or Pisses beach — free
• →Seafood dinner at a local taverna in Korissia port

Aegina is famous for two things: its world-class pistachios and the stunning Temple of Aphaia. Take the ferry from Kea towards Piraeus and disembark at Aegina (~£15–20 total). From Aegina town, rent a bicycle (~£8/day) — the island is very bike-friendly. Cycle to the perfectly preserved Doric Temple of Aphaia (~£6 entry), one of the best-preserved temples in Greece. Stop at a roadside stall to buy a bag of fresh Aegina pistachios. Swim at Agia Marina beach on the east coast. Back in Aegina town, eat at a harbourside fish taverna — this is excellent value compared to the Cyclades.

🚌Kea → Aegina via ferry (~£15–20) — may require routing via Piraeus; check openseas.gr for direct options

🛏Budget guesthouse or studios in Aegina Town (~£30–45/night)

• →Visit the Temple of Aphaia — ~£6 entry (book via e-ticketing.gr)
• →Rent a bicycle and explore the island (~£8/day)
• →Buy fresh Aegina pistachios from a roadside farm stall
• →Swim at Agia Marina beach — free
• →Harbourside fish taverna dinner in Aegina Town

Hydra is one of Greece's most unique islands — no cars or motorbikes are allowed, making it serene and deeply atmospheric. Ferry from Aegina to Hydra (~1.5–2 hrs via Hellenic Seaways, ~£15). Donkeys and water taxis are the only transport. Explore the gorgeous stone-mansioned port town on foot, swim at Vlychos or Kamini cove (20-min walk from town), and snorkel in the crystal-clear water. Book an afternoon snorkelling boat trip via GetYourGuide (~£20–30) or simply hire a kayak (~£15). For dinner, try the affordable souvlaki and gyros spots in the backstreets — Hydra's port restaurants charge a premium.

🚌Aegina → Hydra ferry (~£15, ~1.5–2 hrs) via Hellenic Seaways — book via ferryhopper.com

🛏Budget pension or guesthouse in Hydra Town (~£35–55/night) — book early as rooms fill fast

• →Explore the car-free port town and neoclassical stone mansions on foot — free
• →Swim or snorkel at Vlychos cove (20-min walk) — free
• →Book a snorkelling boat trip via GetYourGuide (~£20–30)
• →Hire a sea kayak from the harbour (~£15/half day)
• →Sunset drinks at the port watching the water taxis

Take a morning Hellenic Seaways hydrofoil or Flying Dolphin from Hydra to Piraeus (~1.5–2 hrs, ~£18–22). From Piraeus, take Metro Line 1 (Green Line) directly to the centre of Athens (~£1.50, 30 mins). Check into a central hostel or budget hotel in Monastiraki or Psirri — perfectly placed for the Acropolis. Spend the afternoon exploring Monastiraki flea market and Plaka neighbourhood. For a final group-style dinner, head to a mezze taverna in Psirri — great value with shared plates. Optional: book a rooftop bar experience with Acropolis views for sunset drinks.

🚌Hydra → Piraeus hydrofoil (~£18–22, ~1.5–2 hrs); Piraeus → Athens centre by Metro Line 1 (~£1.50)

🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Monastiraki/Psirri, Athens (~£20–40/night) — e.g. Athens Backpackers, Athens Studios

• →Metro from Piraeus to central Athens (~£1.50)
• →Explore Monastiraki flea market — free to browse
• →Walk through Plaka neighbourhood to the Acropolis base — free
• →Sunset rooftop bar with Acropolis views (e.g. A for Athens bar)
• →Mezze group dinner in Psirri neighbourhood (~£15–20/person)

Rise early to beat the crowds at the Acropolis — doors open at 8am and it gets extremely busy by 10am. Entry is £17 (combined ticket covering the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora and more). Explore the Parthenon, Erechtheion and the views over Athens. Afterwards, grab a Greek coffee and tiropita (cheese pie) from a local bakery. Visit the Acropolis Museum (~£10) if time allows — it's world-class and air-conditioned. Head to the airport via Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) from Syntagma (~40 mins, ~£9 with luggage surcharge) for your onward flight.

🚌Athens centre → Airport: Metro Line 3 from Syntagma (~£9, ~40 mins)

🛏Check out — departure day

• →Early morning visit to the Acropolis — £17 combined ticket (book via etickets.tap.gr)
• →Explore the Ancient Agora below the Acropolis — included in combined ticket
• →Visit the Acropolis Museum — ~£10 entry
• →Greek coffee and tiropita at a local bakery — ~£3
• →Metro Line 3 to Athens Airport from Syntagma (~£9, ~40 mins)