This exceptionally picturesque island is very close to Athens and offers relaxing vacations and pristine beaches at Pisses, Korissia, Koundouros,Otzia bay and Poles bay. Ioulis, the town, is built on the remains of the ancient town. The picture of the island that remains is of little valleys with vineyards and orchards between mountainous masses, leading to idyllic

The cosmopolitan centre of the Cyclades with more than 700 churches according to the claims of the inhabitants. Its low rocky hills slope down to enchanting golden beaches. The windmills overlook majestically the port and town, and even a replica of Venice in the numerous houses built on the fringe of the sea.Trends that will sweep the international scene are born in the intense nightlife of this modern resort.

The sacred island of Delos was, in the myths, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Today the island is uninhabited; it is a vast archaeological site whose superb monuments, remains of ancient temples, sanctuaries, the Market Place, the Theatre, the houses, the mosaics draw thousands of visitors in pilgrimage to what was, for a thousand years or so after the 9th century BC, the political and religious centre of the Aegean.

(or NIOS as the locals call it) is decorated with small scenic bays, countless chapels, vineyards, and olive trees, all set under the clear bright Cycladic sky. The sites of Ios include a Hellenistic tower of Plakotos and the remains of an ancient aqueduct at Agia Theodoti, traces of an ancient temple at Psathi and ruinous Venetian castle at the spot known as Paleokastro.

One of the best known of the Cyclades differs from the other islands in the group thanks to its geological morphology, the result of action by a volcano now dormant. Bright white domed houses clinging to the cliff sides of the caldera formed by the volcano’s explosion in 1500 B.C. have an incredible view of Kamenes (burnt ones) the coal coloured islets in the middle. From the landing place, Skala, we can climb up to Fira, the capital, on foot or on donkey back. There is a funicular railway for those who whish to avoid the hundreds of steps.

Grey trails line the rocks of Sifnos and white chapels lie between them. Here green alternates with dazzling white. Rare beauty, spellbinding views. Yards, alleyways, workshops – where the famous Sifnian pottery is made – 365 churches, chapels and important monasteries. The island was famous in ancient times for the wealth, which came from its gold and silver mines.

It was on the small island of Kithnos, famous in antiquity for the excellence of its administration (according to Aristotle in his “Constitution of Kithnos”) that recent archaeological finds have provided evidence of the earliest presence of man in the Cyclades. The shores are heavily indented and the island has radioactive thermal springs (Loutra) with great curative powers.