Every trip to the Cyclades involves at least one port, and most island hopping holidays involve several. Only 6 of the islands have an airport, so the ferry ports are the real gateways to the group, from the huge mainland port of Piraeus to tiny harbours where you step off the boat straight into the village. This guide brings together all the Cyclades ports in one place: the 3 Athens ports for the Cyclades, the main port on each island, how far each one is from town, the islands with more than one port, the cruise ports and the tips that make arriving and leaving easy. Each port has its own detailed guide, linked below.
Cyclades ports at a glance
Ferries to the Cyclades leave Athens from Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio, and every inhabited island has its own port, with Mykonos, Santorini and Amorgos having more than one.
- Athens ports: Piraeus for most islands, Rafina for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, Lavrio for Kea and Kythnos
- Busiest island ports: Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini and Syros
- Ports in town: Naxos, Paros, Syros, Tinos, Milos and Koufonisia, where you walk straight off the ferry
- Cruise ports: Piraeus, Mykonos and Santorini
- Plan ahead: taxis are very scarce at the small island ports
Athens Ports for the Cyclades
Ferries from Athens to the Cyclades leave from 3 different ports, and choosing the right one can save hours. Our guide to getting from Athens to the Cyclades compares them in detail.
Piraeus
- Largest passenger port in Europe
- Metro Line 3 from the airport
- Cyclades gates usually E6 to E10
- Piraeus port guide
Rafina
- Closest port to the airport
- Andros, Tinos and Mykonos
- Seasonal boats further south
- Rafina port guide
Lavrio
- South east of Athens
- About 30 minutes from the airport
- Slow ferries on long routes
- Lavrio port guide
Cyclades Island Ports Compared
The table lists the main ferry port on each island, how far it is from the main town, the best Athens port for that island and the fastest crossing. Click the port name for the full guide, with buses, taxis, ferries and facilities.
| Island | Port | Distance to main town | Best Athens port | Fastest from Athens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andros | Gavrio | 8 km to Batsi, 32 to 35 km to Chora | Rafina | About 50 minutes |
| Kythnos | Merichas | 6.5 to 7 km to Chora | Lavrio | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Mykonos | New Port, Tourlos | 2 to 3 km to Mykonos Town | Rafina or Piraeus | About 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Syros | Ermoupoli | In town | Piraeus | About 2 hours |
| Serifos | Livadi | 4.5 km to Chora | Piraeus | About 2 hours |
| Tinos | Tinos Town | In town | Rafina | About 2 hours |
| Sifnos | Kamares | 5 km to Apollonia | Piraeus | About 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Milos | Adamas | 3 km to Plaka | Piraeus | About 2 hours 35 minutes |
| Paros | Parikia | In town | Piraeus or Rafina | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Naxos | Naxos Town | In town | Piraeus or Rafina | About 3 hours 20 minutes |
| Folegandros | Karavostasis | 3.4 km to Chora | Piraeus | About 3 hours 45 minutes |
| Ios | Gialos | 2 km to Chora | Piraeus | About 4 hours |
| Koufonisia | Chora | In the village | Piraeus | About 4 hours |
| Amorgos | Katapola and Aegiali | 5 to 7 km from Katapola to Chora | Piraeus | About 4 hours 55 minutes |
| Santorini | Athinios | About 10 km to Fira | Piraeus | About 5 hours |
Times are for the fastest high speed ferries. Conventional ferries take longer but are more stable in the wind. For the full list of routes and a ferry map, see our Cyclades ferry routes guide.
Busiest Ports for Island Hopping
A few ports act as hubs, with ferries in many directions every day in summer. Basing your route around them makes island hopping much easier.
- Paros sits at the crossroads of the Cyclades, with Naxos only 25 minutes away and boats to Antiparos from Parikia and Pounta.
- Naxos is the gateway to the Small Cyclades, with fast boats to Koufonisia in 35 to 45 minutes.
- Mykonos links the northern islands, with Tinos only about 15 minutes away on a fast boat.
- Santorini connects the southern Cyclades with Crete, with Ios 35 minutes away and Heraklion about 1 hour 35 minutes.
- Syros is busy all year, as Ermoupoli is the capital of the Cyclades.
Cyclades Islands With More Than One Port
On some islands, heading to the wrong port is an easy mistake to make. These are the ones to watch.
| Island | Ports | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mykonos | New Port (Tourlos) and Old Port (Chora) | All ferries use the New Port. The Old Port is for Delos boats, the Sea Bus and cruise tenders. Mykonos port guide |
| Santorini | Athinios, the Old Port and Ammoudi | Ferries use Athinios. Cruise passengers land at the Old Port below Fira. Ammoudi is a small harbour below Oia. Santorini port guide |
| Amorgos | Katapola and Aegiali | About 21 to 25 km apart, so pick the one nearest your hotel. Amorgos port guide |
| Paros | Parikia and Pounta | Ferries use Parikia. The car ferry to Antiparos leaves from Pounta. Paros port guide |
| Tinos | 2 harbours in Tinos Town | Different ferries use different quays, so check your ticket. Tinos port guide |
Cruise Ports in the Cyclades
Most Greek island cruises call at one or more of these ports. How you get ashore makes a big difference to your day.
| Cruise port | How ships arrive | Getting into town |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Dock at 3 cruise terminals at the southern end of the harbour | Taxi, or bus to the metro and Line 1 to central Athens |
| Mykonos | Most dock at the New Port, some tender to the Old Port | Sea Bus every 15 minutes on cruise days for 2 euros |
| Santorini | No pier, ships anchor and tender to the Old Port | Cable car for 10 euros, or the 588 steps up to Fira |
Ports With Very Few Taxis
On the smaller islands, taxis are gone within minutes of a ferry arriving. Book ahead or plan to take the bus at these ports.
Ports or Airports?
Only Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros have airports, and only Santorini and Mykonos take direct flights from the UK. For every other island, a port is the only way in. A popular plan is to fly into Santorini or Mykonos and continue by ferry. See our guide to Cyclades airports for the full picture.
Tips for Using the Cyclades Ports
- Check the port on your ticket. Athens has 3 ferry ports, and some islands have 2 or more.
- Arrive early at the big ports. Allow at least 1 hour at Piraeus and Santorini, and 30 to 45 minutes at the smaller island ports.
- Book taxis ahead on small islands. Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos and Ios have very few.
- Carry some cash. Many island buses are paid in cash to the driver.
- Watch the wind. The summer meltemi can cancel high speed ferries, so leave a spare day before your flight home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cyclades Ports
What are the main ports in the Cyclades?
The busiest ports are Paros (Parikia), Naxos, Mykonos (New Port), Santorini (Athinios) and Syros (Ermoupoli). Every inhabited Cyclades island has its own ferry port.
Which Athens port do ferries to the Cyclades leave from?
Most ferries leave from Piraeus. Rafina, near Athens Airport, is best for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, and Lavrio is the port for Kea and Kythnos.
What are the main ferry ports in Greece for the islands?
For the Cyclades, the main mainland ports are Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio, all near Athens. Piraeus is the largest passenger port in Europe and also serves Crete, the Dodecanese and the Saronic islands.
Which Cyclades islands have more than one port?
Mykonos has the New Port and the Old Port, Santorini has Athinios, the Old Port and Ammoudi, Amorgos has Katapola and Aegiali, Paros has Parikia and Pounta, and Tinos Town has 2 harbours.
Which Cyclades port is closest to Athens?
Of the ports in our guides, Andros is the quickest to reach, about 50 minutes from Rafina on a fast ferry. Kythnos is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Lavrio, and Kea, around 1 hour from Lavrio, is closer still.
Which Cyclades ports are in the main town?
Naxos, Paros, Syros, Tinos and Koufonisia all have their ferry port right in the main town, so you can walk off the ferry into the centre. On Milos, the port is in Adamas, about 3 km from Plaka.
Where do cruise ships stop in the Cyclades?
The main cruise ports are Mykonos, where most ships dock at the New Port, and Santorini, where ships anchor and tender passengers to the Old Port. Many cruises also start or end at Piraeus.
How early should I arrive at a Cyclades port?
Allow at least 1 hour at Piraeus and Santorini, and 30 to 45 minutes at most island ports. Arrive earlier if you are taking a car.
Which Cyclades ports have the fewest taxis?
Folegandros has only 1 or 2 taxis, Serifos 4 drivers, Sifnos around 10 and Milos around 15. Book ahead or use the bus at these ports.
Which Cyclades islands have no airport?
Ios, Tinos, Sifnos, Folegandros, Amorgos, Andros, Serifos, Kythnos, Koufonisia and the other small islands have no airport, so the port is the only way in.
Are ferries in the Cyclades cancelled in bad weather?
Sometimes. The summer meltemi wind can cancel high speed ferries, while large conventional ferries usually still sail. Leave a spare day before an international flight home.
Final Thoughts
The ports are the heart of any Cyclades holiday. Start by choosing the right Athens port, check which harbour your ferry uses on islands with more than one, and book a taxi ahead wherever they are scarce. Once you know the ports, planning a route between the islands becomes simple. For everything else, see our guides to the Cyclades islands, the Greek islands map and the island finder.
