19 Best Sights in The Cyclades, Greece

Considered one of Syros's most beautiful beaches, Agathopes gets packed in peak season due to its shallow waters and fine sand. If you're there at the right time, you'll find a unique small islet where white sea lilies blossom. The sea view is also dotted with the uninhabited islands called Schinonissi and Stroggilo. Beachgoers can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas, and there's a local taverna within walking distance. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Essentially an extension of Naxos Town, the easily accessible Ayios Georgios Beach is a popular, developed destination that sees its throng of crowds during the peak summer months. Protected from summer winds, the sandy coastline edges up against shallow waters that make it ideal for kids. The bustle of the main town extends here; restaurants, tavernas, and café bars are all within easy walking distance with views of the sea. It's also an ideal beach scene to take in the sunset. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

One of the best places on Mykonos to catch the sunset is the pebble-and-sand beach of Ayios Ioannis. Divided into two sections by large rocks, the waters usually remain calm but the summer winds can take their hold. The shallow bay is popular with families, and dining and lodging options are plenty thanks to the whitewashed beach town that grew around it. The beach is also referred to as Shirley Valentine Beach, because the 1989 British movie of the same name was filmed here.Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; swimming.

Since it's secluded from the summer's temperamental gusty island winds, the sands that fill up the pretty curved beach of Ayios Ioannis Porto Beach stay put. Here you can spend the day under tamarisk trees for natural shade or rent beach chairs and umbrellas during peak season. Its shallow waters and calm nature make it a choice beach for families. Several beach hotels are in close proximity. A few tavernas are nearby for a beach break. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Known for its shallow turquoise waters and excellent, clear view of Mykonos, the yellow sand-filled Ayios Sostis Beach is said to be a continuation of Ayios Kyriaki Beach. In the summer, beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent. A few tavernas and cafés are within walking distance for a meal break or refreshments. There are several ways to get to the beach, including a few small roads lined with bougainvillea and tall reeds. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Like many beaches in Greece, Ayios Stefanos takes its name from the little chapel built on it. Just north of Mykonos Town and next to the new harbor, this sandy stretch attracts its share of families for its shallow waters and array of eating, lodging, and café options within reach. Protected from northern winds, it’s always been an ideal beach to view the sunsets of Mykonos. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking, water sports Best for: sunset; swimming.

The closest sand beach to Ia is handy when you don't feel like making the trip to more famous beaches on the south end of the island. It's not that there's anything second-rate about this beautiful spot: the cliff-backed strip of sand is rarely crowded; the sea floor is sandy, too, providing nice wading for kids and a pleasant experience when splashing around in the surf; and the cliffs provide welcome shade. A downside is the summertime meltemi winds, which churn up the surf and sand. Islanders used to grow fruits and vegetables down here, and the name comes from the Turkish word for garden, baxes. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: surfing (at times); swimming.

Mykonos’s characteristic rocky hills surround Kalo Livadi’s long sandy beach, at the edge of the island valley from which it got its name, meaning "good valley.” Families head here to spend the day playing with their kids in the shallow waters and take a break at one of the many restaurants surrounding the beach. In summer the beach is divided into several areas that feature various styles of sun beds and umbrellas for rent. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

The beach, which is noted for its anfractuous rock formations, is also considered to be one of Paros's best, attracting its share of crowds to the small, sandy cove. The granite formations create shallow pools of water popular with the kids. It's within walking distance of two tavernas that overlook the region. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent from a seasonal café. Head to the top of nearby Koukounaries Hill to view the remains of an ancient site. You can get there by car, and there is designated parking for the beach. A water-taxi crosses the bay to Kolymbithres from Naousa. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: swimming.

Considered the closest authentic Parian beach near Paroikía, Livadia is the first wide bay north of the harbor that's comprised of a series of smaller, white-sand beaches. Some areas are organized with beach chair and umbrella rentals while others are untouched by tourism, and only trees provide shade. Just a 10-minute walk from the town and harbor and near campgrounds, it can get crowded. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Marcello's famously cool waters attract Parians on the hottest summer days. You can spend the entire day eating, drinking, swimming, or watching the calm water lap against this long, sandy stretch of coastline, as the beach is well equipped with beach bars and cafés, tavernas, and umbrellaed lounge-chair rentals. Next to Krios Beach, it's accessible by car, boat, or a 40-minute hike from Paroikía. Amenities: food and drink, parking (free). Best for: swimming; walking.

A community has grown around this beach, which is now considered one of the most family-friendly on the island. It’s pretty and sandy and there are umbrella and lounge chair rentals. A good selection of beach hotels, tavernas, restaurants, cafés, and shops make up Ornos Bay, and there’s bus service from Mykonos Town. It’s also the launch point to take a boat to other beaches or to Delos. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

A fine golden-sand beach with turquoise waters, Panormos caters to all kinds of beachgoers. Nudists head to the far right for peace and quiet, but there's an all-day beach bar and restaurant that offers music, food, and drinks to the left; it's popular with families, couples, and singles. This is a great spot when the southern winds attack; otherwise it's positioned to get the full brunt of the northern island winds. Water-sports equipment, umbrellas, and chairs are available for rent. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: nudists; swimming.

One of the most popular beaches on Paros's southeastern coast, Piso Livadi has trees offering natural shade, but lounge chairs and umbrellas are also available to rent. The small resort town of Piso Livadi, once an ancient port for the marble quarries, surrounds the sandy stretch of well-developed beach and is filled with lodging options, tavernas, restaurants, and cafés. Boats depart from this port for Mykonos, Naxos, Amorgos, Ios, and Santorini. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

South of town, Plaka Beach is a natural extension of Ayia Anna Beach. It's a gorgeous two-and-a-half-mile stretch of sand filled with dunes and bamboo groves. Most of the beach is undeveloped, but you can still find sun beds to rent in organized areas. Come early to grab one in the peak season. There is a range of tavernas, restaurants, and café-bars within walking distance. At the southern end is Orkos, haven to wind- and kitesurfers. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Spacious, sandy, and pleasant, Platis Gialos is a popular southern beach that's protected from the island’s strong summer winds. Kids enjoy playing in the shallow waters, while adults head to deeper waters to try out the numerous water-sports rental options. The array of taverns, restaurants, and cafés is perfect for any food break. The beach is lined with rental umbrellas and chairs, and getting to it is easy by Mykonos Town beach boat and bus service. You can drive here, too, but parking spaces may be hard to find. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

Within walking distance of Antiparos Town, this beach has two parts, referred to by locals as Psaraliki One and Psaraliki Two. Yellow, soft sand fills both and each is dotted with natural shade trees; lounge chairs and umbrellas are available during the summer months. The shallow waters make it a favorite for families, and its southeasterly placement on the island keeps it sheltered from gusty Cycladic winds. Several tavernas are close by. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.

Located in the next cove southeast of Panormos Beach, Rohari remains just as popular in the summer as a favorite northern beach destination. Fully organized, the beachfront cantinas are the perfect spot for a cool drink; there are beach umbrellas and chairs for rent. It's within close proximity to the village of Panormos, which has a wide selection of tavernas and cafés for a beach-day break. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Several sandy footpaths from the main road lead you to one of Paros's most popular family-friendly beaches; the boat that travels to nearby Lageri also makes a stop in Santa Maria. Little fishing boats dock in the distance from the sandy cove, which is filled with sand dunes and lined with green brush. There's no natural shade, but in peak season it's well equipped with beach chair and umbrella rentals from seasonal cafés. Several tavernas are within walking distance. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.