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The Ionian and Cyclades island chains in Greece are probably the most well-known and most stunning. I’ve spent many weeks and months touring by way of the Greek islands and these islands maintain a particular place in my journey historical past.
If you happen to’re new to Greece and may’t resolve between visiting the Ionian islands or the Cyclades Islands, then take into account your self fortunate. You’re choosing between two extremely stunning and worthy locations so you may’t actually lose. You’re going to be mesmerized by the pure fantastic thing about the Greek islands, hospitality of its individuals, and the scrumptious meals.
Nonetheless, these islands are completely totally different from one another so this information will enable you perceive the variations. Whether or not you’re visiting as a household, romantic {couples}, or seeking to celebration it up, this information will inform you every part it’s essential to now.
The Islands of the Ionian Sea
Very first thing is first, let’s go over what islands comprise the Ionian sea and Aegean sea (dwelling to the Cycladic islands).
The Ionian sea consists of seven totally different islands on Greece’s northwest nook. These islands border Albania which I completely love and you’ll truly take a ferry from Corfu on the very north to Sarande in Albania.
The Ionian islands are outlined by their extremely pure magnificence. The islands are inexperienced as could be with lush forests and vegetation. Towering mountains can be seen all through the islands including to that unimaginable view.
The seashores within the Ionian islands are among the many finest within the nation. The time period Ionian blue comes from these islands because it matches the colourful and deep shade of turquoise/blue that these waters have. You’ll additionally discover crystal clear waters and white sand seashores all all through the archipelago.
Locations like Shipwreck seaside in Zakynthos, Myrthos Seashore in Kefalonia, Porto Katsiki in Lefkada are simply one of many many examples of unimaginable seashores within the Ionian islands.
The individuals on the Ionian islands are typically seen as among the warmest and nicest individuals in Greece. It’s laborious to argue with that when the islands are so stunning. For extra info on the Ionian islands, make sure that to learn my Ionian islands journey information in addition to my Ionian island journey itinerary for concepts on how one can plan your journey.
The islands of the Ionian Islands
The Cyclades Islands of the Aegean Sea
The Cyclades islands are probably the most well-known island group in Greece. For good motive I’d add. If you consider Greek islands, it’s undoubted that the Cyclades come to thoughts. White washed stone homes, child blue window frames and doorways, cobblestone streets, and insane Mediterranean views are all that’s on supply with the Cyclades.
Thee Cyclades islands are all positioned within the Aegean sea, a lot smaller than the Ionian islands, and customarily extra touristy. The landscapes are additionally drastically totally different. I’ve been to the Cyclades quite a few instances and completely adore it right here.
In whole there are the next islands:
The islands with hyperlinks are those I visited and subsequently you may learn my detailed guides for every of these islands in case you are planning a visit your self! If you would like an concept of how I deliberate my island hopping journey by way of the islands, make sure that to learn my Cyclades island hopping itinerary.
When you have restricted time and need to solely go to just a few islands, learn my listing the place I personally rank the very best Cyclades islands.
Local weather and Panorama
The Cyclades and Ionian islands are positioned close to to one another however are positioned distant sufficient that there are specific variations. Typically, the Cyclades islands are hotter and drier than the Ionian islands. That’s why the landscapes within the Cyclades resemble extra of a arid desert like facade whereas the Ionian islands are highlighted by their inexperienced and luxurious landscapes. Olive timber are a staple of the Ionian islands whereas you received’t discover many of those rising within the Cyclades.
Typically, the seasons are related within the Cyclades and Ionian islands. The winter months between November and March are off-season with few vacationers and restricted ferry schedules. The temperatures can get into the one digits and rain/wind is far more frequent. In the summertime months, each areas can get very popular however the Cyclades is probably just a bit bit hotter.
In the summertime months, you may count on temperatures to be between 25 and 35 levels on common with barely decrease temperatures within the Ionian islands. Winter months you may count on to see temperatures between 5 and 15 levels.
Dimension of the Cyclades vs Ionian islands
As talked about already, the Ionian islands are a lot larger than that of the Cyclades. To place it in perspective, the largest island within the Cyclades is Naxos. That is lower than 1/3 the dimensions of Kefalonia which is the biggest island within the Ionian islands. The opposite Cycladic islands are a lot smaller than Naxos which implies it’s a lot simpler to discover and journey across the islands.
Merely lease a scooter or a quadbike within the Cycladic islands and you’ll cruise on the principle roads with the wind at your again and the ocean views to your aspect. The sensation of cruising by way of Folegandros was notably mesmerizing. This small island at solely 12km lengthy and 1km large has its predominant highway in the midst of the island elevated at its highest level. The ocean could be seen on either side more often than not.
I actually favored the small measurement of the Cycladic islands because it made exploring a lot simpler. It additionally gave it that particular distinctive feeling such as you have been on this island by your self surrounded by stunning views and ocean. This isn’t to say you’ll get bored shortly as a result of they’re so small however moderately you aren’t overwhelmed by having so many decisions.
As well as, the Cyclades islands even have public transportation that takes you between large factors of curiosity in the course of the vacationer seasons. For instance, in Sifnos, the shuttle buses take you from the port city to the scenic Appolonia city with all the gorgeous homes and eating places. You technically don’t want a scooter should you simply need to chill in your resort by the ocean and go to the previous city for dinner at evening. Every thing is already taken care of.
Ionian Islands
The Ionian islands could be traveled with a scooter or quad bike however it is going to take you a very long time to get anyplace. The islands are too large and issues too unfold out to correctly discover with out a automobile for my part. Equally, there are only a few public transportation choices on the Ionian islands that I may discover. Among the extra in style islands had buses like Corfu however overlook about it should you’re in a spot like Lefkada or Paxos.
Prices of visiting the Ionian and Cyclades islands
Greece is mostly fairly an reasonably priced nation to go to. You will get wonderful worth dwelling in a spot like Athens dwelling a really cosmopolitan life for a lot lower than different locations in Europe or the US.
The islands are typically a bit dearer than within the capital metropolis. As you may count on, every part is imported on these islands except Crete which is its personal totally sustaining island. These islands stay virtually purely off tourism so you may count on costs to be barely elevated in comparison with the mainland.
Mykonos and Santorini are the massive exceptions as these islands are vastly in style and appeal to the wealthy free stream spending varieties around the globe. You may count on to spend 50% extra on these islands in comparison with the opposite islands of the Cyclades.
Cyclades is mostly dearer than the Ionian islands
Excluding Mykonos and Santorini, I nonetheless discovered that the Cyclades islands are typically dearer than the Ionian islands. The Ionian islands are a lot bigger and may develop their very own olives, greens, and meat whereas most issues within the Cycladic islands are imported. The Ionian islands are additionally much less in style and well-known in comparison with the Cyclades, particularly among the many non European crowds.
Costs are a lot greater throughout peak season
That is true of the Cyclades and the Ionian islands. You may count on to pay double the charges for lodging in the course of the months of June, July, and August versus the opposite months of the yr. I at all times advocate visiting these islands within the shoulder seasons. This implies late April to early June, in addition to Mid September to mid October.
Feeling of remoteness
One in every of my favourite components of visiting the Greek islands is feeling like I’ve been whisked off to a lovely, distant, and completely remoted place. Throw in wonderful Greek meals, wine for days, and unimaginable ocean views in every single place you look and you’ve got the recipe for the right trip.
I believe each the Ionian islands and the Cyclades islands supply this particular feeling that you just don’t discover in different islands in Europe. Cruising on my scooter by way of among the stunning Cyclades islands is one among my favourite summer time actions. You’re feeling such as you’re on the finish of the world typically however then you may return to the principle Chora and be surrounded by scrumptious meals and structure.
Finest seashores: Cyclades vs Ionian Islands
This one is straightforward for me. The Ionian islands have a lot superior seashores to the Cyclades. This isn’t to say that there aren’t good seashores within the Cyclades; you’ll discover lots everywhere in the archipelago like in Milos, Ios, and Naxos.
Nonetheless, the seashores within the Cyclades and Aegean sea simply can’t evaluate to the insane colours that the Ionian sea has to supply.
The deep turquoise coloration of the seashores in Zakynthos, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Corfu, and Paxos are unequalled for my part in Europe. You’ll additionally discover much more white sand within the Ionian sea whereas most seashores within the Cyclades islands are pebbles. Don’t look forward to finding tropical seashores like within the Maldives or Zanzibar however these are simply the kinds of seashores that exist within the Mediterranean.
Lovely Structure: Cyclades vs Ionian islands
Certainly, the Cyclades reigns supreme within the structure entrance. The Cyclades white and blue is synonymous with Greece and is the de facto image of each Greece journey commercial. The Blue domes of Santorini and the quaint streets of Mykonos are footage everybody has seen with out even visiting Greece.
In a lot of the Cycladic islands, homes have been painted white to replicate the cruel summer time solar. So, it began for let’s say “bioclimatic” or “ecological” causes, to make homes a bit of extra warmth resistant, with the data individuals had on the time. All Cycladic island homes have been fairly properly insulated, though with primitive means — partitions have been constructed with stone (enduring warmth and chilly very properly ) whereas roofs (vaulted or not) have been insulated too, with a mixture of wooden, mud, hay, and pozolanic (volcanic ash) cement.
One factor to notice is that partitions weren’t painted with white paint, since white paint was fabricated and mass-produced all around the globe,solely after 1905 – 1915. As a substitute, asbestos was used to supply an virtually white coloration. It was additionally used as an inexpensive materials for a lot of different functions, like portray tree trunks to kill pests, making the sides of pavements extra seen, ornamenting small roads, and so forth. This was NOT the case in Santorini however in most different Cycladic islands.
Ionian islands structure
The islands within the Ionian sea wouldn’t have the identical picturesque cities because the islands of the Cyclades. I suppose they by no means acquired the memo to do issues in white and blue. There are just a few villages which are undoubtedly value seeing notably within the island of Kefalonia. The cities of Fiskardo and Amos are very gorgeous. As these islands belonged to the Venetian empire lots of of years in the past, the structure is profoundly Italian in nature.
The principle city of Corfu can also be one of many nicest within the nation. To me it feels such as you’re in a metropolis in southern Italy versus Greece.
Finest place for households Ionian or Cyclades?
In case you are a household with youngsters, how do you resolve between the 2 island teams? I believe each island chains are nice when you’ve got youngsters. You’ll need to keep away from sure islands like Mykonos or Santorini within the Cyclades however the different islands are good for a household trip.
The Ionian islands are bigger so that you’ll be capable of discover bigger lodging at a less expensive worth than within the Cyclades. With a automobile rental, you’ll be capable of get round with the household simpler.
Within the Cyclades, there are extra accommodations and all inclusive kind reviews should you don’t really feel like doing something. The islands are additionally a lot smaller so you can simply keep in the principle cities more often than not and never really feel like it’s essential to get out as a lot.
Finest place to celebration
If you happen to’re seeking to celebration, then it’s seemingly you’re going to need to go to the Cyclades islands versus the Ionian islands. Whereas the islands of Corfu and Zakynthos have nightlife to supply, everybody goes to the islands within the Cyclades for this goal.
Mykonos is the premier celebration vacation spot in Greece and it’s the place everybody that wishes to see and be seen go. Suppose seaside golf equipment, fancy eating places, cocktail bars paired with everybody that’s or desires to be semi Insta well-known and you’ve got Mykonos. Ios is the opposite celebration island within the Cyclades and attracts the people who need to exit however with out the flash and aptitude (and big finances necessities).
I didn’t do a lot partying whereas I used to be within the Cyclades as a result of the seaside golf equipment have been largely closed in the summertime of 2020. Costs are additionally a lot greater in Mykonos than anyplace else in Greece so I wasn’t eager to pay €12 for a glass of wine once I may get it for 1/3 the worth elsewhere within the islands.
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