Easy to Moderate days of hiking. Suitable for those who enjoy hiking and are in good physical condition. This trip is accessible to fit hikers motivated by walking. Expect 2 to 5 hours of walking per day, with elevation gains ranging from 100 to 630m/330 to 2070ft.

You only carry the essential things for the day (lunch, water & personal belongings) in a small backpack. Luggage must be transported by clients during travels and you will have to handle/manage bag(s) personally while boarding all ferries.

Transfers Included in Trip Price:

• Ferry tickets
• Transfer from the port to the hotel on all islands (round-trip)

Transfers Not Included in the Trip Price:

• Transfer from hotel to start of the hikes and return • Airport Transfers • Transfer from Piraeus to Athens City Center

We can assist with these transfers on request.

"Transfers on the Islands" option: we offer private transfers to and from the hiking trails on the islands of Serifos, Sifnos, and Milos. This option saves you from using the local buses. Here is the list of transfers included for this option:

Serifos Day 3: from Livadi to Chora

Sifnos Day 4: from Kamares to Apollonia Day 5: from Kamares to Apollonia and from Vathy to Kamares Day 6: from Kamares to Kastro and from Platys Gialos to Kamares

Milos Day 7: from Adamas to Fylakopi and from Sarakiniko to Adamas Day 8: from Adamas to Pollonia (round trip)

Ferry Information:

You travel from one island to another on the regular local ferries that cross the Aegean Sea from Piraeus.

Important! Ferry schedules may change, and it is essential to verify them upon your arrival on each island. Also, Greek ferries can operate in conditions up to force 9 winds (which is already quite strong), but beyond that, they must remain in port. However, our local partners are always available and will make efforts to adjust your itinerary in case of any issues (which, fortunately, are rare).

Please Note: Ferry schedules change according to your period of departure; we will give you the most updated schedules when we have the confirmation of your stay.

From 2 people. Solo travelers on request.

Departures available at your convenience from mid-April to mid-October.

10 days / 9 nights / 7-8 days of hiking

Start

On Day 1 in Piraeus at hotel check-in (~3pm).

Finish

On Day 10 in Athens after breakfast and hotel check-out (~10am).

We are happy to book additional nights in Athens, Sifnos, Serifos & Milos for you. Please contact our sales team for further details, pricing and availability.

Self-guided tour, without a human guide. A digital travel packet (documents available in English, French & German) will be sent by email that includes access to our smartphone travel application for navigating hikes and accessing local maps (available in English only), the list of booked accommodations, any included travel vouchers and all the detailed information needed for a successful trip. If desired, we can provide a printed version of the travel packet for an additional fee. It will be waiting and available at the 1st accommodation of the itinerary with maps, topo guide and travel folder. This must be requested at the time of booking. There is no welcome meeting at the arrival hotel or general orientation meeting for this tour.

Accommodation / Catering

Accommodation

Accommodation will be in 4-star hotels (3* hotel in Piraeus and Athens) or equivalent comfort, in double occupancy rooms with private ensuite bathrooms. A single room can be reserved upon request.

Meals

Breakfast is included at hotels each morning. Lunches are not included, but easily sourced along hikes in villages at local cafes or taverns. Purchasing your own picnic items in local grocery shops near hotels is also an option. Dinners are not included, but there are many options within short walking distance from all accommodations with a wide range of pricing options.

Please Note: Morning departures of boats or planes may prevent you from having breakfast in your hotels. This won’t result in a refund. In the islands, some hotels prepare “breakfast boxes” for you in case of an early departure. Please let us know, when you register, if you have allergies or if you need a special diet; we will do our best to communicate these to your hotels, so they may potentially adapt your meals.

Trip Starting Destination

This tour starts in Piraeus, Greece (ferry port of Athens)

Trip Ending Destination

This tour ends in Athens, France

By Plane

Flights should be planned to arrive and depart from Athens, Greece.

Athens International Airport (ATH): Athens Airport (ATH) | Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (athens-international-airport.com)

Airport Transportation

Airport transportation is not included in the trip price, but a private transfer can be organized for a supplement fee for both arrival and departure airport transfers.

Athens Airport Transportation | Transport from and to Athens Airport (athens-international-airport.com)

Arrival: Airport to Piraeus Port transportation options - How to get from Athens Airport to Piraeus Port (athens-international-airport.com)

Arrival: How to get to Piraeus from Athens airport By metro From the airport: take line M3 (blue) to Monastiraki and then line M1 (green) to Piraeus, the terminus. The journey takes around 1 hour in total. Fare: between €6 and €10 per person for a one-way ticket. The hotel is 800m away from the metro stop. By bus There is a direct bus service from the airport to Piraeus (line X96). The journey takes around 1 hour 50 minutes, and the fare is €6. The hotel is 800m from the bus stop. By taxi Approximately €60 / €80 per journey. We can book a private transfer for you, please contact us.

Departure: How to get to Athens airport from the city centre By metro The hotel in Athens is 350 metres on foot from Omonia metro station, line M2 (red). You can take this line towards Elliniko, change at Syntagma and then take the M3 line (blue) towards the airport. Alternatively, you can go straight to the Syntagma stop for a direct journey to the airport (a 15-minute walk from the hotel). The journey takes around 1 hour. By bus There is a direct bus service between Syntagma Square (about 15 minutes' walk from the hotel) and the airport. Take the X95 bus. The journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes and the ticket costs €6 per person for a one-way ticket. By taxi Approximately €60 / €80 per journey. We can book a private transfer for you, please contact us.

Swimming

Several of our trips are suitable for swimming, either during a stage or at the end of the day. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it in the right season. We want to highlight that you are the ultimate decision-maker regarding whether to swim or not. As such, these swims are entirely your responsibility and undertaken at your own risk.

Travel story

Would you like to share your best moments of the trip and share your experience with the greater Grand Angle hiking community? Send us your story and some photos illustrating your words that we can consider publishing on our blog.

It is the client’s responsibility to arrive prepared with the items listed below to help insure a safe and enjoyable trip.

The following items are required for this trip unless otherwise noted. When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed.

• Hiking Boots/Shoes – waterproof, sturdy molded sole, deep tread and ideally well broken in (Note: buy boots/shoes 1/2 size to 1 size larger than street shoes to allow for feet swelling and thicker socks)
• Hiking Socks – one pair for every day or two days of the trip. Hiking/Sport specific padded socks, no cotton please!
• Sun Hat – wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo
• Hiking Shirts – non-cotton, breathable short sleeve and/or long sleeve shirts (Note: long sleeve shirts provide better sun protection)
• Warm Top – mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
• Insulating Jacket – down-fill or synthetic-fill insulated “puffy” jacket or warm, heavy weight fleece jacket (Note: this item may not be needed in summer months)
• Hiking Pants & Shorts – nylon pants AND shorts, zip-offs or leggings
• Rain Gear – waterproof jacket and pants or high-quality poncho, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon. For the pants look for side zippers that will easily allow pulling them over footwear.
• Casual Clothing & Footwear – comfortable clothes and shoes to wear in the evening after activities.

Important Note: Please, no cotton hiking/cycling clothes. Synthetic clothing is very efficient in drying quickly. Merino wool material clothing is also efficient in drying quickly, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of not developing a bad odor after use.

• Backpack – a 30-45 Liter sized comfortable pack with a waterproof cover for use day-to-day while hiking.
• Personal Luggage – small duffel bag, rolling suitcase or backpack – for extra hiking clothes and casual clothes. (Note: guests will have to handle/manage this bag personally while boarding all ferries and from the port in Adamantas to the hotel in Milos (5 minutes, 350m/1148ft)
• Hydration System – 2+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle
• Trekking Poles – telescopic/adjustable poles to help reduce the impact on joints and support hikers in steep and/or rocky terrain. (Note: strongly recommended)
• Headlamp – preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries (Note: always test headlamp before trips and travel/pack without batteries in device)
• Picnic/Lunch Kit – knife, plate or bowl, box with closeable lid, utensils, etc.
• Phone & Charger – local sim card or international plan may be needed. Consider bringing a small power bank to use to recharge devices during trip activities.
• Waterproof Travel Case or Pouch – used to keep important documents (i.e. passport, health/travel insurance, etc.) & phone safe from weather/water
• Sunglasses, Sunscreen, & Lip Balm
• First Aid Kit – see first aid kit suggestions below*
• Personal Toilet Paper Kit – most public restrooms outside of lodging will have toilet paper available, but it is good to be prepared with a personal toilet paper kit to potentially use during portions of this tour.
• Toiletries
• Contact Lenses & Glasses – if wearing contact lenses, please also bring back-up pair of glasses and contacts.
• Prescription Medication – with emergency back-up supply.
• Money – It is good to have some local currency, often smaller local businesses do not accept credit cards and/or prefer cash. Some public restrooms require small amounts of cash to use. If desired, tipping private drivers is acceptable and the average amount is just a few Euros per ride, but it is not expected and fully optional.

• Face Masks; Over-the-counter Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Tests (Note: recommended but optional)
• Travel Power Adapter – Electric power voltage in Greece is 230 V / 50 Hz and the plugs are F type
• Support Braces – consider bringing any joint braces that may be currently needed or from past injuries (i.e. knee, ankle, elbow, etc.)
• Sleep Mask & Ear Plugs
• Bug Repellent
• Quick Drying Towel or Bandana(s)
• Swimsuit – (it is often possible to swim either at lodging or at the beach)

After years of experience planning adventure travel around the world, we've learned that anything can happen, and every traveler should carry a basic personal first aid kit. We want to ensure our guests are well-prepared and make smart informed travel decisions. In many of the places we operate trips, it may be challenging to find certain medications and/or first aid supplies, and sometimes common items you desire may not be available in the destination you are travelling. That's why it's good to be prepared and carry a small supply of first aid supplies, any prescription medication, and/or over-the-counter medications you may require during your travels.

We recommend discussing your travel plans, vaccination requirements, and any medication usage with your primary healthcare provider before embarking on our trips. This helps ensure you have a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

Here is a basic list of what we think makes a good personal travel first aid kit:

• Medications – Brands of your choice, all medications should be either prescribed directly by your doctor or discussed with a doctor prior to use.
• Electrolyte Replacement/Drink Mix – brand of choice
• Creams – Antibiotic ointment, Anti-Itch: Hydrocortisone, Arnica
• Eye Problems: Dry/Itchy – Eye drops
• Feminine Hygiene – Tampons
• Wound Care – a various pack of bandages, antiseptic swabs
• Blister Care – blister kit made up of items of your choice
• Sun Protection – sunscreen, SPF lip balm
• Various Items – Athletic tape/”KT Tape”, Nail clippers, Tweezers, Small bottle of hand sanitizer, Sewing kit (clothing/button repairs), Disposable surgical gloves (1-2 pairs)

PACKING FOR TRAVEL: It is recommended that you prepare your items in the following manner for your travels to this trip.

“Carry-on Bag(s)” - This is the bag you will bring with you on the plane. We recommend all your pertinent information be in this bag (passport, travel documents, etc.) as well as your most important gear items (hiking footwear, jacket, prescription medication, etc.) in case any checked luggage items becomes lost or delayed.

“Checked Bag(s)” - This bag will be checked and contain the rest of your personal items (clothing and gear, etc.).

Important Note: Again, it is recommended to either wear or pack in your “Carry-on Bag” the main gear items you need for this trip vs. putting them in your checked “Travel Bag” (in case luggage is delayed). Hiking footwear is probably the hardest item to replace last minute if items become lost or delayed past the intended start date of the trip. Lost or delayed luggage has become more and more common in major airports for international travel since the global pandemic.

LUGGAGE MANAGEMENT DURING TRIP: During this trip, the packing system needs to be in 2 bags.

Extra Luggage - “Checked Bag(s)” & ”Carry-on Bag(s)”: This bag will contain all the items you want to bring along on the trip. It will be transferred by ferry/vehicle for the most part* and stay at hotels during the day. You will have access to it at the end of each day of activity.

Important Note: *Guests will have to handle/manage all bags personally while boarding all ferries and from the port in Adamantas to the hotel in Milos (5 minutes, 350m/1148ft)

Day Backpack (not provided): All guests need a backpack, which they will be responsible for carrying during trip activities. Items in this bag should include anything you may need throughout the day during the trip. (i.e., rain gear, warm layers, water, sunscreen/lip balm, snacks/food, camera/phone, etc.).

Country: Greece (Hellenic Republic), a member state of the European Union Capital: Athens Archipelago: Cyclades

Documents

Travellers from the European Union, including children, need a valid identity card or passport. Check with the authorities in your home country for the conditions of entering this destination.

Health/Insurance

Do not forget your card and/or policy details for your health insurance and/or travel insurance. Tap water is safe to drink in most places, especially in Athens and major cities.

Calling Greece from abroad: +30

Greece Official Tourism website: Visit Greece – Travel tips and useful information

European Emergency Number: 112

Tourist Police: 1571

Eastern European Time. Eastern European Time (EET) is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). In the summer: Eastern European Summer Time (EEST). Punctuality is flexible. Don't be surprised by relaxed timing, especially socially.

Greece has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by:

Summer (June to September): Hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from 30–38°C (86–100°F), especially in July and August. The islands and coastal areas benefit from refreshing sea breezes (like the Meltemi wind in the Cyclades). Sun protection is essential: bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and drink plenty of water.

Autumn (October to November): Mild and pleasant, with temperatures between 15–25°C (59–77°F). Occasional rain, especially in November, but still a great time to visit with fewer tourists. Ideal for hiking, cultural visits, and exploring ancient sites.

Spring (March to May): One of the best seasons to visit: warm, sunny, and green, with temperatures between 15–25°C (59–77°F). Wildflowers bloom, and it's ideal for outdoor activities, sightseeing, and avoiding summer crowds.

Greek, English

English is commonly spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and by younger people.

Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro €. Greece, as is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents or lepta in Greek and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks. Greek banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 14:30 Mondays to Thursdays and from 8:00 to 13:30 on Fridays. They are closed on Public Holidays. Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies.

Cultural Tips:

Greeks are generally warm and hospitable.

A small tip (~5–10%) in restaurants is appreciated but not mandatory.

Dress modestly when visiting religious sites (e.g., monasteries or churches).