If the image that comes to your mind when thinking about the Greek island it's sandy beaches, turquoise water, white washed villages dotted with blue-domed churches and pretty windmills and cobbled streets - then you are thinking the Cyclades islands.
The Cyclades is an archipelago of 24 inhabited island (among which Paros, Serifos, Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Sifnos, etc) and over 150 uninhabited islets. The Cyclades islands deliver an incredible variety in a single sailing trip combining charming villages and local culture with great food and wine, lots of opportunities for sailing and outdoor activities as well as beautiful beaches and crystal clear bays.
When a sailing trip starts from Athens, a one-week itinerary is generally limited to the Saronic Gulf (Aegina, Agistri, etc.) and parts of the Peloponnese coastline. With favorable conditions, it may be possible to reach a couple of the western Cyclades, such as Kea, Kythnos, etc but this requires accepting two long sailing days of 6–7 hours each. As a result, many of the iconic Cycladic islands that travelers most wish to explore are simply too far to be realistically included in a 7-day itinerary departing from Athens.
PAROS : By contrast, Paros sits at the very heart of the Cyclades, allowing you to reach a wide variety of islands within short sailing distances. In order to offer a complete Greek experience, our boats are located at Paroikia, the main city on Paros (the same city where the ferry arrives and only 15 minutes away from Paros airport). Starting your journey here places you just a short sail from a wide range of islands and allows for multiple, flexible route options. From vibrant, cosmopolitan destinations to quiet, off-the-beaten-path islands that remain largely untouched by mass tourism, Paros offers easy access to the true diversity of the Cyclades — all without long, exhausting passages. This means more time enjoying the islands and less time spent sailing long distances.
Paros is easy to reach from Athens, either by short flights or frequent ferries, which suits travelers who often have limited vacation time. The islands in the Cyclades are also close to one another, making island-hopping straightforward and efficient—especially appealing for first-time visitors.
You can travel to Paros by plane, with a short 40 minute direct flight from Athens. Several daily flights are available with airlines.
For your arrival in Paros, we recommend checking the official websites of Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, or Sky Express directly. They provide the most reliable flight connections to the island to ensure you arrive on time to meet us at the yacht for your sailing adventure.
Alternatively, Paros is easily accessible by ferry, with a scenic journey of about 3 to 4 hours. Ferries depart frequently from Rafina Port, which is just 20 minutes from the airport, or from Piraeus Port, conveniently located near the center of Athens.
If you are already visiting another Greek island, such as Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, or other Cycladic islands, then Paros is well connected by daily ferry services, making island-to-island travel simple and stress-free.
Please contact us and we are happy to help you find the way to get to Paros that fits your travel plans best.
NOTE : Although it's so easy to connect through Athens it does not even need a second thought, you might want to know that Mykonos has an international airport which can be reached from across Europe. So you might even be able to find a direct flight from your country straight to Mykonos and then take a quick 45 minutes ferry ride to Paros to meet the boat.
Recommendation : If your program allows, you might consider arriving a couple of days before embarkation date so you can fully enjoy this little piece of paradise before setting sails in the first day of your sailing adventure.
If you need any help with logistics or organizing your travelling please don't hesitate to contact us. It will be our pleasure to help you options and idea on how to arrange your travel plans in order to get the most of your time in Greece.
You can get a rough idea of the connection options available
From Athens to Paros
From Athens to Mykonos
Note : the embarkation point is to be set before booking.
Blue Water Sailing Greece is a boutique charter company founded and managed directly by owners Adriana and Radu. With over 14 years of professional sailing experience in the Cyclades and Saronic islands, we provide expert skippered vacations on our private yachts, Freedom and Albatross. Our deep local knowledge and owner-direct service ensure safe, authentic, and personalized Greek island adventures for families, couples, and groups of friends seeking a private getaway.
Contact UsBy phone / WhatsApp: +30 6933 218 799 |
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