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Itineraries · Greece

Lavrio–Kea–Kythnos–Serifos: a 7-day western Cyclades loop

A loop from Lavrio for crews who want real Cycladic islands within one week: Kea, Kythnos and Serifos, with a short first night close to the base. Most legs are 14–20 nm, and the route can be cut back to Kea and Kythnos whenever the meltemi blows.

Base
Lavrio (Olympic Marine)
Total distance
108 nm
Best season
Late May to June and September to early October; in July and August the meltemi can blow hard for several days at a time.
Boat
A sailing yacht or catamaran of about 38–46 ft that handles a short, steep sea well, with a skipper or bareboat — your choice.
Who it suits
Bareboat only for a qualified skipper with open-sea experience; first-time crews should take a skipper.

Route map

37.10°N37.20°N37.30°N37.40°N37.50°N37.60°N37.70°N23.75°E24.00°E24.25°E24.50°E24.75°ELavrio (Olympic Marine)1Sounion2Korissia (Kea)3Loutra (Kythnos)4Livadi (Serifos)5Merichas (Kythnos)6Vourkari (Kea)

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Sounion

    6 nm · anchorage · Open in Google Maps

    See and do: After check-in and provisioning, a short hop round the cape to anchor below the Temple of Poseidon. Land at the beach by dinghy; the temple site is a short uphill walk and a classic place for sunset.

    Eat: Dinner on board at anchor, or grilled fish and meze at the beach below the cape.

    Good to know: The anchorage is open to the south and can be rolly. If check-in runs late or the wind is up, spend the first night in Lavrio instead.

  2. Day 2 · Korissia (Kea)

    15 nm · town quay · Open in Google Maps

    See and do: Kea is the natural first island: Korissia lies in a large, well-sheltered bay. Take a bus or taxi up to Ioulida, the hill-top Chora, and walk out to the archaic stone Lion of Kea.

    Eat: Lountza (local cured pork), Kea honey and fresh fish along the harbour front.

    Good to know: Ferries use the port: moor where the port police or your base advise and leave room for ferry manoeuvres. Plan a daylight arrival.

  3. Day 3 · Loutra (Kythnos)

    17 nm · marina · Open in Google Maps

    See and do: Sail down the west side of Kea to Kythnos. Loutra is named after its thermal springs: warm water runs out into the sea right by the harbour.

    Eat: Local sheep and goat cheese, thyme honey and simple seafood dishes on the waterfront.

    Good to know: The harbour is small and fills up in season, so arrive by early afternoon. If there is no space, ask your base for an alternative harbour or anchorage on Kythnos.

  4. Day 4 · Livadi (Serifos)

    20 nm · town quay · Open in Google Maps

    See and do: A longer run south with the prevailing northerly behind you. From Livadi a stepped path climbs to Chora, the white village on the ridge above the bay.

    Eat: Grilled fish, octopus and Cycladic meze along the Livadi beachfront.

    Good to know: In July and August the meltemi often blows from the north at Force 6 or more for several days. Sail this leg only on a suitable forecast; otherwise stay around Kea and Kythnos. Livadi bay is sheltered from the north, but quay space is limited and anchoring in the bay is common.

  5. Day 5 · Merichas (Kythnos)

    16 nm · town quay · Open in Google Maps

    See and do: Back to Kythnos, this time to Merichas, the island's main port on the west coast. A bus or taxi takes you up to Chora and its whitewashed lanes.

    Eat: Fresh fish and seafood meze at the harbour, with local cheese.

    Good to know: This leg heads into the prevailing wind. Leave early, before the afternoon breeze builds, and wait a day on Serifos if the forecast is strong.

  6. Day 6 · Vourkari (Kea)

    20 nm · town quay · Open in Google Maps

    See and do: Stop for a swim at Kolona, the sandbar that joins Agios Loukas islet to Kythnos, then continue north to Kea. At Vourkari, the remains of the Bronze Age settlement of Agia Irini lie on the point next to the quay.

    Eat: Seafood and meze along the Vourkari quay.

    Good to know: Another leg into the prevailing wind, so leave early. Spending the last night on Kea keeps the final passage to Lavrio short.

  7. Day 7 · Lavrio

    14 nm · marina · Open in Google Maps

    See and do: A short crossing back to Attica, with time to refuel before handover. If time allows, visit the ancient theatre of Thorikos just north of town.

    Eat: Fresh fish and meze near the harbour.

    Good to know: Bases usually want the yacht back the evening before check-out: confirm the time and the fuel dock hours in advance.

A plan, not a promise: wind and sea decide each day. Your skipper or the charter base will adjust the route to the forecast.

What a week here costs

Median weekly price of the boat in Greece over the next 12 months, from our live catalogue. Skipper, fuel and extras are not included; crewed yachts include the crew.

Sailing yacht
€4,087€3,370–€5,160
Catamaran
€6,680€5,190–€8,873
Motor yacht
€8,040€6,430–€17,850
Crewed yacht
€20,000€11,890–€34,720
Prices by month

Read the full route guideAbout the destinationBoats available herePlan this route with Helm