Cycling on Greece Islands
Experience the fascinating mixture between antiquity and modern times by boat & bike on the Cyclades & Saronic Islands and discover the authentic beauty of the Greek Aegean.
Discover the heart of Greece
On some days you will be cycling through a windy area; with distances to 50 kilometers per day.
Experience the fascinating mixture between antiquity and modern times by boat & bike on the Cyclades & Saronic Islands and discover the authentic beauty of the Greek Aegean.
The Cyclades, which comprise more than 30 islands, were the cradle of the first European civilised society 5,000 years ago. It is also here that Greece shows its most unadulterated side in all its variety: Gleaming white cubic houses with blue shutters and labyrinth lanes give the typical architectonic flavour to the island towns. The mostly ragged coastlines show impressive geological formations, turquoise-blue sea and fantastic sand beaches.
On the Saronic Islands between the Greek mainland and the Peleponnese Greece can be experienced from ist most ubandant side. Learn about the Greek Liberation Struggle between 1821 – 1830, without which Greece would not be as we know it today.
Individual journey to Marina Zeas, the yacht harbour of Piraeus, only 25 km (15 mi.) from Athens airport. Check-in from 2 p.m. on the ship. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in Piraeus.
Early in the morning the boat takes you to Kythnos Island, which was famous for its cheese and honey since ancient times. The first cycling tour, which starts in the harbour of Merichas and first leads us to the capital Chora, offers lots of scenic views to the coastline. Chora is an appealing village, situated on a high plateau. Its angular alleys are decorated with painted flowers and geometric patterns. From there today’s cycle tour leads us to Driopida, a picturesque village. Afterwards we return to Merichas, where we can spend the evening in one of the cosy tavernas.
In the morning the Thalassa takes us to Seriphos, a small island far from the tourist track, with deep valleys, countless bays and coves and lots of beautiful sandy beaches. From the harbour town of Livadi we cycle along a serpentine road to the main town of Seriphos, whose cube form houses nestle along a mountain ridge high above the sea. We continue on through untouched landscape to the Byzantine monastery of the Archangel Michael. We return to Livadi along a panoramic road on the East coast. In the afternoon the ship brings us to Siphnos, where we can relax at the beautiful beach. Overnight stay in Kamares on the island of Siphnos.
The island of Siphnos, which is famous for its ceramic artwork, is only inhabited away from the coast, because its coast drops mainly steeply into the sea. The cycling tour begins in the harbour of Kamares. The route leads through a green, hilly terraced landscape to the central highlands with the island’s capital Kastro, which is a defensive settlement built on a steep cliff face and has been a listed and protected town since 1975. In the afternoon we enjoy a longer cruise to Kea. Along the way we throw anchor for a refreshing swim stop. Overnight in Kea.
Our starting point for exploring the northwestern-most inhabited Cycladic island is the beautiful natural harbor of Korissia. From here we cycle uphill to the capital of the island, Ioulis before continuing on to the white sand beach, Otzias where we can take a refreshing swim stop. Afterwards we return by bike to Korissia. In the afternoon we take a boats crossing to Poros in the Saronic Gulf. The harbor city of Poros is truly spectacular, its iconic clock tower juts out above the rest of the town, and provides a true Greek island atmosphere for a relaxing evening.
Today we start with a bike tour from Poros City to the Zoodochos Pigis monastery from the 18th century. Afterwards we ride almost once around the island which once Poseidon himself possessed. Shortly before the end of the tour we arrive at Russian Bay, a sandy beach with turquoise blue water which we cannot resist but to swim in. Back in Poros City the boat waits on us with a delicious midday meal during the cruise to Aegina.
The Island of Aegina is known far beyond the Greek borders for its incredible pistachio nuts! Today’s bike tour takes us up to the sanctuary of Aphaia. The incredibly well preserved temple towers high above the blue of the sea in the single point of Aegina where the Aegean Sea can be seen on both sides. On our way back we cycle across the middle of the island past the monastery of Nektarios all the way to Aegina City where we board the boat for our last cruise back to Piraeus. We enjoy a last evening meal on board together in the company of friends, guides and crew and reflect on the wonderful experiences of the week.
Guests disembark after breakfast on board followed by individual departure or an extended stay in Athens.
Cyclades & Saronic Islands
The bike routes have a length of 15 to 35 km / 10 to 22 mi. and lead through hilly or mountainous areas. Some uphill stretches are included. The roads are mostly asphalted. Your tour guide informs you each day about the tour details. This tour is primarily a guided group tour. Upon consultation with your tour guides, the possibility to cycle on your own along recommended, suitable routes, may present itself. Helmet use is mandatory on all bike tours. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own (well-fitted) helmet. Helmets are available on board in limited number (on request). You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle tour.
Requirement to wear a helmet
Helmet use is mandatory on all bike rides. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. Rental helmets are available on board in limited number (reservation requested).
Prices are per person 2021
Thalassa
April 24 - June 19
Twin cabin € 1.590,-
Double cabin € 1.590,-
August 28 to October 2
Twin cabin € 1.690,-
Double cabin 1.690,-
Surcharge cabin for single use € 500,-
Not included
Rental bike per week € 80,-
E-bike per week € 180,-
Bike insurance € 10,-/ E-bike insurance € 20,-
Collective group transfers (only on embarkation and disembarkation days):
– between Athens airport and the boat: € 25,- per person/way
– between a hotel at Athens city and the boat: € 15,- per person/way
Reservation costs € 20,- per booking.
How to get to Athens
A flight is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to get to Greece. Piraeus, your port of embarkation is only 15 mi./25 km away from Athens Airport (named El. Venizelos Airport).
Please choose an outbound flight departing in the afternoon to ensure a stress-free journey home.
Transfers between Athens Airport and the Boat or an Hotel at Athens and the Boat
Fee-based collective transfers (only available on embarkation/disembarkation days):
– between Athens airport and the boat: 25 euro per person/way
– between a hotel at Athens city and the boat: 15 euro per person/way
Customized transfers are offered too: availability and prices on request.
How to make a transfer reservation
For all airport transfers a reservation is required. Please indicate your exact flight details. If there are belated changes of your flight times you are kindly requested to inform our office immediately.
You are kindly requested to send us the following details:
– arrival & departure date
– flight route
– airline
– flight number
– estimated arrival or departure time
For hotel transfers please indicate:
– exact hotel address
– preferred transfer time
The port of embarkation/disembarkation is the yacht harbour of Marina Zeas, which is part of Piraeus harbour. In general the Thalassa docks at the ”Pasa Limani” part of the marina. You are welcome to check in on board from 2pm onwards on the embarkation day.
On this tour the following barges are scheduled
For the duration of the tour we supply you with a waterproof pannier by Ortlieb, a practical way of carrying drinks, bathing gear, camera etc
By this tours you can rent the following bikes:
Our hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture proof touring tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.
Our hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture proof touring tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.
An e-bike powered mainly by a Bosch motor capable of covering long distances. Standard components in varying frame sizes include, 28 inch rims with puncture proof tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.
Language aboard
Due to our international audience all Islandhopping tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.
Time zone
Please note that Greece is on Eastern European (Summer) time, i.e. GM(S)T + 2 hours.
Itinerary changes
The Cyclades are relatively susceptible to wind. Normally this results in only a minor modification of the tour route. However by strong wind conditions the travel route may markedly differ from the planned route. Our substitute tour leads you for the entire week into the Saronic Gulf, one of the most historic regions of Greece: We cross between the Greek mainland and the Peloponnesian and discover the islands of Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and the Methana peninsula. A highlight of this journey is a visit to the ancient Epidauros with the best preserved theatre in Greece.
Good to know
On our regular cycling tours the riding pace is determined by the cyclists on regular bicycles. We ask guests who have reserved an e-bike to be mindful of this and to acknowledge that also the regular cyclists need time to rest and longer to climb the hills. Thank you for your understanding.
Internet Availability
Your boat does not offer a WiFi connection. If you need to connect to the internet during the tour, we recommend to take your portable electronic device to a cafe or bar somewhere in the harbour. Free WiFi is on offer almost everywhere. If you order something to eat or drink, then you are able to use the WiFi to your hearts Content.
Bringing Children
We believe that only children in a good physical condition and with a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the cycle tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.30 m (4.3 ft.) for hybrid bikes.
Bringing private bikes & EXCLUSION of private E-BIKES
The tour which you have booked requires a bike with a fully functional set of gears. Islandhopping can offer you high quality, fully serviced rental bikes perfect for the terrain of this tour.
Should you however wish to bring your own hybrid or MTB with you, please make sure to check the condition of your breaks, gears, and tires and don’t forget to bring along a puncture repair kit and the essential spare parts for your bike (e.g. brake pads and tubes). Your bike should be in prefect mechanical working order.
We do not allow private e-bikes on board of our boats. This decision has been made due to health and safety regulations. If you wish to ride an e-bike for the duration of your tour, please get in touch with us about the rental options.
We do not recommend bringing along private road bikes, as the thin tires are not suitable for some of the road surfaces encountered on the tours.
Our Ships
Please do not forget that the ship is your hotel as well as a machine, which has to be maintained and operated – day and night. A certain level of noise is therefore inevitable.
Catering
The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.
The main countries represented by our cycling guests are: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and France. An Bord die gemeinsame Sprache ist Englisch.
The ages vary between 35 and 75, but of course we have younger (even babies and kids) and older guests. In particular it is quite possible during the school holidays that children might be booked on your tour.
Most of the participants then wear rainwear. When the weather is so bad that cycling becomes really impossible (and that is almost never the case!), The guide organizes an alternative program with, for example, cultural excursions and city tours.
Yes, free WiFi is limited available in lounge and on deck.
The average daily distance on our Bike & Barge tours in Holland is 50 kilometers (32 miles). But don’t forget that Dutch countryside is very flat and the stages, taken at a leisurely pace, take seven to eight hours including a number of breaks and visits.The time spent on your bicycle is about 4 hours per day.