Where to Stay in Aegean – Cyclades

Base on Milos for the caves, Santorini for the volcano, or Paros for the pinnacles and wreck; the islands are linked by ferry so you can combine two or three. Hotels range from cave-style boutiques to large resorts, and summer books early Aegean – Cyclades offers a spread from family-run pensions to seafront hotels, with the most convenient bases close to the dive centres and harbours. Booking ahead pays off in peak summer, when the best waterfront rooms go first. A rental car opens up quieter coves and inland villages, while those staying put can rely on centre transfers. Prices rise from June to August and ease in the shoulder months, when the sea is still warm and the crowds thin.