There are these islands that crews are always magically drawn to. Sometimes it's a special place, sometimes a bay, sometimes a landscape, sometimes a taverna that fascinates people. Big names like Santorini, Rhodes or Mykonos come to mind, but they don't always live up to their promise. Sometimes they are rather complicated for sailors because there are few good harbours or anchorages. Sometimes too much land tourism detracts from the experience. However, if you ask experienced Greece connoisseurs, other names often come up: Leros, Sifnos, Kalymnos, for example. These are much more than second-tier destinations, rather unrecognised gems with unexpected qualities.
We have put together six destinations that have what it takes to make crews happy. Because of an excellent restaurant, a unique sight, a fantastic anchorage or something else.
1st Sifnos, Cyclades
Its central location makes the island the ideal destination in Greece's windiest archipelago. And unlike many others, it has a beach, good bars and a restaurant in the pretty town of Kamares. Directly in front of it is a safe anchorage, even in Meltemi, as well as a handful of places on a small town pier. However, it is only about two metres deep there, so watch out for stones and leave room for the ferry at the end! The town is just the right size to be relaxed, but still offers plenty of variety. As if that wasn't enough, Sifnos also has a very cosy alternative stop-off point in the form of the almost circular bay near the village of Vathi: nice bars and a supermarket. The third top spot on Sifnos is the double bay of Faros in the south-west. There are only a few anchorages there, and there are rocks on the bottom in places, but yachts are well protected here. There are cosy tavernas on the shore.
Possibilities for anchoring: Kamares and Vathi are excellent, large spots with plenty of space for sunbathing, but sometimes with downslope gusts from the mountains at night. The bay of Fykiada in the south is cosy. Set out shore lines there in the direction of the Meltemi.
Worth seeing: In Vathi, walk westwards from the church, the view of the bay is sensational. In Faros, there is a footpath from the bay in the far east to the chapel.
Restaurant: Perhaps a sacrilege in Greece, but simply too good to ignore: the Italian restaurant "Passione Italiana" in Kamares - fantastic pizza and homemade pasta!
2. santorini
The dream of many crews is to visit the famous island with the houses on the steep crater rim. Once a huge volcano, the mountain exploded thousands of years ago, leaving behind the crescent-shaped, flooded crater. Even today, gases bubble up from the seabed. The city is a tourist mecca and mega-crowded, but still worth the trip. If you wander through the alleyways of the main town or, even better, through those of Oia, you will catch a glimpse of the town on the crater and the sea every few minutes. This is unique in the Aegean! Watching the hustle and bustle in a bar or café is both amusing and beautiful. Asian wedding couples in kitschy dresses have their photos taken, hordes of crusaders with name stickers on their shirts push their way through the streets. Creepy and funny at the same time. Fortunately, the crowds soon disperse in the endlessly winding alleyways. Stay close to the edge of the crater with the yacht! After 6 p.m. it becomes pleasant because the cruisers and land tourists leave. Then the town is beautiful. There are loads of bars, restaurants and good shops.
Mooring and anchoring options: Moorings are the island's problem. The best is probably at the old huge mooring buoy off Oia in the north of the island with an extremely long shore line to the broken-off piece of pier on the far right. But don't block the ferry dock next to it! Yachts are not wanted off Thira itself. The harbour in the south has a strong tendency to silting up and is overcrowded! Check depth and route by radio!
Worth seeing: Hike through Oia to the north-west tip of the island. Book an early seat in the bar right at the foot of the windmill and stay until sunset! Unforgettable!
Restaurant: Walk to the Sigalas winery about two kilometres inland for wine tasting. Book in advance (www.sigalas-wine.com). The best wines in Greece can be found here.
3rd Kythnos
It's a blessing that this versatile island exists just outside Athens (40 nm) and Lavrion (25 nm). It is a strategically extremely important and also a beautiful stop. Kolona Bay in the west is perfect for anchoring and swimming, and there is also a good taverna there. If the bay is full, there are three other recommended spots on the west coast. Those who prefer the harbour of Mericha are protected from the Meltemi. There is room for around 20 to 30 yachts here. The tiny ferry town has cosy restaurants, cafés and a very good bakery around the bay. In the morning, the fishermen sell their catch from the night. There is also a moped hire shop right by the harbour. On the east side of the island, Loutra is beautiful with its idiosyncratic palazzo at the harbour entrance. It is a fishing village with good moorings and, remarkably, a harbour master even helps with mooring with the stern lines! Mooring alongside is prohibited on the outside of the pier.
- Here are three more pearls of the Aegean: Dodecanese for sailors - Leros, Kalymnos and Symi
