One Week in Aegean Sea

What You Should Know Before Going On A Aegean Sea Tour

Aegean Sea cruises are often separated into two distinct age groups. Many are focused on young travelers, in the 18-39 range, looking for a yacht party atmosphere. It’s no secret that Mykonos is the “party island” of Greece, and this is a focal point of many youth oriented tour groups.

On the other side of the spectrum, you’ll find delightfully slow paced luxurious tours, taking in the spectacular Santorini sunrise from your deck, with a day planned of beach walks, hiking, sailing excursions, snorkeling, and history tours.

Greece and Turkey are the stars of the Aegean Sea, and most cruises and tours in the region are long enough to visit both.

Best time to visit the Aegean Sea

There really isn’t a bad time to visit this region of Europe. However a few considerations you might want to take in include:

Spring break - Unless you’re a young college student, you may want to avoid the spring breakers heading to the Greek islands for a good time. This crowd can be loud and likes to party - there’s usually a lot of drinking going on, and this leads to rambunctious behavior - both on the water and on the shore. It can feel like a bit of a take-over, so if you’re looking for a relaxing cruise around the islands, late March through early April might be a time to avoid.

Also, it’s important to note that Easter is a very busy and popular holiday in Greece, and so you may run into some closures and festivals traveling around March or April.

Summer time crowds - summer is by far the busiest travel time, so the crowds will be intense. However on the flipside, during the summer is when everything is open, and there is a lot of choice for activities, excursions, accommodations, and meals. Some coastal areas and islands partially shut down during the off season so expect a more limited range of options.

June and July are some of the hottest months in the Aegean, and the heat plus the crowds can create quite an uncomfortable atmosphere! Some of the best times to visit weather-wise are the shoulder seasons; think April - May and August - September. The ocean waters will still be warm enough to enjoy and you can expect little to no rainfall.

Rainfall and cooler temperatures pick up as you head into winter, and many tourist activities may not be available during the winter months. This is a more popular time to visit the mainland, and ocean activities are slim.

What to wear on an Aegean Sea Cruise

The Aegean is a subsection of the Mediterranean, famous for its gorgeous weather. Much of your time will be spend out on the water, often taking excursions in smaller vessels than your cruise ship.

Sun Protection - Even though Be sure to bring sun protection - sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses will be essential. Lightweight material such as linen or cotton is great for the sun as well, and avoid dark colors as they will absorb the heat.

Footwear - While a good majority of your time will be spent on the idyllic beaches of the Greek islands, be sure to bring one pair of good tennis shoes or hiking boots, and a pair of water shoes, sturdier than flip-flops. Water shoes are a great way to stay comfortable and protect from coral or other sharp underwater areas when embarking and disembarking.

The islands have so much more to offer beyond a day at the beach! There’s tons of hiking and cycling around. Additionally, your tour will probably include a visit to a few ancient ruins - and these are very rocky and dusty with a lot of uneven surfaces.