What to See in the South Aegean, Greece

The South Aegean is a Greek region made up of 50 inhabited islands across the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. It is worth visiting for the variety within that island world: famous destinations such as Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes stand alongside smaller communities, archaeological sites, museums and historic churches. Neywo has free audio guides for 11 cities in South Aegean, covering 272 narrated places in total.

What to see and do in South Aegean

The South Aegean is not one continuous stretch of land. It is an administrative region that brings together many islands, so the best places to visit are spread across different island settings and cultural traditions.

Ermoupoli and Syros

Ermoupoli, on the island of Syros, is the capital of the South Aegean. The city was the capital of the Cyclades when the region originally consisted of two prefectures, while Rhodes served as the capital of the Dodecanese. Its role helps explain the region’s unusual geography: the South Aegean connects island groups that are distinct but administered together.

Mykonos

Mykonos combines well-known island scenery with museums and a connection to the ancient site of Delos. Neywo’s city guide includes 19 narrated places, among them Paraportiani, the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, the Aegean Maritime Museum and Delos.

Santorini and Akrotiri

Santorini is one of the region’s most popular destinations. Its narrated places include the Cathedral of Candlemas of the Lord, the Argyros Mansion and the Castle of Akrotiri. The nearby archaeological site of Akrotiri is also among the places covered by Neywo, making the island a strong choice for travellers interested in both historic buildings and archaeology.

Naxos

Naxos has one of the largest collections of narrated places in South Aegean, with 59 in total. Highlights include the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, the Church of Agios Ioannis in Gyroulas, the Archaeological Collection of Apeiranthos and Panagia Drosiani. The range of sites offers a way to explore the island beyond its best-known town.

Paros, Parikia and Naousa

Paros is represented by both Paros and Parikia in the Neywo guide. The island’s narrated places include the Panagia Ekatontapiliani church, Agios Konstantinos Church, the Agii Theodori monastery and sites connected with the Cyclades. Parikia itself has 15 narrated places, while the guide for Paros includes 22.

On the northern side of the island, Naousa has 25 narrated places. These include Nimatourgeio Longou, Kyrtsi and Tourpali, Mieza and the Annunciation Church in Naousa.

Milos

Milos is a destination for exploring the island’s religious, industrial and ancient heritage. The Neywo guide covers 10 narrated places, including the Ecclesiastical Museum of Milos, the Milos Mining Museum, the Catacombs of Milos and Phylakopi.

Rhodes

In the Dodecanese, Rhodes offers a different historical atmosphere from the Cycladic islands. Its guide includes 31 narrated places, among them the Suleymaniye Mosque, the Fort of Saint Nicholas and the Murat Reis Mosque. The city also has a special administrative connection to the region: Rhodes was the original capital of the Dodecanese prefecture.

Kos and Kefalos

Kos Town has the Asclepeion of Kos among the places covered by Neywo. The same site appears among the highlights for Kefalos, whose guide contains 29 narrated places. Other places listed for Kefalos include Gazi Hassan Pasha Mosque, Palaio Pyli and Neratzia.

Chora and Kalymnos

Chora is a base for discovering places associated with Kalymnos. Its 15 narrated places include the Archaeological Museum of Kalymnos, Metamorfosi Sotiros Christou Cathedral, the Maritime and Folklore Museum and Sea World.

The South Aegean as a region

The modern administrative region was established during Greece’s administrative reform of 1987. It originally consisted of the Cyclades and Dodecanese prefectures, with capitals in Ermoupoli and Rhodes. The Kallikratis plan later redefined and extended the region’s powers, and since 2011 the South Aegean has been divided into 13 regional units formed around major islands including Mykonos, Naxos, Rhodes, Syros and Thira, also known as Santorini.

The region has also stood out in Greece for its recent population and economic changes. Between 2011 and 2021, its population increased by more than 15,000 people. Along with Crete, it was one of only two Greek regions to record growth during that period. In 2018, it had Greece’s second-highest gross domestic product per person.

Explore South Aegean with Neywo

Download Neywo to explore South Aegean with a free audio guide covering 11 cities, 11 walking tours and 272 narrated places in total. Narration is available in 11 languages. Each story plays as you reach the place, at your own pace, so you can discover the region with no group and no schedule.