Greece's classic island-hopping itinerary — Athens for ancient history, Santorini for the most dramatic scenery in the Mediterranean, and Mykonos for beaches and nightlife — remains one of the world's great travel experiences. Seven days is the minimum to do it justice; this itinerary shows you how to make every day count.
Days 1–2: Athens
Fly into Athens International Airport (ATH) and take the Metro Line 3 to the city centre (40 minutes, €9). Day 1: the Acropolis is non-negotiable — book timed entry tickets online in advance (€20, or €30 combined with other sites). Go early morning (8am) to beat the heat and crowds. The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Propylaea are all extraordinary. The Acropolis Museum at the base of the hill is one of Europe's finest — the Parthenon Gallery on the top floor, with the original sculptures, is breathtaking. Afternoon: the Ancient Agora (the heart of ancient Athenian democracy) and the Temple of Hephaestus (the best-preserved ancient Greek temple in the world). Evening: dinner in Monastiraki or Psirri — the neighbourhood around the flea market has excellent tavernas. Day 2: the National Archaeological Museum (the world's greatest collection of ancient Greek art — the Antikythera Mechanism, the Mask of Agamemnon, the Artemision Bronze). Afternoon: explore the Plaka neighbourhood (the oldest continuously inhabited neighbourhood in Athens) and the Roman Agora. Evening: walk up Lycabettus Hill for panoramic views over Athens at sunset.
Day 3: Athens to Santorini
Take a morning flight from Athens to Santorini (Thira Airport, JTR) — 45 minutes, from €50. Alternatively, take the overnight ferry from Piraeus (8–9 hours) — a romantic option that saves a night's accommodation. Arrive in Santorini and take a bus or taxi to your hotel. Check in and spend the afternoon exploring Fira — the island's capital, perched on the caldera rim with extraordinary views. The Museum of Prehistoric Thera has remarkable finds from the Minoan settlement of Akrotiri. Evening: walk (or take the cable car) down to the old port of Skala for dinner with caldera views. The sunset from Fira is spectacular — find a spot on the caldera edge before 8pm.
Day 4: Santorini — Oia & Akrotiri
Morning: drive or take a bus to Akrotiri — the Minoan Bronze Age settlement preserved under volcanic ash (like a Greek Pompeii). The excavations are extraordinary — multi-storey buildings, sophisticated drainage systems, and beautiful frescoes. Allow 2 hours. Afternoon: drive north to Oia — the most photographed village in Greece, with its iconic blue-domed churches and white cubic houses cascading down the caldera cliff. Walk the path from Fira to Oia (10km, 3–4 hours) for the most dramatic caldera views — or drive and walk the village itself. The sunset from Oia is world-famous — arrive at least an hour early to secure a good spot (the crowds are enormous in summer). Dinner in Oia — expensive but the setting is unmatched.
Day 5: Santorini — Beaches & Wine
Morning: Santorini's beaches are unlike any other in Greece — black volcanic sand and red volcanic cliffs. Perissa and Perivolos (black sand, long beach, good tavernas) are the most popular. Red Beach (near Akrotiri) is dramatic but small. Kamari is the most developed. Afternoon: Santorini wine tour — the island produces extraordinary wines from the Assyrtiko grape, grown in the unique kouloura (basket) training system to protect against the fierce winds. Santo Wines and Domaine Sigalas are the most acclaimed wineries — both have tasting rooms with caldera views. Evening: return to Fira for dinner and the famous caldera nightlife.
Day 6: Santorini to Mykonos
Take the morning ferry from Santorini to Mykonos (2–3 hours by high-speed catamaran, from €50). Arrive in Mykonos Town (Chora) — one of the most beautiful Cycladic towns in Greece, with its famous windmills, the Little Venice neighbourhood, and a labyrinthine old town designed to confuse pirates. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the town. The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos has good finds from the nearby island of Delos. Evening: Mykonos Town has the best nightlife in Greece — the bars around Little Venice and the main square are lively from 10pm. Dinner at a taverna in the old town before the bars open.
Day 7: Mykonos — Beaches & Delos
Morning: take the boat to Delos (30 minutes from Mykonos Town, €20 return) — one of the most important archaeological sites in the ancient Greek world. The birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, Delos was the religious and commercial centre of the Aegean. The site is vast and extraordinary — the Terrace of the Lions, the House of Dionysus mosaics, and the views from Mount Kynthos are highlights. Allow 3 hours. Afternoon: Mykonos beaches — Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach are the famous party beaches (loud, crowded, fun). Psarou is the most glamorous. Agios Sostis is the most beautiful and least developed. Evening: final dinner in Mykonos Town before your departure flight from Mykonos Airport (JMK) — direct flights to many European cities, or connect via Athens.
