7-Day Greece Itinerary: Athens, Santorini & the Cyclades

Arrive at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport and take the Metro (Line 3, 40 minutes, €10.50) to the city centre. Check into your hotel in Monastiraki or Koukaki — both excellent bases within walking distance of the Acropolis. Day 1 afternoon: head straight to the Acropolis — buy tickets online in advance (€20, or €30 for the combined ticket covering 7 sites). The Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Propylaea are extraordinary — allow 2 hours. The Acropolis Museum (at the foot of the hill) is one of Europe's finest museums — the Parthenon Gallery on the top floor, with original friezes and the Athenian skyline as backdrop, is breathtaking. Evening: dinner in Monastiraki or Psyrri — try Tzitzikas kai Mermigas (excellent modern Greek cuisine) or grab souvlaki from Kostas (a legendary hole-in-the-wall near Syntagma). Day 2: Ancient Agora (where Socrates taught and democracy was born), the Temple of Hephaestus (the best-preserved ancient Greek temple), and the Roman Agora. Afternoon: Monastiraki flea market and the National Archaeological Museum (allow 3 hours — the Antikythera Mechanism and the Mask of Agamemnon alone are worth the visit). Evening: rooftop bar at A for Athens for sunset views over the Acropolis.

Take the morning high-speed ferry from Piraeus to Santorini (4.5–5 hours, SeaJets or Hellenic Seaways, from €55 — book in advance). Alternatively, fly (Aegean Airlines, 45 minutes, from €40 — often cheaper than the ferry when booked early). Arrive at Athinios port and take the bus or taxi to your accommodation (Fira, Oia, or Imerovigli — all on the caldera rim). Spend the afternoon exploring Fira — the island's capital, perched on the caldera edge with extraordinary views. Walk the caldera path from Fira to Imerovigli (2 hours, stunning views). Visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera — the extraordinary frescoes from the ancient Minoan settlement of Akrotiri are among the finest Bronze Age artworks in the world. Evening: dinner at a caldera-view restaurant in Fira — try Argo or Koukoumavlos for excellent Greek cuisine with the view.

Morning: take the bus or hire a quad bike to Oia — Santorini's most photographed village, a cascade of white cubic houses, blue domes, and bougainvillea on the northern tip of the caldera. Explore the narrow lanes, browse the art galleries and jewellery shops, and find your spot for the famous Oia sunset (arrive at least 1 hour early in peak season — the crowds are extraordinary). Afternoon: visit Akrotiri — the ancient Minoan settlement buried by the volcanic eruption of c.1627 BC, often called the "Pompeii of the Aegean." The excavated site is remarkable — multi-storey buildings, sophisticated drainage systems, and extraordinary frescoes (now in the Fira museum). Continue to Red Beach — one of Greece's most dramatic beaches, with towering red and black volcanic cliffs. The walk from the car park is short but steep. Evening: wine tasting at Santo Wines or Venetsanos Winery — Santorini's Assyrtiko white wine is one of Greece's finest, grown in the island's distinctive basket-trained vines.

Morning: head to Perissa or Perivolos — Santorini's best black sand beaches on the eastern coast, with excellent beach bars, water sports, and a more relaxed atmosphere than the caldera side. The black volcanic sand gets extremely hot — bring sandals. Afternoon: visit Pyrgos — a beautiful medieval village in the centre of the island, with a Venetian castle (kasteli) at its summit offering 360-degree views of the entire island. The village is far less touristy than Oia and Fira — explore the narrow lanes, visit the Church of Christ (Christos), and have coffee at one of the traditional kafeneions. Evening: last sunset from the caldera — the path between Fira and Imerovigli at golden hour is one of the most beautiful walks in Greece.

Take the morning ferry from Santorini to Naxos (1.5–2 hours, Blue Star Ferries or SeaJets, from €25). Naxos is the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades — less famous than Santorini or Mykonos but arguably more beautiful and certainly more authentic. Check into your hotel in Naxos Town (Chora) and spend the afternoon exploring the old town — a labyrinth of Venetian-era lanes, a Venetian castle (kastro) with excellent views, and the Archaeological Museum. Visit the Portara — the enormous marble doorway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo (530 BC) on a small islet connected to the harbour by a causeway. At sunset, the Portara is one of the most magical sights in Greece. Evening: dinner in Naxos Town — try the local specialities: graviera cheese (Naxos produces Greece's finest), loukoumades (honey doughnuts), and fresh seafood.

Spend the morning at Agios Prokopios or Plaka Beach — Naxos has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades, with long stretches of fine white sand and crystal-clear water. Both beaches are within 10 minutes of Naxos Town by bus or taxi. After lunch, take the afternoon ferry back to Athens (5–6 hours) or fly from Naxos Airport (Sky Express, 45 minutes) in time for your international departure. If your flight is the following morning, spend a final night in Athens — the Koukaki neighbourhood near the Acropolis has excellent restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a last evening in Greece.

Getting there: Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (ATH) has direct flights from most European cities and connections from North America and Asia via European hubs.

Ferries: Book via Ferryhopper.com or DirectFerries.co.uk. Piraeus port (Athens) is the main hub — take the Metro (Line 1, Green line) from central Athens.

Best time: May–June and September–October for ideal weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices. July–August is peak season — hot, crowded, and expensive.

Budget: Athens and Naxos: €80–120/day mid-range. Santorini: €150–250/day mid-range.