10 days in Greece: Athens, Mykonos and Santorini

Day by day

1. 1

   Day 1

   Arrival in Athens — first evening in Monastiraki

   Land at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, take the Metro Line 3 direct to Monastiraki (40 min, €9) or bus X95 to Syntagma (35-60 min depending on traffic, €6.20). Drop the bags and get a feel for the neighbourhood: Monastiraki and Psyri, lanes tumbling down toward the ancient Agora, terraces packed by 8pm in season.

   This first evening calls for no monuments: the flight fatigue and heat deserve a quiet landing. Dinner at a traditional Psyri taverna — Taverna tou Psyri or Oinopion — shared mezze (taramosalata, tzatziki, saganaki feta), carafe of local white wine at €5-7. This is the soft launch.

   Tips

   • · The airport metro ticket (€9) is valid for 90 min on the entire network — no extra ticket needed if you transfer.
   • · Best Athens neighbourhoods to stay: Monastiraki or Koukaki (walking distance to the Acropolis, local atmosphere, prices 15-20% lower than Plaka).
2. 2

   Day 2

   Athens — Acropolis, Parthenon and Plaka

   The non-negotiable day. Online booking mandatory (acropolis-tickets.gr, €20 in high season, €10 in low) — ticket counter queues run 1h30-2h. Arrive at opening, 8am: soft light, almost no crowd until 10am. The restored Parthenon is still breathtaking even on a fourth visit; allow 2h on site.

   Descend via the south steps to the Acropolis Museum (€10): modern, air-conditioned, the Parthenon frieze digitally reconstructed. Light lunch in Plaka, the neighbourhood of painted neoclassical houses — Café Melina or O Thanasis for a souvlaki-pita at €3.50. Afternoon: wander Plaka and Monastiraki; flea market on Sundays.

   Tips

   • · 8am slot recommended — crowds triple after 10:30am when cruise tour groups arrive.
   • · A single Acropolis ticket grants entry to 8 Athens archaeological sites (including the Ancient Agora and Temple of Olympian Zeus) for 5 days — hold on to it.
3. 3

   Day 3

   Athens — National Archaeological Museum and Anafiotika

   The National Archaeological Museum (opens at 8am, €12) is one of the richest in the world for Greek art: the gold Mask of Agamemnon, kouros statues, Santorini's Minoan frescoes — allow 2h30 for a focused tour. Online booking advised in July-August (saves a 30-min queue).

   Lunch in Exarcheia, the bohemian neighbourhood just behind the museum — Rozalia or Yiantes for modern Greek cuisine at €12-16. Afternoon: climb to Anafiotika, a tiny Cycladic micro-neighbourhood clinging to the north slope of the Acropolis, whitewashed walls and 60cm-wide lanes, improbably quiet 200m from Plaka's bustle. Sunset from Lycabettus Hill (funicular €9).

   Tips

   • · The museum is air-conditioned — the perfect refuge on Athens summer heatwave days (38-40°C in August).
   • · Lycabettus Hill at sunset: arrive 30 min before official sunset time to get a terrace seat at the summit café.
4. 4

   Day 4

   Ferry Athens → Mykonos — evening arrival

   Depart from Piraeus port — Metro Line 1 from Monastiraki (25 min, €1.40) or taxi (€15-20, 30-40 min depending on traffic). Two ferry options: Highspeed (Seajets / Goldstar) 2h15-2h45, €55-90 or slow ferry Minoan/ANEK 5h, €35-50 for deck or cabin. The highspeed is recommended for this itinerary — more time on the island.

   Book the ferry at least 2 weeks ahead in high season (June-August): seats sell out fast, especially cabins. Official sites: ferryscanner.com or directly openseas.gr. Arrive at Mykonos Old Port mid-afternoon: taxi to accommodation (€15-20) or KTEL bus (€2, if hotel is near a stop). First evening at Mykonos Old Port: aperitif watching the pelicans, dinner at one of the waterfront tavernas.

   Tips

   • · Arrive at Piraeus 45 min before highspeed departure — boarding is fast but the quays are spread far apart.
   • · Greek ferries regularly run 15-30 min late — never plan a tight same-day connection.
   Mykonos →
5. 5

   Day 5

   Mykonos — Little Venice, windmills and old harbour

   Mykonos Town (Chora) is best explored on foot, ideally early morning (8-10am) before cruise ship crowds flood the lanes. Immaculate Cycladic architecture, blue-and-red painted houses, alleys designed to confuse the wind — and the tourist. Little Venice is the pivot point: cantilevered balconies over the sea, bar terraces lively from mid-afternoon onward.

   Kato Mili windmills just above: the iconic Mykonos shot, best light in late afternoon. Lunch at Nikos Taverna (Old Port, grilled fish €18-25, reservation advised) or takeaway gyros on Matogianni Square (€3.50). Aperitif at Galleraki or Scarpa Bar facing the windmills at sunset — unmissable even for non-bar-goers.

   Tips

   • · Chora's lanes are deliberately maze-like — getting lost is normal; navigate by the sound of the sea.
   • · Shopping on Matogianni Street: budget accordingly if you're drawn to textiles and handmade jewellery — silver pieces start at €25-30.
   Mykonos →
6. 6

   Day 6

   Mykonos — Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach

   Beach day. Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach are the island's most celebrated — reachable by KTEL bus (€2) or water taxi from the Old Port (€5-8 one way). Paradise: lively beach clubs, sunbeds €15-20 per pair, house music from noon. Super Paradise: slightly calmer, dramatic cliffs, impossibly blue water.

   Alternative to avoid crowds: Elia Beach (the island's longest, 45-min bus) or Agios Sostis (unspoilt, no sunbeds, accessible by scooter only). Lunch at the beach at Tropicana Beach Club (Paradise, mezze counter €12-18) or bring a picnic. Return to Chora late afternoon to shower before dinner — taverna Kiki's at Agios Sostis if you have a scooter (cash only, inevitable queue but unforgettable).

   Tips

   • · Rent a 50cc scooter (€25-35/day) to hop between beaches: total freedom, easy parking, essential for Agios Sostis.
   • · Paradise Beach sunbeds: book online the day before via beach club apps to avoid arriving at a fully reserved stretch.
   Mykonos →
7. 7

   Day 7

   Ferry Mykonos → Santorini — arrival and Fira

   Ferry Mykonos → Santorini: 2h to 3h15 depending on the operator (Seajets or Golden Star Ferries), €45-80. Recommended departure 9-10am to arrive early afternoon. Arrival port is Athinios (lower port) — taxi or KTEL bus to Fira (15 min, bus €1.80, taxi €15). Avoid the old Fira port with luggage: the cable car (€6) or donkey ride is picturesque but brutal with suitcases.

   Check in — Fira or Firostefani for a first Santorini stay, walking distance to Oia, caldera views without Oia's price premium. First walk along the hiking trail from Fira to Oia (10 km, 3h, no dangerous gradients): one of the finest walks in the Cyclades with uninterrupted caldera views. Or simply wander Fira at sunset.

   Tips

   • · Book the Mykonos-Santorini ferry 2-3 weeks in advance in summer: the route fills fast, especially highspeed boats.
   • · Infinity pool hotels on the caldera: minimum €150-400/night in season. Hotels on the island's inland side: €60-120 with equivalent basic amenities.
   Santorini →
8. 8

   Day 8

   Santorini — Oia and Fira

   Oia is the most photographed village in Greece — go before 10am to enjoy it without the crowds. Lava-paved lanes, blue domes of Agios Spyridon and Anastasis churches, art boutiques and cave houses carved into the caldera cliff. The view from Oia Castle (kasteli) at daybreak is free and breathtaking.

   Lunch in Oia: Roka for creative mezze (€25-35), or Ambrosia for the full gastronomic experience. Return to Fira by bus (€1.80) or hike along the path (1h30). Afternoon: Museum of Prehistoric Thira (€6) displaying Bronze Age frescoes from ancient Akrotiri. Dinner in Fira — Mama's House for honest Greek cooking at €15-20, or Roka Fira for an affordable caldera terrace.

   Tips

   • · The Oia sunset (6:30-8:30pm depending on season) draws thousands: arrive 1h early to secure a spot at the kasteli.
   • · Caldera-view restaurants in Oia charge 30-50% more — same dish, same view from Firostefani at a lower price.
   Santorini →
9. 9

   Day 9

   Santorini — caldera boat tour and legendary sunset

   Caldera boat tour — half-day (4h, €35-60) or full day (7h, €65-100). Classic itinerary: Néa Kaméni volcano (walk on the lava, 30 min), Paléa Kaméni hot springs (sulphurous thermal water at 32°C), then anchor at Thirassia for a fish lunch. Book via Fira port agencies or online (santorini-sailing.gr, sunset-oia.com).

   Free afternoon: relax at Perissa Beach (volcanic black sand, 30-min bus, €1.80) or Perivolos. Evening: last great sunset from the path between Fira and Firostefani — less iconic than Oia, but peaceful and free. Farewell dinner at Taverna Lava in Firostefani: traditional Greek dishes, caldera view, reasonable bill (€18-25).

   Tips

   • · Paléa Kaméni hot springs: wear an old swimsuit — the sulphurous water permanently stains light-coloured fabric.
   • · Boat tour: semi-private catamarans (max 12-16 people) offer the best balance of atmosphere and calm — €20-30 more than standard group boats.
   Santorini →
10. 10

    Day 10

    Morning at Akrotiri, Santorini → Athens → departure flight

    Last morning: visit the Akrotiri archaeological site (opens 8am, €12), the Greek Pompeii buried by the Minoan eruption of the 17th century BC. The site is roofed and air-conditioned; 1h30 is enough for a thorough visit. One of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the Mediterranean — and far less crowded than the Acropolis.

    Flight Santorini (JTR) → Athens (ATH): 45 min, €40-80 depending on the carrier (Aegean Airlines, SKY Express). Allow 2h before the flight for check-in — Santorini airport is small but queues build fast in high season. Connect in Athens to your international flight or add an extra night if departing the following morning.

    Tips

    • · Santorini airport: KTEL bus from Fira (€1.80, 15 min) or taxi (€15-20) — no metro or official shuttle.
    • · If connecting tight in Athens: choose Aegean Airlines (Terminal A, same terminal as most long-haul flights, no terminal change needed).
    Santorini →

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