15 days in Greece: Athens, extended Cyclades and Crete

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 deserves 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; allow 2h on site.

   Descend via the south steps to the Acropolis Museum (€10): modern, air-conditioned, the Parthenon frieze reconstructed. Light lunch in Plaka — Café Melina or O Thanasis for a souvlaki-pita at €3.50. Afternoon: wander Plaka and Monastiraki; flea market on Sundays. Dinner at Diporto, a vaulted basement taverna, set menu without a written card, peasant Greek cooking at €12-15.

   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 for 5 days — hold on to it.
3. 3

   Day 3

   Athens — National Archaeological Museum, Anafiotika and Lycabettus

   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.

   Lunch in Exarcheia, the bohemian neighbourhood just behind the museum — Rozalia (neighbourhood taverna, dishes €12-15) or Yiantes for modern vegetarian Greek cuisine. Afternoon: climb to Anafiotika, a tiny Cycladic micro-neighbourhood clinging to the north slope of the Acropolis, 60cm-wide lanes and whitewashed walls. Sunset from Lycabettus Hill (funicular €9, or 25-min walk). Light dinner in Kolonaki — chic neighbourhood, lively terraces, mezze €8-12.

   Tips

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

   Day 4

   Ferry Athens → Mykonos — afternoon arrival

   Depart from Piraeus port — Metro Line 1 from Monastiraki (25 min, €1.40) or taxi (€15-20). Two options: Highspeed (Seajets / Goldstar) 2h15-2h45, €55-90 or slow ferry 5h, €35-50. The highspeed is recommended for this itinerary. Book at least 2 weeks ahead in high season (June-August) on ferryscanner.com or openseas.gr.

   Arrive at Mykonos Old Port mid-afternoon: taxi to accommodation (€15-20) or KTEL bus (€2). First evening at Mykonos Old Port: aperitif watching the pelicans, drinks at Kastro's Bar (Little Venice view, cocktails €14-18), then fish taverna on the waterfront.

   Tips

   • · Arrive at Piraeus 45 min before highspeed departure — 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, 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.

   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. Late dinner at M-eating (upscale Myconian cuisine, €35-50 per person, book ahead).

   Tips

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

   Day 6

   Mykonos — Paradise Beach, Super Paradise and Elia

   Beach day. Paradise Beach accessible by KTEL bus (€2) or water taxi from the Old Port (€5-8 one way): lively beach clubs, sunbeds €15-20 per pair, house music from noon. Super Paradise Beach: slightly calmer, dramatic cliffs, turquoise water. Afternoon, ride to Elia Beach by scooter (the island's longest, less crowded) for a quieter break.

   Nature alternative: Agios Sostis, unspoilt beach with no facilities, accessible by scooter only. Lunch at Tropicana Beach Club (Paradise, mezze €12-18). Dinner tonight at Kiki's Tavern in Agios Sostis if you have a scooter (cash only, inevitable queue but an unforgettable seaside table).

   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 → Naxos — arrival and Chora

   Ferry Mykonos → Naxos: 45 min to 1h15 depending on the operator (Seajets or Golden Star Ferries), €20-45. Recommended departure 9-10am to arrive late morning. Naxos is the largest Cycladic island and the most overlooked on the classic circuit: a real year-round inhabited island with olive groves, mountains and local cheeses.

   Arrive at Naxos Chora harbour — the town is walkable from the quay. The Portara (giant marble gate of the unfinished Temple of Apollo, 530 BC) greets arrivals from the jetty — iconic sunset viewpoint from this promontory. Check in, light lunch in the Kastro (medieval Venetian hilltop quarter) and explore the old town lanes. Dinner at To Elliniko or Scirocco (local tavernas, fresh fish, €15-22).

   Tips

   • · The Portara is a 5-min walk from the port — visit on arrival and departure to see the different morning and evening light.
   • · Naxos is noticeably cheaper than Mykonos or Santorini: accommodation €40-90/night for a comfortable double room, meals €12-18.
8. 8

   Day 8

   Naxos — west coast beaches

   Naxos has the finest sandy beaches in the Cyclades, reachable by KTEL bus from Chora (€1.80-2.50). Agios Prokopios (5 km south, 10-min bus): fine white sand, shallow water ideal for children, sunbeds available (€8-12 per pair) and beachside restaurants. Agia Anna (just beyond) blends into Prokopios — more local atmosphere, tavernas right on the sand.

   For hikers or those with a scooter/car: Plaka Beach (6 km of preserved dunes, little development) or Mikri Vigla (renowned kitesurfing spot, constant wind). Lunch at Gorgona Beach Bar (Agios Prokopios, dishes €10-16, feet in the sand). Return to Chora late afternoon, dinner at the Chora covered market — Meze2 for creative mezze made with Naxian products (graviera cheese, Naxian potatoes, €18-25).

   Tips

   • · Naxos graviera cheese (PDO) is one of Greece's finest — buy a wedge from an old-town fromagerie (€8-12/kg) for a beach picnic.
   • · The north-east wind (meltemi) is common in July-August on Naxos: avoid rough sea outings and use the calmer east-facing beaches instead.
9. 9

   Day 9

   Naxos — mountain villages and Apollonas

   The interior of Naxos is one of the best-kept secrets in the Cyclades. By rental car (€25-45/day) or organised tour (€25-35/person), drive to Halki (neoclassical village, kitron distillery — Naxian citron liqueur, free tasting), then Filoti (the largest mountain village, 500m altitude, tavernas overlooking Mount Zeus).

   Continue north to the Kouroi of Apollonas and Flerio: colossal 6th-century BC marble statues abandoned in situ in their quarries (free entry). The Apollonas kouros is 10.5m long — one of Greece's largest, lying in the rock as if asleep. Lunch at Taverna Lefteris in Filoti (mountain cooking, goat stew, €13-18). Return to Chora in the evening, relaxed dinner at the harbour.

   Tips

   • · Naxos' mountain roads are well-paved but narrow — small car or 125cc scooter advised; avoid campervans.
   • · Kitron (citron liqueur) is Naxos' signature spirit, found nowhere else: pick up a bottle (€12-18) at the Vallindras distillery in Halki.
10. 10

    Day 10

    Ferry Naxos → Santorini — arrival and Fira

    Ferry Naxos → Santorini: 1h45 to 2h30 depending on the operator (Seajets or Golden Star Ferries), €30-60. Recommended departure 9-11am to arrive early afternoon. Arrival port is Athinios (lower port) — KTEL bus to Fira (15 min, €1.80) or taxi (€15). Avoid Fira old port with luggage: the cable car (€6) and donkey ride are exhausting with suitcases.

    Check in at a hotel in Fira or Firostefani — walking distance to Oia, caldera views without Oia's price premium. First walk on the hiking trail Fira → Imerovigli (3 km, 1h, uninterrupted caldera views) before sunset. Dinner at Mama's House (Fira, honest Greek cooking, €15-20) or Volcano Blue (caldera terrace at reasonable prices, €18-25).

    Tips

    • · Book the Naxos-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. Inland side of the island: €60-120 with equivalent basic amenities.
    Santorini →
11. 11

    Day 11

    Santorini — Oia, caldera and sunset

    Oia is the most photographed village in Greece — go before 10am to enjoy it without the crowds. Lava-paved lanes, blue church domes, 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 with a view (€35-55). Return to Fira by bus (€1.80) or hike along the path (1h30). Afternoon: Museum of Prehistoric Thira (€6) with Akrotiri Bronze Age frescoes. Sunset from the Fira-Firostefani path — less crowded than Oia, identical view. Dinner at Selene in Pyrgos (upscale Santorinian, €50-70, reservation required) or back to a Fira taverna.

    Tips

    • · The Oia sunset 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 →
12. 12

    Day 12

    Santorini — caldera boat tour, Akrotiri and black beach

    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 tour — one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

    Afternoon: 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 water at 32°C), anchor at Thirassia for sunset. Book via Fira port agencies or online (santorini-sailing.gr). Return and farewell dinner at Taverna Lava (Firostefani, Greek cooking, caldera view, €18-25).

    Tips

    • · 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 →
13. 13

    Day 13

    Flight Santorini → Crete (Heraklion) — arrival and old town

    Flight Santorini (JTR) → Heraklion (HER): 30-40 min, €40-80 depending on carrier (Aegean Airlines, SKY Express). Frequent morning departures. KTEL bus from Santorini airport (€1.80, 15 min) then taxi to the airport (€15-20). In Heraklion, airport bus → city centre (€1.20) or taxi (€10-15).

    Crete is Greece's largest and most diverse island. Afternoon: explore Heraklion old town — the Morosini Fountain (17th century), the Venetian ramparts, the covered market on 1866 Avenue. The restored Venetian Loggia and Heraklion Archaeological Museum (worth a half-day the next morning, €15). Dinner in the Koules quarter — taverna Peskesi (authentic Cretan cooking, local ingredients, €20-30) or Erganos (traditional Cretan mezze).

    Tips

    • · Santorini airport: arrive 2h before the flight — small airport but long queues in high season.
    • · In Heraklion, rent a car on arrival (€20-40/day) is highly recommended for the next day: Knossos is 5 km away, south coast beaches need 45-60 min by road.
14. 14

    Day 14

    Crete — Knossos, Heraklion museum and south coast beaches

    Morning: Knossos site (opens 8am, €15, or combined with museum €20) — the largest Minoan palace in Crete, inhabited from 2000 to 1375 BC. Arthur Evans controversially but spectacularly restored the frescoes and red columns. Allow 1h30-2h on site. Return to town for the Heraklion Archaeological Museum (€15) if not visited the day before: original Knossos frescoes, steatite rhytons, Agia Triada sarcophagus — unmissable.

    Afternoon: drive to the south coast of Crete (45-60 min by car) — Matala (cliff coves, 1970s hippie cave dwellings, Joni Mitchell stayed here) or Agia Galini (quiet fishing harbour). Swim in the clearest water in the Mediterranean. Fish dinner at the Agia Galini harbour or return to Heraklion for a final taverna — Ippokambos (seafood, €22-30).

    Tips

    • · Knossos: arrive at opening (8am) or after 4pm to avoid cruise tour groups — 1h30 difference in crowds between 8am and 10:30am.
    • · South Crete beaches are often windy in the morning (mountain breeze) and calm down in late afternoon — perfect for visiting Knossos in the morning and the beach in the afternoon.
15. 15

    Day 15

    Morning in Heraklion, flight Heraklion → Athens → departure

    Final morning depending on flight time: if afternoon departure, last walk on Heraklion's Venetian ramparts (surface walkable, sea views, free entry) or coffee on Eleftherias Square. Market for last-minute shopping: Cretan extra-virgin olive oil (€5-12/litre), Cretan mountain tea, thyme honey (€6-10).

    Flight Heraklion (HER) → Athens (ATH): 45-50 min, €40-90 depending on carrier. Frequent services (Aegean, SKY Express, Ryanair depending on season). KTEL airport bus Heraklion (€1.20, 15 min) or taxi (€10-15). Connect in Athens for international flight — allow at least 3h connection time for long-haul same-day flights (collect bags, re-check in).

    Tips

    • · If returning on an early morning flight from Heraklion: sleep near the airport (hotel 10-15 min away) rather than downtown to avoid early morning stress.
    • · Cretan olive oil in a 5L metal tin (€20-35) is the best souvenir value — check airline hold luggage rules for liquids.

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