One Week in Greece: Athens, Santorini and Mykonos

One week in Greece divides cleanly into three parts: Athens for the archaeology and city life, Mykonos for the beaches and Cycladic architecture, and Santorini for the caldera and slower pace. The ferry connections between these three are frequent and fast, making this one of the most practical week-long itineraries in the Mediterranean.

The route runs Athens (2 nights) to Mykonos (2 nights) to Santorini (3 nights). We put Santorini last because the sunsets are a better end to the trip than a beginning, and having three nights there allows a more relaxed final stretch. Ferries run daily between all three during the main season (April–October).

Book ferries at least two weeks ahead in July and August — high-speed services sell out. SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries run the fastest Athens–Mykonos routes. Blue Star Ferries is slower but cheaper and more comfortable for longer crossings.

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Days 1–2: Athens

Day 1: Acropolis and Plaka

Arrive in Athens and head to your hotel. If you land before noon, you can start sightseeing the same day.

Begin at the Acropolis — enter from the south slope at 8:00am if possible. The combined archaeological ticket (EUR 30 as of 2026) covers seven sites and lasts five days. Allow 90 minutes for the Acropolis and another 90 minutes for the Acropolis Museum (EUR 15 entry) directly downhill.

Lunch at Scholarhio on Tripodon Street in Plaka — meze-style dishes at EUR 8–14 per plate. The fried feta with honey and the grilled octopus are reliable choices.

Afternoon: walk through Plaka and climb into Anafiotika for the whitewashed Cycladic-style houses on the Acropolis slope. In the evening, head to Monastiraki Square for dinner with views of the lit Acropolis — Thanasis on Mitropoleos Street does excellent kebabs at EUR 8–12 per person.

Day 2: Ancient Agora, Museums, and Psyrri

Morning at the Ancient Agora (covered by your combined ticket). The Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos museum are the highlights. Allow 60–90 minutes.

Walk or take the metro to the National Archaeological Museum (EUR 12 entry). The Mycenaean gold collection and the Antikythera Mechanism justify the trip. Allow two hours.

Afternoon in Psyrri — street art, craft bars, and independent shops. Dinner at Avli (courtyard setting, modern Greek menu, EUR 20–30 per person) or at a rooftop bar for a final Athens evening.

Where to stay in Athens: Plaka Hotel (Kapnikareas 7) — from EUR 100 per night, central location, rooftop with Acropolis views. Hotel Grande Bretagne (Syntagma Square) — from EUR 250 per night for a luxury option with a rooftop pool.

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Days 3–4: Mykonos

Getting There

High-speed ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos: approximately 2.5–3 hours, EUR 45–65 per person as of 2026. SeaJets departs early morning; Golden Star Ferries has a mid-morning departure. Book in advance for July–August.

Alternative: domestic flight from Athens International Airport — 35 minutes, from EUR 50–120 with Aegean Airlines or Sky Express. Check baggage fees when comparing to ferry prices.

Day 3: Mykonos Town and Beaches

Arrive by midday and check in. Spend the afternoon in Mykonos Town (Chora) — the maze of whitewashed streets, the iconic windmills on the harbour ridge, and Little Venice (the row of waterfront houses with balconies overhanging the sea) are all within a compact walking area.

The Folklore Museum (free entry) on the harbour is worth 30 minutes. The Paraportiani Church — five chapels fused together over centuries — is the most photographed building on the island.

Late afternoon: head to one of the south coast beaches. Ornos Beach is the closest to town (bus or taxi, EUR 2–5) with calm water and sunbed rentals (approximately EUR 15–20 for two sunbeds and an umbrella). Platis Gialos is slightly further and connects to other beaches by water taxi (EUR 5–10 per leg).

Dinner at Niko’s Taverna on the harbour in Mykonos Town — operating since 1967, seafood-focused, EUR 15–25 per person. Book ahead in summer.

Day 4: Delos Day Trip and Beaches

Morning boat to Delos — UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, birthplace of Apollo in Greek mythology. Boats depart from Mykonos Old Port at 9:00am, 10:00am, and 11:00am (approximately 30 minutes each way). Return boats run until 3:00pm or 5:00pm depending on season.

Boat ticket: approximately EUR 20–22 return as of 2026. Site entry: EUR 12. Allow 2–3 hours on the island. The Terrace of the Lions, the House of Dionysus mosaics, and the theatre are the standout features. Bring water and sun protection — there is no shade on the site.

Afternoon: return to Mykonos and head to Super Paradise Beach (accessible by bus or water taxi from Platis Gialos, EUR 5–10). The beach has full facilities and a more relaxed atmosphere outside July–August.

Evening: Mykonos nightlife centres on Mykonos Town. 180° Sunset Bar in Little Venice has front-row sunset views — arrive by 6:30pm to get a table. Cocktails from EUR 14.

Where to stay on Mykonos: Petasos Beach Resort (Platis Gialos) — from EUR 150 per night, beachfront, pool, breakfast included. Harmony Boutique Hotel (Mykonos Town) — from EUR 180 per night, central location with harbour views.

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Days 5–7: Santorini

Getting There

Ferry from Mykonos to Santorini: approximately 2–2.5 hours by high-speed (SeaJets or Golden Star), EUR 55–75 per person. Blue Star Ferries is slower (approximately 3 hours) but more comfortable, from EUR 35.

Day 5: Fira and Oia

Ferries dock at Athinios Port. Buses to Fira (EUR 2.30) run to meet each ferry; taxis cost approximately EUR 25. If staying in Oia, arrange a hotel transfer or take the bus from Fira (EUR 1.80, approximately 25 minutes).

Afternoon in Fira: walk the caldera path (the clifftop pedestrian path with views over the volcanic crater and Nea Kameni island). The Museum of Prehistoric Thera (EUR 6 entry) has outstanding Minoan frescoes from the Akrotiri excavation.

Evening: head to Oia for sunset. The sunset at Oia is famous for good reason — the view across the caldera from the castle ruins is one of the best in the Aegean. Arrive 90 minutes before sunset to get a position.

Dinner at Ammoudi Fish Tavern in Ammoudi Bay below Oia — reached by 300 steps down from the main village. Fresh seafood at EUR 20–35 per person. The grilled octopus and lobster spaghetti are the signature dishes.

Day 6: Akrotiri and Beaches

Morning at Akrotiri — a Minoan Bronze Age settlement buried by the volcanic eruption around 1600 BC. Often called the “Pompeii of the Aegean.” Entry EUR 12 as of 2026. Open 8:00am–8:00pm in summer. Allow 90 minutes. The multi-storey buildings, drainage systems, and frescoes (originals in the Athens museums, reproductions on site) show a remarkably advanced civilisation.

Afternoon: Red Beach (600 metres from Akrotiri, accessible on foot — wear sturdy shoes on the path) for the dramatic red volcanic cliffs. Alternatively, Perissa Beach on the southeast coast has black volcanic sand, sunbed rentals (approximately EUR 10–15 for two), and beachfront tavernas.

Dinner at Metaxy Mas in Exo Gonia — widely considered the best traditional taverna on Santorini. Cretan-influenced Greek cooking at EUR 18–30 per person. Reservation essential in season.

Day 7: Wine and Caldera Cruise

Morning: visit one or two of Santorini’s wineries. Santo Wines (Pyrgos) has the best caldera views of any winery on the island — tasting flights from EUR 15 for four wines. Venetsanos Winery nearby offers a more intimate experience at similar prices. Assyrtiko is the signature Santorini grape — mineral, citrus, and bone-dry.

Afternoon: caldera boat tour. Several operators run half-day cruises to the volcanic islands (Nea Kameni for the crater hike, Palea Kameni for the hot springs) with a stop for swimming. Expect EUR 35–55 per person for a 5-hour tour including a basic meal. Book through your hotel or a Fira tour office.

Final evening: dinner at Argo in Fira, right on the caldera edge — Greek-Mediterranean menu at EUR 25–40 per person with uninterrupted volcano views.

Where to stay on Santorini: Hotel Atlantis (Fira, caldera-view) — from EUR 130 per night, traditional Cycladic style, central Fira location. Aroma Suites (Fira) — from EUR 160 per night, cave-style suites with private caldera-view terraces. Katikies Oia — from EUR 350 per night for a luxury caldera-view suite.

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Budget Summary

Category	Approximate Cost (per person)
Athens combined ticket	EUR 30
Acropolis Museum	EUR 15
National Archaeological Museum	EUR 12
Athens–Mykonos ferry	EUR 55
Delos boat + entry	EUR 34
Mykonos–Santorini ferry	EUR 65
Akrotiri entry	EUR 12
Wine tastings	EUR 15–30
Caldera boat tour	EUR 45
Meals (7 days)	EUR 175–280
Local transport	EUR 30–50
Total (excl. accommodation + flights)	EUR 488–628

All prices are approximate as of 2026. Ferry schedules vary by season — confirm times on ferries.gr or ferryscanner.com before booking.

If you extend the trip to include Crete or want to explore Santorini’s south coast beyond the main villages, hiring a car in Greece is the most flexible way to reach beaches and villages that ferries and buses don’t serve.