7-Day Greek Islands Itinerary: Athens, Santorini & Mykonos

Fly into Athens International Airport (ATH). The Metro blue line connects directly to the city centre in 40 minutes (€10.50).\n\nDay 1 — The Acropolis: The Acropolis is the non-negotiable highlight of Athens — book tickets online in advance to skip the queues. The Parthenon, the Erechtheion (with its famous Caryatid porch), and the Propylaea gateway are all extraordinary. The views over Athens from the summit are spectacular. Combine with the Acropolis Museum at the base of the hill — one of the finest museums in Europe, housing the original Caryatids and the Parthenon frieze.\n\nEvening: Explore the Plaka neighbourhood — the old town at the foot of the Acropolis, with tavernas, neoclassical buildings, and narrow streets. Have dinner at one of the rooftop restaurants with Acropolis views — the sight of the illuminated Parthenon at night is unforgettable.\n\nDay 2 — Ancient Agora and Monastiraki: Visit the Ancient Agora (the marketplace of ancient Athens, where Socrates taught) and the beautifully preserved Temple of Hephaestus. Then explore Monastiraki — the flea market district, excellent for browsing antiques, leather goods, and street food. The National Archaeological Museum (a 20-minute walk north) houses the world\'s greatest collection of ancient Greek art.

Take the Blue Star Ferries or SeaJets high-speed catamaran from Piraeus port to Santorini (Thira). The high-speed ferry takes 5 hours; the conventional ferry takes 8–9 hours. Book in advance on Ferryhopper or directly with the ferry companies.\n\nPiraeus is Athens\' port — take the Metro green line from Monastiraki to Piraeus (25 minutes). Allow plenty of time as the port is large.\n\nArrive in Santorini at the port of Athinios and take the bus or taxi up to your hotel. Santorini is built on the rim of a volcanic caldera — the views from the cliff-top villages are extraordinary.\n\nAfternoon/Evening: Check in and explore Fira (the capital) — walk the caldera path to Firostefani for sunset views. Have dinner at a caldera-view restaurant — the setting is spectacular.

Day 4 — Oia and the Caldera: Take the bus or rent a quad bike to Oia — the most photographed village in Greece, with its iconic blue-domed churches and white-washed houses. Arrive early (before 10am) to explore before the crowds arrive. Walk the caldera path from Fira to Oia (10km, about 3 hours) for the best views of the island.\n\nThe sunset at Oia is world-famous — arrive at the castle ruins at least 1.5 hours before sunset to secure a good viewpoint. The crowds are large but the spectacle is genuinely extraordinary.\n\nDay 5 — Beaches and the Volcano: Santorini\'s beaches are unique — black volcanic sand at Perissa and Perivolos on the east coast, and the dramatic red cliffs of Red Beach near Akrotiri. Take a boat tour to the volcanic islands in the caldera — you can walk on the active volcano (Nea Kameni) and swim in the hot springs. Also visit Akrotiri — a Minoan Bronze Age city buried by the volcanic eruption of 1627 BC, often called the Greek Pompeii.

Take the ferry from Santorini to Mykonos — journey time 2–3 hours by high-speed catamaran. Book in advance, especially in summer when ferries sell out.\n\nArrive in Mykonos and check in. Mykonos is famous for its windmills, its labyrinthine Chora (old town), and its beaches and nightlife.\n\nAfternoon: Explore Mykonos Town (Chora) — a maze of whitewashed lanes, bougainvillea-draped houses, and boutique shops. Visit Little Venice — a row of houses built directly on the sea\'s edge, with bars and cafés where you can watch the sunset over the Aegean. The famous Mykonos windmills are a short walk away.

Morning: Mykonos has some of the best beaches in Greece. Paradise Beach and Super Paradise are the most famous (and the most lively). Psarou is more upscale. Agios Sostis in the north is quieter and wilder.\n\nOptional day trip: Take a 30-minute boat from Mykonos to Delos — one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The site is extraordinary and largely uncrowded.\n\nDeparture: Mykonos has its own airport (JMK) with direct flights to many UK airports in summer (Jet2, easyJet, TUI). Alternatively, take the ferry back to Athens (Piraeus) and fly home from Athens.\n\nTip: Book all ferries in advance — Greek island ferries sell out weeks ahead in July and August. Use Ferryhopper.com for easy booking across all operators.