Your guide to a perfect week holiday in Greece | SANTORINI, MYKONOS, ATHENS
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Efficiency is key! When it comes to exploring the wonders of Greece, time is of the essence. With countless cities, historic relics, and breathtaking landmarks to behold, a well-planned itinerary is your ticket to unlock the essence of this enchanting country in just one week. While it’s true that Greece’s treasures are seemingly endless, don’t worry because this custom-crafted itinerary will allow you to experience the highlights. Embrace the highlights of Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens during this action-packed adventure. While I hope to return someday and explore the other captivating islands, these three gems – Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens – promise an unforgettable journey that will leave you spellbound!
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Days 1-3 – Santorini
Day 1 | Check In + Explore + Dinner + Sunset
We flew into Santorini because it was cheapest. However, I always see inexpensive flights into Athens as well so fly in to wherever suits your needs best. Santorini is best known for its breathtaking white and blue architecture and mesmerizing sunsets, which have rightfully earned its place as a must-visit. This stunning island is a tourist hot spot and for good reason – it is absolutely stunning and just waiting to be explored!
We checked into our Airbnb located in the village of Imerovigli. While the accommodations in Oia may be pricier, Imerovigli offers a perfect location midway on the island, boasting fewer crowds, and treating visitors to breathtaking sunrise views, making it an ideal and stunning alternative.
Day 2 | Fira + Perissa + Pyrgos
We watched the picturesque sunrise in Fira [Thira], which was just a short walk – or even shorter ATV ride – from Imerovigli. After a quick breakfast, we got ready at our Airbnb and were ready to begin our day. We discovered that waking up for sunrise was absolutely worth it, not only for the breathtaking views but also for the motivation to make the most of our day and conquer jet lag.
Perissa Black Sand Beach
Our first stop was an enjoyable ATV ride down to Perissa, where we soaked in the beauty of the Black Sand Beach, spending a delightful morning amidst its unique allure. The contrast of the dark sand against the blue waters was simply mesmerizing.
Pyrgos
In the afternoon, we strolled through Pyrgos Kallistis Village, often referred to as the “Santorini of the past” due to its traditional architecture, while relishing in the fact that it’s the highest village on the island. We ended up at the Pyrgos Kallistis Castle, offering a stunning panorama view from the top. Along the way, we also delighted in exploring numerous charming shops and stores, adding a touch of delight to our village adventure.
For more scenic views, we embarked on a swift journey down to the Monastery of Profitis Ilias (Moni Profitou Iliou).
As the day’s adventure drew to a close, we made our way back to the Fira area to grab dinner and witness the captivating sunset. After sundown, we roamed the charming streets and lively markets of Fira, where we grabbed some delicious desserts to round off the perfect second day.
Day 3 | Oia + Akrotiri
With an island as accessible as this, we were determined to check everything off our list. The journey from the northern Oia side of the island to the southern allure of Akrotiri was about a 35-40 minute drive, allowing us to embrace the best of both worlds.
Our day began in Oia (northern side of the island), where we immersed ourselves in the mesmerizing views, explored local cuisine, and wandered through enchanting streets and bustling markets. Highlights included the iconic Blue Domes, the panoramic Sophia Castle View, the charming Kastro Oia Houses, and the idyllic Ammoudi Bay, all leaving us in awe of Santorini’s incomparable beauty.
Our second half of the day included a short venture to Akrotiri, where we savored the beauty of the Red Beach and marveled at the breathtaking sunset from the iconic Akrotiri Lighthouse. This was the perfect way to close out our third day in Santorini.
Days 4-5 Mykonos
Although our time in Mykonos was limited, we made the absolute most of every moment. We were still able to enjoy the island’s stunning beauty and visited some renowned beaches, vibrant parties, and luxury shopping. Our short but sweet visit has left us eager to come back someday and fully immerse ourselves in all that this captivating island has to offer. Mykonos, we will be back!
Day 4 | Santorini to Mykonos
We pre-purchased our ferry tickets for a morning ride from Santorini to Mykonos. The approximately 4 hour ferry ride is a fun experience in and of itself.
Purchase through FerryHopper or through Go-Ferry
Pro Tip: There are various options for quicker + more direct routes.
Once we settled into our Mykonos hotel, grabbed dinner while basking in the breathtaking beach views. Our accommodation in Kalo Livadi provided a unique perspective of the island, situated away from the bustling Mykonos Town and Old Port. Nonetheless, we found that it was a convenient 20-minute drive from Kalo Livadi to Mykonos Town, which offered the best of both worlds – tranquility and proximity to the island’s vibrant heart.
We stayed at Pietra E Mare Mykonos! Link below to book your stay
Day 5 | Mykonos Town/Old Port
We had the full day to explore Mykonos, and there was so much to eat and see! We spent most of our time around the Old Port and Mykonos Town, where there was absolutely no shortage of fabulous seafood, shops, beaches, and landmarks. Some highights were Little Venice and the Windmills.
We had the full day to explore Mykonos, and there was so much to eat and captivating sites to see! We spent the majority of our day around the charming Old Port and the vibrant Mykonos Town, where there was an abundance of fabulous seafood, enticing shops, picturesque beaches, and iconic landmarks awaited. Among the highlights, we spent some time in Little Venice and were absolutely mesmerized by the enticing Windmills, making our exploration of Mykonos truly unforgettable.
Days 5-7 Athens
Our Athens adventure felt like a thrilling marathon, but with determination and an efficient plan, we managed to check off most of the sites on our list. As the birthplace of democracy, Athens is hub of historic temples, majestic theaters, and awe-inspiring archaeological sites, leaving us in awe by the depth of its heritage. With an abundance of knowledge and sights to absorb (not to mention the adorable cats), Athens proved to be a captivating journey!
Our Athens accommodation was located in the Psyri area where, we had the most stunning, uninterrupted rooftop view of the Acropolis.
Day 6 | Athens Landmark Marathon
Unveiling the Treasures of Athens: A Day Amidst History, Landmarks, and Ruins! With our long list of iconic landmarks in hand, we embarked on an exhilarating quest to explore as many as possible. Our journey began with a climb, and then tram up to Lycabettus Hill, giving us stunning panoramic views of the city. We immersed ourselves in history, passing by the ancient bath, and also made stops to admire the Arch of Hadrian, the grand Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the regal Zappeion Palace. We also enjoyed timeless charm of the Roman Agora. One of the highlights of the day was a captivating tour of The Panathenaic Stadium, rich with its athletic heritage. We also strolled through the cute Plaka neighborhood and Monastiraki Square, and of course we couldn’t resist the alluring view of the legendary Acropolis throughout the day. By the end of this unforgettably busy day, it was no surprise that we easily surpassed our step goal and closed our Apple Watch rings, but each moment etched in history made it all the more rewarding. Athens is truly a true gem of time and culture!
Day 7 | Museum Marathon
Unveiling Athens’ Ancient Treasures: Our Thrilling Day Two! We started our day at the Library of Hadrian, and then journeyed to the Museum of Ancient Agora, where the Stoa of Attalos and the Temple of Hephaestus left us speechless. The latter part of the day led us to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus before immersing ourselves in the countless exhibitions, statues, and archaeological wonders of the Acropolis Museum. I wholeheartedly recommend savoring every moment in this museum, especially the Archaeological Excavation. As the day drew to a close, our evening was filled with enchanting walks and amazing culinary delights around the vibrant Psyri district. Athens is a city that does not disappoint!
Accommodations
Santorini
As mentioned, Oia is the most expensive part of the island to stay because of the tourist influence. However, the island of Santorini is full of different and beautiful villages. The western side of the island will bless you with beautiful sunset, volcano, and cliff views.
Where We Stayed
Our Imerovigli accommodation was perfectly & strategically located in the western/middle part of the island. It was only about 2 miles to Fira Square and 4.5 miles to Oia. Not only was it perfectly placed, but our host assisted us with our ATV rental and breakfast was also included (not sure if it still is – make sure to check before booking)! I would definitely recommend this stay, but ensure to book early since this place books out far in advance.
Click the listing image below to book this Imerovigli Villa!
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Mykonos
Our Mykonos hotel was wonderful. We had a beach view from our room, as well as pool access and a semi-private deck/balcony. The staff was very accommodating and the onsite restaurant was exquisite.
Athens
We could not have asked for a more perfectly located airbnb in Athens. Since there were so many sites to see here, we wanted to stay in a strategic location where walking would be the most viable option. Not only was this stay budget-friendly, but the view of the Acropolis from the rooftop of the building was priceless!
Click the image below to book this penthouse in with a stunning view of the Acropolis!
Transportation
Santorini
Our main form of transportation in Santorini was our ATV rental. We were lucky enough that our Airbnb host was able to assist us with pickup and dropoff right at our doorstep. We found that not only was this great for adventure-sake, but allowed us to park in many places, much easier than even a small car. ATV/Motorbike rentals are extremely popular around the island. Other ways to get around are by foot (but if you plan on visiting different parts of the island this might be impluasible), by bus, car rental, or utilizing taxis.
Mykonos
Since we did not spend much time in Mykonos, we primarily utilized taxis and hotel transfer to get around. The majority of our time was spent roaming around Old Town by foot. Other options to get around Mykonos include bus, biking, or taxis. While a car rental is technically possible, it can get quite expensive, parking around the island is tricky, and Mykonos Town is a car-free area – so this may not be the way to go.
Athens
Given that Athens is located on the ‘mainland’, the public transportation system is the best way to go. We actually were able to walk to most of our locations, as everything we wanted to see was fairly nearby.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Greece is an amazing place with wonderful people, culture, and views. I hope you enjoy it!
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