Greece · Greece
Greece in 10 Days: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini
Three nights in Athens for the Acropolis and the old town, four nights on Mykonos for Little Venice, the beaches and a Delos day trip, and three nights on Santorini for Oia’s sunset, the volcano boat and Ancient Akrotiri.
Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsOverview
This is the classic first-timer’s Greece route for a reason: a working capital city built around a 2,500-year-old temple, a Cycladic party-and-beach island with genuine architectural charm in Little Venice, and a volcanic caldera with the most photographed sunset in the country. Ten days is enough to do all three without turning the trip into an airport-and-ferry-terminal relay.
If you only take one thing from this guide: do not try to island-hop by ferry on the same day you also want to see something. Treat travel days as travel days; Athens to Mykonos and Mykonos to Santorini both eat most of an afternoon once port transfers and check-in are counted, even on the fast catamarans.
Best for
First-time Greece visitors · Couples · Honeymooners · History plus island time · Photography
Daily itinerary
10 days
Most Greece itineraries either stay on the mainland or island-hop without a real city stop. This route deliberately front-loads Athens for the culture and museums, then uses the Cyclades ferry network to reach a lively beach island and a volcanic one, so the trip has contrast built in rather than three similar stops back to back.
Best time to visit
May to mid-June and September to early October are the sweet spots for this whole route: warm enough for swimming on both islands, without the July and August heat that makes the Acropolis punishing at midday and pushes Mykonos and Santorini to capacity.
- April to May: Mild in Athens, sea still cool on the islands; good light for photography, some island businesses not yet open.
- June: Excellent across all three stops: warm sea, long days, before peak-season prices.
- July to August: Very hot in Athens, busiest and most expensive on the islands; visit the Acropolis at opening time and book everything on Mykonos and Santorini ahead.
- September: Warmest sea of the year on both islands with softening crowds; often the single best month for this route.
- October: Mild and quiet; some island hotels and boat trips begin closing after mid-month, so this favors an earlier trip.
Things worth knowing
- Athens Epidaurus Festival (June to August): ancient drama, music and dance staged below the Acropolis.
- Orthodox Easter (spring): processions and candlelit services across Athens and both islands.
- Ifestia festival, Santorini (late August): a reenactment of the island’s volcanic eruption with fireworks over the caldera.
Where to stay
Plaka and central Athens
The old town beneath the Acropolis and the obvious base for the Athens leg: walkable lanes, the Anafiotika quarter, and easy access to Syntagma’s metro line to the airport and Piraeus.
Best for: First-time visitors · Walking to the Acropolis · Onward transport
Some restaurants on the main tourist lanes are overpriced; a street or two off the main strip fixes this.
Mykonos Town (Chora)
The whitewashed maze at the heart of the island: the Kato Mili windmills, the cafe-lined waterfront of Little Venice, and the ferry and boat connections to Delos, all within a compact, walkable core.
Best for: First-time visitors · Nightlife · Delos day trip
Narrow lanes get genuinely crowded at peak season evenings; luggage over cobblestones is awkward.
South-coast beaches (Platys Gialos, Psarou, Ornos)
Mykonos’ organized beach strip: a run of beach clubs and hotels linked by water taxi in season, a short drive or bus ride from Mykonos Town.
Best for: Beach clubs · Families · A calmer base than Chora
Beach-club sunbeds and service get expensive in July and August; the water-taxi network only runs in season.
Oia, Santorini
The postcard village at the island’s northern tip: cave houses cut into the caldera cliff and the castle ruins where the famous sunset crowd gathers. Beautiful, small and the most crowded, expensive base on the island.
Best for: Honeymooners · Sunset · Photography
Sunset hour is genuinely packed at the castle in summer; day-trip buses arrive from late morning.
Fira and Imerovigli, Santorini
The island’s capital and its highest caldera-rim point, connected by a walkable stretch of the caldera-edge path: the wider choice of restaurants, the cable car to the old port, and quieter sunset spots than Oia.
Best for: Convenience · A calmer caldera view · Restaurants
Cruise-ship days flood the Fira caldera path with day-trippers from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
Where to sleep
New Hotel, Athens
design · Between Syntagma and Plaka
Best for: Design lovers · A central Athens base · Rooftop dining
- A Design Hotels property by Fernando and Humberto Campana, built with salvaged materials from the former Olympic Palace Hotel
- A short walk to Syntagma Square, Plaka and the Acropolis
- Rooftop bar and restaurant with city views
- Design-forward interiors will not suit travelers who want a classic neoclassical feel
- Smaller rooms in some categories for the price point
Little Venice Suites
luxury · Little Venice, Mykonos Town
Best for: Couples · Little Venice and windmill views · A romantic base
- Steps from the windmills and Little Venice’s cafe-lined waterfront
- Suites with private indoor or outdoor hot tubs and Aegean views
- 24-hour concierge for restaurant and boat bookings
- No pool on site; guests use the beach and beach clubs instead
- Small property, so peak-season dates sell out early
Vencia Boutique Hotel
boutique · Agios Elefterios, on the edge of Mykonos Town
Best for: Couples · A quieter walk-in base than central Chora · Sunset from the pool
- A family-run boutique hotel operating for around four decades
- A widely praised infinity pool with panoramic island and sunset views
- On-site Karavaki restaurant, so evenings do not require going back into town
- A 10-minute walk rather than a doorstep location in Mykonos Town
- Steps and terraced grounds are not easy with heavy luggage
Petasos Beach Resort & Spa
resort · Platys Gialos, Mykonos
Best for: Beach-club access · A calmer base than Chora · Spa
- A private peninsula between Platys Gialos and Psarou with direct beach access
- A 500-square-metre wellness centre with thalassotherapy and a hammam
- A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member with a saltwater infinity pool
- A bus, taxi or water taxi is needed to reach Mykonos Town
- Beachfront rooms and cabanas command a large premium in July and August
Andronis Boutique Hotel
luxury · Oia, Santorini
Best for: Honeymooners · Caldera views · Adults-only quiet
- 24 recently renovated suites and villas perched on the Oia caldera cliff
- Private terraces with hot tubs and Aegean views
- On-site Lauda Restaurant and the Mare Sanus spa
- Adults-only, so it does not work for a family leg of the trip
- Among the more expensive properties in Oia, and books out early for peak dates
Essential experiences
Acropolis and the Parthenon
The 5th-century-BC citadel above Athens, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike; inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
Acropolis Museum
A modern museum built directly over an excavated ancient neighborhood, holding finds from the Acropolis including Parthenon-era sculpture.
Kato Mili windmills, Mykonos
A row of stone windmills on a treeless hill at the edge of Mykonos Town, once used to grind grain in the island’s strong winds; the most photographed skyline in the Cyclades.
Little Venice, Mykonos
A row of white houses with wooden balconies built directly over the sea, once a haunt of merchants and smugglers; now the island’s best-known sunset spot for a waterfront drink.
Delos archaeological site
A small uninhabited island near Mykonos holding one of the richest archaeological sites in Greece, mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis; inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990.
Oia Castle and the caldera sunset point
The ruined Venetian castle above Oia’s harbour is Santorini’s most famous sunset viewpoint, looking straight down the caldera toward the volcano.
Ancient Akrotiri
A remarkably preserved Bronze Age Minoan settlement buried by the same eruption that formed the Santorini caldera, sometimes called the "Pompeii of the Aegean."
Food & drink
- Souvlaki and gyros: Grilled skewered meat or spit-roasted meat in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki; Athens’ signature street food.
- Moussaka: Layered baked eggplant, spiced minced meat and béchamel; a classic taverna main across all three stops.
- Fava: A puree of Santorini’s yellow split peas, usually topped with capers and red onion; the island’s signature dish.
- Kopanisti: A spicy, spreadable fermented cheese from Mykonos, usually served with rusks or bread as a meze.
- Grilled fresh fish and seafood meze: The standard long lunch on both islands, priced by weight and best ordered at a waterside taverna.
Dinner runs late everywhere on this route, often from 9pm; the most reliable tavernas are usually a street or two off the busiest tourist lanes in each town.
Where to eat
Diporto Agoras
institutionA no-sign basement taverna operating near the Central Market since 1887, with two doors (hence the name) and a short, unchanging menu of horiatiki, gigantes and the day’s stew.
Last researched 2026-07-15
Interni
fine-diningA garden restaurant in the Matoyiannia lanes, running as a dinner-into-nightlife destination since 2000; Mediterranean cooking with cocktails and music later in the evening.
Last researched 2026-07-15
Kiki’s Tavern
casualA no-website, no-phone, no-reservations shack behind Agios Sostis beach on the island’s quieter north coast; arrive well before opening, since it closes once the food runs out for the day.
Last researched 2026-07-15
Kapari Wine Restaurant
fine-diningA courtyard restaurant within a small Imerovigli hotel, overlooking the caldera cliffs, with a contemporary Mediterranean menu built around Santorini produce and wine.
Last researched 2026-07-15
Sunrises
Kato Mili windmills, Mykonos Town
The windmill hill faces the harbor and catches the first light before Mykonos Town’s lanes wake up and the day boats start arriving.
May to October
Pyrgos castle viewpoint, Santorini
The hilltop ruins above Pyrgos face east over the island’s interior and the sea beyond, well away from the caldera-facing crowds.
Year-round
Sunsets
Oia Castle, Santorini
The classic Santorini sunset and the reason most visitors build a trip around this route: the ruined castle above Oia’s harbour, looking straight down the caldera as the sun drops into the sea.
Year-round, best April to October · Wide shots down the caldera work best; expect to shoot around other people’s heads at peak times.
Little Venice, Mykonos
The row of waterfront houses catches the sunset directly over the sea; the bars built into the old buildings are the standard place to watch it with a drink.
Year-round, best May to October · Front-row tables fill quickly in high season; arrive 30 to 45 minutes early.
Areopagus Hill, Athens
A free, unticketed marble outcrop beside the Acropolis entrance, with the floodlit Parthenon catching the last light directly in front of you.
Year-round · The marble is slippery when worn smooth or wet; wear shoes with grip.
Day trips
Delos from Mykonos
A half-day boat trip to the small, uninhabited island of Delos: the Terrace of the Lions, the Sacred Lake and one of the richest archaeological sites in the Aegean.
About 30 to 40 minutes each way by boat · Half day
Nea Kameni volcano and Palea Kameni hot springs, Santorini
A half-day boat excursion into the caldera: a walk up the still-warm Nea Kameni crater, then a swim at the naturally heated Palea Kameni hot springs.
About 15 to 20 minutes by boat to Nea Kameni · Half day
Ancient Akrotiri and Red Beach, Santorini
Combine the Bronze Age ruins of Ancient Akrotiri with a swim or photo stop at the nearby red-sand, red-cliff beach.
About 20 to 30 minutes by car from Fira · Half day
Daily itinerary
Ten days in Greece: Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
Three nights in Athens, four on Mykonos, three on Santorini. Book both inter-island ferries ahead in high season.
- 1
Arrive in Athens
relaxedArrive at Athens International Airport; Metro Line 3 into the center and check into a Plaka or Syntagma-area hotel.A simple taverna lunch near Syntagma while getting oriented.Wander Plaka’s lanes and the small Anafiotika quarter to shake off the flight.Areopagus Hill, the free marble outcrop beside the Acropolis entrance.A backstreet taverna in Plaka.An early night before the Acropolis the next morning.Metro Line 3 runs directly from the airport to Syntagma in about 40 minutes.Estimate: If the flight lands late, skip the afternoon walk and rest before day 2.
- 2
The Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum
fullTimed-entry Acropolis visit at opening time, then the Acropolis Museum.A taverna in Koukaki, a short walk from the museum.The Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus.Lycabettus Hill by funicular for the wide view over the lit-up Acropolis.Diporto Agoras near the Central Market for something unpretentious and historic.A slow walk back through Monastiraki.Everything today is walkable from a central Athens base.Estimate: Swap the funicular for the National Archaeological Museum if the heat is heavy.
- 3
Monastiraki morning, then ferry to Mykonos
moderateThe Monastiraki flea market and a last coffee in Plaka; pack for the ferry.A quick souvlaki near Monastiraki before heading to Piraeus.High-speed ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos.First evening light over Mykonos Town from the harbor.A simple dinner near the old port while settling in.An early night after the ferry crossing.Book the Piraeus to Mykonos high-speed ferry (SeaJets or Blue Star Ferries) ahead for July and August; crossing time is roughly 3 to 5 hours depending on the vessel.Estimate: Fly Athens to Mykonos instead of the ferry to cut the transfer to about 40 minutes.
- 4
Mykonos Town: windmills and Little Venice
moderateWander Mykonos Town’s lanes; the Kato Mili windmills at the edge of town.Lunch in Mykonos Town.Little Venice and the harbor-front lanes.Little Venice, the classic Mykonos sunset over the water.Interni in Matoyiannia for a longer dinner.Mykonos Town’s bars and boutiques.Fully walkable within Mykonos Town.Estimate: Swap Interni for a simpler taverna if the nightlife scene is not the priority.
- 5
South-coast beach day
relaxedBus, taxi or hotel shuttle to Platys Gialos or Psarou for a beach morning.A beach-club lunch at Platys Gialos or Psarou.Water taxi between the south-coast beaches, or head to Agios Sostis for something quieter.Back in Mykonos Town, or from the north coast if you stayed at Agios Sostis.A relaxed dinner in Mykonos Town.A quieter night after a beach day.Water taxis run between the south-coast beaches in season; a rental ATV covers Agios Sostis and the north coast.Estimate: Time Agios Sostis for an early lunch at Kiki’s Tavern instead of dinner; it has no reservations and closes when the food runs out.
- 6
Delos day trip
moderateBoat to Delos from Mykonos Town’s old port.Pack a snack; food options on Delos itself are very limited.The Terrace of the Lions, the Sacred Lake and the archaeological museum before the last boat back.Back in Mykonos Town for the evening.A relaxed dinner in Mykonos Town.An early night before the transfer to Santorini.Boats to Delos run roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way and stop by early-to-mid afternoon; check the last return time before you go.Estimate: Swap Delos for a second beach day if ancient ruins are not a priority for the group.
- 7
Ferry to Santorini and the caldera rim
moderateA free morning in Mykonos; a last swim or market wander.Lunch before the ferry.Direct high-speed ferry from Mykonos to Santorini, arriving at Athinios port.Settle into Fira or Imerovigli in time for the first caldera sunset.A caldera-view dinner in Fira or Imerovigli.A walk along the caldera-edge path once the day-trip crowds clear.The direct Mykonos to Santorini ferry (SeaJets) runs seasonally and takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours; book ahead in high season.Estimate: If the direct island ferry is not running that day, route back via Piraeus, adding roughly half a day.
- 8
Oia
fullBus or taxi to Oia; wander the lanes before the day-trip buses peak.A fish taverna down the steps at Ammoudi Bay.Oia’s galleries and blue-domed churches.Oia Castle, arriving at least an hour early in high season.A reserved table in Oia.Stay for the quiet once the sunset crowd thins.Local bus or taxi from Fira; parking in Oia is very limited in summer.Estimate: Skip the Ammoudi steps and eat in Oia village itself if mobility is a concern.
- 9
Volcano boat and hot springs
fullBoat trip to the Nea Kameni volcanic crater; hike the crater rim.A light lunch on the boat or back in Fira.A swim at the Palea Kameni hot springs, then rest by the pool.Skaros Rock below Imerovigli, a quieter alternative to Oia.Kapari Wine Restaurant in Imerovigli.A slow evening on the caldera rim.The volcano boat trip is organized from Fira’s old port, Ammoudi or Athinios; book ahead in high season.Estimate: Swap the volcano hike for a full beach day at Kamari or Perissa if the group prefers not to hike in the heat.
- 10
Ancient Akrotiri, Red Beach and departure
moderateAncient Akrotiri archaeological site.A taverna near Kamari or Perissa.Red Beach, or a last swim on the black-sand coast.Departure via Santorini airport or the evening ferry.A rental car or ATV makes this day much easier; buses run less frequently to Akrotiri.Estimate: With an eleventh day, add Ancient Thera and a full beach day at Perissa before departing.
Getting around
- Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH) connects to the center by Metro Line 3, about 40 minutes to Syntagma.
- Piraeus, Athens’ main port, connects to Mykonos and Santorini; high-speed operators such as SeaJets reach Mykonos in around 2 hours 40 minutes and Santorini in around 5 to 6 hours, with conventional operators such as Blue Star Ferries and Golden Star Ferries running slower, cheaper alternatives.
- A direct seasonal high-speed ferry (SeaJets) links Mykonos and Santorini in roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, avoiding a return to the mainland.
- Both islands also have their own airports (Mykonos JMK, Santorini/Thira JTR) with short flights from Athens, a faster but pricier alternative to the ferry.
- Central Athens (Plaka, Syntagma, Monastiraki) is compact and walkable; the Metro reaches the airport and Piraeus directly.
- Mykonos Town is walkable and largely car-free; KTEL buses and water taxis (in season) reach the south-coast beaches, and a rental ATV or car helps for Agios Sostis and the north coast.
- On Santorini, KTEL green buses connect Fira to Oia, Akrotiri and the beach towns; the Fira cable car reaches the old port in minutes, and a rental car or ATV is the most flexible way to reach the volcano boats and Akrotiri.
Things worth knowing
- · Booking a same-day ferry connection with a tight flight or hotel check-in on the other end.
- · Not booking the Mykonos to Santorini direct ferry ahead in July and August, when it sells out and seats default to a return via Piraeus.
- · Visiting the Acropolis at midday in summer without water, a hat or shade.
- · Arriving at Oia Castle right at sunset instead of an hour early in high season.
Budget
| Low | Expected | Comfortable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation style / per night | €70 | €165 | €400 |
| Food style / per day | €25 | €50 | €100 |
| Local transport / per day | €8 | €30 | €60 |
| Estimate / per day | €10 | €25 | €50 |
Estimate · EUR · 2026-07-15. Accommodation is per room per night (two sharing); Athens runs at the low end of this range, Mykonos and Santorini caldera-view rooms routinely push toward or past the "comfortable" figure in July and August. Ferry fares between Piraeus, Mykonos and Santorini (roughly 40 to 100 euros per person per crossing in high season) are not included in the daily bands above. Shoulder-season figures overall.
Things worth knowing
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough for Athens, Mykonos and Santorini?
Yes, with a structure like three nights in Athens, four on Mykonos and three on Santorini. Any shorter and the ferry transfer days start to dominate the trip.
Should you visit Mykonos or Santorini first?
Either works, but doing Mykonos before Santorini lets you use the direct seasonal ferry between the two islands, rather than routing back through Piraeus.
Should you take the ferry or fly between Athens and the islands?
The ferry is cheaper and lets you enjoy Piraeus and the Aegean crossing, but takes 3 to 6 hours depending on the vessel and destination. Flying (Athens to Mykonos or Santorini) takes under an hour but costs more and adds an extra airport transfer.
When is the best time for this itinerary?
May to mid-June and September to early October: warm enough to swim on both islands, without the July and August heat and crowds that make the Acropolis and Oia Castle genuinely difficult at peak times.
Do you need a rental car for this trip?
No car is needed in Athens or in the town centers of Mykonos and Santorini. A rental car or ATV for a day or two on each island makes it much easier to reach Agios Sostis, Ancient Akrotiri and the volcano boat departure points.
Sources (5)
- Acropolis of Athens inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 · unesco · 2026-07-15
- Delos inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990 · unesco · 2026-07-15
- Mykonos overview, attractions and practical information · tourism-board · 2026-07-15
- Ancient Akrotiri, Bronze Age Minoan settlement preserved under volcanic ash on Santorini · government · 2026-07-15
- Ferry routes and schedules connecting Piraeus, Mykonos and Santorini · ferry · 2026-07-15