Plan the right week in Greece with our Athens Mykonos Santorini Itinerary which incorporates issues to do, the place to remain, and the way to journey round – all while not having to take a guided tour!
If you might be on the lookout for a traditional Greek island hopping itinerary that includes Athens Mykonos and Santorini (a few of the most iconic locations in Greece!) – then you definitely’re completely in the correct place!
This 7-Day Athens Mykonos Santorini Itinerary is the one information you’ll want that will help you go to these bucket checklist spots – all with out paying for a guided tour! AND, all conveniently positioned in a single place.
You’ll spend a few days in Athens Greece, a few days in Mykonos, and finish your unbelievable journey with sunsets in Santorini! It’s the right strategy to mix the Greek capital and a couple of of probably the most well-known Cyclades islands.
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Athens
Like all nice itineraries to Greece, they begin within the iconic capital metropolis. Athens! What I like most about Athens is how shut all the primary points of interest are to one another. It makes it straightforward to discover Athens (principally) on foot and see all the good things in a day or two leaving extra time for the primary occasion, Mykonos and Santorini!
Getting to Athens City Center From The Airport
Do your self a favor and e book an airport pick-up from Athens airport. It will prevent the time and stress of getting to get a taxi. And if yow will discover a taxi, it’s possible you’ll discover that the majority don’t settle for bank cards.
Booking an airport pickup additionally means you don’t need to arrive with Euros in hand for a taxi. The common price from the airport to town through taxi is usually round 60 euros. This can range by time of day and vacation spot within the metropolis, however you get the concept.
When it involves ride-share apps, Uber and FreeNow each function within the capital and elsewhere on the mainland. You can order vehicles whereas on the airport on arrival, though we will’t assure it received’t take you a number of tries as drivers can, and do cancel in the event that they get a greater provide.
We used Uber from the airport and FreeNow to schedule a automobile to take us to Rafina port for our early morning ferry – which price us €31.
If you wish to get monetary savings, you’ll be able to take public transport to town heart of Athens from the airport – the Metro M3 prices round €10 per individual, takes 16 minutes, and drops guests in Syntagma Square; likewise, the X95 bus drops you on the similar place, and prices round €6 per individual, however takes simply over 60 minutes.
Depending on the size of your flight, arrival time, and departure time for the ferry (and the way a lot baggage you might be comfy carrying), you may wish to splurge and go for a non-public or shared switch for door-to-door service.
Where to Stay in Athens:
- We stayed at Chic Centre Suites Athens. Located a brief stroll (500m) from Syntagma Square and meters from Ermou buying avenue, however on a quiet facet avenue, these self-contained flats with a fridge and primary cooking amenities have been the right base and inside strolling distance to all main points of interest.
Extra: If you keep right here – and even should you don’t, head across the nook to Street Souvlaki for very low-cost and scrumptious eats. (We ate right here 3 occasions!)
Day 1: Exploring Ancient Athens
Morning:
- Start your day with a go to to the long-lasting Acropolis, dwelling to well-known landmarks just like the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Take your time to wander round and soak within the historical past. (Remember to pre-book your timed entry slot – particularly if touring throughout the peak season months of July and August.)
- Head all the way down to the Acropolis Museum to see historical artifacts and study extra in regards to the historical past of Athens.
Lunch:
- Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a close-by taverna, my favourite is Zorbas in Plaka. Try some conventional Greek dishes like souvlaki or moussaka.
Afternoon:
- Stroll via the charming streets of Plaka, the previous historic neighborhood of Athens. Browse via the outlets and possibly decide up a memento or two.
- Visit the Ancient Agora, as soon as the guts of public life in Athens, the place you’ll be able to see the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus.
Evening:
- End your day with a stroll as much as Lycabettus Hill for a wide ranging sundown view over town. You can take a funicular up or get pleasure from a scenic hike.
- Nights in Athens name for dinner at a rooftop restaurant, reminiscent of 360 Cocktail Bar, with a view of the Acropolis lit up at night time.
Pro Tip: Get the Athens Combo Pass and achieve entry to all the long-lasting historic websites in Athens at a decreased value!
Day 2: Discovering Modern Athens
Morning:
- Start your day with a go to to the National Archaeological Museum, the place you’ll be able to see a few of the most necessary artifacts from Greek antiquity.
- Take a leisurely stroll via the National Garden, a inexperienced oasis within the coronary heart of town. It’s stunning, and among the best Free Things to do in Athens.
Lunch:
Afternoon:
- Explore the colourful Monastiraki neighborhood, identified for its flea market and vigorous ambiance. It’s an amazing place to buy antiques, crafts, and classic gadgets.
- Visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, one of many largest temples in historical Greece, and the close by Hadrian’s Arch.
Evening:
- Spend your night within the Psiri district, identified for its nightlife and eating choices. Choose a comfortable taverna, like Lithos Tavern for dinner and luxuriate in some stay Greek music.
- Take a stroll via the streets and soak within the vigorous ambiance earlier than calling it an evening.
Tips for Visiting Athens:
- Beware of Pickpockets: Like any main metropolis, Athens has its share of pickpockets, particularly in crowded areas and on public transportation. Keep your belongings safe and keep vigilant.
- Download Apps For Greece Travel: i.e. Free Now for Taxis and keep away from hailing a taxi on the road, obtain the Free Now app. It’s a handy strategy to e book a journey and get across the metropolis.
- Purchase Tickets in Advance: For main points of interest just like the Acropolis, it’s smart to purchase your tickets forward of time to keep away from lengthy traces on the ticket workplace.
- Expect Lines in Summer: Summer is the height vacationer season in Athens. Even with a ticket, be ready to attend in line to enter standard websites just like the Parthenon.
- Acropolis Ticket Tips: While you’ll be able to skip the ticket line by buying prematurely, you’ll nonetheless have to queue to enter the location. Arrive early (in your timeslot) to beat the crowds.
- Try Ouzo: When in Athens, don’t miss the possibility to attempt ouzo, a conventional Greek anise-flavored liqueur. It’s a quintessential a part of the native eating expertise.
- Stay Hydrated: Athens can get fairly scorching, particularly in the summertime. Carry a water bottle with you and keep hydrated all through the day.
- Use Public Transport: Athens has an in depth public transportation system, together with buses, trams, and the metro. It’s an inexpensive and environment friendly strategy to discover town.
Mykonos
Day 3: Athens to Mykonos
Morning:
- Start your day early and head to both Piraeus or Rafina Port in Athens, the place you’ll be able to catch a ferry to Mykonos Island.
- Ferries sometimes depart early within the morning, and we advocate pre-booking your ferry tickets.
- There is all the time visitors to the port, so go away your self loads of time.
- Enjoy the scenic ferry journey to Mykonos, which takes about 2.5 to five hours relying on the kind of ferry you select.
- Typically the quick ferry (2.5 hours) departs from Piraeus and is barely dearer than the one which takes 4.5 hours from Rafina.
- We took the slower ferry from Rafina, that means that we arrived at Mykonos barely later, hoping that our lodging could be prepared for check-in (and it was!). We additionally took the €2pp SeaBus from the port to the previous city, tickets are bought in money on the dock, positioned on the finish of the street on the way in which out of the port and alighting at Mykonos Town (third cease).
Where to remain in Mykonos: We stayed on the Matogianni Hotel, a stunning little 2* resort within the coronary heart of the Old Town, a 350m stroll from the Mykonos Town Seabus cease.
Afternoon:
- Arrive in Mykonos and verify into your lodging. Take a while to clean up and chill out.
- Begin exploring Mykonos Town (Chora). Wander via the slim, winding streets lined with white-washed buildings and vibrant bougainvillea. Don’t miss the long-lasting Windmills and the picturesque Little Venice space.
Lunch:
Evening:
- Head to a seaside like Psarou or Paradise Beach for some sunbathing and swimming within the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea.
- As the solar units, get pleasure from dinner at a seaside restaurant, like Apaggio Restaurant
- Experience Mykonos’ well-known nightlife by visiting one of many many bars or golf equipment within the city, just like the Scandinavian Bar.
Day 4: Exploring Mykonos
Morning:
- Start your day with a go to to the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, the place you’ll be able to study in regards to the island’s historical past and see artifacts from the close by island of Delos.
- Take a visit to the sacred island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage web site, identified for its archaeological ruins. Guided excursions can be found, and it’s a brief boat journey from Mykonos.
Lunch:
Afternoon:
- Spend the afternoon at one in all Mykonos’ well-known seashores. You can take the water taxi to Elia Beach!
- Alternatively, discover the charming village of Ano Mera, the place you’ll be able to go to the Panagia Tourliani Monastery and luxuriate in a quieter facet of Mykonos. To go to you’ll want to hire a automobile.
Evening:
- Head again to Mykonos Town for dinner. Choose a restaurant with a rooftop or seaside view to benefit from the sundown, an unbelievable alternative is 180 Sunset Bar.
Tips for Visiting Mykonos:
- Taxi App: Download the Movve It app for taxis, however take into account that taxis are costly and scarce on the island. Consider various transportation choices.
- Little Venice: Don’t miss the possibility to go to Little Venice, one of the picturesque areas in Mykonos, identified for its charming waterfront buildings.
- Prepare for Crowds: Mykonos is a well-liked vacation spot, particularly in the summertime months. Be able to navigate via crowds, significantly in vacationer hotspots.
- Best Time to Visit: If attainable, plan your journey for late September. The climate continues to be stunning, however the crowds have thinned out, making for a extra relaxed expertise.
- Beach Club Reservations: If you wish to go to standard seaside golf equipment like Paradise, make reservations prematurely. Without a reservation, you won’t get in.
- Be Mindful of Prices: Mykonos is without doubt one of the costliest Greek islands. Be ready for prime costs, particularly in eating places, golf equipment, and beachfront areas.
- Things to Avoid in Mykonos: Try to keep away from relying solely on taxis for transportation. Also, be cautious of overpriced vacationer traps, particularly in extremely trafficked areas.
- Stay Hydrated: The Greek solar will be intense, particularly in the summertime. Always carry water with you and keep hydrated all through the day.
Santorni
Day 5: Mykonos to Santorini
Morning:
- Check out of your lodging in Mykonos and head to the port to catch a ferry to Santorini Island. The ferry journey takes roughly 2 to three hours.
- NOTE: on arrival, the port can be absolute chaos. Make certain you’ve got pre-booked your switch to your resort AND that you just go to the correct storefront AND triple-check they’re the corporate you assume they’re.
- Upon arrival in Santorini, verify into your resort and take a while to settle in. Just a heads up, accommodations in Santorini – particularly in Oia – can be dear, however if you need the epic views out of your bed room window, it’s simply one thing it’s important to stump up the cash for.
Afternoon:
- There are loads of Things to do in Santorini, however we’d recommend beginning in Fira (particularly if you’re staying there).
- Begin exploring the island with a go to to Fira, the capital of Santorini. Wander via the slim streets, browse the outlets, and take within the panoramic views of the caldera.
- Visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira to study in regards to the island’s historical historical past and see artifacts from the Akrotiri excavation.
- Visit a neighborhood vineyard for a wine tasting session. Santorini is legendary for its Assyrtiko wine.
Evening:
- Santorini is an island for foodies, so be certain and e book a dinner at a highly-rated cliffside restaurant in Fira reminiscent of Ifestioni Restaurant. Here you should have sundown views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea.
Day 6: Exploring Santorini
Morning:
- Take a guided tour of the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, an historical Minoan settlement preserved in volcanic ash.
- Visit the Black Beach close to Akrotiri, identified for its distinctive black-colored sand and cliffs.
Lunch:
Afternoon:
- Explore the charming village of Pyrgos, which provides panoramic views of the island and a extra genuine take a look at Santorinian life.
Evening:
- Nights in Santorini imply watching a kind of well-known Santorini sunsets, which is especially gorgeous from the city of Oia within the North of Santorini Island. It’s a well-liked spot, so arrive early to safe an excellent viewing spot.
Day 7: Say Goodbye to Santorini
Morning:
- Start your day with a leisurely breakfast with a view.
- Spend the morning visiting any of the native outlets in your final day on the island.
Fly Back to Athens
The greatest strategy to get from Santorini to Athens in your final day is to fly! Especially in case your flight house is from Athens airport, and far faster than the ferry (1 hour flight vs 7 hours crusing!) Often yow will discover the most effective offers on flights on Skyscanner.
Tips for Visiting Santorini:
- Arrange Transport from the Ferry: Santorini will be busy, particularly in peak season. Arrange your transportation from the ferry port to your resort prematurely to keep away from delays.
- Prepare for Crowds: Especially should you’re staying in standard areas like Oia or Fira, be ready for crowds and visitors. Plan your journey occasions and routes accordingly.
- Best Time to Visit: Like Mykonos, late September is a good time to go to Santorini. The climate continues to be beautiful, and the island is much less crowded than within the peak summer time months.
- Make Reservations: Santorini is a well-liked vacation spot, so it’s smart to make reservations for every thing from accommodations to eating places and excursions, particularly should you’re visiting throughout the excessive season.
- Be Ready for Prices: Santorini is thought for its gorgeous views but in addition for its excessive costs. Budget accordingly for lodging, eating, and actions.
- Sunset Spots: Santorini is legendary for its sunsets, significantly in Oia. Arrive early to safe a great spot, as it could get very crowded.
- Comfortable Footwear: With its cobblestone streets and steps, comfy footwear is a should for exploring Santorini.
Wrapping Up our Athens Mykonos Santorini Itinerary:
As our 7-day Greece journey via Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini involves an in depth, we hope you’ve been impressed to discover these gorgeous areas for your self.
From the historic streets of Athens to the colourful shores of Mykonos and the breathtaking sunsets of Santorini, this itinerary is designed to immerse you within the magnificence and tradition of Greece.
Remember, every vacation spot holds its personal distinctive allure and secrets and techniques ready to be found. Safe travels, and should your journey be as stunning and fulfilling because the Greek Isles themselves!
And that’s a wrap. We hope our Athens Mykonos Santorini Itinerary has impressed your subsequent (or first!) journey to Greece and the Islands. And if of anybody planning their very own go to to Greece, please share this put up with them or on social media. Sharing is caring and we thanks prematurely!
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