Greece and Ibiza are a dream team: millennia-old history and whitewashed villages meet pine-scented coves and dance-till-dawn beach clubs. In Athens, marble temples and modern galleries sit side by side, while Santorini’s volcanic caldera frames sunsets that look painted by the gods. Then it’s on to Ibiza, where UNESCO-listed ramparts guard a harbor alive with tapas bars, yachts, and the island’s signature laid-back rhythm.

Expect bright sun, brilliant water, and Mediterranean flavors at every stop. Greece’s cuisine leans fresh and seasonal—think grilled octopus, island tomatoes, and Assyrtiko wines—while Ibiza adds Balearic seafood stews and rustic farm-to-table cooking to the mix. The euro is the currency in both countries; card payments are widely accepted, though a few cash euros help in markets and tiny kiosks.

Practical notes: peak season runs June–September; shoulder months (May and late September–October) are superb for ferries, beaches, and milder heat. Book ferries and inter-island flights early in summer. In Spain, many shops close mid-afternoon; late dinners are the norm. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a light scarf for churches/monasteries, and comfortable shoes—cobbled lanes and cliff paths reward good footing.

Athens

Days 1–4: Foundations of the Western World, Street Life, and Seaside Day Trips

Settle into the birthplace of democracy, where the Parthenon crowns a city buzzing with cafes, markets, and creative neighborhoods. Start early at the Acropolis to see the Pentelic marble glow, then wander into Plaka’s stone lanes and tiny Anafiotika, a pocket of Cycladic architecture beneath the rock.

Balance antiquity with the now: the Acropolis Museum floats glass floors over excavations; Psyrri and Exarchia brim with street art and indie boutiques; sunset from Lycabettus Hill is a classic. If you have an extra half-day, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center’s park and sea breezes make an urban escape.

• Top Sights & Activities (pick 2–3):

First Access Acropolis Tour, Beat the Crowds, Enjoy the Parthenon — enter right at opening with a licensed guide to see the Parthenon and the Caryatids before queues form. Ideal for history lovers and photographers.

Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum Guided Tour — a skip-the-line deep dive that links the ruins to the masterpieces housed in the museum.

Eating Athens: Our Big, Fat, Greek Food Tour — graze through Monastiraki and Psyrri with bites like koulouri, loukoumades, and regional cheeses while learning the stories behind them.

Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch — a relaxed Saronic Gulf sampler with island strolls and sea views, perfect if you’re craving a boat day.

• Food & Drink:
  • Breakfast/Coffee: Taf Coffee for single-origin pour-overs; Mokka Specialty Coffee for Greek coffee brewed in hot sand; Kora Bakery for superb croissants and sesame “koulouri.”
  • Lunch: Oinomageireio Epirus inside the Central Market for hearty stews; Kostas (since 1950) for classic pita souvlaki; Feyrouz for Levantine pies with Greek twists.
  • Dinner: Nolan for inventive Greek–Asian plates (get the cod fricassee); Seychelles for a lively neo-taverna vibe; Psaras Taverna in Plaka for grilled fish al fresco.
  • Drinks: The Clumsies (World’s 50 Best) for creative cocktails; Baba au Rum for rum-forward classics; rooftop nightcap at 360 Cocktail Bar with Acropolis views.
• Where to Stay:
  • Hotel Grande Bretagne — historic grandeur overlooking Syntagma and the Acropolis.
  • City Circus Athens — design-forward boutique/hostel hybrid in Psyrri.
  • Novotel Athens — modern comforts and rooftop pool.
  • Athens Backpackers — budget-friendly, steps from the Acropolis.
  • Browse more stays: VRBO Athens | Hotels.com Athens
• Logistics:
  • Getting in: Fly into ATH. Compare fares on Omio Flights (Europe). From major European hubs, nonstop flights are often 3–4 hours, ~$80–$220 in shoulder season.
  • Getting around: Walk/metro for the center; use taxis for late nights. Consider an early start for Acropolis (8:00 a.m. or earlier in summer).

Travel to Santorini (Day 5, morning): Fly ATH–JTR (45–55 minutes, typical fares ~$40–$120) via Omio Flights, or take a high-speed ferry from Piraeus (5–6 hours, ~$45–$90) via Omio Ferries. Morning departures maximize your first island afternoon.

Santorini

Days 5–7: Caldera Vistas, Cliffside Villages, and Volcanic Wine

Santorini’s crescent-shaped caldera is the dramatic result of a Bronze Age eruption; today, villages like Fira, Imerovigli, and Oia cling to the rim in white-and-blue harmony. Hike the cliff path from Fira to Oia (about 10 km, 3 hours) for endless Aegean views and stop for a lemonade under Imerovigli’s windmills.

Beach-hop to Perissa’s black sands or the rust-hued amphitheater of Red Beach near Akrotiri. Wine lovers should seek out Assyrtiko: vineyards are trained low in basket shapes to shield grapes from wind and sun, yielding zesty, mineral whites perfect with grilled fish.

• Top Sights & Activities (pick 1–2):

Best Skip Sky Tram Stress-Free Tour — an efficient orientation to cliffside highlights and viewpoints. Even if you’re not on a cruise, it’s a time-saving way to hit the icons with local insight.

• Local Gems: Tour Akrotiri’s prehistoric town (Europe’s “Pompeii” of the Aegean); sunset from Oia’s castle ruins; a winery duo—Venetsanos (terraced cliffs) and Santo Wines (caldera panoramas)—for tastings of Assyrtiko and vinsanto.
• Food & Drink:
  • Breakfast/Coffee: Pelican Kipos (garden brunch in Fira); Galini Café (Imerovigli views with your espresso); Lila Café for pastries near the caldera path.
  • Lunch: To Psaraki above Vlychada marina (catch of the day, tomato fritters); Akro Beach Bar by Akrotiri for a relaxed swim-and-lunch combo.
  • Dinner: Metaxi Mas in Exo Gonia (Cretan-Santorinian menu—book ahead); Anogi in Imerovigli (warm hospitality, slow-cooked lamb); sunset drinks at PK Cocktail Bar in Fira.
• Where to Stay:
  • Canaves Oia Hotel — iconic suites carved into the cliff in Oia.
  • Canaves Oia Suites | Canaves Oia Suites & Spa — plush, view-forward stays for a special occasion.
  • Aegean Plaza Hotel (Kamari) and Santo Miramare Resort (Perivolos) — beachfront options with easy swims.
  • Villa Manos — friendly, good-value base near Fira.
  • Browse more stays: VRBO Santorini | Hotels.com Santorini
• Logistics:
  • Public buses connect Fira with Oia, beaches, and Akrotiri; taxis can be scarce at sunset—book ahead if dining in Oia.

Travel to Ibiza (Day 8, morning): Fly JTR–IBZ with one connection (commonly via Barcelona, Madrid, or Athens). Total travel time ~5.5–8 hours including layover; fares ~$120–$250 in shoulder season. Compare routes on Omio Flights. Alternatively, fly JTR–ATH (45–55 minutes) then ATH–IBZ.

Ibiza

Days 8–12: Dalt Vila, Secret Coves, Formentera Waters, and Sunset Rituals

Ibiza balances bohemian spirit with classic Mediterranean ease. Start in UNESCO-listed Dalt Vila: climb the bastions for sweeping harbor views, then slip into the maze of whitewashed alleys for tapas. By day, seek “calas”—small coves with clear water and pine shade; by night, choose between starlit beach dinners or the island’s legendary clubs.

Save one day for Formentera: powdery beaches and turquoise shallows just south across the channel. The north of Ibiza is quieter—think hilltop churches, artisan villages, and orange groves—while the west is sunset central, with golden hours that turn the sea to glass.

• Top Sights & Activities (pick 2–4):

Sailing Catamaran Trip to Formentera — limited group sizes, sandy anchorages, and that surreal Formentera blue. Snorkel, paddle, and laze on deck.

Sunset Cruise VIP — paddle boards, snorkeling, and sundowners as the coastline glows. A perfect first-evening welcome to the island.

Ibiza Secret Spots 4x4 Tour — local guides whisk you to hidden viewpoints, coves, and dirt tracks most visitors never see.

Es Vedrà Catamaran Cruise — glide along the southwest coast toward the mythic rock of Es Vedrà, stopping for swims in translucent coves.

• Local Gems: Watch sunset from Hostal La Torre’s cliffs; explore Santa Gertrudis for galleries and cheese-and-serrano sandwiches at Bar Costa; stroll Las Dalias market (weekends; summer nights). For a classic viewpoint, head to Cala d’Hort to gaze at Es Vedrà from shore.
• Food & Drink:
  • Breakfast/Coffee: Passion Café (smoothies and hearty brunch, multiple locations); Croissant Show by the ramparts; La Paloma Café in San Lorenzo for garden breakfasts.
  • Lunch: Fish Shack (no-frills, feet-in-the-sand by Talamanca—fresh catch only); Cala Bonita (cove-side rice dishes); El Bigotes in Cala Mastella (book ahead for bullit de peix, the fishermen’s stew).
  • Dinner: Casa Maca (farm-to-table with Dalt Vila views); Can Pilot in San Rafael (wood-fired steaks and local crowd); BAMBUDDHA (temple-like setting, Asian-Med menu, buzzing scene).
  • Nightlife: Iconic clubs (Pacha, Amnesia) run late; for a laid-back evening, try S’Escalinata’s cushions on the steps in Dalt Vila with a spritz and olives.
• Where to Stay:
  • Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay — polished beachfront in Talamanca with two pools and a spa.
  • Hostal Juanita — budget-friendly, walkable to Ibiza Town’s marina and ramparts.
  • Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort & Spa — family-friendly all-inclusive in Playa d’en Bossa.
  • Browse more stays: VRBO Ibiza | Hotels.com Ibiza
• Logistics:
  • Rent a small car to reach remote calas; parking fills by midday in summer—arrive early. Taxis are reliable; buses link major towns and beaches.

Suggested Pace Overview

• Days 1–4 (Athens): Acropolis and museum; food tour and central market; one day trip (Hydra–Poros–Aegina cruise or Delphi); neighborhood evenings (Plaka, Psyrri, Koukaki).
• Days 5–7 (Santorini): Fira–Oia hike; caldera sunset; beach + winery day; Akrotiri ruins and Red Beach; dinner in Exo Gonia or Imerovigli.
• Days 8–12 (Ibiza): Dalt Vila and tapas; catamaran to Formentera; secret-cove 4x4 tour; Es Vedrà cruise; free day for beach clubs or north-island villages; finale sunset.

Getting Between Cities & Booking Transport

• International/European flights: Compare options on Omio Flights. Typical intra-Europe fares run ~$80–$250 depending on season and baggage.
• Greek ferries: Timetables vary by season; high-speed boats sell out mid-summer. Check and book via Omio Ferries.
• European trains/buses (if extending): Use Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Summary: In 12 days, you’ll stand where philosophers debated, sip mineral-bright wines above a sunken volcano, and float in turquoise bays on a catamaran. This Greece and Ibiza itinerary balances culture, cuisine, beaches, and just enough adventure to keep you smiling long after the sun sets.