7 Days in Greece: Athens’ Ancient Wonders and Santorini’s Sunset Magic

A weeklong Greece itinerary blending Acropolis history, island-hopping romance, and unforgettable food—from Athenian markets to a Santorini catamaran at golden hour.
Expansive aerial view capturing the dense cityscape of Athens, Greece.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels

Greece rewards the curious. In Athens, democracy and drama were forged beneath marble columns, while today’s city hums with galleries, inventive bistros, and late-night cafés. A short hop away, Santorini rises from the Aegean—a crescent of volcanic cliffs where whitewashed villages cascade toward a cobalt sea.

Across this 7-day Greece itinerary you’ll trace 2,500 years of history from the Acropolis to the Cyclades. Expect ancient temples, street art, market feasts, and a sunset sail past crimson and white beaches. We’ve woven together cultural icons with local favorites, from neighborhood bakeries to family-run tavernas.

Practical notes: summers are hot and busy—book ferries, flights, and museum tickets in advance. Tap-to-pay works widely, though small cash for kiosks is handy. Watch your belongings in metro hubs like Syntagma and Monastiraki, and pack layers for breezy island evenings.

Athens

Few capitals feel as lived-in and layered as Athens. The city’s spine is the Acropolis, crowned by the Parthenon; below, winding lanes of Plaka and Anafiotika feel like a hillside island village. Creative energy thrives in Psyrri and Koukaki—murals, maker studios, and wine bars tucked into neoclassical facades.

  • Top sights: Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Panathenaic Stadium, Syntagma’s changing of the guard, National Archaeological Museum.
  • Local flavor: Morning koulouri (sesame bread rings) and freddo espresso, long lunches of grilled octopus and fava, and rooftop cocktails facing the Parthenon.
  • Fun fact: The stadium that hosted the first modern Olympics (1896) is built entirely from marble.

Where to stay (Athens):

Getting in and around: Fly into ATH. For Europe routes search Omio flights; for long-haul from outside Europe check Trip.com flights. Metro Line 3 reaches Syntagma/Monastiraki (~40 min, ~€9). A taxi to center runs ~€40–50 day rate.

Santorini

Volcanic drama meets Cycladic elegance. Fira clings to the caldera rim; Imerovigli perches quietly with breathtaking angles; Oia stages the Aegean’s most photographed sunset. Inland, Pyrgos and Megalochori offer stone lanes, blue-domed churches, and slow-lunch tavernas.

  • Top sights: Caldera cliff path (Fira–Imerovigli–Oia), Ammoudi Bay, Red and White Beaches (by boat), Akrotiri Bronze Age site, wineries at Santo Wines and Venetsanos.
  • Local flavor: Try tomato keftedes, white aubergine, capers, and assyrtiko wines born of volcanic soils.
  • Good to know: Beaches are pebbly/volcanic—bring water shoes. Winds can be brisk even in summer.

Where to stay (Santorini):

Getting there from Athens: Fly (45–55 min; typical €45–120 one-way in season; search Omio flights) or ferry (4.5–8 hrs depending on speed; ~€40–85; check Omio ferries). Morning departures are best to maximize your day.

Day 1: Arrival in Athens, Plaka Stroll, and Athenian Flavors

Afternoon: Land in Athens and drop bags at your hotel. Stretch your legs through Plaka’s flower-draped lanes and the tiny whitewashed quarter of Anafiotika—masons from the island of Anafi built it in the 19th century, echoing Cycladic style beneath the Acropolis.

Evening: Dinner in Psyrri or Monastiraki. Try Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani for cured meats, cheeses, and pastirma pie; Nolan for Greek-Asian plates like sea bass with yuzu and fennel; or Oinomageiremata for homestyle meze. Nightcap at The Clumsies (Top 50 bars globally) for a Greek botanical cocktail, or Brettos in Plaka for a rainbow of house-distilled spirits.

Day 2: Acropolis, Parthenon, and the Acropolis Museum (Guided)

Spend your day with a small-group deep dive that includes priority entry—an efficient way to unlock context and avoid long lines.

Athens All Included: Acropolis and Museum Guided Tour with Ticket — Explore the Parthenon, the slopes of the Acropolis, and the glass-floored Acropolis Museum where artifacts hover over excavations.

Athens All Included: Acropolis and Museum Guided Tour with Ticket on Viator

Post-tour lunch: Head to Kafeneio Ivis in Psyrri for grilled sardines and Cretan greens, or Kostas near Syntagma for a classic pork souvlaki wrapped in warm pita with tomato and parsley. Gelato at Django in Monastiraki keeps the energy up for a gentle wander through the Ancient Agora at golden hour.

Day 3: Markets, Bites, and a Temple by the Sea

Morning: Coffee at Taf or Dope Roasting downtown—both roast their own beans. Then join a guided tasting stroll through Varvakios Market and surrounding streets: sesame-coated koulouri, feta from mountain dairies, loukoumades drizzled with thyme honey.

Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens — A flavorful orientation to Athens’ pantry, ideal early in the trip for dining confidence.

Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens on Viator

Afternoon: Stroll the National Garden to the Panathenaic Stadium; pop into the Benaki Museum if you crave more art and artifacts. Snack on spanakopita from Ariston Bakery (since 1910) and a freddo cappuccino to beat the heat.

Evening (sunset): Trade city buzz for sea breeze at the clifftop Temple of Poseidon. The Doric columns flame bronze at dusk, and on clear days you can pick out Aegean islets scattered to the horizon.

Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour — Comfortable transport, expert guide, and a sunset you’ll remember.

Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour from Athens on Viator

Day 4: Morning Travel to Santorini, Caldera Views, and Imerovigli Sunset

Morning: Fly ATH–JTR (~50 min; usually €45–120; search Omio flights) or take a high-speed ferry from Piraeus (~4.5–6 hrs; ~€70–85; Omio ferries). Check in and unwind.

Afternoon: Explore Fira’s cliffside lanes and the Archaeological Museum for Cycladic figurines and wall-painting fragments. Espresso with a view at Vitrin Café in Firostefani or Lila Café in Fira.

Evening: Walk the scenic path to Imerovigli and the buttress of Skaros Rock for a low-key sunset with fewer crowds than Oia. Dinner nearby: Avocado for relaxed Greek-Med plates; Athenian House for modern Hellenic tasting menus with an exquisite terrace; or local taverna fare at Pirouni. Dessert? Bougatsa with custard and cinnamon at a bakery in Fira.

Day 5: Sail the Caldera—Beaches, Hot Springs, and BBQ at Sea

See Santorini from the water on a small-group catamaran. You’ll skirt the multi-hued cliffs, drop anchor by Red Beach and the White Beach, and swim near the volcano’s warm springs. Onboard BBQ, Greek salads, and open bar make this an easy, memorable day.

Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers

Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers on Viator

Post-cruise dinner options: Metaxi Mas in Exo Gonia (beloved for smoky cheeses, fava, and slow-braised lamb), Pelican Kipos in Fira (garden setting with deep local wine list), or Ammoudi Bay’s shoreline tavernas for same-day catch grilled over charcoal.

Day 6: Fira–Oia Hike, Village Hopping, and Winery Sunset

Morning: Take the cliff path from Fira to Oia (10 km; 2.5–3.5 hours), passing tiny chapels and panoramic viewpoints. Wear sun protection and good shoes; start early to beat the heat.

Afternoon: Cool down with a swim at Katharos beach near Oia (pebbly, quiet) or browse Boutari ceramics and small galleries. For lunch, Pitogyros in Oia serves excellent gyros and skewers; Ammoudi Fish Tavern sets you right on the water for grilled calamari and tomato fritters.

Evening: Wine tasting at Santo Wines above the caldera—order a flight heavy on assyrtiko to taste the mineral bite of volcanic terroir—and watch the sky turn apricot. Dinner back in Oia or Fira; for cocktails with a view, try PK Cocktail Bar in Fira. Night owls can continue to Two Brothers Bar for music into the small hours.

Day 7: Santorini Slow Morning, Then Homeward

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Galini Café in Firostefani or a plate of yogurt, fruit, and honey at a caldera-view terrace. Pick up edible souvenirs: capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and a bottle of assyrtiko.

Afternoon: Fly Santorini–Athens (~50 min; Omio flights) to connect with your onward flight, or take a morning high-speed ferry if you prefer the sea (Omio ferries). Build buffer time for summer crowds and potential winds.

Dining Cheat Sheet (Save for Later)

  • Athens coffee/breakfast: Taf Coffee (specialty roasts), Kora Bakery (buttery croissants and sourdough), Koulouri of Psyrri (classic sesame rings).
  • Athens lunch: Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani (delicatessen plates), Linou Soumpasis & Sia (seasonal Greek cooking), Diporto (old-school retsina cellar; order whatever’s on the pot).
  • Athens dinner/drinks: Nolan (creative Greek-Asian), To Kati Allo (casual taverna near Acropolis), The Clumsies or Heteroclito (Greek varietal wine bar).
  • Santorini bites: Pitogyros (gyros in Oia), Metaxi Mas (Exo Gonia), Pelican Kipos (Fira), Sunset Ammoudi or Dimitris (Ammoudi Bay seafood).

Optional Add-Ons (from Athens, if you extend)

  • Day cruise to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina (easy island sampler; check Omio ferries if traveling independently).
  • Full-day Delphi or Meteora with a licensed guide if you have an extra day.

Booking Shortcuts

All Tours Linked in This Itinerary

Insider tip: For summer (June–September), book Acropolis slots early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun. On windy days (meltemi), ferries can be choppy—consider flying between Athens and Santorini.

In a single week, you’ll step through millennia in Athens and float along Santorini’s volcanic arc at sunset. With thoughtful pacing, great food, and smart transport, this Greece trip delivers both depth and daydreams—leaving you eager to return and explore more islands and myths.

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