Greece blends 4,000+ years of history with island living and Mediterranean flavors. In one week, you’ll trace the footsteps of philosophers at the Acropolis, then swap marble for volcanic cliffs in Santorini’s caldera—where sunsets wash the sky in copper and rose.

Expect timeless ruins, museum masterpieces, and neighborhoods stitched with Byzantine churches and neoclassical mansions. On the plate: grilled octopus, meze, just-fried loukoumades, and wines rooted in volcanic soil. Coffee culture is strong; so is hospitality.

Practical notes: museums often open early, summer sun is intense (carry water, hat, SPF), and ferries can be wind-affected (Meltemi). Card is common, but keep some euros for kiosks and taxis. Build a little buffer for potential transportation strikes or weather delays.

Athens

Athens is Europe’s open-air classroom: a city where democracy and drama took shape, yet street art and third-wave coffee feel thoroughly modern. From the Parthenon’s perfect proportions to tavernas tucked into ivy-wrapped alleys, the city rewards slow wandering.

Base yourself around Syntagma, Plaka, or Koukaki for easy walks to the Acropolis and museums. Evenings mean rooftop cocktails with floodlit ruins, and maybe a concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus if your dates align.

• Top sights: Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, National Archaeological Museum, Panathenaic Stadium, changing of the guard at Syntagma.
• Neighborhoods: Plaka’s marble lanes, buzzy Psyrri and Monastiraki, artsy Exarchia, seaside escapes in Piraeus and the Athenian Riviera.
• Where to stay: Search Athens stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com (Plaka/Koukaki for first-timers).
• Getting there: Search flights to Athens on Omio (flights). If flying from outside Europe, also compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Day 1: Arrival in Athens, Plaka stroll, and rooftop views

Morning: Fly to Athens. For fares and routes, check Omio (flights); from non‑European gateways, compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Expect ~35–50 min by taxi to central Athens or ~40 min on the Metro to Syntagma.

Afternoon: Check in near Plaka/Koukaki via VRBO or Hotels.com. Ease into Greece with coffee and pistachio croissants at Kora Bakery or single-origin pours at Taf Coffee Roasters. Wander Plaka’s marble lanes and Anafiotika’s Cycladic-style houses.

Evening: Dinner at Psaras Taverna (since 1898; grilled sea bream, Cretan dakos) or Yiasemi (homey pies and meze) on the steps. Then toast your first night at A for Athens or 360 Cocktail Bar—both deliver flawless Acropolis views and polished cocktails.

Day 2: Acropolis sunrise, Acropolis Museum, and Psyrri flavors

Morning: Beat the crowds at the Acropolis when gates open. Pause at the Propylaea, Parthenon, and the elegant Caryatids of the Erechtheion. Grab a koulouri (sesame bread ring) and freddo espresso from a street kiosk. Tickets range seasonally (~€20–30); consider the combo pass if you’ll visit multiple sites.

Afternoon: Explore the glassy Acropolis Museum—look for the Archaic Korai and the Parthenon Gallery aligned with the monument above. Lunch at Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani (cured meats, pastirma, barrel-aged feta) or Oinomageireio Epirus in Varvakios Market (soul-warming goat stew, mageiritsa). Stroll Monastiraki Flea Market and the Ancient Agora (don’t miss the well-preserved Hephaisteion).

Evening: Reserve Nolan (Greek–Asian bistro by chef Sotiris Kontizas; the cod burger and soba with smoked eel are favorites) or Seychelles (creative meze, handmade pasta, natural wines) in Metaxourgio. Nightcap at The Clumsies, consistently ranked among the world’s best bars—try a seasonal highball or a Greek-spirited twist.

Day 3: National treasures and the Athenian Riviera

Morning: Coffee at Overoll Croissanterie (get the pistachio cream croissant) before the National Archaeological Museum, a treasure chest from Mycenaean gold masks to the Antikythera Mechanism. Stop by the Panathenaic Stadium for a quick photo—the only all‑marble stadium in the world.

Afternoon: Head toward the sea. Tram or taxi down the Riviera to Flisvos Marina for a breezy promenade and gelato, or to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center park for skyline views. If you prefer a classic, linger in Psyrri at Little Kook for whimsical desserts and photo ops.

Evening: Sunset excursion to Cape Sounion’s Temple of Poseidon (golden-hour marble over Aegean blues). Dine after at Varoulko Seaside in Mikrolimano (Michelin-starred seafood; octopus with fava is a standout) or Mikrocharma for simpler grilled fish with harbor views.

Santorini

Santorini is the showstopper: a crescent of volcanic cliffs wrapped around a sea-flooded caldera. Whitewashed houses tumble into blue-domed churches; villages glow at dusk like strings of lanterns.

Beyond Oia sunsets, the island rewards explorers—Bronze Age ruins in Akrotiri, black and red beaches, and wineries coaxing salt-kissed elegance from the Assyrtiko grape. Take the cliff path between Fira and Oia, then dive straight into seafood at Ammoudi Bay.

• Top sights: Oia, Fira, Imerovigli, Akrotiri archaeological site, Red Beach and Perissa, caldera catamaran cruise, Santo Wines terrace, Pyrgos and Exo Gonia villages.
• Where to stay: Fira for nightlife and bus hub, Imerovigli for quiet caldera views, Oia for postcard drama. Search options on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Getting there from Athens: Fly (~45–55 min; often €40–150 one-way; check Omio (flights)) or take a ferry from Piraeus: high-speed ~4.5–5.5 hrs (€75–95), conventional ~7–8 hrs (€45–65); search/compare on Omio (ferries). Metro to Piraeus takes ~25–35 min.
• Getting around: Summer buses connect major villages; taxis are limited—pre-book when possible. Many visitors rent a car for a day to reach beaches and wineries.

Day 4: Athens → Santorini, caldera welcome

Morning: Travel to Santorini. For speed, book an early flight on Omio (flights) (about 50 minutes). For a scenic ride, reserve a high-speed ferry on Omio (ferries) and watch islands slide by.

Afternoon: Check in (Fira or Imerovigli are great bases) via VRBO or Hotels.com. Grab a gyro at Lucky’s Souvlakis (fast, delicious) or a seafood lunch at Argo in Fira (caldera terrace). Stroll the cliff path between Fira and Firostefani for a gentle first taste of views.

Evening: Dinner in Imerovigli at Avocado (friendly service; moussaka and seafood orzo) or The Athenian House (classic Greek with a vantage point). Sunset drinks at PK Cocktail Bar in Fira—ask for a seat on the lower terrace for the best angle.

Day 5: Fira → Oia cliff hike and Ammoudi Bay

Morning: Coffee and bougatsa at Galini Café, then tackle the Fira–Oia hike (10 km; 2.5–3.5 hrs). Wear sneakers and bring water. Photo stops at Skaros Rock and little chapels punctuating the ridge.

Afternoon: Reward yourself in Oia with lunch at Pitogyros (top-notch pork gyros; homemade pita) or Roka (shady courtyard, Santorinian fava, lamb shank). Walk down steps to Ammoudi Bay for a swim near the rocks and cliff jumps.

Evening: Sunset seafood at Ammoudi Fish Tavern (grilled octopus, lobster pasta) with the cliffs blazing above you. For dessert, Lolita’s Gelato back up in Oia—pistachio or salted caramel are crowd-pleasers.

Day 6: Caldera catamaran cruise (snorkeling, hot springs, and Red Beach)

Set sail on a daytime or sunset catamaran cruise (typically 5 hours; ~€110–€150 including transfers, BBQ meal, beer/wine). Swim at the volcanic hot springs, snorkel by White Beach, and glide past the red and black cliffs. Sunset departures time the last course with the sun slipping behind the caldera.

Day 7: Akrotiri, winery tasting, and departure

Morning: Tour the Bronze Age city of Akrotiri—often called the “Pompeii of the Aegean”—preserved under ash since the 17th century BCE. Continue to Santo Wines or Venetsanos for a tasting; compare mineral-rich Assyrtiko with blends like Nykteri on terraces that practically levitate above the sea.

Afternoon: Farewell lunch at To Psaraki in Vlychada (catch-of-the-day, tomato fritters). Then head to JTR airport for your afternoon departure. If connecting via Athens, check options on Omio (flights) and leave buffer time for security and baggage.

Evening: If you have a late flight, wind down at Perissa’s black-sand beach with a final dip and a Greek coffee frappe from a beachfront café.

Optional swaps and insider tips

• Cape Sounion vs. food tour: In Athens, trade the Riviera run for a guided food walk—sample loukoumades, spanakopita, and cheeses in Varvakios Market.
• Beach day in Santorini: Perivolos has the most beach clubs; Perissa is more low-key. Both have lifeguards and clear entry to the sea—bring water shoes if you have sensitive feet.
• Rooftop strategy: For the sharpest Acropolis photos, arrive before blue hour and avoid super-sweet cocktails that can mask the bar programs’ craftsmanship—ask for spirit-forward Greek-ingredient concoctions.
• Seasonality: April–May and late Sept–Oct offer warm weather with fewer crowds. In winter, ferries and some island venues run limited schedules—confirm hours before you go.

In one week, you’ll climb the Acropolis at dawn, toast the caldera at dusk, and taste Greece on every block—from souvlaki stands to volcano-born wines. This Athens and Santorini itinerary balances must-see icons with neighborhood finds you’ll talk about for years.