Ancient myths meet modern Mediterranean life in Greece, where marble temples crown gritty-cool neighborhoods and ferries knit together storybook islands. Athens has been a cradle of ideas for 2,500 years; today you’ll find world-class museums, busy markets, rooftop bars with Acropolis views, and a culinary scene that elevates simple ingredients—olive oil, herbs, grilled fish—into something unforgettable.

Just a short hop away, Santorini rises in a crescent around a flooded volcano, its whitewashed villages clinging to cliffs like sunlit amphitheaters. The island is a paradise for caldera-view hikes, black-sand beaches, catamaran cruises, and volcanic wines such as Assyrtiko paired with tomato fritters and capers.

Practical notes: Summer can be hot and crowded; May–June and September–October are ideal for comfortable sightseeing. Carry a reusable bottle, dress for the sun, and wear grippy shoes for marble steps and caldera paths. Tap water is potable in Athens (not on Santorini); cards are widely accepted, though small tavernas may prefer cash.

Athens

Athens is a palimpsest—classical ruins layered with Byzantine churches, Ottoman traces, neoclassical mansions, and a lively contemporary arts scene. The Acropolis and its Parthenon are the headline act, but don’t miss the Ancient Agora, the Panathenaic Stadium, and the maze of Plaka, Anafiotika, Monastiraki, and Psyrri.

• Don’t-miss sights: Acropolis & Museum, Ancient Agora, Temple of Hephaestus, National Archaeological Museum, Panathenaic Stadium, Mount Lycabettus views.
• Food & drink: Central market meze, souvlaki stands that date to the 1950s, loukoumades (honey donuts), and a serious cocktail culture (The Clumsies, Baba au Rum).
• Stay here: Grand hotels around Syntagma for easy sightseeing; hip hostels and boutiques in Psyrri/Kerameikos; Koukaki for a neighborhood feel near the Acropolis.

Where to stay (Athens):

• Iconic splurge with a rooftop pool and Acropolis views: Hotel Grande Bretagne
• Stylish budget-friendly boutique/hostel in Psyrri: City Circus Athens
• Reliable mid-range with rooftop pool: Novotel Athenes
• Social, central, and wallet-friendly: Athens Backpackers
• Browse more stays: Search Athens hotels on Hotels.com | Search Athens vacation rentals on VRBO

How to get to Athens: Fly into ATH. Compare flights in Europe on Omio (typical 1–3 hours and ~$60–$150 one-way from major hubs). From the airport, take Metro Line 3 to Syntagma (~40 min) or a taxi (~35–50 min).

Day 1 — Arrival in Athens, Plaka stroll, Monastiraki flavors

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, grab a Greek coffee and koulouri (sesame bread ring) from a neighborhood bakery to reset your body clock.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Plaka’s neoclassical lanes and tiny whitewashed corners of Anafiotika. Pause for strong espresso at Taf Coffee Roasters and a sweet stop at Lukumades for hot honey-drenched donuts.

Evening: Dinner by the Acropolis at Strofi for grilled lamb and baked feta with Parthenon views, or head to O Thanasis in Monastiraki for classic beef kebab and fries. Nightcap at The Clumsies, often ranked among the world’s best bars—try a Greek herb–infused gin cocktail.

Day 2 — Acropolis and Acropolis Museum with a guide, old Athens by night

Morning: Early start for the Acropolis to beat crowds and heat. Join this skip-the-line small-group tour that includes both the Acropolis and its superb museum:

Athens All Included: Acropolis and Museum Guided Tour with Ticket

Marvel at the Parthenon’s optical refinements and the Caryatids, then see the glass-floored galleries where artifacts align with the ruins above.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani—order pastourma, aged graviera, and meze. Stroll the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus, a remarkably intact Doric temple framed by olive trees.

Evening: Sunset from Areopagus Hill or the rooftop bars around Monastiraki Square. Dinner at Mani Mani (creative Peloponnesian dishes) or Zampano in Psyrri for modern Greek plates, then gelato ramble through lively Adrianou Street.

Day 3 — Markets, food tour, Lycabettus sunset

Morning: Athens wakes with coffee. Start at Morning Bar on Kolokotroni for flat whites or go Greek with a freddo espresso. Dive into Varvakios Central Market—taste olives, feta, and street snacks like koulouri and tiropita (cheese pie).

Afternoon: Explore Athens through its flavors on a guided culinary walk (Monastiraki, market tastings, and hidden bakeries):

Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens

Between bites, browse Avissynias Flea Market for vinyl and antiques. Pause for loukoumi (rose-flavored delight) at a traditional sweet shop.

Evening: Ride the Lycabettus funicular for a golden-hour panorama of Athens’ sea of lights. Celebrate with dinner at GB Roof Garden (seasonal Greek cuisine with landmark views) or head to Baba au Rum for a precise, rum-forward cocktail list.

Santorini

Volcanic cliffs, sugar-cube villages, black and red beaches, and sunsets that turn the Aegean into molten gold—Santorini is cinematic by design. Hike the caldera rim, sail past sea caves, soak in warm springs, and toast the day with crisp Assyrtiko grown in basket-shaped vines.

• Top experiences: Caldera hike Fira–Oia, catamaran cruise, winery visits (Santo Wines, Venetsanos, Gaia), Red Beach and Perissa–Perivolos sands, sunset in Oia.
• What to eat: Tomato keftedes, fava puree, white aubergine, fresh catch at Ammoudi, vinsanto for dessert.
• Getting around: Buses link major villages; taxis are limited—consider a car or ATV for flexibility.

Where to stay (Santorini):

• Iconic cliffside splurge in Oia: Canaves Oia Hotel
• Mid-range by the beach (Kamari): Aegean Plaza Hotel
• Great-value, friendly base near Karterados: Villa Manos
• Resort with a private stretch of black sand (Perivolos): Santo Miramare Resort
• Browse more stays: Search Santorini hotels on Hotels.com | Search Santorini villas on VRBO

How to get from Athens to Santorini (morning departure): Fly 45–55 minutes (often ~$40–$150 one-way off-peak) or sail by ferry: 4.5–5.5 hours on high-speed lines, 7–8 hours on conventional ferries. Compare flights and ferries on Omio (flights) and Omio (ferries).

Day 4 — Travel to Santorini, caldera primer, Oia at sunset

Morning: Athens → Santorini. Aim for an early flight for maximum island time; pre-book a shuttle or rental car. Check in and drop bags.

Afternoon: Orient in Fira: walk the cliff path to Firostefani and Imerovigli for sweeping caldera views. Coffee and yogurt with thyme honey at a cliffside café; sample tomato keftedes and fava spread for a light bite.

Evening: Head to Oia for the famous sunset—bypass the castle crowds by dining down at Ammoudi Bay. Order grilled octopus, whole bream, and lemon potatoes at Ammoudi Fish Tavern or Sunset Ammoudi; finish with vinsanto and spoon sweets.

Day 5 — Catamaran day: hot springs, Red & White Beaches, sunset barbecue

Sail the caldera on a relaxed, five-hour cruise with swimming, snorkeling, hot springs, beach views, and onboard Greek barbecue (with transfers included):

Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a light layer for the breeze. After docking, wander Fira’s lanes for gelato or grab souvlaki at Pitogyros-style spots in Oia before turning in.

Day 6 — Caldera hike and volcanic wines at sunset

Morning: Hike the clifftop path from Imerovigli to Oia (2.5–3 hours with photo stops). Start early for shade; wear proper shoes. Reward yourself with a frappe and orange cake at a café in Oia.

Afternoon: Dive into Santorini’s terroir on a guided wine tour with tastings at three wineries—expect mineral-driven Assyrtiko, earthy Mavrotragano, and sweet vinsanto alongside meze:

Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset

Evening: Dinner at Metaxi Mas (Exo Gonia) for Cretan-meets-Santorini dishes—order smoked pork apaki, fava with capers, and raki to finish. Or stay near Fira for a table at PK Cocktail Bar for caldera-view nightcaps.

Day 7 — Beach morning, last tastes, departure

Morning: Unwind on the black sands of Perissa or Perivolos; swim, then brunch at Seaside Santorini (avocado toast with local cherries and eggs) or a simple bakery for spanakopita and cold espresso.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping for olive oil, sea salt, and ceramics in Fira, then transfer to JTR for your flight. If you’re ferrying back to Athens, allow generous time for port traffic and winds.

Evening: If your schedule allows a final meal, book early dinner at Aktaion in Firostefani—a local institution since 1922—before heading out.

Optional Athens add-ons (if you shuffle a day):

• Coastal temples: Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon for a mythic sunset above the Aegean.
• Island sampler: All-Day Cruise to Agistri, Moni & Aegina from Athens if you prefer a Saronic Gulf day on the water.

Practical dining cheat sheet (highlights you’ll pass):

• Athens breakfast/coffee: Taf Coffee Roasters; Kekkos-style bakeries for bougatsa (custard pie).
• Athens lunch: Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani (meze & cured meats), O Thanasis (kebab), Falafellas (quick bite).
• Athens dinner/drinks: Strofi (Acropolis views), Zampano (modern Greek), Varoulko Seaside (Piraeus), The Clumsies, Baba au Rum.
• Santorini bites: Ammoudi Fish Tavern (seafood), Metaxi Mas (local cult favorite), Avocado (Imerovigli), PK Cocktail Bar (views), Melenio (Oia pastries).

One more Athens classic (if you prefer a different Acropolis timing):

If you’d rather tour the Acropolis later in the day to dodge the midday sun, consider this guided option:

Acropolis and Parthenon Guided Walking Tour

In seven days you’ll have traced Western civilization from marble hilltops to volcanic vineyards, and watched the sun sink into the Aegean from a boat’s rail and a cliff’s edge. Keep the walking shoes and curiosity handy—Greece rewards both, often with a plate of something delicious.