Greece rewards curiosity. In Athens, marble columns and myths of Athena rise above lively squares, street art, and market bustle. On Santorini, a volcano carved one of the world’s most dramatic island skylines—whitewashed villages clinging to cliffs, blue domes, and a sea-filled caldera.

Across millennia, this land bridged antiquity and modern Europe. You’ll stand where democracy took its first steps, then sail waters where Minoans traded wine and obsidian. Expect hearty mezze, crisp Assyrtiko wines, and hospitality that turns quick meals into lingering conversations.

Practical notes: Pack supportive walking shoes and a hat—stone steps and midday sun are real. Reserve popular restaurants and ferries in summer. Tipping 5–10% is appreciated, tap water is generally fine in Athens (bottled on Santorini), and contactless cards are widely accepted.

Athens

Few capitals blend past and present like Athens. The Acropolis crowns the city, while neighborhoods like Plaka, Psyrri, and Exarchia layer Ottoman lanes, neoclassical townhouses, cafes, murals, and music bars. Between ruins and rooftops lies a very edible city—markets, bakeries, ouzeries.

• Top sights: Acropolis and Parthenon, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Hephaestus, National Archaeological Museum, Lycabettus Hill.
• Good to know: Arrive at the Acropolis at opening to beat crowds and heat. Many museums close on Tuesdays or Mondays—double-check hours.

Stay in Athens

• Search all stays: VRBO Athens | Hotels.com Athens
• Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel — Historic landmark on Syntagma Square, with a storied rooftop facing the Acropolis and a spa perfect after museum days.
• Novotel Athenes — Reliable mid-range with pool and spacious rooms; good base for families.
• City Circus Athens — Design-forward boutique/hostel hybrid in Psyrri; social, stylish, and walkable.
• Athens Backpackers — Budget-friendly, minutes from the Acropolis with a convivial rooftop bar.

Getting to Athens: Fly into ATH. Compare fares and routes with Omio Flights. From ATH to Syntagma: Metro Line 3 (~40 min; ~€9), X95 bus (~60 min; ~€5.5), or taxi (~35–50€; 35–45 min). Trains and intercity buses inside Europe can also be compared on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Day 1 — Arrival and Old Athens at Golden Hour

Morning: Fly into Athens; aim for an early afternoon hotel check-in. Grab a light bite near your stay and hydrate after the flight.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs in Plaka. Duck into Anafiotika’s Cycladic-style lanes (built by island masons in the 1800s) and peek at Roman-era ruins peeking through modern streets. Coffee stops: Dope Roasting Co for single-origin espresso or Mokka for Greek coffee brewed in hot sand.

Evening: Dinner with Acropolis views at Strofi (classic lamb with oregano potatoes) or MANI MANI (Peloponnesian dishes like hilopites pasta with slow-cooked rooster). Nightcap at Brettos, Athens’ oldest distillery, amid backlit bottles; or rooftop cocktails at A for Athens above Monastiraki Square.

Day 2 — Acropolis Masterclass + Market Bites

Morning: Join this guided experience to understand the stones you’re seeing, not just photograph them:

Athens All Included: Acropolis and Museum Guided Tour (tickets included)

Walk the Propylaea, pose by the Parthenon’s Doric colonnade, and decode the Caryatids before seeing originals at the Acropolis Museum. Wearing grippy shoes helps on polished marble.

Afternoon: Food is history in Athens. Meet artisans and taste regional staples on this flavorful ramble:

Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens

Between tastings, detour to the Ancient Agora for Socratic vibes and the Temple of Hephaestus—one of Greece’s best-preserved classical temples.

Evening: Sunset from Lycabettus Hill (funicular if you’re tired; walk down). Dinner options: To Kafeneio (meze and Cretan raki), Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani (cured meats, saganaki with honey), or Klimataria (live rembetiko some nights; order the slow-braised lamb kleftiko).

Day 3 — Islands for a Day: The Saronic Gulf

Trade marble for masts on a day at sea visiting Agistri, Moni/Metopi, and Aegina—swims, seafood, and pistachios where ancient fleets once sailed.

All Day Cruise – 3 Islands (Agistri, Moni, Aegina) with lunch & drinks

Pack sunscreen and a light layer for the sea breeze. Post-cruise, keep dinner easy near your hotel: Kostas (legendary hand-held souvlaki since 1950) or O Thanasis for grilled kebab pita. If you’ve energy, cocktails at Baba Au Rum—one of Europe’s acclaimed bars.

Santorini

A volcanic epic in blue and white. Santorini’s crescent wraps a flooded caldera, ringed by Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia. The island pairs Bronze Age ruins and cliff hikes with black-sand beaches, sailing, and mineral-driven wines—especially citrusy, saline Assyrtiko.

• Top sights: Akrotiri archaeological site, Fira–Oia caldera path, Oia’s sunset, Red & White Beaches, Pyrgos village, Ammoudi Bay, Venetsanos/Argyros wineries.
• Good to know: Buses hub in Fira; taxis can be scarce at peak hours. Reserve sunset dining and boat tours well ahead in July–September.

Stay in Santorini

• Search all stays: VRBO Santorini | Hotels.com Santorini
• Canaves Oia Hotel — Iconic cave suites, private plunge pools, impeccable service, and a front-row seat to Oia’s rim.
• Canaves Oia Suites — Spacious suites with luxe touches and postcard views for a splurge-worthy stay.
• Aegean Plaza Hotel — Steps from Kamari’s black sand; great for beach days and families.
• Santo Miramare Resort — Pool-forward, easy access to Perivolos Beach, mellow south-coast vibe.
• Villa Manos — Friendly, budget base between Fira and Karterados; good value with a pool.

Getting from Athens to Santorini: Morning departure recommended. Fly (ATH–JTR ~45–50 min; ~€60–180; compare on Omio Flights) or ferry from Piraeus (~4.5–8 hrs; ~€45–95; book on Omio Ferries). From JTR airport to Fira: taxi (~10–15 min; ~€20–35) or bus (~€2; seasonal frequency).

Day 4 — Athens to Santorini, Caldera Welcome

Morning: Travel to Santorini by flight or high-speed ferry. Aim to arrive by early afternoon; check in and refresh.

Afternoon: Stroll Fira and Firostefani along the caldera path for first-look views. Cafe breaks: Galini Cafe (terrace overlooking the abyss) or To Briki in Imerovigli (Greek coffee and loukoumades).

Evening: Dinner in Fira at Argo (moussaka and fresh-caught fish; terrace for sunset) or Naoussa (classic Santorinian fare, generous portions). Post-dinner, PK Cocktail Bar layers three cliffside levels—order a citrus-forward gin sour and watch boats glitter below.

Day 5 — Sail the Caldera

Today is for the sea: swim stops, hot springs, volcanic beaches, and grilled lunch with an offshore breeze.

Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers

Most cruises run ~5 hours (morning or sunset). Bring swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, and a light cover. Back on land, keep dinner casual: Lucky’s Souvlakis (Fira) or To Psaraki (Vlychada) for seafood overlooking the marina.

Day 6 — Akrotiri and Santorini Wine

Morning: Explore Akrotiri, the Bronze Age “Pompeii” buried by the 17th-century BCE eruption. Walk raised platforms through multi-story homes, storerooms, and streets. Nearby Red Beach is photogenic; for easier swims consider Perissa/Perivolos (organized beach clubs).

Afternoon: Taste Santorini in a glass on a guided wine experience among wind-pruned vines (kouloura training) grown in volcanic ash.

Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset

Expect crisp Assyrtiko, honeyed Vinsanto, and volcanic terroir stories with local cheeses and tomato fritters.

Evening: Head to Oia for the famed sunset; crowds thin if you dine as the sun dips. Book Ammoudi Fish Tavern down by the water (grilled octopus, lobster pasta) or Metaxi Mas in Exo Gonia (reservations essential; try the baked feta in honey and sesame).

Day 7 — Cliffside Walk and Farewell

Morning: Hike the Fira–Oia caldera path (~10 km; 2.5–3.5 hrs). Start early for cooler temps and soft light. Reward yourself at Melenio Cafe (Oia) with pistachio baklava and iced coffee.

Afternoon: Last dips at Kamari or Perivolos, or souvenir run in Fira for Cycladic ceramics and volcanic soaps. Depart in the afternoon—taxis can be tight, so prebook or leave cushion time for the bus.

Evening: If staying late, a simple, satisfying sendoff: Pitogyros (Oia) for juicy pork gyros and house tzatziki, or Avlogyros in Fira for quick, tasty wraps before you fly.

Getting Between Cities (At a Glance)

• Athens → Santorini flight: ~45–50 minutes; ~€60–180. Compare and book on Omio Flights.
• Athens (Piraeus) → Santorini ferry: ~4.5–8 hours; ~€45–95. Schedules and tickets via Omio Ferries. Arrive 45–60 minutes before departure in peak season.
• In Santorini: Buses radiate from Fira; for beach days, south-coast stays reduce transit. For flexibility, consider taxis or pre-arranged transfers through your hotel.

Daily Coffee, Snack, and Dinner Shortlist

• Athens Coffee/Bakeries: Dope Roasting Co (light-roast espresso), Mokka (traditional Greek coffee on hot sand), The Underdog (award-winning baristas in Thissio).
• Athens Lunches: Kostas (iconic souvlaki; short menu, big flavors), Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani (cured meats, pastourma pies), O Thanasis (kebab pita perfection).
• Athens Dinners: Strofi (Acropolis views), MANI MANI (modern regional), Klimataria (old-school taverna with music).
• Santorini Coffee/Desserts: Galini Cafe (view-packed terrace), To Briki (Greek coffee, loukoumades), Melenio (baklava, pastry heaven in Oia).
• Santorini Lunches: Lucky’s Souvlakis (Fira institution), Pitogyros (Oia favorite), To Psaraki (sea-to-plate in Vlychada).
• Santorini Dinners: Argo (Fira terrace), Metaxi Mas (island classic—book), Ammoudi Fish Tavern (on the water; go for grilled whole fish).

Final tips: Summer heat peaks mid-afternoon—schedule climbs and hikes early. Carry water, a brimmed hat, and lightweight layers for breezy boat days. For photos, sunrise light is as magical as sunset and far quieter.

In one week you’ll trace civilization’s early steps in Athens, then sail, sip, and wander cliff paths over Santorini’s volcanic sea. This itinerary balances bucket-list icons with local flavors and unhurried moments—leaving room to fall for Greece in your own way.