Greece is where myth meets marble and salt spray—ancient temples crown hills while island villages cling to volcanic cliffs. In one week you’ll stroll Athenian streets walked by philosophers, then sail Santorini’s caldera where a Bronze Age eruption reshaped the Aegean.

Expect a feast for the senses: flaky spanakopita at a bustling market, thyme-scented hills along the Fira–Oia trail, and sunsets painting the sea copper and rose. You’ll pair world-class ruins with a catamaran cruise and a curated wine tasting—an itinerary designed for pace and pleasure.

Practical notes: tap water is safe to drink in Athens (bottled on Santorini is common), card payments are widely accepted, and comfortable shoes are essential for marble steps and cobblestones. For summer (June–September), pre-book ferries, flights, and tours; shoulder seasons bring gentler crowds and prices.

Athens

Once the heart of classical civilization, Athens layers millennia of history with lively neighborhoods like Plaka, Psyrri, and Koukaki. The Acropolis dominates the skyline; at its foot, cafés, galleries, and street art thrive.

Top sights include the Acropolis and Museum, the Ancient Agora, the National Archaeological Museum, and Mount Lycabettus for wide-open views. Food runs from humble souvlaki to creative neo-Greek kitchens.

Where to stay (Athens)

• Hotel Grande Bretagne — historic landmark on Syntagma Square with a rooftop Acropolis view.
• Novotel Athenes — solid midrange with rooftop pool, handy for families.
• City Circus Athens — playful boutique/hostel hybrid in Psyrri, great for social travelers.
• Athens Backpackers — budget-friendly, steps from the Acropolis museum area.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Athens | Hotels.com Athens

Getting to Athens (ATH): For flights within Europe, compare on Omio Flights. Flying from outside Europe? Check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From ATH, Metro Line 3 reaches Syntagma/Monastiraki in ~40 minutes; taxis run ~35–45 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1 — Arrival and first tastes of Athens

Afternoon: Land in Athens and check in. Shake off jet lag on a gentle Plaka wander—neoclassical houses, bougainvillea, and the tiny island-style lanes of Anafiotika under the Acropolis.

Evening: Dinner at Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani for cured meats, saganaki, and pitas baked to order; or book Nolan (Greek-Asian bistronomy—try the cod “Nolan” with garlic-lemon sauce). Finish with loukoumades drizzled with honey at old-school Krinos.

Night: Rooftop drinks with the Parthenon aglow at A for Athens or Couleur Locale; cocktail aficionados can aim for The Clumsies (regular on the World’s 50 Best Bars list).

Day 2 — The Acropolis and classical Athens

Morning: Beat the heat and crowds with a guided visit that includes skip-the-line entry.

Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum Guided Tour

Stand atop the Acropolis by the Parthenon and learn how the 5th century BCE building program defined Western aesthetics, then descend to the superb Acropolis Museum to see the Caryatids and sculpted friezes up close.

Afternoon: Refuel with souvlaki. O Kostas serves a vinegary, parsley-laced pork pita wrapped in paper; Thanasis near Monastiraki is beloved for juicy kebab. Stroll the Ancient Agora (Socrates’ stomping grounds) and the Stoa of Attalos.

Evening: Sunset from Mount Lycabettus (funicular available). Dinner at Seychelles in Metaxourgio for slow-cooked lamb and seasonal salads, or Taverna tou Oikonomou in Petralona for home-style stews. Nightcap at Baba au Rum, a temple to cane spirits.

Day 3 — Markets, neighborhoods, and a food deep dive

Morning: Coffee first: Taf Coffee for single-origin pour-overs or Dope Roasting Co. in a handsome neoclassical hall. Walk Varvakios Central Market to watch fishmongers at work; grab warm bougatsa (custard filo pie) from nearby Bougatsa Thessalonikis for a sweet start.

Afternoon: Join a delicious exploration of Athens’ culinary soul across bakeries, meze bars, and spice shops.

Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens

Expect tastings like louza (cured pork), feta aged in barrels, olive oils, and syrup-soaked galaktoboureko while learning how regional Greek cuisines differ.

Evening: Explore Psyrri’s lanes where tavernas spill onto squares. Try Lithos for grilled octopus and Cretan dakos; or To Kati Allo near the Acropolis for moussaka and lemony chicken. Gelato at Kokkion before turning in.

Santorini

A crescent of volcanic cliffs rising from a flooded caldera, Santorini delivers drama: whitewashed villages, blue domes, and black-and-red beaches. It’s also a serious wine island, thanks to windswept basket-trained vines and volcanic soils.

Base yourself in Fira (central, lively), Imerovigli (quiet, elevated views), Oia (postcard-perfect sunsets), or beach towns like Kamari/Perivolos for a relaxed seaside rhythm.

Getting from Athens to Santorini (Day 4 morning): Fly from ATH to JTR in ~45–55 minutes (from ~$50–150 one-way outside peak; book on Omio Flights). Ferries from Piraeus take ~4h45–6h50 depending on vessel (from ~$55–95; compare on Omio Ferries). Morning departures recommended.

Where to stay (Santorini)

• Canaves Oia Hotel — iconic suites carved into Oia’s cliff with serene pools.
• Aegean Plaza Hotel — Kamari beachside ease, good for families and swimmers.
• Santo Miramare Resort — sandy Perivolos location, generous pools and sunbeds.
• Villa Manos — friendly, budget-conscious base near Fira.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Santorini | Hotels.com Santorini

Day 4 — Travel to Santorini and caldera orientation

Morning: Depart Athens by flight or ferry. On arrival, drop bags and grab a freddo cappuccino at a local café.

Afternoon: Explore Fira’s cliff path and the Archaeological Museum’s Minoan finds. Snack on Lucky’s Souvlakis (tiny, tasty, no-fuss) or tomato fritters at a caldera-view taverna.

Evening: Sunset from Imerovigli’s Skaros viewpoint offers a less crowded glow. Dinner at Argo Restaurant (fiery shrimp saganaki and a strong wine list) or Naoussa for classic Greek plates with a view.

Day 5 — Catamaran cruise in the caldera

Set aside a half day to sail the caldera, swim by the Red and White beaches, and soak in volcanic hot springs. Transfers, BBQ, and open bar keep it easy.

Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers

Tip: wear dark swimwear for the iron-rich hot springs, and bring a light layer for the sea breeze. After docking, grab seafood pasta or grilled fish on the waterfront at Ammoudi Bay if you’ve still got energy.

Day 6 — Hike, villages, and volcanic wines

Morning: Walk the Fira–Imerovigli–Oia trail (3–3.5 hours, moderate). Start early for shade and views—chapels, lava rock, and the caldera unfolding at every turn. Breakfast en route with a sesame koulouri and fruit.

Afternoon: Reward yourself with an island wine immersion.

Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset

Learn why assyrtiko thrives here, taste vinsanto aged in old barrels, and pair with local cheeses and capers. Many tours time a sunset finish overlooking the caldera.

Evening: Dinner at Metaxi Mas (Exo Gonia)—a beloved spot blending Cretan and Santorinian recipes; book ahead for slow-braised goat and smoked pork apaki. For a nightcap, try Santo Wines for views or a quiet bar in Pyrgos’ alleys.

Day 7 — Beach time and departure

Morning: Quick dip at Perissa or Perivolos black-sand beaches. Coffee and a bite at Aktaion in Firostefani (since 1922) or a bakery for spanakopita to go.

Afternoon: Fly back to Athens (~45–55 minutes) to connect with your onward flight, or depart directly from Santorini if your schedule allows. Compare times and prices on Omio Flights or ferries on Omio Ferries. If you’re Europe-bound overland later, scope trains on Omio Trains.

Evening: If you’ve got extra hours in Athens, savor one last meze spread—grilled sardines, fava purée, and village salad—before the airport.

Optional add-ons and swaps

• Prefer another guided Athens overview? Athens All Included: Acropolis and Museum Guided Tour with Ticket

  

• Beach day swap on Santorini: Perivolos for loungers and tavernas; note that parts of Red Beach can have rockfall advisories—heed local signage.

Transport costs at a glance (typical as of 2025): ATH–JTR flights from ~$50–150 one-way in shoulder season; Piraeus–Santorini fast ferries ~$55–95, 4h45–6h50. Airport–city metro in Athens ~€9; taxis vary with time and traffic.

Dining hit list to bookmark: breakfast at Kora Bakery’s satellite pop-ups (when operating) or your nearest bakery; lunch at O Kostas or Thanasis; dinner at Seychelles or Nolan in Athens, Argo or Metaxi Mas on Santorini; seafood splurge at Ammoudi Bay; street snacks like koulouri and sesame-crusted cheese pies throughout.

Booking pointers: For summer, secure hotels 8–12 weeks out and tours 2–4 weeks out. Ferries can sell out on peak weekends; early morning departures run best. Always carry a light scarf or layer—temple hills and boats catch wind.

With a deft blend of stories carved in stone and days shaped by sea and sun, this week in Greece gives you Athens’ timeless grandeur and Santorini’s cinematic beauty—with room for long lunches, golden hours, and a glass of assyrtiko at dusk.