Greece is where myth meets the Mediterranean: marble temples perched above lively markets, ferries skimming Aegean waters, and tavernas perfuming streets with oregano and charcoal smoke. This 7-day Greece cruise-style itinerary anchors you in two stars—Athens and Santorini—so you can savor world-class history, sea-sprayed day cruises, and island living without rushing.

In Athens, you’ll step through millennia at the Acropolis and then sail the Saronic Gulf to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina. On Santorini, volcanic cliffs frame a deep-blue caldera as you glide by catamaran, taste native Assyrtiko wines, and wander whitewashed lanes toward an Oia sunset.

Practical notes: Summer can be hot—carry water and start early for major sites. Ferries can sell out in peak season; prebook. Tipping is appreciated (round up or ~5–10%). Greece is very safe; keep an eye on valuables in crowds. Pack comfortable shoes for cobblestones and steps.

Athens

Birthplace of democracy and drama, Athens layers antiquity with a modern creative scene. The Acropolis and Parthenon crown the city, while neighborhoods like Plaka, Psyrri, and Koukaki pulse with cafés, meze bars, and vinyl shops.

Top sights include the Acropolis Museum (a must after the hill), Ancient Agora, Panathenaic Stadium, and the National Archaeological Museum. Fun fact: the Panathenaic Stadium is the world’s only stadium built entirely of marble.

• Stay: Browse apartments and hotels near Plaka, Syntagma, or Koukaki for easy walking.
• Search Athens stays on VRBO
• Search Athens hotels on Hotels.com

• Getting to Athens: Compare Europe-bound flights on Omio (flights). For broader options, check Trip.com flights.
• Airport transfers: Book a stress-free pickup/return with Athens Airport Round Trip Comfort, Low Cost Price.

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

Afternoon: Land in Athens and meet your driver if you prebooked this airport transfer. Check in, then stretch your legs through Plaka’s neoclassical lanes to Anafiotika, a tiny Cycladic-style hamlet under the Acropolis.

Evening: Dinner at Psaras Taverna (Plaka; classic grilled sea bass, baked feta, and vine-wrapped dolmades in a garden setting). For a lighter meal, go to O Kostas (Syntagma; legendary pork souvlaki with tangy yogurt). Nightcap at Brettos Bar in Plaka, famous for its rainbow-lit wall of barrels and liqueurs.

Day 2: Acropolis, museum, and Cape Sounion sunset

Morning: Fuel up with a freddo cappuccino and koulouri at Mokka Specialty Coffee or Taf Coffee (both roast their own). Then join the Athens All Included: Acropolis and Museum Guided Tour with Ticket to skip the lines and decode the Parthenon’s sculpted story with an expert.

Afternoon: Walk down the Acropolis’ south slope past the Odeon of Herodes Atticus to the Acropolis Museum café terrace for panoramic views. Lunch at To Kati Allo (homey stews, moussaka, and daily baked dishes from a family kitchen) or Nolan (Greek-Asian small plates like soba with smoked eel; reservation advised).

Evening: Chase the horizon on the Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour—the sunset gilds Doric columns with the Aegean as your backdrop.

Post-tour bites: Grab loukoumades (honey-drenched doughnuts) at Lukumades in Agias Irinis Square or dine at Seychelles (metaxa-braised beef cheeks, handmade pasta, and natural wines in Metaxourgio).

Day 3: Full-day Saronic Gulf island cruise

Set sail on the From Athens: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch. Stroll Hydra’s car-free harbor past pastel mansions, browse Poros’ waterfront, and taste Aegina’s famed pistachios. Expect hotel pickup options, onboard lunch, and live music on the return leg.

Pre-cruise breakfast: Dope Roasting Co. (excellent croissants and filter coffees). After docking, unwind in Psyrri at Oineas (slow-cooked lamb shank) or sip Greek varietals at Heteroclito wine bar.

Santorini

Caldera cliffs, blue-domed chapels, and dramatic light define Santorini, a volcanic crescent shaped by a Bronze Age eruption. Beyond the postcard, you’ll find vine-trained Assyrtiko, Minoan ruins at Akrotiri, and villages like Pyrgos and Megalochori steeped in tradition.

Hike the clifftop trail from Fira to Oia, swim at black-sand Perissa or red-hued Akrotiri Beach, and linger over seafood in Ammoudi Bay. Fun fact: Santorini’s basket-trained vines (kouloura) are coiled low to the ground to resist fierce winds.

• Stay: For caldera views, look at Fira, Firostefani, or Imerovigli; for quieter nights, try Pyrgos or Megalochori.
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Day 4: Athens → Santorini, caldera walk, and Oia sunset

Morning (travel): Fly Athens–Santorini (about 50 minutes; typical fares $60–$150 one-way outside peak season) or take a high-speed ferry from Piraeus (5–6 hours, from ~€60–€90). Compare and book with Omio (flights) or Omio (ferries). Aim for a morning departure.

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll the clifftop path Fira → Firostefani → Imerovigli (flat sections with some steps; photo stops galore). Coffee with a view at Galini Café (Firostefani) or a frozen Greek yogurt at Chillbox Fira.

Evening: Bus or taxi to Oia for sunset. Dine at Ammoudi Fish Tavern (catch of the day, octopus, and fava with capers right on the water) or Pitogyros for a casual gyro feast. Post-sunset cocktails at PK Cocktail Bar (Fira) with layered caldera views.

Day 5: Santorini catamaran cruise day

Sail the caldera on the Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers. Swim by the Red and White Beaches, soak in the warm springs, and lunch on grilled meats and salads onboard—beer and local wine included. Morning and sunset departures available; bring a light jacket for sea breezes.

Pre-cruise breakfast: Vitrin Café in Oia (pancakes, eggs, great espresso). After docking, grab gelato at Solo in Fira or share meze at Salt & Pepper (local favorite; book ahead in high season).

Day 6: Villages, wineries, and a tailor-made island tour

Morning: Explore Pyrgos (medieval lanes and hilltop castle) and Megalochori (bell towers and quiet courtyards). Snack on cheese pies and spinach “hortopites” from local bakeries; don’t miss tomato keftedes if you spot them fresh.

Afternoon: Customize your island time with Private Santorini Tailor Made - Choice of the Guest!—mix in Akrotiri Lighthouse vistas, Emporio’s fortified alleys, and tastings at Santo Wines (epic terrace) or Venetsanos (historic gravity-fed winery).

Evening: Dinner at Metaxi Mas (Exo Gonia; Cretan-Greek dishes—grilled pork pancetta, baked feta with honey, and raki to finish). For a splurge, Selene in Pyrgos offers a refined tasting menu built around Cycladic ingredients; book early.

Day 7: Lazy morning, final tastes, and departure

Morning: Swim or stroll along Perissa’s black sand, or shop for ceramics and olive oil in Fira’s backstreets. Brunch at Galini or Lucky’s Souvlakis (quick, classic pitas) if you’re short on time.

Afternoon (travel): Fly back to Athens (about 50 minutes) to connect with your onward flight. Compare times and carriers with Omio (flights); if seas are calm and you prefer the scenic route, check Omio (ferries). If you’re overnighting in Athens, prebook this airport transfer for a smooth ride.

Optional Athens add-ons if you extend

• Prefer a shorter city day instead of the island cruise? Swap Day 3 for the Athens Sightseeing Small Group Tour (Acropolis Tickets Included) for a compact highlights circuit.
• Food lovers can dive deeper with the Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens, tasting spanakopita, loukoumades, and PDO cheeses around Varvakios Market.

Local eats and sips to bookmark (Athens): Morning caffeine at Taf or Dope; souvlaki at O Kostas; seafood on the marina at Varoulko Seaside; meze spreads and pastirma at Ta Karamanlidika (Ermou location); natural wines at Heteroclito; rooftop sunsets at A for Athens Bar with the Acropolis aglow.

Local eats and sips to bookmark (Santorini): Pitogyros and Lucky’s for gyros; To Psaraki (Vlychada) for fisherman-to-table fare; Athenian House (Imerovigli) for cliffside dining; gelato at Solo; vinsanto and Assyrtiko tastings at Santo Wines at golden hour.

Why this plan works: Two bases over seven days keep travel light while delivering a genuine Greece cruise feel: one full day at sea in the Saronic Gulf and another sailing Santorini’s caldera, wrapped around must-see history and slow, scenic afternoons.