Southern Europe
Greece
The Acropolis, Cyclades island-hopping, Santorini sunsets, Meteora and ancient Greece.
- Athens & the Acropolis
- Santorini
- Mykonos
- Crete
- Meteora
- Delphi & the Peloponnese
Greece is where Western civilisation began — and one of the world's great holidays. Start in Athens beneath the Parthenon, then sail into the Cyclades for the whitewashed, blue-domed dream: the windmills and beaches of Mykonos, the laid-back charm of Naxos and Paros, and the unforgettable caldera sunsets of Santorini. Add the vast island of Crete, with Minoan Knossos, the Venetian harbour of Chania and lagoon-blue beaches, and on the mainland the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora, the oracle of Delphi and the classical wonders of the Peloponnese. Sun-warmed ruins, island ferries, fresh seafood and that famous Greek hospitality tie it all together.
Build your trip
Tune it to you, then export it.
Length
Travel style
Your interests
The essentials: ancient Athens and two classic Cyclades islands — lively Mykonos and unforgettable Santorini.
Daily budget:≈ €60–120 / day
Comfortable hotels and studios, taverna meals, ferries and the odd domestic flight, plus site tickets and tours.
Day by day
- 1
The island-like lanes of Anafiotika in Plaka.© Oseko · Public domain Getting there: Fly into Athens (ATH); metro or taxi into the centre
Arrive in Athens and settle into the old quarters below the Acropolis. Wander Plaka and the island-like lanes of Anafiotika, climb to the Areopagus or Lycabettus for a first view of the floodlit Parthenon, and ease into Greece over a long taverna dinner of meze and wine.
There's a real thrill to that first glimpse of the Acropolis glowing over the rooftops, the ancient and the modern city tangled together below. Plaka, with its cats, climbing jasmine and tavern tables spilling into the lanes, is the loveliest place to land.
Our take
Stay in Plaka, Monastiraki or Koukaki for walkable access to the sights. The airport metro is cheap and easy into the centre.
Highlights
- ✦ Plaka & Anafiotika
- ✦ First Acropolis view
- 2
The Parthenon crowning the Acropolis of Athens.© A.Savin · CC BY-SA 3.0 
The Acropolis floodlit above Athens.© Spirosparas · CC BY-SA 4.0 The big day. Climb the Acropolis to the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike, then visit the superb Acropolis Museum below. Explore the Ancient Agora, the Roman forum and the lively Monastiraki market, and finish with a rooftop dinner facing the lit-up Acropolis.
Standing among the Parthenon's columns — 2,500 years old, still impossibly graceful against the blue — you feel the weight of everything that began here: democracy, philosophy, theatre, the very idea of the West. It more than lives up to the hype.
Our take
Go at opening time or late afternoon to dodge the heat and crowds. A combined ticket covers several ancient sites; the Acropolis Museum is unmissable.
Highlights
- ✦ The Parthenon
- ✦ Acropolis Museum
- ✦ Ancient Agora
- 3
Arriving by ferry through the Greek isles.© Leeturtle · CC BY-SA 4.0 
The iconic windmills of Mykonos.© Joe deSousa · CC0 Getting there: Ferry or short flight Athens → Mykonos
Head to the port of Piraeus and sail into the Cyclades to Mykonos. Explore Mykonos Town (Chora), a maze of dazzling white lanes, blue shutters and bougainvillea, with its iconic hilltop windmills and the seafront quarter of Little Venice. As the day cools, settle in for a famous Mykonos sunset.
Mykonos Town is the Cyclades at their most picture-perfect — sugar-cube houses, cobbled lanes deliberately built as a maze to confuse pirates, and the row of round windmills standing guard over a sparkling sea. It's touristy, yes, but undeniably gorgeous.
Our take
Book ferries ahead in summer. Mykonos is the party island — for quieter beaches, head away from the main strips, or pick Naxos or Paros if nightlife isn't your thing.
Highlights
- ✦ Mykonos windmills
- ✦ Chora old town
- 4
Sunset over Little Venice, Mykonos.© Roberto Faccenda · CC BY-SA 2.0 Spend the day enjoying Mykonos: swim and sunbathe at its famous beaches — from buzzy Paradise to quieter coves — browse the boutiques of Chora, and perhaps take a boat to the sacred ancient island of Delos, one of Greece's greatest archaeological sites. End with cocktails as the sun sinks behind Little Venice.
Watching the sun drop into the sea from a Little Venice bar, waves lapping at the foundations of the old captains' houses and the windmills turning gold, is the quintessential Mykonos moment — glamorous, easy and just a little magic.
Our take
A half-day trip to Delos is well worth it for history lovers — the ruins are extraordinary and far quieter than the town. Beaches range from full-on party to serene; pick to taste.
Highlights
- ✦ Mykonos beaches
- ✦ Little Venice sunset
- ✦ Ancient Delos
- 5
White-washed Fira tumbling down the caldera.© Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0 Getting there: Ferry Mykonos → Santorini (about 2–3h)
Sail south to Santorini, sailing into the flooded caldera of a vast ancient volcano. Whitewashed Fira and Oia cling to the cliffs hundreds of metres above the deep blue water — one of the most jaw-dropping arrivals anywhere. Settle in, then wander the caldera-edge path with the sea shimmering far below.
No photo quite prepares you for Santorini's scale — the sheer cliffs striped red and black, the white towns frosting the rim like snow, the impossible blue of the drowned crater. Sailing in, you understand instantly why it's on every list.
Our take
Base yourself in Oia for the views and sunset, or Fira for more life and value. Caldera-view rooms are pricey but unforgettable; book well ahead in summer.
Highlights
- ✦ Sailing into the caldera
- ✦ Cliffside towns
- 6
The blue domes of Oia, Santorini.© Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0 
A classic horiatiki Greek salad.© Scudsvlad · CC BY-SA 4.0 Spend the day savouring Santorini: the blue-domed churches and marble lanes of Oia, a boat trip to the volcanic islets and hot springs in the caldera, a tasting of the island's distinctive volcanic wines, and the black- and red-sand beaches. Then join the throng for Oia's world-famous sunset.
Yes, the Oia sunset is crowded — and yes, it's still magical: the whole caldera turning gold and pink and violet, the white village glowing, hundreds of strangers falling silent together as the sun slips into the sea. Some clichés earn their fame.
Our take
Stake out a sunset spot early, or watch from the quieter Byzantine castle ruins or a rooftop with a drink. Santorini's assyrtiko wines and the local cherry tomatoes and fava are a real highlight.
Highlights
- ✦ Oia's blue domes
- ✦ Volcanic wine
- ✦ The Oia sunset
- 7
Heading home... already planning the next trip.© Tobias1984 · CC BY-SA 3.0 Getting there: Fly home from Santorini, or via Athens
A final caldera-view breakfast, then the flight home (Santorini has direct and Athens-connecting flights). Want more? The 15-day route keeps going — to laid-back Naxos, the island of Crete, the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora and the oracle of Delphi.
A week in Greece — the Parthenon, island ferries, windmills and that Santorini sunset — leaves you sun-soaked and smitten, already scheming about all the islands and ruins you didn't reach.
Our take
Santorini's airport and port get very busy — leave plenty of time. Carry some local wine or honey home if your luggage allows.
Highlights
- ✦ Last caldera view
- ✦ Fly home
Where to stay
The best neighbourhood to base yourself in each area, by budget. We point you to the right zone — then you pick and book the place that fits.
Athens
- Backpacker · Monastiraki / Psyrri
- Hostels and budget rooms in the buzzing centre, walkable to the Acropolis.
- Mid-range · Plaka / Koukaki
- Charming hotels in the old town or trendy Koukaki, near the Acropolis Museum.
- Comfort · Plaka / Syntagma
- Luxury and rooftop-view hotels around Plaka and Syntagma, the Acropolis in sight.
Santorini
- Backpacker · Fira / Perissa
- Budget rooms and hostels in lively Fira or by the black-sand beaches.
- Mid-range · Fira / Imerovigli
- Caldera-view hotels with more value than Oia, along the cliff path.
- Comfort · Oia
- Iconic cave suites with private plunge pools and the famous sunset view.
Mykonos
- Backpacker · Mykonos Town outskirts
- Budget studios and hostels a little out of pricey Chora.
- Mid-range · Mykonos Town (Chora)
- Boutique hotels in the whitewashed old town, walkable to Little Venice.
- Comfort · Psarou / Ornos
- Glamorous beach resorts and design hotels by the smart bays.
Naxos
- Backpacker · Naxos Town (Chora)
- Affordable rooms in the old town near the port and the Portara.
- Mid-range · Agios Prokopios / Agia Anna
- Beachfront studios and hotels along the long sandy west coast.
- Comfort · Plaka / St George
- Smart beach resorts and villas a short hop from town.
Crete (Chania)
- Backpacker · Old town / Splantzia
- Guesthouses and budget rooms in the atmospheric old quarter.
- Mid-range · Venetian harbour
- Boutique hotels in restored Venetian houses by the harbour.
- Comfort · Harbour / coast
- Luxury harbour boutiques or beach resorts along the west-Crete coast.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links, at no extra cost to you.
At a glance
Best time to go
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are ideal — warm, sunny weather, swimmable seas and thinner crowds. July and August are hot, busy and pricey, especially on the islands, with peak ferry demand. Winter is mild on the mainland but quiet on the islands, where many hotels and ferries wind down.
Currency
EUR (€)
Language
Greek is the language, written in its own alphabet, but English is very widely spoken in tourism and cities. A few words of Greek — "yassas" (hello), "efharistó" (thank you) — go down well.
Visa & entry
Greece is in the EU and the Schengen Area. EU/EEA citizens travel freely; many others (UK, US, Canada, Australia and more) can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180. The EU's ETIAS travel authorisation is being introduced for visa-exempt visitors — check whether it applies to you before you travel.
Daily budget
Greece spans all budgets, though the popular islands get expensive in summer. Plan roughly €60–120 per person per day for nice hotels, tavernas, ferries and sights; backpackers and shoulder-season travellers spend much less. Figures are approximate.
Getting around
Ferries are the heart of island travel — book ahead in summer, and note that schedules shift with the weather. Domestic flights save time on longer hops (Athens–Santorini–Crete). On the mainland, KTEL buses are good value, but a rental car is best for the Peloponnese, Delphi, Meteora and exploring Crete. Athens has a handy metro from the airport into town.
Safety
Greece is very safe for travellers. The main annoyances are pickpockets in crowded parts of Athens and on busy transport, the fierce summer sun and heat, and the odd ferry delay or strike. Roads on the islands can be narrow and winding, so drive carefully.
Connectivity
EU visitors roam at home rates; others can buy a cheap local SIM (Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova) or use a travel eSIM. Coverage is good across the mainland and islands, and Wi-Fi is standard in hotels, cafés and tavernas.
What to pack — Greece
Our recommended gear for this trip — country-specific picks first, then the travel essentials we never leave home without.
- 🧴High-SPF sunscreen→
- 🕶️Sun hat & sunglasses→
- 👟Comfortable shoes (ruins & cobbles)→
- 🧣Light cover-up (monasteries)→
- 🔌Universal travel adapter→
- 🧳Packing cubes→
- 🔋Power bank→
- 🎒Packable daypack→
- 💧Filtered water bottle→
- ⛑️Travel first-aid kit→
Amazon affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Greece? ＋
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are ideal — warm, sunny and swimmable, with thinner crowds and lower prices than peak summer. July and August are hot, busy and expensive, especially on the islands. Winter is quiet, with many island hotels and ferries reduced.
Do I need a visa for Greece? ＋
Greece is in the EU and Schengen. EU/EEA citizens travel freely; many others (UK, US, Canada, Australia and more) can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180. The EU's ETIAS authorisation is being rolled out for visa-exempt travellers — check whether it applies to you.
How do the island ferries work? ＋
Ferries link the islands from Athens's port of Piraeus and between island groups, with a mix of slower car ferries and fast catamarans. In summer they sell out, so book ahead; schedules can change with the weather, so build in some flexibility, especially before a flight home.
Which Greek islands should I choose? ＋
For a first trip, the Cyclades are the classic choice: Santorini for the caldera and sunsets, Mykonos for nightlife and beaches, and Naxos or Paros for a more relaxed, authentic feel and better value. Crete is a whole world of its own, with history, mountains and beaches — great if you have more time.
Sources
Last reviewed on June 5, 2026Facts in this guide were checked against the following sources.
- Visit Greece — official tourism (visitgreece.gr) — Destinations and travel basics
- Odysseus — Greek Ministry of Culture — Archaeological sites & opening hours
- ETIAS / EU entry requirements (official) — Visa & entry requirements
- UNESCO World Heritage — Greece — Heritage sites (Acropolis, Delphi, Meteora)
⚠️ Prices, opening hours and transport times change — always verify the latest details before you travel.
Keep exploring
More day-by-day itineraries to inspire your next trip.
Italy
Ancient ruins, Renaissance art, impossible coastlines and the best food on earth.
Turkey
Istanbul across two continents, Cappadocia's balloons, Pamukkale, Ephesus and the turquoise coast.
Spain
Madrid and Toledo, Andalusia and the Alhambra, Gaudí's Barcelona and the Basque coast.
Japan
Neon cities, ancient temples and bullet trains — the perfect first trip to Asia.
Thailand
Golden temples, jungle and elephants, street food and impossibly blue islands.
Vietnam
Limestone bays, lantern-lit towns, terraced mountains and the food of your life.