A popular 7 day Greece itinerary combines time in Athens, Santorini and Mykonos. Here's a local's guide to planning the perfect Greece itinerary 7 days.
7 Day Greece Itinerary
People often ask how long they should stay in Greece for. My answer is as long as you can, as Greece has a lot more to offer than you think.
I've lived here for nearly 5 years, and feel I've still barely scratched the surface!
After setting up a design your own trip feature on the blog, I came to realise that a significant amount of people were requesting information for spending 7 days in Greece.
I also noticed that the most popular combination, was the Athens – Santorini – Mykonos one. We could think of this as the classic Greece itinerary for first timers.
As a result, I created this Greece in 7 days itinerary to help people plan their Greek vacations.
1 Week in Greece
If this is your first time in Greece, it makes sense to go to the most famous destinations, i.e. Athens, Santorini and Mykonos.
Keep in mind that these Greek destinations are quite popular. So, whilst you will be visiting well known and incredibly beautiful places, Santorini and Mykonos in particular offer less of the ‘authentic' Greece.
I've tried to create this Greece 1 week itinerary to minimise your travel time, and maximise your overall experience. This Greece tour includes visits to ancient sites in Greece, beaches, and how to see the incredible Santorini sunset.
Before we get too far in though, sign up for my travel itineraries, insights and guides. Trust me, you'll appreciate the information you'll receive.
All good? Awesome.
Let's carry on and look at how should you get around Greece. The logistics of travel between Greek islands in 7 days is something worthy of deeper consideration.
Logistics and transportation for your Greece 7 days itinerary
Before you start planning your week in Greece, you should understand the logistics of travelling around Greece and the Greek islands.
Greece has several groups of islands, most of them being in the Aegean Sea.
Mykonos and Santorini both belong to a group called the Cyclades, and they are reasonably close to each other. As they are popular destinations, they each have an airport as well as a port.
As such, whilst Greek island hopping by ferry is the ‘old way' to get around, flights are certainly an option.
How to get from Santorini to Mykonos
You can only travel between Mykonos and Santorini by ferry.
Santorini and Mykonos are connected by a number of boats, running on a daily basis. There are many types of boats, the fastest one taking just under 2 hours and the slowest one around 4 hours.
If you only have seven days in Greece, time is important, so you might prefer to choose the fast boat. At the same time, the journey on the slower boat is generally more pleasant. Something to consider.
You can check out ferry schedules between Mykonos and Santorini and book tickets online using Ferryhopper.
How to get from Athens to Santorini and Mykonos
Athens, the capital, is connected to both Santorini and Mykonos by flights as well as several types of boats departing from Pireaus or Rafina, the two ports close to Athens.
It takes anything between 5 and 10 hours to get to Santorini on a boat, while getting to Mykonos takes anything from just over 2 hours to about 5 and a half hours.
A flight from Athens to the islands and vice-versa will take you just under an hour.
Is it best to fly or use the ferry?
With all of the above in mind, if you are trying to plan your Greece itinerary for 7 days, your best bet is to spend less time getting from A to B, and more time enjoying the different places.
If you book well in advance, you can get good deals for flights to Mykonos and Santorini – in fact, some boat tickets are a lot more expensive than flights booked in advance.
You can book ferry tickets online easily here: Ferryhopper
Want specific information on Getting from Athens to Santorini? Take a look at my travel guide to get from Athens to Santorini.
And here's how to get from Athens to Mykonos.
Arriving in Greece
Unless you are arriving on a direct flight to Santorini or Mykonos, chances are that you will be landing at Athens International Airport.
My suggestion is to find the next available flight to Mykonos or Santorini, whichever one suits best your budget and your timetable, and go to the first island straight away, leaving Athens as your last destination.
This is so that you can have some time to unwind on the islands before hitting the capital. Also, there is the rare (but still possible) scenario of getting stuck on one of the islands because of bad weather or a last-minute boat strike.
Greece Itinerary 7 Days
In short, your Greece itinerary for 7 days could look like this:
Athens > flight to Mykonos > 2 days in Mykonos > boat to Santorini > 2 days in Santorini > flight back to Athens > 3 days in Athens.
Or, it could look like this:
Athens > flight to Santorini > 2 days in Santorini > ferry to Mykonos > 2 days in Mykonos > flight back to Athens > 3 days in Athens.
If you want a more relaxed week-long vacation, you could just choose two destinations, and skip either one of the islands or Athens.
However most people seem to prefer to visit as much as they can in their Greece itinerary for 7 days. I don’t blame you!
7 Days in Greece – 2 Days in Mykonos
If I had to choose, I would marginally prefer to go to Mykonos before heading to Santorini. The reason being, that Mykonos is more geared towards beaches and nightlife, whereas Santorini has more to do in terms of day activities.
When in Mykonos, you can rent a car and go around the island, visiting the most famous beaches like Elia, Platis Gialos or Ornos for some beach time.
You don't need a vehicle at all though if you want to walk around the picture-perfect old town.
When visiting Greece, you're never too far away from an ancient site, and this also applies to Mykonos! Don't forget the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delos which is a perfect half-day tour. I highly recommend visiting on a guided tour!
At night, there are several bars and clubs to choose from in Mykonos Town and other resort areas.
Mykonos has been a party island for many decades, so they definitely know what they are doing!
Check out this article to plan your 2 days in Mykonos – Fun things to do in Mykonos.
Looking for interesting day trips and tours? Take a look at this guide to the 10 best Mykonos tours.
How to get from Mykonos to Santorini
From Mykonos, the best way to get to Santorini is by ferry.
I've got a full guide here on how to get from Mykonos to Santorni.
A good website for checking out boat routes in Greece is www.ferryhopper.com.
Note that if you are planning your trip many months in advance, the information isn’t always updated.
Also, there are more boats during high season (June-August) than in low season, and it’s best to book your tickets early if your dates are fixed.
Note that it is actually possible to fly from Mykonos to Santorini through Athens, but the boat trip makes more sense – and is more scenic.
7 days in Greece – 2 days in Santorini
Santorini is world-famous, and for good reason.
The white-washed houses, blue-domed and stunning sunsets would be enough on their own, but there are also winery tours, boat cruises around the island, Akrotiri and a visit to the volcano.
The scenic backdrop makes it a popular addition to a Greece honeymoon itinerary, and the sunset at Oia is legendary.
The beaches in Santorini are not as nice as the ones in Mykonos, but you should still take time to put your feet up and get some sunshine. The black sand beach of Perissa is a good place to take a swim, and there's plenty of places to eat along it promenade.
You can start planning your 2 days in Santorini here – Santorini 2 day Itinerary.
If you wanted to stay a bit longer, I've also got a 3 Day Santorini itinerary.
How to get from Santorini to Athens
From Santorini, you can fly to Athens airport. If you are there in high season, book your tickets as early as possible, as they tend to go up in price closer to the time. Some people however prefer to take a ferry to Piraeus port in Athens.
Santorini’s airport is tiny, but it gets super crowded, so arrive with plenty of time.
For information on how to get to and from Santorini airport, take a look here – Santorini Airport Transfers.
7 days in Greece – 3 days in Athens
With 7 days in Greece, staying in Athens for 3 days might sound a lot, however the capital has plenty to offer in terms of history, archaeology, museums, walks, as well as shopping, if that’s what you are into.
However, some people might prefer to spend less time in Athens, and spend an extra night on one of the islands – it’s all up to what you are after so there is no “right” or “wrong” way of planning your 7 day itinerary in Greece.
What to see in Athens
When you are in Athens, the obvious sights to see are the Parthenon and Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the Acropolis Museum. While these can easily be done in just one day, I definitely do not recommend it if you want to do them justice.
If you want to find out more about Greek history, I also suggest talking a guided walking tour of the Greek capital.
Other must-see highlights in the capital include the Parliament and the change of the Guards at Syntagma Square, Plaka, the National Archaeological Museum, the Benaki Museum, the food market, and a walk on Areopagitou Street.
If you are a sports fan, make time to see the Panathenaic Stadium. This was where the first modern Olympic games were held.
If you are lucky, you can also catch a performance in the Herodion Ancient theatre – check for tickets well in advance. There is a yearly Athens and Epidaurus festival, with live events held at this historic ancient site.
Staying an extra day in Athens also gives you the option of taking a full day tour. The most popular day trips from Athens include Delphi, Mycenae, and the Temple of Poseidon.
To learn about detailed Athens itineraries, take a look at these popular posts:
Free Guides to Greece
Hopefully, the above itinerary ideas should give you a good start on planning your 7 day Greece itinerary. These 10 day Greece itinerary ideas might also be of interest.
If you'd like more information and travel tips on things to see and do in Greece, sign up for my free guides.
I'll send you inside tips and useful insights into things to do in Greece, so you'll have the perfect vacation!
Trip Planning for One Week In Greece FAQ
Readers planning a vacation in Greece often ask questions similar to:
Is 7 days enough time to visit Greece?
Spending the week exploring Greece will allow travelers to spend time in both Athens and one or two Greek islands, such as Santorini or Mykonos. Alternatively, you could always spend the week exploring one place such as Crete.
What can you do in Greece for 7 days?
By spending 7 days in Greece, you can experience everything from the grandeur of Ancient Athens to the beautiful beaches of the Cyclades islands. You can put together a Greece itinerary that includes whatever interests you have for the ultimate dream trip!
How many days is enough for Greece?
Greece is such a varied country, that it really needs as much time as you can give it. The bare minimum of time to get the most out of your trip to Greece should be a week.
What famous Ancient Sites can I see in Athens?
If you are a lover of ancient Greek history, you'll want to visit historical sites in Athens such as the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Ancient Agora, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
What Greek islands can I see in a week?
The Cyclades are some of the most stunning islands in Greece. They are also quite close together, with ferry journeys between them being just a few hours. This means it is possible to visit 3 or 4 Greek islands in a week if you want to pack out your schedule!
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– Dave BriggsDave is a travel writer based in Greece. As well as creating this suggested seven day Greece itinerary, he's also written hundreds more travel guides to Greek destinations. Follow Dave on social media for travel inspiration from Greece and beyond:
Christina says
Whats a good 7 day itinerary for honeymooners that are visiting for the first time?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Christina,
I’d suggest swapping out Mykonos for the Greek island of Milos.
If you want luxury, take a look at Elounda in the island of Crete.
Stephanie B. says
Hi Dave! We were hoping for some insight as we are trying to plan a vacation to Greece. Our interests are definitely Athens, hoping for a couple nice beach days but not sure which island is best for the that. We love Winery’s as well! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Stephanie,
Most islands will do good beaches and wineries, but in particular, I recommend Kefalonia. I actually worked in a winery there many, many years ago!
If you have either read or watched Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Kefalonia is the island that it is set on.
Hope you enjoy your time in Greece!
Maria says
Hi Dave,
I think your 7 day trip is amazing!
We are travelling in june( first week) with our family celebrating our 40th year marriage. We have to end our trip in athens, my son is going to a wedding there. We want to visit also Crete. What itinerary would you recommend?
Any help will be appreciated
Dave Briggs says
Hi Maria,
There’s a lot of combinations you can make, but in your case the Santorini – Crete – Athens combo would work quite well I think. (Assuming you haven’t been to Santorini before).
If you have been to Santorini, you could try Naxos instead.
So if possible, you could land in Athens, get on a flight to Santorini, spend 2 or 3 nights there, fly to Crete, 2 or 3 nights there, and then finish in Athens.
If it looks like cramming too much in, you could skip Santorini and concentrate on Crete. There’s plenty to do there, with a lot of variety!
Some blog post suggestions for further ideas:
2 Weeks in Greece Itinerary: Athens – Santorini – Crete – Rhodes
Crete Travel Guide
Greek island hopping guides
Steve Laudenslager says
Thinking of doing a 7 day trip to Greece! Not sure what to visit! It will be myself, my 17 yr old daughter, and 21 year old son. Don’t really care about party scene. Would like to see some history, beaches, maybe some countryside or hiking! Any suggestions?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Steve,
With a 7 day trip in mind, and with your hiking and beaches in mind, might I suggest the islands of Andros and Tinos?
They are quite close to Athens (just a couple of hours away), are less touristy, but equally as stunning as more well known ones.
In addition, both islands have some lovely hiking paths, from were you can walk up to and through amazing villages.
They also have some incredible beaches.
If you think to only do one, then it could be Tinos.
A suggested itinerary would be Athens – Andros – Tinos – Athens.
Check out here for more details.
Outdoors activities in Andros and Tinos
Andros island travel guide
Tinos island travel guide
Kimberly Norton says
Hi Dave,
I really enjoyed reading your itinerary and found it very helpful. My mom (68) and I will be visiting early May. After reading your itinerary I’m contemplating whether we should visit Mykonos. What is your thought? Is there a recommended area to stay in if we do? Thanks for your input!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Kimberly,
Hope you are enjoying the Christmas break!
It’s a difficult one to answer, and really comes down to why you want to visit Mykonos. It’s most well known for it’s party scene and cosmopolitan, upscale, maybe slightly pretentious edge – all accompanied by a price tag of course!
For early May, you could pretty much stay anywhere you want as it’s not high season.
Perhaps though, Naxos might be a better match.
denis salvas says
Hi Dave,
we are 2 couples in mid 60’s planning a trip to Greece November 1 -15 -2020,are plan is to see Athens 3 days then rent a car and visit Nafplio,Mystros,Olympia,Delphi and Meteora all for one overnight.We will drive back to Athens and Take a flight to Santorini and spend 1 week there renting a car for a few days then fly back to Athens and spend 1 more night before our flight to the US.
Does this sound like a doable itinerary? Is 1 week to much for Santorini?
I love your site!! Thanks,Denis
Dave Briggs says
Hi Denis,
Glad you’ve found the site useful!
The itinerary is doable, although perhaps a little rushed in week one with one night in each place.
I also think 7 nights in Santorini is a little too much.
Based on a 3 or even 4 night stay in Santorini maximum, I’d be tempted to add in Mycenae and/or Epidaurus to your first week (possible by including a 2 night stay in Nafplion), and extending your stay in Meteora to two nights as well.
You’d also have time on the drive from Mystras to Olympia to see the impressive Ventian castles of Koroni and Methoni.
Bottom line: 7 days is too much in Santorini unless you have a specific reason to stay that long.
Kimberly Kelly says
Hello! We are going to be in Greece aug 7-15th . 2020 and have friends celebrating on Crete on the 10th or 11th by Kalathas beach for a renewal of vows and basing their travel that week around that location. If we fly into Athens on the 7th or 8th and want to do Athens and then Crete to be with them and then what would you suggest. We have two boys 10 and 13 yo. Can we sign up for travel recs and places to stay or pay a fee for intinerary and places to stay. I love your 7 day travel guide and other ideas and after trying to figure this out I can’t seem to find the perfect itinerary or places to stay. I was on Crete in 1995 and solo for three weeks but want to show my boys the contract as able with such a short time.
Dave Briggs says
Hi Kimberly,
It sounds like a great vacation planned, and I’m sure the kids will love Greece!
There should be a signup box on the main article, so by all means sign up and you’ll receive a lot (potentially overwhelming!!) amount of travel info!
For an Athens itinerary, can I suggest you take a look here – 2 days in Athens. I used this with my own nephew and niece who were similar ages when they visited. It’s easy to follow, gentle pace, but you’ll see the highlights of the city all the same.
I’ve also a guide on where to stay in Athens. You’re better off staying in the historic center if possible as it will reduce travel time for sightseeing.
Once in Crete, if you are up for hiring a car, I’d suggest taking a road trip around the island. It’s perfect for doing just that! You can get some ideas here – Road trip in Crete.
Keep in mind you are traveling peak season – there will be LOTS of people around!!
Enjoy your time in Greece 🙂
Godfrey Monteiro says
Good to know on Santorini weather, that’s a plus. Any other island you can suggest if we exclude mykonos. Our plan for the trip where we can do some sightseeing and relax.
Dave Briggs says
If you’re happy to hire a car and do a little driving, Tinos is a lovely island. Lots of quaint villages. A guide here: Tinos in Greece.
Linda says
Hi !
Such a lovely Itinerary.. for summer or during good weather let’s say !
However, My husband and I are planning to go to Greece for the first time for 5 days ( till 4th December,2019 ) which is going to be cold, we know .. but is it recommended to visit during this time ( It’s the only time we would be able to go ) , will it be a good destination during this time or shall we pick a more “common” winter European city/ destination ? and If it’s still a good choice , what would you recommend for this kind of weather?
Thanks !
Dave Briggs says
Hi Linda,
I hope you are having a great week so far!
In all honesty, there would be no point in going to Mykonos in December.
You could still visit Athens and Santorini though (and there’s also plenty of things to do on the Greek mainland).
Keep in mind that archaeological sites do have shorter opening hours, with many closing at 15.30
My advice, would be that if this is the only time you could ever visit Greece in your life, then definitely visit.
If you are able to visit in the future, opt for a June/July or September visit instead.
yap says
Hi Dave, we are family of 3 adults arriving Athens on 29 Sep. First trip to Greece. Free & easy. We got about 10-11 days to spare, departing from Athens to home.
Would love to do Crete besides adopting your 7 day itinerary. Which route would you recommend: Athens to Crete first or to Mykonos >Santorini> Crete> Athens. Apology if this have been answered earlier . Thanks for sharing your info and tips!
Dave Briggs says
Hi,
I don’t think it matters much the order, but if you wanted to take ferries, and then fly back on the last leg, then Mykonos >Santorini> Crete> Athens might make more sense.
Important note: Ferry availability and times may change going into October. Check what routes are available on Ferryhopper. (There’s an English mode to the site)
Kay says
Hi Dave,
I love your 7-day itinerary, but would it work for a trip in early March? I’m wondering about the weather on in the islands that time of the year. I’ve also heard the ferry transportation options may be limited. Any insight would be appreciated!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Kay,
I feel early March would be a little too early to get the most out of Mykonos. It would be a great time to visit Santorini though (start of season, and fewer people), and anytime of year is good to visit Athens!
Although I normally recommend people to stay much longer in Crete (which is a fantastic island), if you do want to travel in March, you might consider swapping Mykonos out for Crete.
The other option, might be instead to choose Santorini, Athens, and then mainland Greece. Places like Meteora and Delphi won’t give you that island feeling, but they really are amazing!
In terms of transport, all those islands are well connected throughout the year, although you may find that the timetables for Spring next year have not been set. Keep an on on Ferryhopper for your options. Also, you can fly between these places from Athens, which may not be as expensive as you think.
Tinuke Christopher says
Hi Dave
I’m off to Santorini at the end of August (v good deal on flights). I have seen your 7 day itinerary and looks fab. However l’m in a bit of a dilemma as l fly into Santorini and fly out of Santorini, but want to do Mykonos and Athens. How do you advise l plan my time and maximise the time l have there
HELP?
Dave Briggs says
Hi,
If you have a direct flight to Santorini, and assuming you have just 7 days or there abouts, I would suggest skipping Athens and seeing it next time.
For options on getting between Santorini and Mykonos, you’ll need to take the ferry. Check out ferry routes with Ferryhopper (by far the easiest way to book your ferry tickets and see available routes).
You could also visit some of the other nearby islands when in Mykonos on day trips.
If you have longer than 7 days, look at these options on how to get from Santorini to Athens.
Linda C says
Landing in Crete Heraklion from venice late 11:30 PM but we have a hotel in Chania (Lefka Ori hotel). Busses seem to end at 12 midnight and cab for 4 of us with 4 carry on bags is 165 euros any ideas on a less expensive rid to our hotel. Here for 2 days then to Santorini (2 days) then to Mykanos (maybe, 2 days) then to Athens 2 days then home. any ideas on how to get to these places efficiently and not to expensive??? 2 adults and 2 18 yr olds
any help greatly appreciated for us last minute travelers (July 22 – July 30)
Dave Briggs says
Hi Linda,
I hope you are having a good day – holiday transportation aside!
I’ve had a look, and actually I think at 165 euro you got a very good price on the cab!
(The reason it is expensive, is that Chania is 2 or even 2.5 hours drive from Heraklion, and there are surcharges for driving after midnight).
In terms of buses – I actually think they may stop at 21.00 (unless it was a private transfer bus).
SO, I think these are the options you have:
1. Hire a car at Heraklion airport and drive to Chania – It would be cheaper, and you’d get the use of the car throughout your stay.
2. Cancel the hotel for the first night in Chania and stay in Heraklion. This also gives you the benefit of seeing a little of Heraklion in the morning (castle, port), as well as the archaeological site of Knossos.
3. If you can’t cancel, do the math on very cheap rooms in Heraklion + bus fare to Chania, and see if it’s cheaper than the cab. I had a look on Booking, and there are cheap rooms available.
In terms of getting to the other islands, you’ve chosen the most expensive islands in Mykonos and Santorini at the most expensive time of year unfortunately. So, any cheap flights most likely have gone a long time ago.
My suggestions are to look on Ferryhopper for ferry crossings.
Also, I would suggest that no matter where you end up last, to arrange flights back to Athens rather than a ferry – just in case of ferry delays or strikes. Better to be safe than sorry!
If this all sounds too much, also know that Crete is an island you could easily spend a week, or even a month on and not scratch the surface. So if moving around so frequently sounds too much, you could always plan a road trip in Crete instead.
Further reading that may be useful:
How to get from Crete to Santorini
How to get from Mykonos to Santorini – 2019 Travel Guide
How to get from Athens to Mykonos
Meehong says
We (group of 5) are planning our first Greece trip in December. Would you have a different recommendation of the 7 days itinerary for winter? We have a little more time though, about 9-10 days.
Dave Briggs says
Hi,
If you are travelling in December, I wouldn’t recommend you do an island hopping trip such as this one, as the weather won’t be good enough.
Instead perhaps a mainland Greece trip might be better.
I’ve got an article which lists 10 different 10 day itineraries – maybe something in there will be useful: 10 days in Greece