7-Day Athens Santorini & Mykonos Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Athens Santorini & Mykonos tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaAthens Santorini & Mykonos travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Greece Itinerary, incl. Athens and Santorini

  The Athenaeum Grand Hotel in Athens welcomes guests for this week-long adventure, featuring Acropolis tours and three nights at Santorini's Rose Bay Hotel. Temple of Olympian Zeus visit and optional volcanic crater excursions included.

  

  View itineraryCompare 7 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Athens Arrival

    Get into Athens International Airport and make your way to your city center hotel. The trip takes 45-60 minutes, so try to book an afternoon flight to skip rush hour traffic. Once you're settled, take a relaxing evening walk through Plaka, where you'll find lively tavernas and welcoming streets lit up after dark.

    
  • Day 2

    Ancient Athens

    Get to the Acropolis when it opens at 8 AM to beat the crowds and the heat. One visitor shared: "Getting to the Parthenon right when it opened meant we had those magnificent views almost to ourselves." Pack shoes with good grip since the marble steps can be slippery. After seeing the Propylaea entrance and Temple of Athena Nike, head down to explore the Ancient Agora and stop for lunch in Monastiraki.

    
  • Day 3

    Athens to Santorini

    Board your morning ferry to Santorini. The trip takes about 8 hours. Book seats on the left side of the ferry for the best views of the caldera as you arrive. From Athinios Port, it's a 20-minute drive up winding roads to Fira. Watch the sunset from Imerovigli, a quieter spot with views just as beautiful as famous Oia.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Santorini Exploration

    Stay in Fira to easily reach both sides of the island. Start Day 4 with the Fira to Oia hike before 9 AM to avoid the hottest part of the day. The walk takes about 3 hours. A recent visitor noted: "The caldera trail gave us the most incredible views, but bring plenty of water and sun protection - there's zero shade." Use Day 5 to discover southern Santorini. Visit Perivolos with its black sand beaches, stop by a traditional winery in Megalochori, and check out the ancient ruins at Akrotiri. Get there early since it closes at 3:30 PM. Renting an ATV makes it simple to get around the narrow island roads.

    
  • Day 6

    Santorini to Athens

    Take the afternoon ferry back to Athens. If you can, book the faster 5-hour service. Get to the port an hour early since it gets busy. Spend your last Athens evening in Psyrri, where you'll find great tavernas and traditional rembetika music.

    
  • Day 7

    Athens Departure

    If you haven't been to the Acropolis Museum yet, visit when it opens at 8 AM. It's just 20 minutes from the airport. Plan to leave for the airport at least 3 hours before your flight.

    

  View itinerary

• 7 Day Greece Itinerary, incl. Athens and Santorini

  Two nights each in Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini create perfect balance. Matoyanni Street's boutiques, Nea Kameni volcano cruise, and dinner overlooking Oia's sunset highlight this journey. Includes 4-star accommodations.

  

  View itineraryCompare 7 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Athens

    Start in Athens and get settled at a hotel in the Plaka neighborhood. This central location puts you close to all the main sites. "Hotels were centrally located, making it easy to explore the main attractions even with limited time," one traveler shared. Visit the Acropolis after 4 PM when the crowds thin out and the heat drops. Pack shoes with good grip since the marble steps can be slippery.

    
  • Day 2

    Athens to Mykonos

    You'll need to be at Piraeus port by 6 AM for the Mykonos ferry. Consider staying at a Piraeus hotel the night before if you want more sleep. Regular ferries take 4 hours, or you can pay about $30 more for a 2.5-hour fast ferry. Once you arrive, check in and spend your afternoon walking around the famous windmills and Little Venice waterfront.

    
  • Day 3

    Mykonos

    Start your day shopping on Matoyanni Street before it gets too hot, then head to the beaches after lunch. Skip crowded Paradise Beach and try the quieter Agios Sostis instead. "The beauty of walking through Mykonos' whitewashed alleys early morning before the crowds was magical. Don't miss getting lost in the local neighborhoods," one visitor recommended.

    
  • Day 4

    Mykonos to Santorini

    Take the morning ferry to Santorini (2.5 hours). Book your stay in Oia or Fira if you want those classic caldera views. The east coast is cheaper but won't give you the same scenery. Spend your afternoon walking Fira's winding streets. The local buses work well but get crowded. If you're carrying luggage, a private transfer might be worth the extra cost.

    
  • Day 5

    Santorini

    Take a 6-hour sunset cruise around the caldera today. You'll see volcanic islands, swim in hot springs, and watch the sun set over Oia during dinner. Pack dark swimwear since the sulfur springs can stain light colors. A previous traveler noted: "The catamaran cruise was lovely but takes a full day. Plan other activities accordingly. The volcanic rocks can be sharp, so pack water shoes."

    
  • Day 6

    Santorini to Athens

    Get to Oia by 7:30 AM for photos before the crowds arrive. Later, catch the afternoon ferry back to Athens (5-7 hours). If you get seasick, consider flying instead (45 minutes). You'll reach Athens in the late evening.

    
  • Day 7

    Athens Departure

    Plan to leave your hotel 4 hours before your flight because of Athens traffic. If you have a later departure, visit the Ancient Agora or National Archaeological Museum. Both open early and offer a perfect final look at Greek history.

    

  View itinerary

• 7 Days in Greece, incl. Athens and Santorini

  Ancient sites like Herodion Theater and Acropolis launch this 7-day journey. Santorini's cliff-top villages of Oia and Fira, volcanic wineries, and Prophet Elias Monastery follow, before flying back to Athens. Six nights in 3-4* hotels with breakfast included.

  

  View itineraryCompare 7 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    Athens

    Your Greek adventure begins in the historic capital. The trip from Athens Airport to downtown takes 45 minutes, but leave extra time during morning traffic. Start with the Plaka neighborhood. The stone alleyways are quietest before 11 AM or after 4 PM when cruise ship visitors leave. A recent visitor shared: "Nightlife in Athens was beautiful and safe. We did a lot of walking in the historic center and felt completely comfortable." On Day 2, head to the Acropolis early at 8 AM to avoid crowds and heat. Pick shoes with good grip because the marble gets slippery. Visit the Acropolis Museum right after to connect what you've seen with the artifacts inside. A helpful tip: Buy Acropolis tickets online to skip the long lines that often stretch over an hour.

    
  • Days 3-6

    Santorini

    Catch a morning hydrofoil from Piraeus Port to Santorini. The 5-hour journey ends with a stunning view of white buildings along the volcanic cliffs. Stay in Oia or Fira. Both have great caldera views, but Oia is more relaxed and upscale. One traveler noted: "Don't bother bringing dress shoes—we walked minimum four hours daily up very steep and winding hills. Sneakers are essential." Take a day to check out the red and black sand beaches. The popular Fira-to-Oia walk is 3.5 km. Go early in the morning or try it in the evening with some wine stops. The path is quiet at night. Book a sunset boat trip but look for smaller groups instead of the big crowded boats. Day 5 is good for wine tasting. Stop by the Koutsoyanopoulos Wine Museum to learn about how volcanic soil affects the wine. For sunset in Oia, skip the packed castle viewpoint. Find a quiet spot on the caldera path about 20 minutes before the sun goes down.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Athens

    Take an early flight back to Athens. Book your trip home for late afternoon in case of delays with the domestic flight. Many people stay an extra night in Athens for peace of mind, especially on long trips.

    

  View itinerary