Planning your Greek islands vacation? We’ve rounded up our favorite stops to show you why you should visit Greece. Now, I went on this trip a few years back, but some places just stand out that & I had to jot them down. In this post, we’re going to show you how to plan a trip to Greece, share a full itinerary for visiting Greece’s top two islands, how to travel within Greece, and where to go!

When is the best time to visit Greece? Before we get started, my biggest tip is to plan around the country’s off-season. Greece has always been a dream destination for many, but recently it has gained a ton of online traction for being one of the best luxurious Mediterranean destinations. So when SHOULD you visit Greece? Spring or Fall are best, the summers are packed with tourists which may cause a bit of chaos. The perfect month to travel to Greece is hands down the month of May – it’s the true off-season on all the islands, shops are just starting to open up for the summer, and you get a much more laid-back feel of the towns.

Be ready to island hop – and note that some islands certainly aren’t close to each other. The ferry system is easy to navigate and very punctual so beware.  You also have to be prepared to arrive an hour before departure time to get your ticket validated and to board. My favorite resources to check the ferry timetables ahead of time & to book them are Ferries in Greece or Greece Ferries. Make sure to pack comfortably for the ferry boats (small pillow will be handy), they could get crowded and depending on your destination you might find yourself aboard for close to 8 hours.

Tip: If you purchase your tickets ahead of time (recommended during busy seasons), you’ll have the option of picking up the tickets directly at the Blue Star agent stall at the ferry port.  

ATHENS

We only stayed one full day and night in Athens to make sure we got to our next destination on time. If you’re following this itinerary, be sure to pick a location that’s close the market or the Monastiraki Train Station – that’s where the action is. Greece is super traveler friendly, so you’ll find hundreds of options. I thought that the Adrian Hotel was perfectly located – very close to most of the sightseeing we did in Athens especially if you’re tight on time!

What to do in Athens

The Monastiraki Market – the market area is a favorite for locals and travelers. It’s a massive open air flea market and a great place to grab souvenirs, fresh coconuts and pastries from the stalls, and plenty of restaurants options. Kuzina is a favorite in the area simply because it has great food and a perfect view of the Parthenon. Check out this guide if you’re looking for other food options in Athens!

The Acropolis of Athens – when in Athens, you can’t miss the Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena. Even though it’s only 1 km, It’s quite the uphill walk from the market so be prepared to get sweaty. Acropolis is a citadel of several ancient buildings and attractions, the most known being the Parthenon and the massive Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre.

You can spend a half day in Acropolis walking through the ancient grounds and taking in 360 panoramic views of Athens.

In the evening, you can take the Athens Happy Train around Enapeh, the train itself is an open-air hop on hop off carriage of the sorts. It’s a great way to hit those attractions you didn’t see during the day, but also get to see everything beautifully lit at night.

Of course you should consider spending more time in Athens, check out things to do in and around the ancient city.

SANTORINI

How to get from Athens to Santorini, locally known as Thira. Remember that the ferries are your friends! Use these online resources to book your ferry ahead of time: Ferries in Greece or Greece Ferries. How’s ferry to Santorini? Packed! In addition to being absolutely ginormous, these massive ships are not the most comfortable ride. Plan for close to 8 hours of travel, wear comfortable clothes and bring snacks.

First off, Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in Greece, including other famous islands like Mykonos (which we will cover later) and Naxos among others. Cyclades Islands are a set of islands on the southeast of the mainland in the Aegean Sea. Their location is absolutely stunning, and no matter which island you choose to visit you will surely have a serene time.

Once in Santorini, you can opt to stay in downtown or if you’re on a budget you can stay a few minutes out of town and rent a car to get around. This is what we thought the best option was. For as little as 20 euros a day you can have the flexibility of exploring the island on your own.

Where to stay in Santorini? We picked Villa Manos and it was everything we dreamed of and more. Amazing hosts, breakfast and views. You’ll have access to the pool, which is perfectly warm and is great for a sunset view. It’s budget friendly and not directly downtown, so you’ll need to find a way over there but for the price it was worth it. Renting a car eliminates this problem!

What to do in Santorini 

Byzantine Castle Ruins – arguably the singular reason most people visit Santorini. Well at least, it makes for the best pictures. There are ancient remains at the hilltop but you’re really here for the views.

Three Bells of Fira – officially known as The Catholic Church of Koimisi Tis Theotokou, this cliffside church is famed for its three bells, blue dome, and picturesque location.

St. Gerasimos Church – yet another picturesque church to walk through. The best part about this side of town is that there’s a large parking lot area where you can leave your rental car and explore the town.

Santorini Cable Car – from St. Gerasimos, walk about 10 minutes to reach the cable car ride entrance. Enjoy the magnificent ride down the side of the cliff. When you reach the bottom you can rest or grab a drink at the Golden Sunset Cafe. Once you’re ready go back up the Caldera, you can choose to take the cable car or opt for a donkey ride. This has been quite the controversy lately, as the donkeys are not fairly treated. We’ll leave that up to you to decide!

Drive to Oia – you can’t come to Santorini without visiting the bustling town of Oia. There are two ways to get there, either hike for 3 hours (which comes with a side of amazing views and exhaustion) or you can drive or take a cab! In all cases, this is where the magic is happening, and you must visit!

Drive around the island! This is where the car comes in. We drove pretty far from downtown to reach some remote beaches. We visited Kamari the black sand beach – it wasn’t the type of beach you want to throw yourself into, but the drive over was very scenic and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a fun dinning experience overlooking more of the island’s amazing scenes, check out Sunsets Restaurant. 

MYKONOS

Now onto the next island. A four hour ferry ride from Santorini, is Mykonos! 30 million tourists visit Greece every year, at least in 2018 alone, most of whom stop in Mykonos – choose your travel timing wisely. Once you arrive, you’ll realize pretty quickly that if you want to venture outside of the main tourists areas you’ll need to rent a moped/motorcycle, check out Roussos Rentals for super affordable rides.

We loved our stay at Andriani’s Guest House, yet another perfectly located guesthouse with beautiful décor. Overlooking downtown Mykonos, but tucked away from the busy the streets. The best part is, they offer shuttle service from the ferry port – major plus! You can also stay in Lakka Square near Little Venice, this is an ideal location if you want to be in the heart of the shopping area – we suggest the Fresh Boutique Hotel.

What to do in Mykonos

Kato Mili Windmills – you aren’t going to miss these. They’re right there at the edge of little Venice.

Little Venice & Matoyianni Street- get the perfect pano shot of little Venice and the water, but make sure to walk through the streets.

Church of Paraportiani – an all white breathtaking church in Hora. Make sure to venture around this church, you’ll find plenty of boutiques and shopping.

Just WALK! Everything is pretty. Everything is picture worthy. Discover this island, and get lost.

Super Paradise Beach – we drove to Super Paradise, which was supposedly very popular but to our surprise we were the only ones there & it was perfect. There is a Kalua cafe that kept us occupied.

Where to Eat

Mykonos is expensive, considering the heavy flow of tourists that come through each year. We tried to be budget friendly, but sometimes got trapped into paying a lot of money for very little food. Here’s a list of the best places to enjoy a meal and not the break the bank.

Katrina’s Cocktail Bar – As you dive into Little Venice, you must must must stop at Katrina’s and make sure to get outdoor seating since you’ll literally be eating over the water!

Break Snack & Coffee – we discovered this perfect breakfast on the go spot and pretty much went every morning. It’s very reasonable, with an in house bakery and fresh pastries.

Semeli – very relaxing pit stop for refreshments and dinner and of course ocean view.

Yummy – if you’re trying to tame a sweet tooth, visit Yummy for fresh waffles, crepes and everything Nutella.

Mykonos’ nightlife scene is out of this world, coupled with the beach views it’s the dreamiest place to dance and relax. Check out these suggestions on where to go at night. Here are some of our favorites.

Scorpios Mykonos – the ultimate beach party, music, food & dancing. This is at its prime during sunset and into the night.

180 Sunset Bar – another perfect beachy lounge with Moroccan bean puffs for seating and the perfect panoramic view.

Galleraki – if you’re looking for a place to DANCE, this is it! It was the busiest (indoor) club on the island with great music and vibes.

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