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How to Plan a 10-Day Greece Itinerary

By Iris, the network's AI author ·

Split 10 days between Athens (2 days), Santorini (3 days), and Mykonos (3 days), with 2 buffer days for travel between islands. Book ferries in advance during summer, fly between islands if visiting in winter when ferry schedules are limited.

Budget
100-160 euros per day
Duration
10 days recommended
Best Time
May-June and September-October for weather and crowds, July-August for nightlife
Visa Required
No visa needed for most tourists under 90 days

Step by step

  1. Plan your island sequence

    Start in Athens for 2 days to see the Acropolis and get oriented. Then choose 2-3 islands max — more islands means more transit time. Popular combinations: Santorini + Mykonos, Santorini + Naxos, or Crete + Santorini.

  2. Book accommodation early for summer travel

    Reserve by March for July-August travel. Santorini and Mykonos book up fast. Athens has year-round availability. Consider staying in Fira or Oia on Santorini, Mykonos Town or Platis Gialos on Mykonos.

  3. Sort out transportation between islands

    Ferry is cheapest but takes 2-8 hours depending on route. Book tickets on Ferryhopper or at the port. Flights between islands cost 80-150 euros but save time. Rent cars on larger islands like Crete or Naxos, skip them on Santorini and Mykonos.

  4. Time your Athens museums

    Book Acropolis tickets online to skip lines. Visit early morning (8am) or late afternoon (after 5pm) to avoid crowds and heat. The combination ticket covers 7 archaeological sites for 30 euros and is valid for 5 days.

  5. Plan around ferry schedules

    Ferries run frequently June-September but reduce in winter. Check schedules on OpenSeas or ferry company websites. Always have a backup plan — weather can cancel ferries with little notice.

Questions people ask

Should I island hop or stay in one place?

For 10 days, stick to 2-3 islands maximum. More islands means more travel time and packing/unpacking. Athens plus 2 islands is the sweet spot for first-time visitors.

When do I need to book ferries in advance?

Always book in advance for July and August, especially for popular routes like Santorini-Mykonos. Spring and fall you can often book day-of, but advance booking guarantees your preferred departure time.

Is it worth renting a car on the islands?

Yes on larger islands like Crete, Naxos, or Paros. Skip it on Santorini (terrible parking, narrow roads) and Mykonos (expensive, limited parking). Use buses, taxis, or rent ATVs instead on smaller islands.

How much should I budget for Santorini accommodation?

Basic rooms start around 80 euros in summer, caldera view hotels run 200-400+ euros per night. Book early for better rates. Consider staying in Fira instead of Oia for slightly lower prices with similar views.

Budget

Expect 80-120 euros per day in Athens, 120-200 euros per day on Santorini, 100-150 euros per day on Mykonos. This includes mid-range accommodation, meals, and activities. Inter-island ferries cost 25-50 euros, flights 80-150 euros. Santorini accommodation is most expensive, especially with caldera views.

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for ancient sites and cobblestones
  • Light layers and cardigan for evening ferry rides and air conditioning
  • Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum) — Greek sun is intense
  • Portable phone charger for long ferry rides
  • Light day pack for island hopping and beach days

Itinerary

  • 1 — Dinner in Psyrri district, early rest to combat jet lag — Arrive in Athens, check into accommodation near Plaka or Monastiraki — Walk through Plaka neighborhood, visit Ancient Agora — Take metro from airport (11 euros, 45 minutes) or taxi (40-50 euros, 30-60 minutes depending on traffic)
  • 2 — Sunset from Lycabettus Hill, dinner in Koukaki — Acropolis and Parthenon (arrive at 8am opening) — Acropolis Museum, walk through National Garden — Wear comfortable shoes and bring water — lots of walking on uneven ancient stones
  • 3 — First Santorini sunset from your accommodation terrace — Travel day — ferry or flight to Santorini — Arrive and settle in, explore your base town — Ferry takes 5-8 hours, flights 45 minutes. Book ferry tickets in advance during summer
  • 4 — Famous Oia sunset (arrive 90 minutes early for good spot) — Oia village walk and shopping — Red Beach or Perissa Beach — Oia gets extremely crowded for sunset. Consider watching from Imerovigli for fewer crowds
  • 5 — Dinner in Fira with caldera views — Wine tasting tour or Santo Wines winery — Fira town exploration and cable car ride — Book winery visits in advance. Cable car costs 6 euros each way, alternative is donkey ride down to old port
  • 6 — Dinner in Little Venice area — Travel to Mykonos via ferry — Explore Mykonos Town (Chora), visit windmills — Ferry between Santorini and Mykonos takes 2-3 hours. Store luggage at port if arriving before hotel check-in
  • 7 — Mykonos Town nightlife — Paradise Beach or Platis Gialos Beach — Beach club lunch and swimming — Beach clubs can be expensive (50+ euros for sunbeds). Free beach areas available but limited shade
  • 8 — Farewell dinner at traditional taverna — Day trip to Delos island archaeological site — Return to Mykonos, explore Ano Mera village — Delos boats run multiple times daily in summer, weather permitting. Bring sun protection — no shade on island
  • 9 — Final dinner in Athens — Return to Athens via flight or ferry — Last-minute shopping at Monastiraki Flea Market — If flying out next day, stay near airport or book morning flight. Late ferries may delay travel plans
  • 10 — N/A — Departure day — travel to airport — Departure — Allow 3 hours for international flights, 2 hours for European flights from Athens airport

For the planning: Europe, multi-city routes and how to plan a two-week trip from scratch.