A week in Greece: the Acropolis and Plaka in Athens, then Santorini’s caldera villages, beaches and sunsets, with the ferry or flight between them.
Updated
Three days in Athens, starting with the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, then four days in Oia on Santorini. Look forward to sunset at Oia's viewpoint, wine at Antoniou and Gaia, and a boat trip to Thirassia and the hot springs.
Per person for 7 days: a room shared by two, food, local transport and sights. Flights are extra.
Budget
$510
Mid-range
$840
Comfort
$1,300
A rough guide from typical local prices; yours depends on season and choices.
A travel eSIM gives your phone mobile data in Greece as soon as the plane touches down: maps, ride apps and messages work at the airport, with no roaming bill and no SIM card to swap. Set it up at home in a few minutes; your own number keeps working for calls and texts.
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Day 1 · Athens, Greece
Climb the Acropolis first, stop at the Theatre of Dionysus on the way down, then head up Philopappos Hill for the view and dinner at Psaras.
Your base for the next 3 nights: Plaka, Athens
Days 1 to 3 start and end here, so you only unpack once.
Where to stay ↓12:00 PM · 1 hour
Take the metro line 3 (blue) from the airport to Syntagma, then walk south 10 minutes into Plaka. Cost is 11 euros, journey about 50 minutes. Slower but cheapest and metro is efficient.
Prefer a guide? · 3 hours
Beat the crowds with a guide who tells you what the ruins actually were, not just that they're old.
Book this tour1Walk straight uphill from Plaka through ancient streets to the Acropolis entrance. The Parthenon is the core, but wander the slopes for quieter views and fewer crowds at 2 PM than later. Greek ticket: 14 euros.
Insider tip: Enter from the west side (Dionysiou Areopagitou entrance) and climb the steep marble steps first thing; the later you arrive, the more bodies clog the summit.
2Ancient Greek theatre below the Acropolis, often quieter than the main site and included with the Acropolis ticket. Sit in the stone seats and imagine 17,000 Athenians watching plays 2,400 years ago. A 5-minute walk downhill from the Acropolis.
Insider tip: Come here first if you're visiting the Acropolis early next morning; most tourists skip it, so you'll have the stones to yourself.
A short uphill walk from Plaka through pine trees to a marble monument overlooking the city. The view west toward the Acropolis silhouettes at sunset is golden-hour gold. Climb the steps inside the monument for a wider view. Free.
Insider tip: Arrive by 6:50 PM to catch the full sunset glow on the Acropolis; the light shifts fast, so don't linger in Plaka.
Family-run fish taverna tucked in a Plaka alley, with a tiny courtyard and honest grilled octopus, sea bream, and local white wine. About a 10-minute walk downhill from Philopappos, back into the lanes.
Insider tip: Ask the owner what fish came in today; order that grilled whole and a carafe of house white. Expect 30-40 euros per person.
If you land early
Optional, close to your stay, before the plan above.
Popular experiences worth booking ahead.
Full day
You get the caldera views, the iconic sunset moment, and a proper dinner in Oia without the hassle of overnight logistics.
Book now4-5 hours
Cruise past volcanic cliffs, stop at Nea Kameni to swim in warm volcanic springs, and float past Palea Kameni for the geothermal mud.
Book now
Half day
Small producers make excellent Assyrtiko and Agiorgitiko wines outside the tourist markup; the views over vineyards to the sea are the bonus.
Book now
3 hours
Local chef shows you where to find proper meze, teaches you about the neighbourhood's art scene, and you eat as you go.
Book nowBook a room in Plaka proper, between Adrianou Street and the Acropolis base: you're steps from ancient sites, the Plaka market, and the metro. Avoid the touristy north end near Syntagma; stick to the quieter lanes south of Ermou Street.
Want more choice for your 3 nights? See everything in Plaka, Athens, or an apartment or house (good for families and groups).
Tiny, standing-room counter near Monastiraki. Pork souvlaki with pita, tzatziki, onions. Skip chains.
Plaka side street, white walls, thoughtful cooking. Horta salad, grilled fish, local wine. Book ahead.
Day 2 · Athens, Greece
Spend the morning at the Ancient Agora and the Stoa of Attalos Museum, then wander Plaka's lanes and stay for dinner.
1Walk where Socrates debated and Athenians voted. The Temple of Hephaestus is the star: a near-perfect ancient building. It's a short walk north from the museum.
Insider tip: Skip the museum inside the Agora; the temples and colonnades are the real draw. Walk the whole perimeter for full context.
2Small, quieter museum inside the restored Stoa. Pottery, coins, and everyday objects tell a better story than big pieces. It's steps from where you're standing in the Agora.
Insider tip: The courtyard is a rare shaded spot in central Athens. Sit here and grab a coffee before lunch.
Wander the backstreets and narrow staircases of Plaka as the light softens. Pick a small taverna on a quiet corner for dinner. Walk down from Philopappos (15 minutes) or take the bus back.
Insider tip: Walk along Adrianou Street just after sunset. The lit doorways and ivy-covered walls feel intimate. Eat where you see Greeks, not tour groups.
Cosy courtyard spot. Order Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts, fresh orange juice.
No-fuss classic near the Agora. Grilled lamb chops and horta (boiled greens). Sit outside.
Rooftop terrace overlooks Acropolis at dusk. Order slow-cooked lamb and local wine.
Day 3 · Athens, Greece
A slower day in central Athens: start at Syntagma Square, spend time in the Benaki Museum, then see the Attica Department Store and the National Library.
1The grand neoclassical plaza anchors Athens' political life. Watch the Evzone guards change (on the hour), admire the Parliament building's Doric columns, and grab coffee at a side cafe. A 15-minute walk or short metro ride from Plaka.
Insider tip: Arrive just before 11:00 AM for the official guard change; the 8:00 AM one is shorter.
2Four floors of Greek art and design from antiquity to now, with far fewer queues than the Acropolis Museum. The rooftop cafe overlooks the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill. On Syntagma, a 5-minute walk north.
Insider tip: Book tickets online to skip the line. Hit the rooftop first for morning light and fewer people.
3A local institution since 1914, not a tourist trap. Wander the food hall on the ground floor for charcuterie, cheese, and pastries, then grab lunch at a standing-room counter. A 10-minute walk south from Syntagma.
Insider tip: Skip the retail floors. Go straight to the food hall and order a feta and honey pastry with coffee.
4Modern building with stunning views from the rooftop terrace over Athens and towards the Acropolis. Quieter than museums, with a good cafe. A 15-minute walk or metro ride west from Syntagma.
Insider tip: Head straight up to the rooftop; it's free and the views beat most tourist viewpoints.
Packed with locals. Order saganaki, lamb meatballs, horta. Skip tourist spots.
Small plates, natural wines. Fish, greens, feta. Syntagma side street gem.
Day 4 · Santorini, Greece
Walk Oia's main street, go down to Amoudi Bay, then come back up for sunset at the viewpoint and dinner at Sunset Restaurant.
Your base for the next 4 nights: Oia, Santorini
Days 4 to 7 start and end here, so you only unpack once.
Where to stay ↓Getting here: Athens (ATH) to Santorini (JTR) by Domestic flight (Aegean Airlines, Sky Express) or ferry (6-8 hours) (1 hour flight / 6-8 hours ferry).
11:30 AM · 2 hours 30 minutes
One-hour flight on Aegean Airlines or Sky Express (€40-70 one way). Land at Santorini Airport; take the public bus (€1.80) to Oia, 15km north. Total travel time about 2.5 hours.
The village's heart: a narrow pedestrian lane with white-washed houses, blue domes, galleries and cafes cascading down the cliff. Get your bearings, grab a coffee, and soak in the light. Start from the main entrance (bus stop) and wander downhill toward the caldera.
Insider tip: Walk down now while the crowds are light; most of Oia empties out by 3pm before the sunset rush.
2A postcard cove at the foot of Oia's cliffs with a small pebble beach, tavernas and a natural pool for a dip. Descend the steep stairs from the village (300+ steps). Perfect for a late-afternoon swim before dinner.
Insider tip: Swim early; by 5pm the light turns too harsh. The water is warmest in September, around 26°C.
The most famous vantage point in Greece: the caldera drops away to your left, and the sun sinks into the Aegean in shades of pink and gold. Position yourself 20 minutes before sunset (7:28 PM) to claim a spot on the cliff-edge or a restaurant terrace.
Insider tip: Skip the main promenade; head to the quieter corner south of the central square near the Church of Panagia for fewer crowds and clearer sightlines.
A casual, mid-range spot right on the caldera edge with grilled fish, salade horiatiki and cold Assyrtiko wine. Book a table overlooking the cliffs and time it for just after sunset when the sky turns purple and the lights of the town flicker on below.
Insider tip: Reserve ahead via phone or walk in around 7:45pm; sunset is the busiest time, but the restaurant keeps serving well into the evening.
Prefer a guide? · 2-3 hours
Book a taverna with a caldera-facing table for two (not a group table); Amoudi Bay near Oia has excellent seafood at less touristy prices.
Book this tourPopular experiences worth booking ahead.
4 hours
You'll anchor near hot springs, swim in the warm volcanic water at sunset, and see the caldera from the water rather than overlooking it.
Book now
4-5 hours
Visit two or three family-run wineries in the volcanic interior, taste Assyrtiko and Vinsanto, and skip the tourist wine bars in town.
Book now
3-4 hours
The most romantic walk on the island, hugging the caldera edge with views that get better every 20 minutes; start early to avoid afternoon heat.
Book now
Half day
The red volcanic sand is unique, the water's warm, and the Bronze Age ruins next door give you history without the Fira crowds.
Book nowBook a room or studio in central Oia, uphill from Amoudi Bay. You're steps from the sunset viewpoint, the main pedestrian street for dinner, and the morning light hits the white cliffs best from here.
Want more choice for your 4 nights? See everything in Oia, Santorini, or an apartment or house (good for families and groups).
Perched on the cliff edge. Order grilled octopus and local Assyrtiko wine. Arrive by 1pm before the crowds.
Reserve a table facing the caldera. Try the fava (yellow split pea dip) and lamb in tomato. Eat by 7pm for pre-sunset light.
Day 5 · Santorini, Greece
Take a day trip to Fira, come back to Oia for sunset from the viewing platform, and have dinner at Roka.
1The administrative heart of Santorini has its own quiet charm away from Oia's circus. Walk the main square, duck into the archaeological museum if you want a quick indoor break, then grab lunch at a proper local taverna with no tour groups. A 15-minute bus ride or taxi from Oia (€3-5).
Insider tip: Eat at Faverna, a family-run spot one block back from the main square. Order the stifado (beef stew) and local wine.
The famous spot everyone queues for. Yes, it's packed. But it's packed because the view is real and the moment matters, especially for a honeymoon. Arrive by 6:15 PM to claim a decent spot; the terrace fills fast after 6:45 PM. From the castle ruins, walk down to the main shopping street and follow the crowds to the central platform (5 mins).
Insider tip: Bring a small bottle of wine from your room. The terraces sell overpriced bottles (€25+). Settle in early and watch the light change for 45 minutes before the sun hits the horizon.
Dinner after the sunset, while the sky is still burning pink and orange. Sits on the caldera rim with an honest kitchen and a short, local wine list. Book a table for around 8 PM so you eat in the afterglow. Walk from the sunset platform (2 mins) or from your accommodation.
Insider tip: Reserve ahead by calling or asking your hotel. Request a table on the terrace. Order the grilled octopus and whatever fish is fresh that day.
Quiet taverna off the main square. Order horta and grilled octopus, eat on the terrace.
Book a table facing the caldera for sunset. Saganaki and local wine. Reserve by 4pm.
Day 6 · Santorini, Greece
Taste wine at Antoniou, take a long beach break at Perivolos, then finish the afternoon at Gaia Winery.
Small family winery perched on the caldera rim with views across the volcanic landscape. Taste four local wines (assyrtiko, vinsanto) in a quiet cellar, learn how volcanic soil shapes Santorini's unique style. Take the 9:30 AM bus from Oia (line 3, 15 minutes to Kamari direction, ask the driver for Antoniou). Book ahead for the 10:00 AM tasting.
Insider tip: Go hungry. Pair wines with local cheese and olive bread from the winery's small pantry.
Black volcanic sand, shallow warm water, and far fewer tourists than Kamari next door. Rent sunbeds and an umbrella, swim for an hour, then grab lunch at the taverna behind the beach. From Antoniou, catch the 12:15 PM bus toward Kamari (5 minutes), walk left along the main road for 3 minutes.
Insider tip: The water's warmest on the east-facing shore. Lunch here is cheap and good: grilled octopus or simple moussaka.
Modern winery with a dramatic tasting room overlooking vines and caldera. Taste five wines including a premium assyrtiko and late-harvest vinsanto, learn about the winemaker's philosophy. Return bus from Perivolos to central Kamari (10 minutes), then a taxi uphill to Gaia (5 minutes, 8–10 euros). Book the 4:00 PM tasting.
Insider tip: Ask to sit on the terrace. The 5pm light is soft and golden; the view is worth the tasting alone.
Casual spot in Kamari. Order saganaki and grilled octopus after wine tasting.
Perched on Oia cliffs. Reserve ahead. Fava dip and grilled fish at sunset time.
Day 7 · Santorini, Greece
Sail the caldera to Thirassia and the hot springs, then relax at Kamari Beach and have a last dinner at 1800 Voted Restaurant.
The honeymoon essential. A morning departure from Amoudi Bay takes you across the caldera, stops at Thirassia island for swimming, then to the hot springs near Palea Kameni where you'll float in warm mineral water surrounded by volcanic rock. Back by early afternoon. Book with a local operator the night before or ask your hotel.
Insider tip: Bring reef shoes for the hot springs rocks and sunscreen that won't wash off. The water is warm but salty.
2A black sand beach on the east coast with calmer water and fewer crowds than the red sand beaches. You'll arrive here late afternoon after the boat trip. It's a 20-minute drive or bus ride from Oia, perfect for a final swim and to rinse off the mineral water. Tavernas line the shore.
Insider tip: The southern end near the ruins is quieter. Order grilled fish at one of the tavernas and eat with your feet in the sand.
Return to Oia by 5 PM. This rooftop restaurant sits at the cliff edge with an unobstructed caldera and sunset view. Book a table for 6 PM, order light plates (saganaki, grilled octopus, local cheese), and watch the light change from gold to pink to purple. The sunset ritual ends here, not in a crowded square.
Insider tip: Ask for the corner table when you book. The saganaki is fried on the spot. Book ahead or call at 4 PM to secure a sunset slot.
Spanakopita and coffee before your boat. Local spot, no tourists yet.
Sit on the rocks post-swim. Grilled octopus and white wine, sea views.
Back in Oia. Fava dip and lamb. Reserve a table, not the sunset terrace.
What travellers ask about each place on this trip, answered.
What travellers ask about Athens, answered.
Arrive by 6:30pm in summer; sunset is around 7:20pm in September. The main terrace is mobbed. Instead, position yourselves on the quiet side stairs (head up the narrow lane to the right of the main square) for better photos and breathing room.
Book a small-group morning or afternoon trip (not the massive dinner cruises). Anemi Tours and Caldera View offer 4-5 hour cruises with swimming at Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni hot springs, plus wine tasting and lunch, around €60-75 per person.
In Athens, stay near Syntagma or Plaka for walkability. In Santorini, book a small hotel or villa in Oia or Firostefani (less touristy than central Oia) with a caldera view. Book ahead; September is still peak season on the islands.
Book Oia restaurants for sunset dining 1-2 days ahead via phone or email. In Athens, local tavernas in Psyrri and Gazi take walk-ins, but arrive by 8:30pm before they fill up.
Expect 28-32°C (82-90°F) and almost no rain. Pack light cotton clothes, sunscreen you'll actually reapply, and a thin layer for evenings when the temperature drops.
Spoken here: Greek. English is solid in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas. You'll hit patches in local neighbourhoods where it thins out, but people are patient.
Useful phrases
• Kalispéra (kah-lees-PEHR-ah): Good evening
• Efharistó (eh-fah-rees-TOH): Thank you
• To logharíasmó, parakaló (toh lo-gah-REE-ahs-moh pah-rah-kah-LOH): The bill, please
• Kalí horá (kah-LEE HOR-ah): Enjoy your meal
• Óchi (OH-hee): No
Athens is generally safe, but watch your bag on crowded metro cars and avoid Omonia Square late at night. The one real thing to know: petty theft on public transport happens.
Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire. It’s free and works from any phone, including a foreign mobile.
Round up to the nearest euro or leave 5-10% at restaurants if the service was solid. Taxis: not expected, but loose change is fine. Tip in cash, not card.
• Skip the Plaka tourist restaurants and eat where locals do: head to Psyrri or Gazi for better food at half the price.
• The Acropolis at sunrise (6.30am-7am) gets you in before the heat and the tour groups.
• Hop on a ferry to Hydra or Aegina for a proper beach day and lunch on the water without flying to Santorini.
• Visit a local winery in Attica (30 mins from the city) instead of paying tourist markups in town.
What travellers ask about Santorini, answered.
The sun sets around 7.15pm in early September, 7pm by month's end. Arrive by 4pm to claim a spot; if you're there for sunset, you're there too late. The light show starts 20 minutes before.
Book a small-group afternoon cruise that includes Nea Kameni (the volcanic island), a swim in the hot springs, and Palea Kameni. Skip the mega-boat tours. Cost is €45-60 per person and takes 4-5 hours.
Kamari or Perivolos on the east coast: warmer, less crowded than Perissa, and the water's still 25-26°C (77-79°F). Vlychada is emptier but less swimmable; it's better for the drama of the red cliffs.
Only if you want dinner in Oia at 8.30pm. For tavernas elsewhere, walk in before 8pm or after 9.30pm. Lunch spots rarely need a booking; go between 1-3pm.
Expect 25-28°C (77-82°F) with low humidity and almost no rain. Pack light clothes, sunscreen (the sun reflects off white buildings), a thin layer for breezy evenings, and comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets.
Spoken here: Greek. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, less so in smaller villages and tavernas away from the main routes.
Useful phrases
• Kalispéra (kah-lee-SPEH-rah): Good evening
• Efharistó (eh-fah-ree-STOH): Thank you
• To logariásmó, parakaló (toh loh-gah-ree-AHS-moh pah-rah-kah-LOH): The bill, please
• Yiamas (YAH-mas): Cheers
• Pós ta skiniá (pohs tah skee-NEE-ah): How are things?
Santorini is very safe. Watch your footing on steep, narrow streets, especially after dark or with a few glasses of local wine.
Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire. It’s free and works from any phone, including a foreign mobile.
Tipping isn't expected but is appreciated. Leave 5-10% at restaurants if the service was good, or round up the bill. Tap on card machines are becoming common; the suggested amounts are often high, so adjust down if you prefer.
• Book Oia's sunset spot by 6pm at the latest, ideally by 5.30pm; sit on the edge with a drink rather than standing in the packed square.
• Skip the pricey main caldera boat tours and instead take the local ferry from Athinios port to Thirassia Island for a quieter, cheaper day on the water.
• Eat your main meal at lunch when tavernas offer better prices and fresher fish; dinner in the tourist zones is marked up significantly.
• Walk the cliff paths between villages (Fira to Oia is stunning) early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds.
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