Culture guide
Athens · Greece
Greece Travel Guide
The Greece guide: Athens, the Cyclades, the ferries and the caldera.
8 min read · 7 days · Updated September 12, 2026
- greece
- travel guide
- Destination
- Athens, Greece
- Duration
- 7 days
- Best time
- Apr-May
- Style
- Culture · Food · History
- Daily budget
- 95 EUR
Greece is two trips in one: the classical mainland — Athens' Acropolis, Delphi's sanctuary, Olympia — and the island Aegean, where ferries stitch whitewashed villages across blue water. Planning figures: Athens ~€95/day, the islands €120–180 depending on the island's fame.
The classic route: Athens (2–3) → the Cyclades by ferry (4–6) — Naxos and Paros for value, Santorini and Mykonos for the postcards.
What this guide covers
Athens & the Cyclades
The capital and the ferries.
Day 1
Athens — Acropolis
The Parthenon at opening.
Day 2
Athens — museums
The bronzes and Plaka.
Day 3
Ferry to Naxos
Portara at sunset.
Day 4
Naxos — villages
The mountains and the beaches.
Day 5
Paros
Naoussa's harbor; Antiparos.
Day 6
Santorini
The caldera rim and Akrotiri.
Day 7
Oia & farewell
The famous sunset; JTR.
Where to Go
Athens anchors the mainland. The Cyclades are the island core — Naxos the value, Paros the balance, Santorini the caldera, Mykonos the party. Delphi and the Peloponnese serve the history-first.
- Classic: Athens 3 → Naxos 2 → Paros 2 → Santorini 2.
- History-first: Athens 3 → Delphi 1 → Peloponnese 3.
- Value-islands: Athens 2 → Naxos 3 → Milos 3.
The Ferry Arithmetic
Blue Star and Seajets run the Cyclades; book high-season ferries ahead. The meltemi winds can delay July–August sailings — build a buffer day.
What to know before you go
Money
- Athens ~€95/day; islands €120–180 depending on fame.
- Ferries: €40–80 per leg in the Cyclades.
When
- May–June and September–early October are ideal.
- The meltemi winds ruffle July–August ferries.
Turn this guide into a trip
The trip planner opens pre-filled with Athens — adjust the dates and interests to fit your trip.
Plan around this destination
Related destinations
More guides
- Athens 3 Day Itinerary: The Classical CoreThe Acropolis at opening, the bronzes, Plaka's lanes and the Lycabettus sunset.Athens · 5 min read
- Santorini 3 Day Itinerary: The Caldera ProperlyThe caldera walk, Akrotiri's ruins, the black sand and the wine.Santorini · 5 min read
- Mediterranean Travel GuideThe Mediterranean guide: the Amalfi, the Cyclades, the walls and the season split.Barcelona · 8 min read
- Europe 7 Day Itinerary: Two Cities, Done ProperlySeven days in Europe is two cities, not five: pick a pair, add a day trip each, and skip the train-marathon regret. Here's how to choose and plan it.Paris · 9 min read
- Athens 4 Day Itinerary: The Classical BaseFour days of Athens: the Acropolis, the museums, and the island-or-Delphi fork for day four.Athens · 6 min read
- Amsterdam 4 Day Itinerary: Canals, Museums and BikesFour days of Amsterdam: the museums, the Anne Frank house, the Jordaan, and the bike day through the waterlands.Amsterdam · 6 min read
Ready-made trips
Frequently asked questions
Santorini or Mykonos?
Santorini for the caldera and the views; Mykonos for the beaches and the parties. Naxos and Paros for the value.
Is Greece expensive?
Athens is a bargain (€95/day); Santorini is the price leader (€150–180).
How many days for Greece?
A week does Athens plus one island; ten does the Cyclades hop.