HomeJourneys › Greek Island Hopping

Greek Island Hopping: the Day-by-Day Itinerary

Whitewashed houses and blue domes of Oia above the Santorini caldera
Photo: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

This one links Athens and the Cyclades by ferry. You climb the Acropolis in the morning, then spend the days that follow swimming off Naxos beaches, eating grilled fish with your feet in the sand, and watching the sun drop over Santorini's caldera. Antiquity and the Aegean, in the right proportions.

Greek Island Hopping is a 240 km one-way journey (bus & ferry). It works best as 5–8 days; the plan below is the 7-day version for September, built from 328 verified places, with timetable-estimated transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

Customize this plan → 5-day plan · 7-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go

7
days
350 km
distance
11.7 h
in transit
48
curated stops

Day 1 Athens

no transit — linger day · wraps up ~19:45
🌡 14.5–38.5°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 12.2h light
09:00
Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centremuseums & heritagehistory & sagasbeaches & cliffs
Take in views of the Acropolis and coast from a beautiful terrace.
90 min · Athens · Free
open: 06:00-20:00 (gardens open till 22:00 in summer; National Library open
10:30
Daphni Monasterymuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Appreciate the serene Byzantine mosaics in this restored UNESCO site.
50 min · Athens · Free admission
open: Tu and F 08:00-15:00
11:20
Acropolis of Athensmuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Feel the grandeur of ancient Greece beneath iconic columns and temples.
50 min · Athens
12:10
Ancient Agoramuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Walk through the ruins of Athens' bustling ancient marketplace.
50 min · Athens · €20, reduced €10, ticket valid for both
open: Tu-Su 08:30 - 15:30, M 10:00-15:30
13:00
Kerameikosmuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Reflect amidst ancient graves and the quiet Dipylon Gate.
50 min · Athens · €10, reduced €5
open: 08:30 - 16:00
13:50
Benaki Museum of Greek Culturemuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Marvel at diverse Greek art spanning millennia in a neoclassical setting.
50 min · Athens · €9, students, seniors, people with disab
open: W F 10:00-18:00; Th Sa 10:00-00:00; Su 10:00-16:00
14:40
The Traditionalmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Enjoy quality village-style Greek tavern food in the city center.
60 min · Athens
18:30
Baluxcraft beer & pubsswimming & baths
Sip cocktails and swim in a trendy seaside complex in Glyfada.
75 min · Athens
Overnight: Athens
e.g. Fresh Hotel · Safestay Athens Monastiraki

Day 2 Around Athens

no transit — linger day · wraps up ~15:00
🌡 14.5–38.5°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 12.2h light
09:00
Vorres Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Wander beautiful gardens and historic buildings housing millennia of art.
50 min · Athens · €5, students €3
open: Sa Su 10:00-14:00, weekdays by appointment only and for groups of at l
09:50
National Historical Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Browse revolutionary relics and historic documents in a grand old parliament.
50 min · Athens · €3
open: Tu-Su 08:30-14:30
10:40
National War Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Explore old tanks and artillery in a biased historical setting.
50 min · Athens · €4
open: Nov-Mar: 09:00-17:00, Apr-Oct: 09:00-19:00
11:30
Numismatic Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Gaze upon thousands of ancient coins housed in a stunning Ziller building.
50 min · Athens
12:20
Museum of Greek Popular Musical Instrumentsmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Listen to recordings of traditional Greek instruments on display.
50 min · Athens
13:10
City of Athens Technopolismuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Marvel at incomparable architecture in a historic district.
50 min · Athens
14:00
Zeus Xenioshistory & sagas
Enjoy quiet, affordable dining with Acropolis views nearby.
60 min · Athens
Overnight: Athens
e.g. Fresh Hotel · Safestay Athens Monastiraki

Day 3 Mykonos

5h00 transit · wraps up ~19:45
🌡 18.2–28.6°C · 🌧 ~3 rain days · ☀ 12.2h light
14:00
Aegean Maritime Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagaslocal & traditional
Learn about Greek maritime history in a traditional Cycladic building.
50 min · Mykonos
open: Daily 10:00-13:00 and 18:00-21:00
14:50
Liahistory & sagasbeaches & cliffscraft beer & pubs
Relax on an uncrowded sandy beach with tiny fisherman houses, taverns, and a bar.
50 min · Mykonos
15:40
Agricultural Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Explore traditional agricultural tools showcasing Mykonos' rural heritage.
50 min · Mykonos
open: M-Sa 18:30-21:30
16:30
Super Paradisebeaches & cliffscraft beer & pubs
Feast on beachside restaurants and bars, with loud music and a nude, gay-friendly area.
50 min · Mykonos
18:30
Kalua Beach Barbeaches & cliffslocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubs
Enjoy local cuisine by day, and wild dancing by night.
75 min · Mykonos
Overnight: Mykonos
e.g. Greco Philia Hotel Boutique · Mykonos Camping

See the remaining 4 days of the 7-day plan →

Route map

Similar journeys

Build your own version →