Greece Travel Guide
Ready to begin your incredible Greek island-hopping adventure? Depending on your trip, you can change the order of the islands that you visit or even add more islands! This is easy to do, as most islands have great ferry connections and airports. However, note that some airports are domestic and can only be flown to from Athens. (Read about the things to do in Athens)
Tip: Mykonos and Santorini both have an international airport, so it’s a good place to start or end your Greece itinerary.
Day 1-4: Santorini
Begin at one of the most famous Greek Islands: Santorini! Santorini is known for its white and blue villages built on top of cliffs overlooking the sea. It’s also famous worldwide for incredible sunsets, which can be seen from many panoramic viewpoints all over the island. Nothing beats watching the sky burst into color over the sea; an unforgettable moment on your Greek island hopping trip.
Aside from soaking up the beauty of this island, there are lots of other activities you can do while you’re there. For example, wine tours, visiting all the beaches, cable car trips, nature hikes, ATV rides, or discover the island’s history at one of the archeological sites!
Where to Stay in Santorini
Santorini is a fairly small island in Greece. This means you can drive across the island in 45 minutes, making it the perfect place to spend 4 days in. We recommend basing yourself in Fira, the capital of Santorini, as it’s central and great to move from to other parts of the island.
Getting to Santorini
By Ferry: Several ferries run a day from Athens. The normal ferry takes around 7 hours, and the high-speed boat (which is a bit more expensive) takes just under 5 hours.
By Plane: The island has a domestic airport which has regular flights coming to and from Athens. Additionally, in the summer, flights are running daily to other major European cities.
By car: Are you going island hopping in Greece by car and ferry? Great idea! Rent a car from a local car rental company through Sunny Cars. You are also standard fully insured via Sunny Cars. Book your rental car here.
Day 5-9: Milos
Milos has a heart-stopping beauty and is exceptionally diverse in its landscapes. The island offers underwater caves, mountains, and hilltop vineyards all in one trip! It’s not as well known as Santorini, meaning it’s much quieter and has a much more remote feel. It’s absolutely incredible to drive across the island by scooter, off-road, and visit secret coves and some of the best snorkeling spots in Greece.
Read more: Complete Milos Travel Guide
The most striking thing of all in Milos is its white flat top cliffs and unique rock formations. These unusual features have led travelers to compare it to the moon!
Another special sight are the colorful fishing villages of Milos. Instead of the typical blue and white houses, the locals have decorated their doors with rainbow colors.
Tip: There are many beaches on the island that can’t be reached on foot or by car. Instead, join one of the many great sailing trips to get you there.
Where to Stay in Milos
Plaka, Milos, a fantastic spot near the harbor with excellent amenities. Consider Trypiti or Adamantas as alternatives for accommodation on the island.
Getting to Milos
By Ferry: From Santorini, you can take a high-speed ferry to Milos in just two hours. During peak season (May-September), ferries leave twice a day. During the winter, this goes down to about 7 times a week. The average price is around 45 EUR for the high-speed ferry, but it’s cheaper if you choose the slow boat.
By Plane: It’s also possible to fly to Milos from Santorini; however, be aware that you’ll have to go via Athens, making the trip longer. For this reason, the ferry is the popular choice.
Day 10-12: Mykonos
Mykonos is the most lively island on your Greek island-hopping itinerary. It offers a good balance between relaxing on beautiful beaches and enjoying the buzzing nightlife. However, you don’t have to be a party animal to enjoy Mykonos. There are still many quiet corners of the island that are perfect for a romantic getaway or unwind after a Greek island-hopping adventure! Particularly in the north of the island, you’ll find remote beaches like Panormos. These beaches have crystal clear water and a cooling breeze.
When you’re done relaxing, head to Mykonos town, where you can find the charming Matogianni Street. The street has the traditional cobbled stones, which lead between boutique shops and walls full of bougainvillea flowers. While you’re in town, don’t forget to check out the windmills that are iconic to the island, as well as Little Venice.
Where to Stay in Mykonos
In Mykonos town, you can find reasonably priced accommodation that keeps you close to all the amenities. If you want to stay next to the sea, you’ll need to budget for a bit more, as this is a popular vacation option.
Getting to Mykonos
By Ferry: From Milos, you can take a high-speed ferry in just under 3 hours to Mykonos. The high-speed option price averages between 40-60 EUR per person. In the winter months, the ferry services between the two islands are normally suspended. During this time, you’ll need to change boats at Santorini.
By Plane: There are no flights between Santorini and Mykonos. Consider changing your Greece itinerary if you’d prefer to fly. However, the ferries are a perfect option!
Leaving Greece? If you’re heading home from Mykonos, there are plenty of domestic leaving daily to the main hub of Athens and a few international flights to cities like Paris and Amsterdam. Additionally, in the summer months, there are many options for flights to other big cities in Europe.
Extending Your Greece Itinerary
For those that have more time, there are many(!) other stunning islands to explore on your trip to Greece! For example, Naxos or Paros. Both islands have some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, and they’re well connected to the other islands by ferry.
Naxos
Naxos has a wonderfully laid-back vibe which makes it very popular for couples and families. It has a slow pace of life, with traditional villages, tavernas, and great beaches and hiking trails for those who want to explore nature. Its landscapes are wide and open, with long sandy beaches and huge valleys full of olive groves. Because of this, you can sometimes feel like you’re the only person on the island!
Tip: visit the Temple of Apollo: a huge marble archway that sits next to the sea, dating back to 530 BC!
Paros
Paros is a livelier alternative to Naxos. By day, visitors can relax in its beautiful secluded coves, and by night there are lots of luxurious cocktail bars and restaurants to choose from. There are also beautiful towns to explore, with boutiques that make it a haven for shopping. If you head inland, you’ll discover some ancient villages that have been beautifully preserved.
Your budget for Greece
Although Greece is known for its affordable way of life (products such as olive oil are cheap, and you can find authentic food for very reasonable prices), the popularity of the Greek islands means that prices can be high.
However, there are always ways to budget during your trip. For example, choosing to stay in guesthouses in the towns, rather than expensive beachside resorts or use the local busses instead of taxis. What’s more, once you’re on the islands, exploring the beaches and nature is totally free! Renting a car is also an affordable option. (See the rental cars here)
How to hop around the Greek Islands
Greek island hopping is very popular among travelers, and there’s no better way to explore the beauty of this incredible country. Especially in the summer months, exploring the island’s beaches is the perfect way to relax and cool off! During this time, it’s super easy to go between the islands via ferry or car ferries if you are by car and most trips take just over 2 hours.
Ferryhopper is a great search tool to use to check out ferry itineraries, compare prices, and book your tickets.
Island Transportation
Once you’re on the islands, their small size makes them easy to explore. A popular way to do this, is to hire a car, scooter, or ATV. The ATV, in particular, is a great option to take you off-road to those more unexplored beaches, but it mainly gives you a lot of freedom. It’s good to know that all the islands offer public bus services, as well as taxis.
The best option to discover Greece is by car and using the car ferries to hop islands.
We recommend to rent a car in Greece through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Best Time to Travel in Greece
Greece in the summer is absolutely perfect – hot days, cool sea waters, and warm evenings with incredible sunsets. There’s a great atmosphere at this time too, with lots of people traveling to the islands from all over the world.
However, the popularity of summer means it can be jam-packed and expensive. A great alternative is to visit in the spring months of April/May or the fall months of September/October. These shoulder seasons offer mild temperatures, empty beaches, and low prices! It’s the perfect time to explore and get the remote Greek island experience.
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Hello both!
This plan looks awesome and I’m definitely thinking about doing it this May! Do you think it’s worth it to add Athens to the trip? I’ve heard a lot of bad things about it and I’m a bit on the fence.
Have an awesome day!
Hi Diogo, unfortunately, we can’t say because we’ve never been, sorry! The islands are incredible though.
I loved Athens! I think it’s definitely worth going there :) Nice vibes in most neighborhoods, the history and architecture some nice roof top terraces. Yes for me 100% worth it!
Thanks! I’ve added Athens to my itinerary I’m so pumped!