Plenty of travellers have caught on by now that Greece offers far more than Santorini and Mykonos. Naxos has become a perennial favourite over the last few years, and it pairs beautifully with Santorini thanks to quick, easy connections. This Santorini, Naxos and Athens itinerary gathers everything you need to make the trip happen: time frames, transport, activities, dining ideas and lots more.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be — it's all laid out step by step below.
The best windows for visiting Greece are April–June and September–October, when the weather is mild and crowds are thin. High season runs from late June to early September, and prices climb accordingly — as do the crowds, the number of cruise ships and the competition for accommodation.
Summer is still lovely, though, especially for beach time and in the lesser-known spots: the water is warm, the sky is reliably blue and there's a proper holiday buzz everywhere. If you'd rather sidestep the busiest stretches of sand, our guide to enchanting hidden beaches in Greece is a great place to start.
Essential travel basics for Greece
Greece is actually known as Hellas — officially the Hellenic Republic, or "Helliniki Dimokratia". It spans 132,000 square kilometres of land, counts 227 inhabited islands and has a population just over 10 million.
The religion is Eastern Orthodox (Christian), cars drive on the right-hand side of the road and the calling code is +30.
The country is home to some of the most beautiful and interesting sites on the planet: there are 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with another 16 under consideration.
There are six island groups — the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Saronic islands, the Sporades, the Northern Aegean islands and the Ionian Islands — plus Crete. Island hopping is hugely popular, but it does require research, as most of these groups aren't connected to each other by ferry or flight.
The mainland packs in incredible sights too: Athens, ancient sites such as Delphi and Olympia, and places of genuine natural wonder like Meteora and Mt Athos. The northern city of Thessaloniki is wonderful as well, while the Peloponnese peninsula — growing more popular by the year — is often called the "real Greece".
How to get around the Greek Islands
The train and bus network isn't as modern or efficient as those in, say, France or Italy, but the ferry network is arguably the most extensive and effective in the world.
Taxis in Athens, as in many big cities, can be a bit hit and miss, so it pays to have the details of a trusted driver. For private transfers, a reputable service such as CATTaxi is worth booking ahead — and if you hail a cab, always make sure the meter is on!
Port and ferry transfers can be arranged in advance too.
For ferries, Ferryhopper is the handiest tool for comparing routes, and we invariably hire a car at each destination, even if only for a day or two.
Greek culture is rich, varied and more than 6,000 years old. Several things make it unique: the world-famous hospitality, certainly, but also the distinctive architecture, dancing, music and above all the food. A culinary journey through Greece — tasting the authentic local flavours island by island — is one of the best ways to get under the country's skin. The Greek language is among the oldest in the world, and learning a few key phrases always pays off. History buffs should also brush up on Greek mythology before they go: it brings the country's remarkable archaeological sites vividly to life.
This itinerary is designed to tick the most boxes for the most people across these three destinations, and it can usually be done any time between Easter and November.
We always recommend doing Athens at the end, if possible. That way you're back on the mainland well before your international flight home, with a buffer for ferry or flight delays and cancellations. Athens is also the best city for shopping, so save it for last and don't lug everything around the islands.
Santorini comes first because it's the furthest out, and because its modern international airport is served by more airlines, with larger planes that are less prone to delays.
Our recommended minimum duration would be:
- Athens — 3 nights (although you could spend a month or more)
Looking for famous beach clubs and parties? Swap out Naxos for Mykonos. Looking for off-beat islands with no airports? Swap Santorini and Naxos for Sifnos and Folegandros. Not interested in the beach but love culture? Go to Syros or Hydra. Visiting in the off-season (November to April)? Stick to the mainland.
Want to turn this itinerary into your trip?
A licensed travel partner in Greece can now arrange this itinerary for you — choose your dates, customise the trip and get an instant price.
Ferry tickets to Santorini are best secured online, well ahead of time.
Connections between the western Cyclades are limited, a topic of constant discussion in Greece. The route between Milos and Santorini is typically serviced by Seajets and takes about two hours.
Santorini is a bucket-list destination for most people, and for good reason. Despite the cruise ships and the crowds, it's one of those rare places that not only lives up to the hype but often surpasses it — the caldera views are every bit as legendary as you've heard, and it's little wonder the island is so beloved by honeymooners.
It can get a bit crazy when the day-trippers pour off the cruise ships, so a room with a pool and terrace makes the perfect escape for an afternoon siesta and sundowners. By the time you head out for dinner, most of the tourists will have floated away!
There's a surprising range of things to do here: beaches, wineries, hot springs, great shopping and some of the most iconic, photographed sunsets in the world — plus plenty for kids, too.
TIP: Both the port and the airport get quite nuts in summer, with long waits for the cable car, taxis and donkeys. Book your transfers and tours in advance — local operators such as Santo Luxury Escape cover both.
Where to stay on Santorini:
- For couples: Ducato Di Oia (adults only) suites in Oia, or Above Blue Suites in Imerovigli for more isolation at a lower price point.
- For families and groups: White Harmony Suites has two-bedroom suites, or Theoxenia Boutique Hotel has squad rooms and is not far from, dare I say it, a McDonald's.
- For solo travellers: Kivotos in Imerovigli for a splurge, or Abelonas Retreat.
And if a quieter Cycladic stop ever appeals between the big names, Hotel Mediterraneo in Chora, Ios, sits conveniently on the Santorini–Naxos route.
Read also: 10 enchanting hidden beaches in greece you must visit this summer, a culinary journey through greece taste the authentic flavors.
About Hotel Mediterraneo • Chora, Ios
We are a boutique hotel in Chora, Ios Island, Greece. Our team is passionate about sharing the authentic beauty, culinary traditions, and stories of the Cyclades with guests from around the globe.
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