Greece may be the perfect international travel destination: ancient ruins, rich history, crystal clear waters, pristine beaches, amazing food, epic nightlife…what else could a person want in a vacation?! I loved this country so much the first time I visited that I traveled there again the very next year. And now that my second trip to Greece is over, I already want to go back! For first timers, the best Greece 10-day itinerary involves time in Athens plus Greece’s two most popular islands: Santorini and Mykonos.
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Best Time to Visit Greece
The most popular times to visit Greece is between late Spring and early Fall months when the weather is warm and the shops, bars, and restaurants open their doors for the season. To avoid major crowds, visit during the months of May, September, and early October. However, if you are looking for the party scene, especially in Mykonos, make sure to visit during July and August when the clubs are at their peak. Both times I visited Greece, it has been around the first of September, so it was not too crowded but there were still enough people where the bars had a decent amount of patrons.
Where to Stay in Greece
Athens
I recommend staying in a hotel or AirBnb in one of the surrounding neighborhoods of the Acropolis. If you stay in this area, you will not need to rent a car as everything in this itinerary is walkable. We stayed in a super cute Airbnb nestled between the main entrance of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum with a patio that overlooked the Parthenon.
Santorini
There are two major areas of Santorini where you can stay: Oia and Fira. Oia is more upscale, which means more expensive. Not only are the hotels or Airbnbs more expensive, but the restaurants and souvenirs are also more expensive. We opted to stay in Fira which is just as nice and more affordable.
Mykonos
The best place to stay in Mykonos is in Mykonos town. The Mykonos Windmills, Little Venice, Old Port, and the best shops are all walkable no matter where you stay in Mykonos town. None of the best beaches and beach clubs are walkable from Mykonos town, so you will either need to take a bus or taxi from your accommodations.
How to Get Around in Greece
Athens
There are three ways to get from the Athens airport to the city centre: taxi, metro train, and bus. A taxi is the easiest and quickest way to travel and costs around 40 Euros during the day and 54 Euros at night. A taxi generally takes 25-35 minutes to get from the airport to the city centre. Taxis can be ordered through your Uber app making getting a taxi even more convenient. Taking the metro train will cost you 10 Euros each way or 18 Euros for a roundtrip ticket. This method takes approximately 50 minutes with an average wait time of 30 minutes. Taking a bus is the least expensive but the most inconvenient way to travel. The trip will cost you 6 Euros each way and will take around 55 minutes. However, once you are in town, most of the sights are walkable.
Santorini
The best way to get around Santorini is by car rental or ATV rental. Make sure to obtain an international drivers license before renting a vehicle on your 10 day Greece itinerary. The beaches and other sights are a good distance apart, so walking is not an option. And taxis in Santorini are not readily available, and they are extremely expensive when they are.
Mykonos
The bus system in Mykonos is the most cost-effective way to get around the island. Each fare costs around 1-3 euros with some exceptions for trips to the beach clubs during high season. Make your way to Fabrika (South Station) or Old Port (North Station) to catch the bus to the most popular beaches. A more expensive, but more convenient method of getting around is to use Uber or taxis.
Before our arrival, we had organized a transport shuttle from the airport to our Airbnb. We got the contact information of the driver and contacted him directly when we needed a ride. This was a bit cheaper than using Uber and was much more convenient. Just make sure when using a taxi or shuttle service to ask about pricing before you begin your journey to avoid being scammed.
How to Travel Between Athens and the Islands
The two main ways to travel from Athens to and among the Greek islands are by plane and by ferry. Check the prices and times for each before deciding which best suits your vacation needs. Most people who are on a budget prefer to travel via ferry, but the ferry travel times are significantly longer than the planes. The flight times on Olympic Air range from 40-60 minutes, and are only a little bit more expensive than the ferries. So you will need to weigh what is more important, your time or your money. We chose to spend a little more money on flights and gain several hours of time to maximize the 10-day Greece itinerary. Do not wait until last minute to book your ferries or flights, they will sell out.
READ ME: Important Tips for Visiting Greece
- Do not flush anything other than bio waste, including toilet paper, down the toilet. Their plumbing system cannot handle it. Pack wipes to help clean yourself and reduce your overall toilet paper consumption.
- Do not accept the “free” rose. There are many scams that happen in all popular travel destinations. One used in Athens is offering you a “free” rose and then guilting you into giving them money afterwards. Just firmly say no to the rose.
- Ask for the cost of the taxi ride before you get into the vehicle to avoid being scammed by the drivers. Also using Uber instead of a metered taxi will avoid possible scams. There were two instances on our trip where ladies were scammed by their taxi driver, so be vigilant.
- During high season, I recommend making reservations at restaurants and beach clubs. If you are eating a tavernas, you will not need to make a reservation.
- For the best exchange rate, buy Euros through your home banking institution before you fly to Greece. The currency conversion companies in Europe charge a much higher fee for exchanging money than your bank will. If this is not an option for you, it is best to get cash from the ATM for better rates than the conversion companies.
- Do not drink tap water on the islands. The water is brackish and is not suitable for consumption.
What to Pack for Your 10 Day Greece Itinerary
- Sunscreen – The Athens sun can be unforgiving, and I learned the hard way that sunscreen is a must. If you have room in your luggage, bring your own because sunscreen in Greece is very expensive.
- Comfortable shoes – Stylish but comfortable is the name of the game when walking around the city. Here is an option for men and women.
- Rolling Luggage – You will need a durable and easy to maneuver piece of luggage for your 10 day Greece itinerary.
- Packing Cubes – These make organizing your luggage super easy.
- Plug Adapter – Keep your devices charged with this European plug adapter.
- Hobo Bag – I often carry this cute hobo bag on my travels. It isn’t too big but big enough to carry small souvenirs I buy along the way.
- Water Shoes – These are important to have as most Greece beaches are rocky.
- Microfiber Beach Towel – These towels fold up very small and is needed for your trips to the beaches.
- Casual Outfit – For your one day in Athens, you need to sport a cute but comfortable outfit. Here’s some shorts and a tank that would look amazing. For the men, here is some shorts and a t-shirt for you to rock.
- Night-Out Dresses – These dresses are the ones I wore during my 10 day Greece itinerary and were perfect!
- One-Shoulder Maxi Dress – Pair this with a light cardigan for your Meteora monasteries visit.
- Flowy Mini Dress
- Summer T-Shirt Dress
- Boho Tropical Maxi Dress
- Plunge Neck Short Dress
- Ruched Summer BodyCon Dress
- Swimsuits – You will spend a lot of time at the beach during your 10 day Greece itinerary. Here are some swimsuit options for your trip:
- Swimsuit Coverup – This stylish coverup is perfect to wear over your swimsuit.
Day 1 – Athens Arrival
Depending on your arrival time into Athens, you may or may not have the energy to get acquainted with the city. If you are feeling up to it, walk around town. I recommend leisurely strolling to Monastiraki Square for dinner, ruins, and shopping. For the most part, take it easy today and try to adjust to the time zone.
Day 2 – Athens
Wake up early and start your day at the Acropolis. During high season, the Acropolis opens at 8:00 AM, so you should arrive no later than 7:45 AM. I recommend buying your tickets online before your arrival to avoid waiting in lines to buy tickets. Head straight to the Parthenon and you will be able to get pictures of the iconic ancient structure without other people in it. Do not get distracted by others ruins on your way to the Parthenon; you can get pictures at these on your way back down. Spend the next couple hours exploring the rest of the Acropolis.
Next, walk to the Panathenaic Stadium, an ancient stadium built of marble and the home of the first modern-day Olympics (1896). Pay the small entrance fee to enter the stadium. Make sure to walk through the tunnel that leads to a room with all the Summer Olympic torches of the past.
Along the way to the Panathenaic Stadium, you will pass Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Zappeion Garden and Hall. For more details on what to see in Athens, visit How to Spend One Day in Athens.
Seeing the Acropolis at night is truly a sight to see. If you do not have a good view of the Acropolis from your hotel or Airbnb, then you should make a reservation at a restaurant or visit a rooftop bar at sunset.
Day 3 – Santorini
Take a morning flight or ferry to Santorini. If you take a ferry to Santorini, you will be dropped off in the port in Fira, but the town of Fira is on top of the cliff. You will either need to climb the 588 Karavolades stairs or ride the cable car. If you are carrying luggage, you may want to ride the cable car.
Spend the rest of the afternoon walking around Fira shopping and admiring the white buildings and churches. Walk to Imerovigli, the next town over, for views of the iconic white buildings on the cliff of the caldera. One of my favorite things to do in Santorini was the olive oil tasting at Stoa Santorini located in Fira. For wine tasting with an amazing view, visit Santos Winery. However, keep your expectations low as Santorini is not known for having good wine.
Day 4 – Santorini
One of the best things to do in Santorini Greece is to hike the caldera from Fira to Oia. This 6.5-mile trek will take you from the Three Bells of Fira through the white buildings of Imerovigli to the marble streets of Oia. You can also add to your total walking distance with a detour to Skaros Rock. Make sure to start this hike early and take plenty of water. Once the sun rises, there is no shade along the trail. The path ascends and descends in elevation several times along the walk. This hike is a must do for the best views of the caldera and surrounding Aegean Sea.
After meandering around Oia and the Castle of Agios Nikolaos, descend the nearly 300 steps to the small fishing port of Ammoudi Bay. This beautiful bay offers several tavernas with fresh seafood and picturesque views of hanging octopi sun-drying. You can take a donkey ride down the stairs, but it is recommended not to because of mistreatment of the animals.
Once you reach Ammoudi Bay, turn left, and continue walking around the corner to reach the cliff jumping spot. Soon you will reach a small area where people are sunbathing and leaving their belongings. You will see the rock where you can cliff jump, and you will need to swim a short distance to the rock. Climb to the landing about 20 feet above the sea. Make sure to get a running start and jump away from the rocks below. If the 20-foot jump is too scary for you, there is another platform just a few feet above the water that you can jump from.
When it is time to leave Ammoudi Bay, you can walk back up the stairs to the bus stop or you can catch a taxi back to Fira from Ammoudi Bay. The taxi ride is more expensive than the bus, but it is more convenient, and you can save yourself the walk up the hill. If you do choose to take the bus and walk up the hill, stick around for the sunset. The sunsets in Oia are world famous. Be prepared for lots of crowds that gather to watch the sun dip below the horizon.
Day 5 – Santorini
For your last day in Santorini, begin your day by exploring the prehistoric village of Akrotiri. This settlement is known as Greece’s Pompeii as it was destroyed and covered by ash following a volcanic eruption in 16th century BC. The town was excavated in 1967, and many artifacts such as pottery were recovered.
Spend the rest of the day relaxing, laying out, and swimming at one or two of Santorini’s beaches. Several locals said that Santorini was not known for their beaches, but we thoroughly enjoyed our time seaside. Be prepared for short hikes from the parking areas to the beaches. The most popular beach is Red Beach because of the turquoise waters that are surrounded by red rocks. Other popular beaches include Perissa Beach (Black Beach) and White Beach.
For other ideas of things to do in Santorini, visit 16 Incredible Things to Do in Santorini Greece.
Day 6 – Mykonos
Travel early to Mykonos either by plane or ferry. Spend the rest of the day exploring Mykonos town. Make your way winding through the white buildings and narrow streets to Little Venice where you can see where the sea crashes into the bottom of the buildings.
Next, walk to the Windmills of Mykonos from Little Venice located on top of Chora Hill. Most of the windmills in Mykonos were built by the Venetians in 16th century for wheat milling. This classic symbol of Mykonos is a must-see for any first-time visitor on their 10-day Greece itinerary.
Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping and admiring the white building with blue, turquoise, and red painted doors and railings of Mykonos town. Shopping in Mykonos can be extravagant with high-end name brands and handmade jewelry, or it can be reasonably-priced with Mykonos clothing, olive oils, and other typical souvenirs. Most shops in Mykonos are open until midnight or later, so you can shop most anytime of the day! If you have time, you can also book a tour with the Mykonos Brewing Company.
Make a reservation at 180 Sunset Bar for the best sunset view in all of Mykonos. I am not going to lie. This place is extremely pricy. Depending on where you get your reservation, your minimum spend can be quite a lot. After sunset, head back into Mykonos town for a night of partying, if you dare. Skandinavian Bar is a very popular club, but it was not my favorite because it was overcrowded. In my opinion, the best place for nightlife in Mykonos town is Little Venice where small bars line the street.
Day 7 – Mykonos
A very popular things to do in Mykonos is a half day trip to the nearby island of Delos. If you choose to visit this archeological site and mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, do so in the morning so you will still have time to visit a beach club in the afternoon. The short ferry ride takes around 30 minutes and leaves from old Port. Plan on spending 2-3 hours on the island.
There is a fee to enter the archeological site that is in addition to your ferry cost. The ruins here include The Terrace of Lions, House of Dionysus, House of Cleopatra, an amphitheatre, Temple of Hera, and much more.
After returning to Old Port, you can either take a bus, taxi, or private shuttle to the beach club of your choice. If you want a lounge chair or bed, you will need to make a reservation. If a reservation is too expensive for you, the beaches do have public areas where you can lounge on the sand at no cost. During our time in Mykonos, we visited Super Paradise Beach (and chose to stay on the free public area) and SantAnna Beach Club (where we did reserve a pool lounge spot.)
SantAnna was my favorite of the two areas, but that might have been because we splurged on the lounge area. It is a very luxurious club that also has a saltwater pool, which was a nice change from the beach. The best times to get to the beach clubs if you are looking to party is late afternoon. We asked every waiter, cab driver, and shop worker we talked to which was the best club, and we got different answers every time. So my advice to you is to pick a club that you like the best, and the good times will happen!
Day 8 – Mykonos to Athens
Take the ferry or plane back to Athens from Mykonos. I recommend arriving into Athens at least by late afternoon, so you can spend the rest of your day shopping in Plaka for souvenirs. If you are looking to purchase typical Greece souvenirs such as t-shirts, evil eyes, spices, and woodwork, then Athens is the best place to do so. These types of items are plentiful and are usually much cheaper in Athens than Santorini or Mykonos. Plus, by buying near the end of your 10-day Greece itinerary, you do not have to cart around heavy souvenirs extra days.
Day 9 – Meteora
For your last full day on your 10-day Greece itinerary, consider a day trip to the Meteora monasteries. This will be a long, exhausting day, but it is worth it. The mystical byzantine monasteries site on top of giant, vertical rocks that overlook Greece’s countryside.
To get here, you must take a 4-hour scenic train ride that departs from Athens before 8:00 AM. Your tour guide will pick you up at the Kalambaka station and escort you around Meteora. Learn about the history of this area as well as the monks’ desperate desires to connect with the Divine and avoid temptation in society. The guide will give you a short time for lunch and dinner before boarding your train back to Athens.
The costs of your meals and the entrance fee to the monasteries are not included in the tour cost. Depending on which tour you book through, you may be responsible for buying your own train tickets as well. The monasteries have a strict, conservative dress code that you must adhere to if you want to enter. Women must be wearing a skirt or dress. All men and women must have their knees and shoulders covered. Please dress appropriately and respectfully when you visit. The monasteries do offer wraps that you can borrow, sometimes at a cost, but I find it is better to come dressed in the correct manner.
Day 10 – Travel Day
The last of the 10-day Greece itinerary is a travel day. Depending on what time your flight leaves, you may be able to sneak in some last minute souvenir shopping or visit nearby ruins. But alas, it is time to say goodbye to Greece…for now.
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