The island-hopping route we filmed in the Cyclades, trimmed to the 10 days we would book again. Short on time, or have two weeks? Switch the length below and the plan rebuilds itself.
Mykonos → Milos → SantoriniMykonos → Paros → Milos → SantoriniMykonos → Naxos → Paros → Milos → Santorini → Athens
day by day
The Greece itinerary
Mykonos1 night2 nights3 nights · fly in here
DayFly straight into the islands
Book the cheapest round trip to any big European airport, then a separate round trip from there to Mykonos. Most of you are flying from the US, and this can save hundreds per ticket compared with routing through Athens.
DayJet-lag day in Mykonos
Two weeks means room to recover. Slow breakfast, a beach, an early night.
DayMykonos town, then sunset at 180° Sunset Bar
Mykonos is one of the priciest islands, so this is where value matters most. Spend on the sunset, not on the beach clubs. Ask for table 45.
Naxos2 nights
DayFerry to Naxos, Temple of Apollo at sunset
Your first SeaJet ride. Watch the sun go down behind the Portara, then cocktails at 520 Cocktail Bar.
DayNaxos beach day
One of the biggest islands in the Cyclades, so there is room to spread out. The long sandy beaches on the west coast, like Plaka and Agios Prokopios, are the easy picks.
Paros2 nights2 nights · stay in Naousa
DayFerry to Paros, gyros at Souvlakia Kargas
Check in for the ferry online the night before: you need the QR code to board, and check-in closes a few hours before departure. Then go straight for the best gyros we had in Greece.
DayNaousa and the starlight infinity pool
Stay the night in the town of Naousa. Hotel Senia and its starlight infinity pool are the reason to splurge here.
Milos3 nights3 nights3 nights · rent a scooter
DayFerry to Milos, sunset drinks in Klima
"Ay, you are going to Milos? I love Milos," said every Greek person we met. The sights are spread out, so plan each day around one side of the island.
DayCliff jumping at Sarakiniko
The moon-white rocks you have seen everywhere. Scooters were the only rentals left when we went, and you need an international driving permit to rent one.
DayTsigrado ladder beach, then Fyriplaka
Climb down the rope and ladder to Tsigrado, then waste the afternoon at Fyriplaka. Skip the hyped seafood spots; the ambiance is better than the food.
Santorini2 nights2 nights2 nights · fly home from here · fly home from here
DayFerry to Santorini, and pick your hotel wisely
Hotels here are not created equal. Decide your budget, the view and whether you need a pool before you book. We tried a luxury cave room and a budget stay near Perissa Beach to show you the difference.
DayHike Fira to Oia, then cliff jump at Amoudi Bay
There is much more to Santorini than a sunset in Oia. Walk the caldera rim in the morning, then cool off at Amoudi Bay below the village.
DaySunset at Akrotiri Lighthouse, fly home
Skip the Oia crowds for your last sunset. Fly out of Santorini on the return leg of your island ticket.
Athens1 night · fly home from here
DayFerry to Athens, evening in Plaka
If it is your first time in Greece, finish here. The fast ferry from Santorini to Athens takes about five hours (slower boats closer to eight), so book the morning sailing and spend the evening in the old streets of Plaka.
DayThe Acropolis at opening, fly home
Be at the Acropolis when it opens, before the heat and the tour groups, then Monastiraki and one last souvlaki before your flight.
- Paros (2 days). In summer you can ferry straight from Mykonos to Milos.
- Mykonos drops to one night: arrive, sunset, ferry out.
- A jet-lag day in Mykonos.
- Naxos (2 days) between Mykonos and Paros.
- Athens at the end, one ferry ride from Santorini.
before you go
Watch the whole trip
Itinerary sorted? Grab popcorn and watch the whole trip on your biggest screen. Every stop on this plan is in the film.
the route
Map and ferry tips
Save our Greek island favorites to your own Google Maps, then pull it up on your phone when you need a recommendation.
book this trip
Where we stayed
pack for greece
What we packed
Carry-on only. Ferries, ladders and cobblestones are no place for a big suitcase. Our gear is from Tripped, our own travel brand.
watch the islands
Every stop on video
good to know
Greece trip questions
How many days do you need for the Greek islands?
Ten days is the sweet spot for four islands with two or three nights each. With seven days, pick three islands. With two weeks, add Naxos and finish in Athens.
Which Greek islands are best for a first trip?
Santorini for the views, Mykonos for the towns, Paros for an easy, good-value base and Milos for beaches and adventure. That mix is exactly this route.
Do I need to visit Athens?
No. You can fly straight into Mykonos or Santorini from most European hubs. Add Athens at the end if it is your first time in Greece and you have the days.
How do the Greek ferries work?
Book online ahead of time (Ferryhopper shows every company), check in online the night before to get your QR code, and arrive at the port early. Fast ferries like SeaJet are pricier but save hours.
keep planning
More for your Greece trip
Budget, when to go, getting around and every video we filmed there is in our Greece travel guide.
Greece travel guideHow we plan every trip
