10 Days in Greece
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10 Days in Greece: The Island-Hopping Trip We Wish We'd Booked Sooner
We came home from Greece sunburned, a little heavier from all the moussaka, and completely certain of one thing: ten days is the sweet spot. Long enough to feel the rhythm of the islands, short enough to keep you excited for the next day's adventure. This is the exact route we followed, from the marble weight of Athens to the pink sand of Crete, with the hotels we loved, the tours worth every euro, and the little moments that made us look at each other and grin.
Here's how it all unfolded.
Days 1 to 2: Athens
We landed in Athens jet-lagged but also excited. We dropped our bags and walked straight to the Plaka, the old neighborhood curled beneath the Acropolis. Bougainvillea was spilling over the stone, cats were enjoying the sun on the church steps, and the smell of souvlaki was everywhere. We hiked up Lycabettus Hill at sunset and watched the whole city glowed pink beneath us.
We climbed to the Acropolis and the Parthenon the next morning before the heat set in, and, honestly, no photo prepares you for it. Standing under those columns, we finally understood the fuss. We spent the afternoon in the Acropolis Museum, then wandered back through the Plaka for dinner.
What we booked ahead: The Acropolis, Parthenon & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour on GetYourGuide gave us skip-the-line entry to both sites plus the mythology behind every stone. On our second evening, we joined an Athens Food Tour of Plaka and the Central Market.
Where we stayed in Athens:
Mid-range: Plaka Hotel, whose rooftops bar frames the Acropolis while you sip your morning coffee.
Other hotel options:
Budget: Phaedra Hotel, simple and spotless, unbeatable Plaka location.
Luxury: AthensWas, a sleek design hotel right on the promenade below the Acropolis.
Ultra Luxury: For a full splurge, the legendary Hotel Grande Betagne.
Days 3 to 4: Santorini
We caught the morning ferry from Piraeus and watched the mainland shrink behind us. Arriving in Santorini by sea is a moment you feel in your chest. Those cliffs. That impossible blue.
We based ourselves near Oia and leaned fully into the cliché, and it delivered. We wandered the cliffside white villages, ducked into blue-domed churches, and found a quiet terrace to watch the famous Oia sunset. It gets crowded, so we grabbed our spot early with a bottle of Assyrtiko and let the sky do its thing.
On our second day, we cooled off at the volcanic Red Beach — its dark cliffs glowed rust in the sun — then took a catamaran out onto the water. We'd seen the cliffs from the sand that morning, but from the water it's a different beach entirely.
What we booked ahead: The Santorini Catamaran Sunset Cruise with BBQ, Drinks, and Swim was the highlight of the trip, with stops at the Red and White beaches and dinner at sunset.
The Santorini Wine Tasting Tour through the island's volcanic vineyards was our second choice.
Where we stayed in Santorini
Mid-range: Kastro Oia Houses, cave-style suites and Ammoudi Bay views.
Other hotel options:
Mid-range: Rimida Villas, a rare affordable caldera view without the eye-watering price.
Luxury: Canaves Oia Suites for that whitewashed infinity-pool fantasy.
Day 5: Naxos
Everyone told us Santorini and Mykonos, but Naxos was the surprise we keep raving about. A short ferry hop north dropped us into a place that felt genuinely lived-in, greener, cheaper, for more relaxed.
We checked into our hotel and decided to take a walk through the whitewashed lanes of the Kastro, which led us up to the Venetian castle for views over the rooftops. From there we headed straight to the beach for some relaxation on the soft sand of Agios Prokopios. As evening came, we walked out to the Portara, the enormous marble doorway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo that stands alone on a headland by the harbor. We timed it for sunset and had the giant stone frame nearly to ourselves, the perfect close to our one day on the island.
What to book ahead: We didn't book any tours in Naxos, but here are two highly rated options.
Naxos Mountain Villages and Countryside Half-Tour
Where we stayed in Naxos:
Mid-range: Grotta Sognare, family-run with sea views and a warm welcome.
Other hotel options:
Budget: The Saint Vlassis, excellent value and a short walk from town.
Luxury: Elaiolithos is a romantic boutique retreat up in the hills.
Days 6 to 7: Mykonos
Mykonos was our splurge, our glamorous change of pace. The ferry pulled in and suddenly everything was polished, buzzing, and beautiful.
We spent our first night in Little Venice, where the houses lean right over the water and the sunset paints everything gold, then climbed to the iconic windmills on the hill above town. We took a boat trip to sacred Delos, just offshore, one of Greece's most important archaeological sites.
The next day was spent at the beach clubs enjoying the views with a cocktail in hand watching the water.
What we booked ahead: The Mykonos Delos Guided Day Trip by Boat. We also reserved beach club sun beds in advance through Mykonos Beach Club Experience, which you absolutely need to do in summer.
Where we stayed in Mykonos:
Mid-range: Sunset Paraportiani Rooms, in the city center within walking distance of the Windmills of Mykonos.
Other hotel options:
Budget: Makis Place, friendly and affordable with a wonderful taverna.
Mid-range: Semeli Hotel, a stylish pool oasis a short stroll from Mykonos town.
Luxury: Cavo Tagoo, the clifftop icon with a cave-carved infinity pool.
Days 8 to 9: Crete
We flew from Mykonos to Crete, trading Cycladic cool for something rawer and more ancient. We based ourselves in Chania Old Town, a maze of Venetian lanes wrapped around a harbor with an Egyptian lighthouse, and it might be the most romantic town in all of Greece.
Day one we took a boat to Balos Lagoon, where turquoise water meets pink-tinged sand in a landscape that looks digitally enhanced but is completely real. Day two we tackled the Samaria Gorge, a long, gorgeous 10 miles or 6-kilometer hike down through one of Europe's longest gorges to the sea. It was a long day but so worth it..
What we booked ahead: The Balos and Gramvousa Catamaran Trip with Meals, Drinks, and Transfer was far easier than driving the rough road. For the hike, the Samaria Gorge Guided Hiking Day Trip handled all the transfers and logistics.
Where we stayed in Crete:
Budget: Christina Beach Hotel, great value near Old Town.
Other hotel options:
Mid-range: Domus Renier, a beautifully restored building right in the historic center.
Luxury: Casa Delfino Hotel and Spa, a 17th-century Venetian mansion with a rooftop and spa.
Day 10: Back to Athens
On our last morning, we flew back to Athens. We used the few hours we had left for a little last-minute shopping, loading up on olive oil, honey, and a bottle of ouzo to bring Greece back in our suitcase. Then it was off to the airport, we are already planning a return trip.
A Few Things We Learned
Book your ferries and island flights early, because summer routes sell out. Travel in the shoulder season if you can, late spring or early autumn, for fewer crowds and better rates. And do not skip Naxos just because it is not on the postcards. Some of our best moments happened where we least expected them.
Ten days, five destinations, and a lifetime of “remember when." Greece has a way of getting under your skin. Go, and let it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for a Greece island-hopping trip?
Ten days is our sweet spot. It gives you two full days in Athens, time on three or four islands, and enough breathing room that you are not living out of a suitcase in transit.
What is the best time of year to visit Greece?
We loved the shoulder season: late spring, roughly late April through early June, and early autumn, from September into October. You get warm seas, long days, thinner crowds, and noticeably lower hotel rates than the July and August peak.
How do you get between the islands?
Mostly by ferry, which is half the fun. Athens to Santorini, Santorini to Naxos, and Naxos to Mykonos are all easy ferry legs. We flew for the longer jump from Mykonos to Crete and again from Crete back to Athens to save a full day at sea. Book ferries flights ahead in summer, since popular routes fill up.
Do you need to rent a car?
Not everywhere. Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos are easy without one. On Naxos and Crete a car opens up the mountain villages and remote beaches, though we manage both with a mix of guided tours and taxis.
Is this itinerary good for couples?
Very much so. The paces suits a couples trip, and every stop has standout couples' hotels, from cave suites in Santorini to a Venetian mansion in Chania. Sunset spots like Oia and Little Venice were mad for two.
How much does a 10-day Greece trip cost?
It flexes with your style. You can do it on a budge with hotels listed above from around 80 to 100 euros a night, land in the mid-range at roughly 150 to 400 euros, or splurge on caldera and clifftop suites well above that. Ferries, flights, taxis, tours, and food sit on top, so build in a daily cushion for the experiences that make the trip.
Which island should we skip if we are short on time?
If you have to cut one, we would keep Athens, Santorini, Crete, and choose between Naxos and Mykonos based on your preferences. Naxos for authentic and relaxed, Mykonos for glamorous and lively.