How to Spend a Week in Greece: Athens, Santorini and Paros

With milleniums’ worth of history and stunning Mediterranean views, Greece stands out as tourist destination. From its museums to geography, artifacts to ruins, there’s no shortage of things to do. Whether you’re a history buff, beach bum, art lover or culture aficionado, Greece has something for you. I’m highly disappointed that my four years of sorority commitment (and dues) did jack squat for my comprehension of the Greek language 😉 But nonetheless, my vacation to Greece with my sister was a treat. It was the perfect mix of relaxing island time and city exploration. I spent hours researching but had a hard time whittling down our itinerary for 7 days. It’s true that this is only scraping the surface. But here’s our humble attempt on how to spend a week in Greece with stops in Athens, Santorini and Paros.

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Our itinerary

We both flew into Athens and spent two nights in the Greek capital. From there, we took the ferry to Santorini for two nights. Next, we took the ferry from Santorini to Paros for one night. And then we returned to Athens for two nights. It was fast but definitely doable. Of course, I wish we had more time!

Overall tips

I am thrilled that we traveled to Greece in mid September. There were still crowds, but it certainly wasn’t obnoxious. That being said, if you must come in the heat of the summer, try to start your day early in order to avoid crowds. If you can travel during shoulder season, do it. In any case, there’s a reason why Greece is a major travel destination, so it’s definitely worth it!

Another tip if you’re planning on going to the islands: download the Ferry Hopper app. We purchased all our ferry tickets on this website and were able to track our ships and access tickets on the app.

One peculiarity that I discovered: you can’t flush toilet paper in Greece. And the tap water isn’t always recommended for drinking. So be sure to ask!

In terms of food you must try, definitely order some feta. It will make any feta you’ve ever tasted before seem lame. Be sure to taste some gyros and souvlaki (like kebabs) with Tzatziki sauce. Greek honey and olive oil should also be on your list! And don’t skimp on the pita bread.

In terms of transportation, Athens is easily doable without renting a car, thanks to public transportation. However, the islands don’t have as much reliable transportation. Be prepared to rent a car or scooter, or factor in taxi money into your budget.

Athens

No doubt, Greece is celebrated for its islands. However, don’t overlook its bustling capital with its ancient history and art. The city is massive and allures with its museums, restaurants and historical sites. Both of our Airbnbs for the beginning and end of the trip were near the Acropolis, and this proved to be prime location.

Acropolis and Acropolis Museum

You can’t go to Athens without planning a visit to the Acropolis. This vantage point overlooking the city is home to some of the world’s finest ancient architecture. You’ve heard of the Parthenon, which you’ll find at the Acropolis, but that isn’t all there is to be found. We paid more in order to have a small guided tour, and it was worth it. It was so helpful to have a guide to lead us to the sites and to simply tell us what we were looking at and why it was important. The sheer size and old age make these sites so astonishing.

National Archaeological Museum

Greece teems with artifacts, ruins and ancient history. And one of the best places to experience this is the National Archaeological Museum. Here you can learn more about the different eras of art and see art from *legit* thousands of years ago. It was surreal to see statues portraying people from biblical times and to imagine what life what like millenniums ago.

National Garden

Enjoy a stroll through the botanical gardens in the heart of Athens. Wander down its shaded path and embark ont the treasure hunt on finding ruins throughout the park.

Roman Agora

Not only can you admire old rocks and marble inside of museums but you can also do the same outside. I visited the Roman Agora, which dates back to the 1st century B.C. and served as a commercial space. I walked around and really enjoyed the exhibit on the apostle Paul and his missionary journeys.

Plaka

I’d read lots about the Plaka neighborhood, which is known for its labyrinth of paths and bougainvillea canopies. You can dip in and out of souvenir shops in this ancient neighborhood just steps from the Acropolis.

GH Attikos

Stunning views of the Acropolis from this rooftop restaurant with an impressive cocktail list.

This is Loco

Taylor and I enjoyed breakfast at this trendy brunch spot near the Acropolis. My peanut butter açaí bowl was both refreshing and filling.

Greek Stories

I can’t believe I discovered Greek Stories the day before I left. Their fully gluten-free menu was a DREAM. I indulged in a gluten-free chicken gyro with pita bread and also ordered garlic bread with their flavorful olive oil. The staff was delightful and the service superb.

Santorini

From Athens, we took the ferry to Santorini. The trip was supposed to take about 5.5 hours, but unfortunately, it was delayed over an hour. (We learned later that apparently this is pretty typical!) With nearly 7 hours at sea, Taylor and I were antsy to arrive. However, once we arrived, the long journey melted away in our memories. The white villages perched upon volcanic rock contrasting with the glittering sapphire sea. Unreal. We’d read so many blogs and travel guides. Heck, you see Santorini on tote bags and postcards so often that you already have an idea in your head.

But I’m thrilled to report that the views are even more breathtaking than photos can portray or postcards can depict. I currently live in Provence right on the Mediterranean. But the Greek islands have their own unique take on this beloved sea.

Getting around Santorini

Although I spotted several bus stops, public transportation will not prove to be a reliable transportation form for your stay in Santorini. The island is known for its cliffs, switchbacks and narrow paths. There are ample places to rent mopeds, ATVs, cars and other wheels. We brought our international driver’s licenses, but my sister didn’t feel comfortable navigating the narrow, windy roads. We played it safe and decided to take taxis. Uber was very easy to use, but each trip was 40 euros a pop. If you stay directly in Fira or Oia, you will pay a higher price but may be able to do more by foot.

Where we stayed in Santorini

I spent hours poring over reviews and listings for hotels in Santorini. Budget, location, amenities. But at some point, you just have to make a decision. We decided on Grand View, and unbeknownst to me, this would be one of our best decisions for our time in Santorini.

Our hotel wasn’t in the well-known towns of Oia or Fira. And after the fact, we both agreed that this was a good thing. Oia is gorgeous and Fira has so much to do. But our cozy, chic hotel in Megalochori was calm and had just as great of views. We weren’t dodging hundreds of tourists, there were maybe a couple dozen people staying at our hotel. It was small and tranquil and the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the scenery — without 8294 of our closest friends blocking the sunset. We spent our mornings and afternoons exploring the island and then headed back late afternoon to enjoy the hotel pool and views for the rest of the evening. Also the complimentary bottle of Prosecco upon arrival was a nice touch 😉

Whatever you do, I highly recommend an accommodation with a shuttle service. Grand View offered a shuttle service, and I often find these services way over-priced, when you can get an Uber for half the price. However, we both regretted not reserving a shuttle service once our ferry arrived. There are taxis available, but it was stressful as hundreds of people are coming off the ferry and it’s much easier to find a sign with your name on it! And the price was virtually the same.

Megalochori

Only a 10-minute walk from our hotel, traditional downtown Megalchori was sleepy but certainly not dead. A far cry from the hillside village of Oia or the bustling downtown of Fira, Megalchori entices with its handful of restaurants, local church and artisan shops. We browsed the menus of several restaurants and ended up at Raki, where a group of cats had marked their territory in front of the menu. I noshed on pancetta and fries and Taylor opted for the seafood pasta. It was calm, delicious and in the company of a handful of cats! After dinner, we digested with a stroll through its windy paths. And naturally, it isn’t vacation without ice cream, so we were obligated to make a pit stop at Mr. Scoop!

Oia

The picturesque village of Oia is tucked on the northern side of the island. We started our day early in order to avoid the crowds, and that is definitely the move. We wandered through the labyrinth of cobblestones and white buildings. We wove in and out of the different jewelry and earthenware shops. In between buildings or through shop windows, you could spy the sparkling blue water. We wandered up to the Oia Castle, a Venetian fortress dating back to the 1400s. It’s a perfect place for photos of the homes almost piled up and nestled perfectly into the island. And Lord have mercy on the men who carry the luggage through the maze of Oia!

Fira

After beginning our day in the north, we made our way down south to Fira, the island’s capital. Fira is notably bigger than Oia and has a wide variety of shops, restaurants and things to do. We sauntered through the windy paths of shops and gelato shops and made multiple photo stops. There are dozens of restaurants perched on the cliffs of Santorini overlooking the Mediterranean. However, we opted for a spot that Taylor had found in one of our guidebooks.

Pelican Kipos Cafe isn’t on the shore but will wow you with its plant canopy roof. I was thrilled with their gluten-free options. We shared grilled feta dip with peppers and olive oil, and I think it was one of the best things I ate during the trip. (Other than gelato, of course!)

Paros

Both Taylor and I had heard raving reviews about the island of Paros, not even 2 hours away from Santorini by ferry. We both loved Santorini, but if time permits, definitely consider adding a stopover in Paros. It’s not as frequented as Santorini but still beautiful and full of things to do. It’s particularly known for its marble used in many renowned statues. We stayed in a residence in Naoussa, which is pedestrian friendly.

Naoussa

Hopping off our ferry, we immediately noticed the differences between Santorini and Paros. Despite the short distance between the two, Santorini is marked by its cliffs, sunsets and mountainous topography. On the other hand, Paros seemed to be flatter and offered closer access to the shore. And more low-key overall. We stayed in the town of Naoussa on the northern side of the island. You could spend hours wandering its picturesque downtown with its maze of paths, shops and restaurants. After hours of wandering gift shops, they all start to look the same, except at You & Island, which offered unique graphic art.

Taylor and I wandered down to its Venetian castle. For an expat in France, I’d like to say that “castle” is a bit of a stretch. However, this 15th century fort is the ideal spot to see the sea and admire the skyline of the town. While searching for a lunch spot, we were surprised to see that many restaurants opened in the evening. However, we did find Souvlakia Kargas, a dive with excellent gyros, souvlaki and kebab. P.S. We didn’t have a single bad serving of gelato during our entire time in Greece, and Naoussa is no different.

Parikia

Upon arriving in the port town on Paros, you might crinkle your nose and think there isn’t much to do in this town that watches ferries come and go all day. At first glance, Parikia isn’t all that enthralling, but it’s more than meets the eye — from the port, at least. Head a little farther into the town and discover the famed labyrinth of white stone buildings, blue-domed churches and quaint shops. We also visited the Archaeological Museum of Paros. It’s small and can be done in under an hour, but it’s always amazing to see artifacts from thousands of years ago. We admired the Nike statue and slabs with Ancient Greek carved into marble.

Just a few steps away, the Panagias Ekatontapylianis, a church dating back to the 4th century with a darling courtyard. If you visit most countries in Europe, you’re probably used to passing churches. But this one was impressive, given its Byzantine architecture, unique baptismal and massive chandelier. We paid to visit the Paros Byzantine Museum that was connected to the church. I thoroughly enjoyed my quality time with this Byzantine art with its touches of gold.

Greece gets a lot of limelight, and now that I’ve been, I can say it’s well-deserved. And that it won’t be my only trip. My Greece week itinerary to Athens, Santorini and Paros was delightful, but it left me wanting more. From the antiquities to postcard views, museums to restaurants, Greece has a little something for every kind of traveler.