Ten days is the sweet spot for Greece — enough time to do Athens properly, experience a Greek island, take a day trip and decompress without feeling rushed. This itinerary combines the best of ancient Athens with the extraordinary scenery of Santorini, a Saronic Islands day cruise and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. It works for first-timers and repeat visitors alike.
✔ Days 1–4: Athens (Acropolis, ancient sites, food, neighbourhoods)
✔ Day 5: Saronic Islands day cruise from Athens
✔ Day 6: Athens → Santorini (fly 45 min or ferry 5 hrs)
✔ Days 6–10: Santorini (caldera sailing, Oia, wine, beaches)
Before You Go — Book These in Advance
Greece is one destination where pre-booking makes an enormous difference. The Acropolis sells out timed entry tickets days ahead in summer. Santorini caldera sailing tours go weeks ahead. Booking nothing in advance and hoping for the best is a reliable way to miss the best experiences.
📋 Pre-Trip Checklist
✔ Acropolis timed entry tickets (book 5–7 days ahead in summer)
✔ Saronic Islands cruise (book 1–2 weeks ahead)
✔ Santorini caldera sailing tour (book 2–3 weeks ahead in July–August)
✔ Oia restaurant reservations for sunset dinner
✔ Athens–Santorini ferry or flight
✔ Travel insurance — essential for ferry/flight disruption and medical
Days 1–2: Athens — Ancient City
Day 1 — Acropolis & Ancient Athens
Arrive the day before if possible for an early start. At 8am sharp, head to the Acropolis — the marble is cool, the light is golden and you'll have the viewpoints to yourself for the first hour. Take your time at the Parthenon and Erechtheion. Walk down through the Theatre of Dionysus. Then the Acropolis Museum (a world-class space — allow 2 hours). Afternoon: Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus. Evening dinner in Monastiraki with the lit Parthenon above.
Day 2 — National Museum & Neighbourhoods
Morning at the National Archaeological Museum — the greatest Greek antiquities collection in existence, and one of the finest museums in Europe. Allow 3 hours. Afternoon: explore Plaka and the tiny Cycladic enclave of Anafiotika on the Acropolis slopes. Sunset from Lycabettus Hill (funicular up, walk down). Evening food tour through Monastiraki and Psiri — the best introduction to Athens' food culture.
Book Athens Tours
Acropolis skip-the-line + Lycabettus sunset tours — compare now
View Athens Tours →Days 3–4: Athens — Day Trips
Day 3 — Cape Sounion Sunset
Morning free in Athens — explore Exarcheia, the bohemian neighbourhood with the best coffee shops and street art. Afternoon: guided tour to Cape Sounion, the Temple of Poseidon dramatically positioned on a cliff above the Aegean. Byron carved his name here. Arrive for sunset — one of Greece's most atmospheric experiences. Return to Athens for a late dinner.
Day 4 — Saronic Islands Day Cruise
Full-day cruise from Piraeus visiting Hydra (car-free island of donkeys and stone mansions — extraordinary), Poros and Aegina. Swimming stops, lunch on board and three island landings. This is the most popular day trip from Athens and sells out — book at least a week ahead in summer. Return to Athens by 7pm. Pack for Santorini departure tomorrow.
Day 5: Athens → Santorini
Travel Day — Choose Your Route
Option A — Ferry (5–8 hours, €40–60): High-speed ferry from Piraeus at 7:30am, arriving Santorini early afternoon. The caldera arrival by sea is spectacular — the ferry turns the corner and the volcanic cliffs appear suddenly. Worth the time.
Option B — Fly (45 minutes, €50–120): Multiple daily flights from Athens. Faster, more reliable in bad weather. The aerial view of the caldera is also stunning.
Check in, walk to the nearest caldera viewpoint, and watch your first Santorini sunset.
Days 6–7: Santorini — Caldera & Oia
Day 6 — Caldera Sailing Tour
The essential Santorini experience. A full-day catamaran or sailing boat tour circles the caldera — swimming in the hot springs (warm water from volcanic vents), snorkelling at the volcanic island of Nea Kameni, lunch on board and the best sunset views of the island from the water. Book this before any restaurant or tour in Santorini.
Day 7 — Oia Morning & Wine Tour
Visit Oia before 10am — before the cruise ship day-trippers arrive. Walk to the castle ruins, photograph the famous blue-domed church from the right angles, have coffee at a caldera-edge café. Afternoon: winery tour in Megalochori and Pyrgos — Santorini's volcanic Assyrtiko white wine is world-famous and the vineyard settings are beautiful. Return to Oia for the famous sunset (arrive 45 minutes early for a spot).
Book Santorini Sailing Tour
The most popular experience on the island — books out weeks ahead in summer
Check Availability →Days 8–9: Santorini — Beaches & Akrotiri
Day 8 — Beaches
Santorini's volcanic beaches are unlike anything else in Europe. Perissa has dramatic black sand with tavernas and sunbeds (€5/day). Red Beach (short hike from Akrotiri) is extraordinary — red volcanic cliffs, turquoise water, extraordinary colours. Kamari is the most developed and easily accessible. Rent an ATV (€25–35/day) to move between beaches independently.
Day 9 — Akrotiri & Pyrgos
Morning at Akrotiri — a Bronze Age city buried under volcanic ash in 1627 BC, often called the "Minoan Pompeii". Remarkably well-preserved with two-storey buildings, frescoes and drainage systems. One of Greece's most important archaeological sites and chronically undervisited compared to the Acropolis. Village of Pyrgos in the afternoon — the highest village on the island, with the finest views and the most authentic atmosphere. Final sunset dinner in Fira.
Day 10: Departure
Final Morning
Last coffee on a caldera terrace. Final swim. Santorini Airport (JTR) is small — arrive 90 minutes before departure. Most flights connect back through Athens for international connections. Alternatively, ferry back to Athens for a final night before flying home.
10 Days in Greece — Budget Guide
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens accommodation (4 nights) | €120 | €320 | €600 |
| Santorini accommodation (5 nights) | €350 | €900 | €2,000+ |
| Athens–Santorini transport | €45 (ferry) | €80 (fast ferry) | €120 (flight) |
| Tours & activities (total) | €120 | €250 | €400 |
| Food & drink (10 days) | €250 | €450 | €700 |
| Total estimate | €885 | €2,000 | €3,820 |
Excludes international flights. Athens costs roughly half of Santorini per day.
Skip the Luggage Hassle
Luggage Forward ships your bags directly between hotels — no dragging suitcases on trains, buses or through cobblestone streets. Book collection from your current hotel and it arrives at the next one before you do.
FAQs
Is 10 days enough for Greece?
It's a great amount of time. Athens needs 3–4 days minimum to do it justice. Santorini needs 4–5 days. 10 days lets you do both properly without rushing.
Ferry or fly Athens to Santorini?
The high-speed ferry (5 hours) is more scenic and cheaper. Flying (45 minutes) saves time and is more reliable. If you have time, the ferry arrival into the caldera is one of Greece's great experiences.
When is the best time for this itinerary?
May, June and September are ideal — warm enough for swimming, manageable crowds and better prices than peak July–August.