Getting there
Fly into the main regional gateway for Greece. Reserve airport pick-up or the fastest train link into the centre.
Itinerary · Greece · 7 days
7 days in Greece · the essential route
Greece in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
A 7-day plan to see the best of Greece without wasting time on transfers. Each day pairs one hub with the sights worth queueing for, a beach or excursion for the afternoon, restaurants worth booking and 1–2 Viator tours that fit the rhythm of the day.
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors · slow travellers
- When
- May–June and September–early October
- Budget
- 1540–2660 € per person (accommodation + tours, excluding flights)
- Duration
- 7 days · 6 noches
Getting around
Rent a car for inter-hub transfers; use taxis inside town centres.
Where to sleep
Split your nights across the hubs listed below, one to two nights per base to avoid check-in fatigue.
Trip index
7 days, día por día
Day 1
Athens — Where Western civilisation started
Day 2Santorini — The world's most photographed caldera
Day 3Mykonos — Cycladic windmills
Day 4Crete — Chania & west — Venetian harbour
Day 5Crete — Heraklion & Elounda — Knossos
Day 6Rhodes — Medieval walled city of the Knights and the beaches of Lindos
Day 7Corfu — Venetian
Day 01
Athens — Where Western civilisation started
Sleep in · Athens
Day 1 centred on Athens. Where Western civilisation started — the Acropolis over a living neighbourhood. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Athens: Acropolis & Parthenon and Acropolis Museum.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Vouliagmeni (or Astir Beach if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Spondi (2★) (back-up: Hytra (1★)).
Where to eat
- Spondi (2★)
- Hytra (1★)
- Ta Karamanlidika
Bookable for day 1 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 02
Santorini — The world's most photographed caldera
Sleep in · Santorini
Day 2 centred on Santorini. The world's most photographed caldera — Oia sunsets and volcanic wines. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Santorini: Oia sunset and Fira to Oia caldera walk (10 km).
Afternoon
Afternoon at Perissa (black sand) (or Kamari if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Selene (Pyrgos) (back-up: Metaxy Mas (Exo Gonia)).
Where to eat
- Selene (Pyrgos)
- Metaxy Mas (Exo Gonia)
- Argo (Fira)
Day 03
Mykonos — Cycladic windmills
Sleep in · Mykonos
Day 3 centred on Mykonos. Cycladic windmills, Little Venice and the Aegean's most famous beach clubs. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Mykonos: Little Venice and Kato Mili windmills.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Psarou (or Elia if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Nobu at Belvedere (back-up: Kiku (Belvedere)).
Where to eat
- Nobu at Belvedere
- Kiku (Belvedere)
- Kounelas
Day 04
Crete — Chania & west — Venetian harbour
Sleep in · Crete — Chania & west
Day 4 centred on Crete — Chania & west. Venetian harbour, White Mountains and the beaches of Balos and Elafonissi. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Crete — Chania & west: Chania Venetian harbour & lighthouse and Splantzia old quarter.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Balos lagoon (or Elafonissi pink sand if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Portes (back-up: Salis).
Where to eat
- Portes
- Salis
- To Maridaki
Day 05
Crete — Heraklion & Elounda — Knossos
Sleep in · Crete — Heraklion & Elounda
Day 5 centred on Crete — Heraklion & Elounda. Knossos, Minoan Crete and the luxury coast of Elounda. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Crete — Heraklion & Elounda: Palace of Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Vai palm beach (or Voulisma if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Peskesi (Heraklion) (back-up: Ippokampos).
Where to eat
- Peskesi (Heraklion)
- Ippokampos
- Ferryman (Elounda)
Day 06
Rhodes — Medieval walled city of the Knights and the beaches of Lindos
Sleep in · Rhodes
Day 6 centred on Rhodes. Medieval walled city of the Knights and the beaches of Lindos. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Rhodes: Rhodes Old Town (UNESCO) and Palace of the Grand Master.
Afternoon
Afternoon at St Paul's Bay (Lindos) (or Tsambika if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Marco Polo Mansion (back-up: Nireas).
Where to eat
- Marco Polo Mansion
- Nireas
- Mavrikos (Lindos)
Day 07
Corfu — Venetian
Sleep in · Corfu
Day 7 centred on Corfu. Venetian, French and British layers on the greenest of the Ionian islands. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Corfu: Old and New Fortresses and Achilleion Palace.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Paleokastritsa (or Porto Timoni (twin bay) if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Klimataria (Benitses) (back-up: Rex).
Where to eat
- Klimataria (Benitses)
- Rex
- Etrusco (2★, Kato Korakiana)
Bookable for day 7 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Before leaving home
Packing and logistics tips
- 01Layer for cool mornings and hot midday sun
- 02Book restaurants and top-tier tours 2–3 weeks ahead
- 03Comfortable walking shoes — most old towns are cobbled
- 04A small day-pack for water, sunscreen and a light shell
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