Quick answer
Spend two nights in Athens for the Acropolis, its museum and a Cape Sounion sunset, two in Mykonos for Little Venice, beaches and Delos, then two on Santorini for the caldera walk, a catamaran cruise and the Oia sunset. Fly from Santorini to Athens to connect home. Mid-range land cost starts at about ₹95,000 per person, excluding flights.
The route
- Athens
- Mykonos
- Santorini
- Athens
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive in Athens, Plaka at night
Morning: Fly into Athens. IndiGo's non-stop flights from Delhi and Mumbai land in the early afternoon.
Afternoon: Metro or taxi to the centre (about 40 minutes) and check in near Plaka.
Evening: Walk Plaka and Anafiotika, then dinner on a rooftop facing the floodlit Acropolis.
Stay: Athens — Plaka or Koukaki
- 2
Day 2
Acropolis and Cape Sounion
Morning: Acropolis on the 8 am slot, then the Acropolis Museum.
Afternoon: Rest, or the Ancient Agora and the Panathenaic Stadium.
Evening: Sunset at the Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion (about 1h30 each way by tour or taxi).
Stay: Athens
Carry water and wear grippy shoes. The Acropolis marble is slippery and has no shade.
- 3
Day 3
Ferry to Mykonos
Morning: Early ferry from Piraeus or Rafina (2h30–5 hours depending on the boat).
Afternoon: Check in, then beach time at Ornos or Psarou.
Evening: Little Venice and the windmills at sunset.
Stay: Mykonos — Mykonos Town or Ornos
- 4
Day 4
Delos and the beaches
Morning: Boat to Delos (about 30 minutes) for the sanctuary of Apollo.
Afternoon: Beach afternoon at Platis Gialos or Agios Sostis.
Evening: Dinner in the lanes of Mykonos Town.
Stay: Mykonos
Delos boats don't sail in strong winds; keep a backup beach day.
- 5
Day 5
Ferry to Santorini, caldera sunset
Morning: Fast ferry from Mykonos to Santorini (about 2–3 hours).
Afternoon: Check in, then walk from Fira to Firostefani along the caldera rim.
Evening: Sunset from Imerovigli, quieter than Oia.
Stay: Santorini — Imerovigli, Firostefani or Fira
- 6
Day 6
Caldera walk and sunset cruise
Morning: Fira-to-Oia caldera walk from 8 am (3–4 hours), bus back. Or Akrotiri and Red Beach if you'd rather not hike.
Afternoon: Catamaran cruise: hot springs, swimming stops and a meal on board.
Evening: Sunset from the boat.
Stay: Santorini
Ask for a vegetarian meal on the cruise when you book.
- 7
Day 7
Winery or beach, fly to Athens and home
Morning: A winery tasting or the black-sand beach at Perissa or Kamari.
Afternoon: Flight from Santorini to Athens (about 45 minutes) to connect home.
Evening: Fly home.
Leave at least three hours between the Santorini flight and your international departure, or spend the last night in Athens.
Why Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
This is the classic first Greece trip from India, and for honeymooners in particular. Athens gives you the Acropolis and ancient history; Mykonos brings beaches, nightlife and Delos; Santorini has the caldera, sunsets and the best hotel views in the Aegean. Direct ferries link all three from roughly April to October.
Getting between the islands
- Athens to Mykonos: 2h30 on a fast ferry from Rafina or Piraeus, up to 5 hours on a conventional boat.
- Mykonos to Santorini: about 2–3 hours on a fast ferry.
- Santorini to Athens: a 45-minute flight is the easiest way back for your international connection.
In July and August the meltemi wind can make fast ferries rough or cancel them. Book ferries a few weeks ahead and keep a buffer before your flight home.
How to adapt it
- Honeymooners: drop Mykonos and spend four nights on Santorini, with a caldera-view room and a private plunge pool.
- Families: swap Mykonos for Naxos, which has calmer, shallower beaches and cheaper hotels.
- In shoulder season (May, late September, October): prices fall sharply and the Oia sunset is far less crowded.
Caldera-view rooms on Santorini sell out 4–6 months ahead for June to September.
For budgets see Greece trip cost; for Santorini villages see where to stay in Santorini; and for more sights see things to do in Greece. Check the Greece visa guide before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Greece?
Should I take a ferry or fly between Greek islands?
Mykonos or Santorini — which needs more time?
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
