Even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough, but sometimes you just have to deal with only 1 week in Greece. One week to explore the Mediterranean paradise that has captivated people for hundreds and even thousands of years! One week to explore the perfect Cyclades with their blue waters, one week to explore the white villages and crumbling ruins that make Greece, well, Greece. It’s an impossible task, and yet I’ve put together this guide that will make your 1 week in Greece nothing short of perfection.
While you can easily expand this guide to 10 days or even 2 weeks, or add in more stops and destinations as you see fit, I know we don’t all have endless time to travel in Greece (contrary to my own wishes). So with just 1 week in Greece, this guide will take you through three iconic stops: Santorini, Milos, and of course Athens! I’m including all the information you need to know, including all the messy travel logistics, and an abridged version of a guide to each destination. If you want to know a bit more about the places you’re seeing in each stop, please check out the full-length articles that I’ve linked below!
All that aside…let’s get ready to enjoy 1 week in Greece!
Other resources you might find useful on your trip to Greece:
- A Perfect 24 Hours in Athens Is Enough! (1 Day Athens Guide)
- Your Santorini Travel Guide for Blue Domes and Caldera Views
- Your Sunny Weekend Itinerary for Milos, Greece This Summer
When Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Greece?
Did you know that Greece doesn’t have good weather year-round? While you might expect Greece to be in a perpetual state of sunny summer thanks to its position on the Mediterranean, it still gets cold, rainy, and windy in Greece at times of year. Since you only have 1 week in Greece, timing your visit well is key to making the most of the trip!
For Greece, high season falls between late May to early October. While I’m usually not a fan of traveling during high season, for the most part I recommend it in Greece. Because Greece’s economy is highly tourism-dependent, many of the islands here run on the tourist schedule. Many hotels, restaurants, shops, and tours won’t even be open outside of the May-October window. Plus, the Aegean Sea is cold and takes a long time to warm up, so it will be too cold to swim in the Cyclades outside of these months. So while I’m usually a proponent of traveling to destinations during shoulder season, it can be difficult in Greece. Even as late as early May, many restaurants in the islands (like Milos) will still be closed!
Absolute peak season falls between July and August. While it’s a great time to visit Greece in general, expect hot temperatures, wait times at popular restaurants, and fully booked hotels and ferries. Make sure to plan in advance! I recommend trying to time your 1 week in Greece during June or September to still have warm temperatures and bustling towns, but without the absolute worst of the crowds.
How to Choose Which Greek Islands to Visit
I wanted to choose a set of destinations that represented the iconic images of Greece—historic ruins, whitewashed buildings with blue domes, and beaches set on the sparkling blue Aegean. But with only 1 week in Greece, and so many islands in the Cyclades, it was pretty tough to decide which Greek islands to visit!
At the end of the day, I settled on Athens as a must (also most likely your international gateway to Greece), along with Santorini and Milos. Santorini has the iconic blue domes and white buildings, staggering cliffside and caldera views, but with some crowds and touristy high prices. Milos is much more laid-back like the majority of the Cyclades, with stunning unique scenery, accessible beaches, and fewer crowds; though it’s not walkable like Santorini is. I believe that these three destinations in Greece represent some of the best and most beautiful sights that you need to see if you only have 1 week in Greece!
If you have more time or want to check out other islands in Greece, don’t worry—there are plenty of options. I recommend Crete, Paros, Mykonos, or Antiparos for all the iconic Greek views!
Language and Currency in Greece
While Greek is the official language of the country, you’ll find that nearly everyone in the hospitality industry speaks English very well. Whether you’re ordering food, asking for directions, or checking into a hotel, you’ll rarely have a communication issue—especially in popular tourist destinations like Athens, Santorini, and Milos. That being said, I noticed that a simple kalimera (”hello” or technically “good morning”) goes a long way in making the locals more friendly and accommodating. When I greeted people first with kalimera, they suddenly became very bright and even warmer.
The euro is the official currency of Greece. Most places in major cities and on the islands accept credit and debit cards. This includes hotels, restaurants, and even some beach clubs. However, we did need cash in a few spots (some cash-only taverns, the Oia-Fira bus in Santorini, and the occasional kiosk) so I do recommend having cash on hand. While it’s easy to find ATMs in Athens, they’re a bit more limited on the islands. I recommend withdrawing a small amount of cash beforehand (honestly 50 euros will likely do it) if you don’t have euros lying around at home.
How to Travel Around Greece
Since you only have 1 week in Greece, it’s important to be as efficient as possible with getting around. The last thing you want to do is spend loads of time in transit and not out exploring! The biggest decision is usually if you want to take the ferry or fly between destinations. I personally recommend taking a mix. Take a flight between Athens and Santorini (the ferry ride is easily 7 hours long) and take ferries between other spots that have short and direct routes (like Santorini ↔ Milos and Milos ↔ Athens).
While domestic flights are cheap and plentiful in Greece, I usually don’t take them unless the ferry time is more than 5 hours because of 1) carry-on bag fees and 2) since you have to arrive and check in early at the airport, the time saved by the short flight often isn’t worth it.
As for getting around the various islands or cities in Greece, it depends on each location! For Athens, you can easily walk everywhere that is of interest. For Santorini, you can mostly walk and take the bus which is super affordable and frequent. I do recommend renting a car in Milos—this is a non-negotiable, because the public bus system is very limited and slow. You only have 1 week in Greece, so don’t squander your time there!
Schedules for ferries and flights vary by season, so book in advance—especially in July and August, when Greece is experiencing the peak of high season.
1 Week in Greece Overview
Here’s a quick overview of the schedule during your 1 week in Greece.
After landing at Athens International Airport (ATH), immediately turn around and fly on a domestic airline to Santorini. The flight should only take an hour and there are several cheap airlines that serve the Athens-Santorini flight route (we took Ryanair). Then, you’ll spend 3 days on the idyllic paradise island with its famous blue domes and caldera views before catching the 2-hour ferry to the nearby island of Milos. Milos is a gorgeous island in its own right with a very different vibe from Santorini, beautiful landscapes, and plenty of beaches. Spend 3 days and 2 nights in Milos before hopping back on the ferry for a 5-hour ride back to Athens. On the final day, you’ll spend a whole 24 hours exploring the historic capital of Greece before flying home.
While I do break down each of the destinations (Santorini, Milos, and Athens) in sections below, these are abridged versions of the full guides to each location. I’ve shortened the details considerably to fit everything neatly into this 1 week in Greece guide. If you’re looking for all the detailed information, like what hotels to stay in or where to eat, dive into these more specific guides here!
- Your Santorini Travel Guide for Blue Domes and Caldera Views
- Your Sunny Weekend Itinerary for Milos, Greece This Summer
- A Perfect 24 Hours in Athens Is Enough! (1 Day Athens Guide)
Santorini (3 Days)
The full breakdown: Your Santorini Travel Guide for Blue Domes and Caldera Views
Let’s start your 1 week in Greece after all the flying. If you followed my advice, you’ll have just arrived at Santorini Airport (JTR) fresh off a domestic flight! Check into your hotel (I recommend staying in Oia just for convenience, since you only have a few days here) before heading out to explore. Grab a gyro for lunch at Pitagyros, one of the only budget spots in town, wander through all the adorable shops, and then watch the famous sunset at Oia Castle. It’ll be crowded, so try to arrive around an hour early!
On the next day in Santorini, you’ll want to try and wake up a little early to enjoy Oia before the swarms of tourists clog its white streets. Walk around the picturesque white-washed town, snapping all the iconic photos you’ve seen on Instagram. Can you check off all the sights like Anastasi Church, the Three Blue Domes, and the orange-pink Kastro Houses? After a lunch with a terrace view, catch the cash-only bus to Fira on the other side of the island.
Fira and Imerovigli are neighboring towns on the south side of Santorini and are slightly more laid-back than the intense tourism of Oia. Make the half-hour walk from Fira to Imerovigli, which is one of the best and most interesting walking paths in Santorini (and not nearly as long as the Oia-Fira hike that you’ve probably seen in other travel guides). See the Three Bells of Fira and Skaros Rock before having a delicious and reasonably priced seafood dinner at Triana Tavern.
On your last day in Santorini, enjoy a chill morning in Oia before making the steep walk down to Ammoudi Bay. The switchbacks here are intense, but it’ll be worth it! At the bottom, you’ll find a beautiful fishing village and a beach with jagged rocks. Make sure to have a reservation prepared for Ammoudi Fish Tavern, the best and most famous seafood restaurant in Santorini! After lunch, make the grueling walk back up to Oia before saying goodbye to Santorini. It’s time to grab a taxi to the port, where you’ll take the ferry to our next destination—Milos!
🧿 For a more detailed breakdown of exactly where to stay and what to do in Santorini, check out my dedicated Santorini guide.
Milos (3 Days)
The full breakdown: Your Sunny Weekend Itinerary for Milos, Greece This Summer
If you take the same ferry that I did, you’ll arrive in Milos in the late afternoon. That gives you just enough time to pick up your car and then make the most of the golden hour! Start off your first evening in Milos by walking up to Plaka Castle for the most beautiful sunset on the whole island! It is the highest point in Milos and has beautiful panoramic views over the Aegean Sea.
Then, spend the next day enjoying tiny fishing villages with bright blue waters and sunny beaches. Hang out with the adorable, cuddly cats in Firopotamos and enjoy views of the beautiful water. Then, hit up the next-door fishing village of Mandrakia for their famous fresh-caught octopus lunch. Medusa, a local restaurant where you can see the fishermen line-drying their catch of the day, is one of the most authentic dining experiences on the island.
Check out one of Milos’s many beaches in the afternoon and then enjoy your evening in the charming neighborhood of Plaka! There are lots of cute artisan shops and beautiful homes here, pretty alleyways, and local restaurants.
⛵ For a more detailed breakdown of exactly where to stay and what to do in Milos, check out my dedicated Milos guide.
On the last day in Milos, start the morning bright and early with a magical sunrise at Sarakiniko Beach, the famous “moon beach” of Milos. Trust me, you’ll feel like you’re on a different planet! Then join a half-day boat tour to see the famous Kleftiko Caves. These sea caves are on the south side of Milos and only accessible by boat. I’m not usually a tour person, but I loved our tour! Everyone on it was so friendly and the group size was small enough that it felt chill and cozy.
Then it’s time to hop back onto the ferry at Adamas and head back to mainland Greece. While the islands in the Cyclades are undoubtedly gorgeous, your final destination—the historic Athens—is definitely not to be missed during your 1 week in Greece!
Athens (1 Day)
The full breakdown: A Perfect 24 Hours in Athens Is Enough! (1 Day Athens Guide)
Can you believe we’re almost at the end of your 1 week in Greece? But before it’s time to head home, there’s still an entire city to cover: the ancient and historic capital city, Athens! People ask me all the time how many days to spend in Athens, and I’ll be frank. Unless you’re really into history, one day is just enough to see the main sights and leave feeling satisfied.
Start the morning with a walk up to Filopappou Hill, which has some of the best and most beautiful views of the Acropolis in the golden morning light. If you’re staying in Psyri like we were, you’ll pass by the gorgeous ancient Agora and see hilltop views of the Temple of Hephaestus along the way. On your way down from the hilltop, grab a freddo espresso—a must in Greece and unavailable in pretty much any other part of Europe. You won’t regret it!
Then walk around the ancient and cute neighborhood of Plaka (yes, Athens has a Plaka as well as Milos!) and have lunch before watching the changing of the guard on the hour. Keep strolling and shopping around Psyri, a laid-back region with one very psychedelic and over-the-top restaurant called Little Kook at the center. In the late afternoon, hop to a rooftop bar with views of Monastiraki Square and the Acropolis before heading up the hills to the Acropolis itself. Spend golden hour and sunset exploring the most famous ruins in all of Greece, like the massive Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Wrap up your night with a dinner back near your hotel and get ready to say goodbye to Greece! Unbelievably, it’s time to fly home.
🏦 For a more detailed breakdown of exactly where to stay and what to do in just 24 hours in Athens, check out my dedicated 1-Day Athens guide.
Conclusion
And that’s it for 1 week in Greece! Was it as perfect as I promised? Did you love Santorini, Milos, or Athens the best? I’d love to hear from you!
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