Traveling to Athens & the Greek Islands

Planning a trip to Greece can feel overwhelming, especially with so many destinations to consider. Athens, the Greek Islands, and everything in between offer endless possibilities—but creating the perfect itinerary requires careful thought. We’re here to simplify the process and ensure your Greek adventure is as enjoyable as it is memorable.

Reviewing Greece recommended itineraries on social media: Athens vs. the Islands

You’ll encounter a wide range of advice on how to divide your time between Athens and the islands. Social media posts and travel blogs often offer conflicting suggestions, making it hard to know what’s realistic for your holiday planning.

Let’s cut through the noise. Whether you’re visiting for a week or longer, balancing travel time with relaxation is key to making the most of your Greek getaway. And we will explain what we mean shortly.

Reality check time: Multi-destination travel is multi-dimensional

Traveling between the Greek islands isn’t as simple as it may seem. Many travelers—and even experienced travel agents—overlook the complexities of island hopping. Here are some common reality frustrations to avoid:

• Travel Times Between Islands: Ferry rides and flights between islands can eat up a significant part of your day. Schedules may not align perfectly with your plans, requiring long waits and even needing hours just to get from your accommodation to the transport hub (Port, Airport, Bus station etc.) and then your next accommodation.
• Time Efficiency Challenges: For example, if you want to spend two nights in Santorini and two nights in Chania, Crete, you may need to take a connecting flight through Athens or endure long ferry routes. Even small missteps, like booking a flight to Heraklion instead of Chania, could lead to unplanned delays and extra travel time.

These challenges can quickly erode the quality of your trip, leaving you tired and frustrated, leaving less time to enjoy your destination.

Less is more in Greece

Both Athens and perhaps 99% of the Greek Islands are not your typical seaside village type of destination. Our point is to avoid getting back home with a feeling of “I should have stayed more there”. Try to balance your travel plan.

Of course this depends on your travel aspirations and expectations. Want to experience constant touring of places, walk through shopping streets, beautiful alleys before hitting the nightlife hotspots?

Do you care spending some relaxing afternoons drinking cocktails at the beach until the sunset while enjoying reading books?

In both these examples spending several hours in transit can be detrimental to your overall experience. Not to mention accommodation check-in procedures.

A week in Greece overloaded with 4 island visits?

Trying to squeeze Athens and four islands into a single week? It sounds ambitious—and it is. You could end up spending over 24 hours in transit alone. While ferry rides may sound relaxing, constant travel between destinations can feel exhausting and reduce the time you have to actually explore or unwind at the beach.

Also if traveling with children, we really can foresee multiple “are we there yet?” moments. We’re not even mentioning handling all luggage you will be carrying.

If flying from a long-distance destination, having to spend even 5 hours of transit while being jetlagged can also be detrimental. There is no need to rush things to add more destinations in your itinerary.

Smart Island-Hopping: Focus on Proximity

With hundreds of islands to choose from, the best strategy is to keep it local. The Cyclades, for instance, are a popular cluster of islands that include Mykonos and Santorini. But even within this group, not all islands are easily or quickly accessible. Smaller, more remote destinations may require several hours of ferry travel—and during the off-season, some don’t have daily connections.

Instead of trying to check off as many islands as possible, consider visiting two nearby destinations. This approach allows for more leisurely travel and deeper exploration of each location. I.e. a more relaxed holiday experience.

Budgeting for Your Greek Getaway

It’s no secret that Mykonos and Santorini are among Greece’s most expensive destinations. From accommodation and dining to beach bars and transportation, costs can add up quickly—especially during peak season. Lesser-known islands like Syros or Naxos can offer stunning scenery and authentic Greek charm at a fraction of the price.

Ferry tickets are another factor to keep in mind, as they can be quite pricey depending on the season and route. Plan ahead to avoid overspending on such expenses. If you plan to travel with a car rental, cost can increase dramatically at ferries.

Athens: More Than a Quick Stop

Many travelers treat Athens as a quick layover before heading to the islands, but the Greek capital deserves (if not requires) more than a fleeting visit. With its rich history, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class cuisine, Athens is a destination that can easily fill a week on its own.

Even if you’re short on time, we recommend spending at least two full days in Athens. This will allow you to explore iconic landmarks like the Acropolis and Plaka, as well as discover the city’s hidden gems through our short-stay guides.

Just quickly browsing through our Explore and Discover more series guides can explain why you must spend more time in Athens.

Our Recommended Itinerary for a Week in Greece

For a relaxed and fulfilling trip, we suggest:

• 2 full days in Athens: Immerse yourself in the city’s history, culture, and food.
• 3–4 days on a maximum of two islands: Prioritize nearby islands to minimize travel time and maximize your enjoyment.

This itinerary strikes the perfect balance between exploration and relaxation, giving you time to soak in the beauty of each destination without feeling rushed. Just make sure you do your research on each destination and spend less time wandering around for finding the perfect spots.

We hope to have challenged your planning considerations and eventually made your travel experience better with this guide.