TravPa
Two blue church domes and an open bell tower overlook the volcanic cliffs and water of Santorini's caldera in Oia.

Greece

Climb the Acropolis and eat late in Athens' old quarters, then sail to Santorini for caldera walks, black-sand beaches and the ruins of Akrotiri.

Best timeApr to Jun, Sep to OctMoneyEuro (EUR)PlugsType F, 230 VMain airportAthens (ATH)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
Oia's whitewashed churches sit above the caldera on the northern tip of Santorini. · Adapted from Giles Laurent · Adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Visa rules depend on your passport.
Choose the country that issued your passport to see what you need.

Overview

Most first trips pair two days in Athens with an island. Blue Star ferries from Piraeus reach Naxos from about 5 hours 20 min and Santorini from about 6 hours, and flights from Athens to Santorini take about 50 minutes.

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sun and limited rain. Summer days are hot and dry, eased by the meltemi winds, and lowland winters are mild. Archaeological sites keep shorter hours from November to March, and some island sites close for much of the winter.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janMildfebMildmarMildaprBestmayBestjunBestjulHotaugHotsepBestoctBestnovMilddecMild

In late August, Santorini stages the Ifestia, a re-creation of the volcano erupting, with fireworks and flares over the caldera.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Athens]
Athens in 2 daysAcropolis, Acropolis Museum, Plaka, Ancient Agora, Psyrri, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, National Archaeological Museum, Lycabettus HillPacked pace
Two blue church domes and an open bell tower overlook the volcanic cliffs and water of Santorini's caldera in Oia.
Oia's whitewashed churches sit above the caldera on the northern tip of Santorini. · Adapted from Giles Laurent · Adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Santorini in 3 daysOia, Skaros Rock, Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Akrotiri, Perissa, Pyrgos, Ancient Thera, Panagia EpiskopiBalanced pace
Two blue church domes and an open bell tower overlook the volcanic cliffs and water of Santorini's caldera in Oia.
Oia's whitewashed churches sit above the caldera on the northern tip of Santorini. · Adapted from Giles Laurent · Adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Greece in 5 daysAcropolis, Ancient Agora, Psyrri, Lycabettus Hill, Fira, Oia Castle, Akrotiri, PyrgosBalanced pace

Where to stay

AthensPlaka for first-timers who want to walk to the Acropolis; Monastiraki and Psyrri for the metro and late nights; Koukaki for a calmer base by the Acropolis Museum.Best areas to stay in AthensHotels in Athens
Show a map of hotels in Athens with live prices

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

SantoriniFira for first-timers and bus connections; Firostefani and Imerovigli for quieter caldera views; Oia for sunsets; Kamari or Perissa for the beaches.Best areas to stay in SantoriniHotels in Santorini
Show a map of hotels in Santorini with live prices

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

Getting around

  • Ferries: Blue Star Ferries sail daily from gates E6 and E7 at Piraeus to Naxos, from about 5 hours 20 min, and to Santorini, from about 6 hours.
  • Flights: Flights from Athens to Santorini take about 50 minutes, a quicker option than the ferry on a short trip.
  • In Athens: Metro line 3 serves the airport, and the X95 express bus reaches Syntagma Square in about 60 min; the X96 runs to Piraeus port.
  • In Santorini: KTEL buses run from Fira to Oia, Kamari, Perissa, Akrotiri and the airport; download the timetable before you set out.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. If you plan to rent a scooter or quad on the islands, check that your policy covers it.
Get a quote from World NomadsOpens World Nomads in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission from this partner; your price stays the same.
Phone dataMobile data keeps your timed site tickets, ferry boarding passes and island bus timetables at hand as you move between Athens and the islands.How a travel eSIM works
See Greece eSIMs on AiraloOpens Airalo in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission from this partner; your price stays the same.