A Complete Guide to Exploring the Greek Islands: Athens to Santorini

Athens Acropolis Guide

Athens doesn't make a great first impression — the traffic is chaotic, the concrete apartment blocks are unlovely, and the taxi drivers treat lane markings as suggestions. But the Acropolis — that rocky outcrop rising above the city with the Parthenon perched on top — is one of those rare places that genuinely justifies the hype. I visited in early October, when the summer heat had broken and the crowds had thinned, and I had the Parthenon nearly to myself for 20 minutes just after the gates opened at 8 AM.

For food near the Acropolis, walk to the Koukaki neighborhood (10 minutes south) instead of the tourist trap streets around Monastiraki. I had an extraordinary meal at Seychelles, a Cypriot-Greek restaurant on Veikou Street — grilled feta with honey and sesame, slow-cooked lamb kleftiko, and a bottle of Xinomavro wine for 35 EUR for two people.

Mykonos Highlights

Mykonos has a reputation as a party island, and parts of it absolutely are — the beach clubs at Paradise and Super Paradise pump electronic music from noon until 4 AM. But there's a quieter, more interesting Mykonos if you look for it. I rented an ATV for 35 EUR per day and explored the island's interior — rocky hills dotted with whitewashed chapels, abandoned windmills, and empty beaches with water so clear I could see the sandy bottom from 20 meters offshore.

My favorite beach was Agios Sostis, a 15-minute drive north of Chora. There's one taverna (Kiki's Tavern, open for lunch only, no reservations) that serves grilled octopus, Greek salad, and cold retsina wine at wooden tables overlooking the sea. No music, no sunbeds, no pretension. Arrive by noon or you'll wait 45 minutes for a table. The total bill for two people with wine was about 45 EUR.

The old town of Chora is genuinely beautiful in the early morning and late evening, when the cruise ship crowds have departed. The famous windmills overlooking the harbor are best photographed at sunset from the Boni's Windmill terrace (free). For nightlife, the Little Venice area has bars built right to the edge of the sea — I preferred the more relaxed atmosphere at Gialos, where a mojito costs 12 EUR and you can actually hear the person next to you.

Best Time for Island Visits

The Greek islands have a surprisingly short season. May through October is the practical window, but the character changes dramatically depending on when you go. June and September are the two best months — warm water (22-25°C), sunny skies, manageable crowds, and prices that haven't yet peaked. I visited in late September and paid 60 EUR per night for a studio apartment with a caldera view in Imerovigli (Santorini) that would have cost 180 EUR in August.

July and August are hot (30-35°C), crowded, and expensive. Santorini's Oia sunset viewpoint is shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of people, and ferry seats sell out a week in advance. If you must go in peak summer, book everything at least six weeks ahead. May is gorgeous for wildflowers but the sea is still cool (18-20°C) and some restaurants on smaller islands may not have opened yet. October is a gamble — go no later than mid-October.

For island hopping, the ferry schedule is most reliable from mid-June through mid-September. Outside those dates, some routes reduce to 2-3 sailings per week instead of daily, which can disrupt your itinerary.

Ferry System Explained

The Greek ferry system is extensive, reasonably priced, and surprisingly easy to navigate. There are two main types: conventional ferries (slow, carry cars, have outdoor decks) and high-speed catamarans (fast, no cars, indoor seating only). A conventional ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Mykonos takes about 5.5 hours and costs 30-55 EUR. The high-speed catamaran takes 2.5-3 hours and costs 60-80 EUR.

I always book through Ferryhopper.com or the individual ferry company websites (Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways). Book at least 3-5 days ahead in shoulder season, 1-2 weeks ahead in July-August. The most popular island-to-island route is Mykonos to Santorini via Paros or Naxos — the direct high-speed takes about 2.5 hours and costs 70-90 EUR. The Blue Star Ferries conventional service (via Ios and Paros) takes about 4.5 hours but is half the price at 35-40 EUR and a much more pleasant ride.

Essential Tips to Keep in Mind

• Avoid staying in Oia, Santorini. Stay in Imerovigli or Firostefani instead — same caldera views, half the crowds, significantly lower prices. I paid 60 EUR/night in Imerovigli vs. 200+ EUR in Oia for comparable rooms.
• Take the local bus, not taxis, on the islands. A taxi from Fira to Oia costs 35-40 EUR; the local KTEL bus costs 1.80 EUR and runs every 20 minutes.
• Eat where the locals eat. On Naxos, I had the best meal of my entire Greece trip at Taverna Labyrinth in Chora — freshly caught grilled sea bream, gigantes beans, and a carafe of house wine for 22 EUR for two people.
• Keep in mind the sun. Apply SPF 50 liberally, wear a hat, and take a midday break indoors. I got badly sunburned on the ferry deck in June despite thinking I was being careful.
• ATMs on smaller islands sometimes run out of cash on weekends. Carry a backup stash of euros.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many islands should you visit in one trip? Three to four is the sweet spot for a 10-14 day trip. I'd suggest Athens (2 nights), Naxos (3 nights), Santorini (3 nights), and either Mykonos or Milos (2 nights).

Is Santorini worth the hype? The caldera views are genuinely extraordinary. But the island has become very commercialized. Stay outside the main towns, rent a car to explore the south coast beaches (Red Beach, Vlychada), and visit the Akrotiri archaeological site (12 EUR).

Are the Greek islands safe? Very safe. Violent crime is extremely rare. The main risks are sun exposure, petty theft on crowded beaches, and scooter accidents (wear a helmet, always).

Final Thoughts

The Greek islands reward the traveler who slows down. The magic isn't in racing from Mykonos to Santorini to Crete in a week — it's in spending a lazy afternoon on a quiet beach on Naxos, watching an old man repair his fishing net under a tamarisk tree, then walking to a family-run taverna where the owner brings you a free dessert you didn't order and refuses to let you pay for your second glass of wine. That's the Greece I keep coming back to. Plan your route, book your ferries, but leave room for the unplanned moments.