Looking for the perfect 1-week vacation? Well, look no further than this 7 days in the Greek islands itinerary, where we will take you through 3 stunning islands that will make for the perfect week-long getaway.
For this 1 week itinerary of Greece, we will take you to the islands of Santorini, Paros, and Naxos. As some of the best islands in the Cyclades, you will experience azure waters, whitewashed villages, an outstanding quality of life, and overall a rich history that will leave you with an unforgettable Greek experience.
In this 7-day itinerary, we’ll guide you through the highlights of each island, from Santorini’s iconic caldera to Paros’ charming towns, and Naxos’ pristine beaches.
So, pack your bags and join us on this island-hopping adventure in the Cyclades!
Overview of 7 Days in Greece
- Day 1- Arrive in Santorini
- Day 2- Explore Santorini
- Day 3- Ferry to Paros
- Day 4- Explore Paros
- Day 5- Ferry to Naxos
- Day 6- Explore Naxos
- Day 7- Back to Santorini
Day 1: Arrive in Santorini and explore Fira
Santorini is the most iconic island in Greece, and it’s for good reason! There’s something incredibly special about this island that is hard to put into words until you arrive and witness those blue-domed churches for the first time.
Fly directly into Santorini or take the ferry from Athens to Santorini to start your 1-week vacation in Greece!
From there, take a taxi or the bus to your hotel. We recommend booking accommodation in Fira or Oia, as these locations will be the most central to the activities you do each day. Perla Nera Suites is a stunning suite in Fira with a garden view and balcony, and Nano Oia Villas is a perfect villa in Oia with breathtaking views of the caldera.
After settling into your accommodation, spend your first day in Santorini exploring Fira. Some of the top attractions to see in Fira include:
- Three Bells of Fira- the town’s largest church and beautiful photo spot
- Museum of Prehistoric Thera- a museum in Fira that houses many of the archeological findings from Akrotiri, a village on the south of Santorini
- Gialos (Fira’s Old Port)- take the ~550 stairs down to the dock, or ride in a cable car!
- Visit Santos Winery- a winery located just outside of Fira that has some of the best views of the caldera
For dinner, I recommend finding a restaurant right along the cliffside of Fira. You will experience one of the best sunsets of your life, all while enjoying delicious Greek food. Argo Restaurant has incredible views and even better Mediterranean food!
Day 2: Explore Oia
On your second day in Greece, you will explore one of the most photographed villages in the world, Oia!
Start your morning by walking along the Fira to Oia Walk, a 6-mile hike with panoramic views of the caldera along the entire hike. Even if you decide not to do the entire hike, it is worth heading to the trail to witness the beautiful views.
During mid-day, head to Amoudi Bay, which is one of the best things to do in Oia! Located approximately 300 steps below Oia’s city center. There, you can enjoy fresh-caught seafood, explore the port, and find a spot along the pebble beaches to relax.
For the evening, make your way back up to Oia’s city center. Depending on your interests, you could:
- Take photos with the famous blue-domed churches
- Visit Domaine Sigalas, a winery in Oia
- Visit the Castle of St. Nicholas
For dinner, find yet another cliff-side restaurant to enjoy the sunset from Oia!
Day 3: Take a ferry from Santorini to Paros
For day 3, you will be heading to one of the most laid-back islands in the Cyclades: Paros! Paros is much less touristy than Santorini with better sandy beaches, making it perfect for the middle of your trip to have some downtime.
In the morning, take a ferry to Paros, which takes only a few hours depending on the weather conditions. After checking into your accommodation, spend your afternoon and evening exploring the fishing village of Naoussa. Here, you will find narrow alleyways, whitewashed buildings, and adorable shops that sell goods, clothes, and souvenirs.
The best things to do in Naoussa include:
- Exploring the old port of Naoussa
- Visiting Moraitis Winery
- Relaxing on Lageri Beach
- Exploring Venetian Fortress
For dinner, we recommend Open Garden Restaurant, which is set in a beautiful garden. With Naoussa being on the west coast of Paros, you will get to enjoy the sunset over the water from many restaurants!
Day 4: Explore Paros
For day 4, you will have a full day to explore Paros!
Start your morning by visiting Secret Café Bar, a cute coffee shop that serves breakfast, pastries, and coffee. Then, head to one of the fabulous beaches on Paros. I recommend Krios Beach for spending the morning, as this beach is perfect for swimming and relaxing.
For the afternoon, head to Lefkes, a quaint Greek town with narrow cobblestone streets. One of the highlights of Lefkes is the Church of Agia Triada, a beautiful Byzantine church with intricate marble carvings and a peaceful courtyard. Nearby, the Folklore Museum of Lefkes provides insight into the island’s history and culture, with exhibits showcasing traditional costumes, tools, and household items.
For lunch, you can stop at Lefkiano Restaurant for traditional Greek food, renowned as one of the best cuisines worldwide!
End your day by visiting St. Anthony Monastery, which dates back to the 17th century. Located in the lush greenery of the Tragea Valley in Naxos, the St. Anthony Monastery is a serene and spiritual retreat dedicated to St. Anthony, who is considered the father of monasticism.
Visitors to the St. Anthony Monastery can explore the grounds, visit the church, and learn about the history and significance of the monastery from the resident monks.
Day 5: Ferry from Paros to Naxos
Naxos is directly adjacent from Paros (in fact, you can even see Naxos from many spots on Paros!) Take the 30-minute ferry ride over to Naxos for your 5th day on the Greek islands.
Due to its small size, you don’t need many days to explore Naxos. But, keep in mind that public transportation is not very accessible in Naxos, so you may need to rent a car to explore the east side of the island.
For your first day in Naxos, explore Naxos Town. Here, you can visit the Temple of Apollo, a giant marble gate that was once the entrance to a temple, and take a walk along the waterfront. Only a short walk from Naxos Town you will find Grotta Beach and Agios Georgios Beach. Due to their central location, these beaches can get more crowded, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a spot to enjoy the water.
For dinner, find a spot along the waterfront, such as Bossa Café, Kozi, or Naxian Capriccio Restaurant. From there, you will get to see the sun setting over Paros!
Day 6: Explore Naxos
For your last full day on Naxos, spend the morning visiting another beautiful beach, such as Panormos Beach in the south part of the island, Mikri Vigla Beach, or Agia Anna. These beaches will all require transportation to get to, so consider renting a car or checking the bus schedule in advance when deciding where to go.
From there, you can decide on several things to do depending on your interests! Consider these activities:
- Visit the Temple of Demeter
- Take a catamaran cruise around the island
- Hike Mount Zas
- Visit the Fontaine D’Aria
With your last evening in Greece, find a restaurant where you can unwind and reflect on this amazing 7-day trip.
Day 7: Departure
It’s day 7! Sadly, your 1-week trip has come to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your final day!
Find a café along the water to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, given that you have enough time to catch your ferry back! If you have enough time, you can even enjoy one last dip in the water from the nearest beach to your accommodations.
Check the ferry schedule to depart to either Santorini or Athens, depending on where you will need to go to head home (or, onto your next trip!) Be sure to give yourself enough time to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare!
Conclusion
And there you have it, a perfect 7 days in Greece that will leave you wanting to book your next trip back immediately after leaving.
From the breathtaking views of Santorini to the quaint villages of Paros and the beautiful beaches of Naxos, this itinerary has showcased the diverse beauty of the Cyclades.
While your 7-day adventure through the Greek islands of Santorini, Paros, and Naxos has come to an end, you can easily find your way back to explore many other regions that Greece has to offer!
As you reflect on your time in Greece, you’ll realize that this itinerary was just a glimpse into the beauty and culture of these islands. There’s so much more to explore. In fact, Greece has 4 different seas worth exploring plus an outstanding mainland! So, where are you going next?
Want to extend your Greek holiday?
Check this 2 weeks road trip itinerary to Greece’s top destinations
and keep browsing our Greece travel guides:
