Travel

The Ultimate 10-Day Greece Itinerary

Are you dreaming of exploring the ancient ruins and island hopping on the stunning islands of Greece? This 10-day Greece itinerary has it all. Explore the beaches, the ruins, the architecture, and more.

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Greece is a unique country located in Southeastern Europe. It has thousands of little islands that are magical, has some of the best sun beaches in Europe, has influential ancient landmarks, and amazing world-class cuisine and culture.

In this post, you will explore the azure seas, the spectacular beaches, the unique ancient ruins, cultural dishes, and more. This is especially the best Greece itinerary for first-timers, gives you a day-by-day itinerary to make sure you hit all the best landmarks of Greece. Also includes the best Greek islands to visit.

This ultimate 10-day Greece itinerary will help you experience the country’s most iconic destinations including the ancient ruins in the capital city of Athens, the stunning cliffside village and architecture of Santorini, the beautiful beaches and resorts in Mykonos, and so much more.

This post is all about the ultimate 10-day Greece itinerary.

Ultimate 10-Day Greece Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Athens And Explore The City

A great way to start your 10-day Greece itinerary is landing in Athens getting situated into your accommodation and heading out to explore the wonderful city of Athens. First, explore the most popular attraction in Athens, the Acropolis. The Acropolis is one of the most iconic historical sites in the world and is a must-see when visiting Athens. It is perched on a rocky hill (Acropolis) above the city of Athens and has many historical and archaeological sites here as well. Read about the history of the Acropolis, enjoy the stunning structures, and be sure to get some great photos as well.

Once you’ve made it to the top of the Acropolis, visit the Parthenon. The Parthenon is the most famous structure on the Acropolis. It is dedicated to the Goddess Athena. The columns are very large and are super cool to see in person. Then visit the Erechteion and the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaea which are marble columns to the entrance of the Acropolis, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus which is an amphitheater just below the Acropolis.

For the evening take a stroll through the Plaka neighborhood. The Plaka neighborhood is the city’s oldest and most famous neighborhood. It is very lively and has a charming atmosphere and lots of history as well. Explore the local shops and visit the Anafiotika neighborhood. For dinner enjoy a traditional Greek dish including Moussaka or a nice lamb dish.

Day 2: Athens and Cape Sounion

On day 2 of your Greece itinerary continue exploring Athens. In the morning head to the Acropolis Museum and explore the Parthenon Marbles, the original statues from the Erechtheion, and the one-of-a-kind attraction the glass floors that show the ancient ruins beneath the museum. Next head to the Ancient Agora. Here, you will see the Temple of Hephaestus, the Stoa of Attalos, and Socrates’ Prison.

For the afternoon go and explore the Monastiraki Flea Market and grab some lunch. You could also enjoy a walk at the National Garden which is right by the Flea Market. For the rest of the afternoon and evening take a short drive along the scenic coast to Cape Sounion. Relax while enjoying the stunning views and visit the Temple of Poseidon which is dedicated to the God of the Sea. Wait for the sun to set here so you can see a beautiful sunset over the temple and the Aegean Sea. Grab some dinner here with a view before heading back to Athens for the night.

For more on Athens Greece check out the blog post “THE BEST HIDDEN GEMS IN ATHENS GREECE“.

Day 3: Island Escape To Hydra

For day 3 of your 10-day Greece itinerary take a day trip to the island of Hydra. Hydra is a beautiful serene island that is famous for its car-free streets, beautiful picturesque architecture, and calm atmosphere. Take a ferry from Piraeus Port to Hydra, the journey is about an hour to an hour and a half away. A beautiful way to see the coast by boat. Once here you could walk along the Harbor and shop at the boutique shops, enjoy a coffee or tea at the cute cafes, and there are even art galleries you can glance through. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and swimming at one of the beautiful clear water beaches. Some of the best beaches in Hydra include Kamini Beach, Vlichos Beach, and Bisti Beach. You can walk to the beaches or take a water taxi. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a seaside restaurant, where you can watch the beautiful sunset while dining. After the sun has gone down take a night ferry back to Athens.

Day 4: Day Trip To Delphi

On day 4 take a day trip to Delphi in Greece. Delphi is about a 2-3 hour car ride from Athens and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once known as the center of the world of Greek Mythology. This ancient archeological site is the perfect day trip from Athens and it offers so much amazing history and one-of-a-kind landscapes.

First explore the Ancient Site of Delphi which includes the Temple of Apollo, the Sacred Way, the Theatre and the Stadium, and the Tholos of Athena Pronaia which is the most iconic monument. After, explore the Delphi Archaeological Museum which has one-of-a-kind exhibits like the Charioteer of Delphi, the Sphinx of Naxos, and the Ancient inscriptions and votive offerings. Grab some food at Delphi Village before heading back to Athens.

Day 5: Ferry To Santorini And Oia’s Sunset

On day 5 of your Greece itinerary catch a ferry from Athens to Santorini. There are two ports you can choose from when getting a ferry: Piraeus Port or Rafina Port. There are also two types of ferries you can get as well: a high-speed ferry which is about 4-5 hours long and is good if you’re tight on time, or a regular ferry which is about 8 hours but lets you relax and enjoy the views. Be sure to buy tickets for the ferries ahead of time to ensure you will get on. Both ferries arrive at Athinios Port in Santorini.

Once you’ve made it to Santorini and checked into your accommodation explore the village of Oia, Santorini’s most popular village. Take in the views of the blue-domed churches, and beautiful white houses, shop the local boutiques, and more. Enjoy a nice dinner at one of the many restaurants and watch the iconic sunset in Oia. The best places to see the sunset are the Castle of Oia or Amoudi Bay.

Day 6: Explore Santorini’s Villages And Beaches

Spend day 6 exploring the beautiful villages and beaches in Santorini. First visit Pyros Village, a village located on a hill with the best panoramic views of Santorini. Walk the cobblestone streets and enjoy the beautiful buildings. Once you’ve explored Pyros make your way to one of Santorini’s beautiful beaches for some relaxation. The best beaches are Perissa Beach and Perivolos Beach. Both have crystal-clear blue waters and lots of beach bars. Great spot to enjoy some drinks and food.

Optional, you can spend the day at the beach or visit the Akrotiri archeological site to see well-preserved ruins, and learn about the history of the ruins. Or you could visit Santo Wines Winery, to do a unique wine tour.

For the evening head to the Fira village which is the capital of Santorini and great for nighttime entertainment and lots of dinner options as well.

Day 7: Travel From Santorini To Mykonos

On day 7 of your 10-day Greece itinerary make your way from the island of Santorini to the island of Mykonos. Mykonos is a glamorous and luxurious island that is known for its iconic windmills, one-of-a-kind stunning beaches, and amazing nightlife. In the morning grab a ferry ride, again there is a high-speed ferry that takes 2-3 hours to arrive in Mykonos or a regular ferry that takes about 4-5 hours to arrive. And be sure to book tickets in advance as well. Once you’ve arrived at Tourlos Port in Mykonos make your way to your hotel and check in.

Once checked in spend the rest of the day exploring Mykonos Town (Chora). Mykonos Town is filled with maze-like streets and beautiful white houses. Visit Matogianni Street for boutique shopping and grabbing lunch. Then explore the unique architecture at the Church of Panagia Paraportiani. Next, make your way to the famous windmills that offer historical significance to the island of Mykonos. Great spot for some unique pictures.

For the evening head to Little Venice, a colorful picturesque neighborhood right along the sea. Grab some dinner at one of the waterfront bars and restaurants and enjoy a stunning sunset along the sea.

Day 8: Mykonos Beaches And Delos

On day 8, first thing in the morning grab a ferry from the Old Port of Mykonos to Delos Island. I would recommend doing this early in the morning to avoid large crowds in the afternoon through to the evening. The ferry ride is quite quick about a half hour. I would also do a guided tour to learn all about the history of Delos, it is quite interesting. Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there is so much to explore. Explore the Terrace of the Lions, the Temple of Apollo, the House of Dionysus, Mount Kynthos, and more.

Once you’ve explored the island of Delos head back to Mykonos for some lunch and beach relaxation. For the rest of the day, I would recommend spending at the stunning beaches and relaxing. A great beach is Psarou Beach which has many luxurious beach clubs with sunbeds that you can rent and has a serene atmosphere great for relaxing. Another great beach is Paradise Beach. This beach has lots of water sports and water activities you can enjoy and is more of a lively atmosphere. For a quiet beach option visit Agios Sostis Beach, not quite as busy but still stunning.

Day 9: Return To Athens

On day 8 of your 10-day Greece itinerary head back to Athens by ferry ride. A high-speed ferry takes about 3-4 hours and a regular ferry takes about 4-5 hours. Either is good depending on how much time you have and what else you have planned. I would take an afternoon ferry from Mykonos that way you are not rushing in the morning and then enjoy the ferry ride back to Athens. Once you’ve checked into your Athens hotel you could wander through the Plaka neighborhood, and do some last-minute sightseeing or shopping you didn’t get to do on days 1 or 2. Grab some food at a rooftop restaurant at Lycabettus Hill for great panoramic views of the city one last time.

Day 10: Depart From Athens

For your last day of this Greece itinerary do some relaxing activities before having to catch a flight back home. You can grab breakfast or coffee at one of the many charming cafes. Visit the National Garden of Athens or walk around Syntagma Square to enjoy the atmosphere and do some last-minute shopping.

Where To Stay In Greece

Where To Stay In Athens – Some great places to stay in Athens include Electra Metropolis, Grand Hyatt Athens, and NYX Esperia Palace Hotel Athens by Leonardo Hotels. All of these hotels have beautiful views of the Acropolis and many amenities including a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and more.

Where To Stay In Santorini – Santorini has many different villages that you can stay in. In Fira stay at Neo Suits, or Anatoli Hotel & Spa. Fira is a central location with lots of nightlife and great shopping options. In Oia stay at Danae Suites Santorini, or Alexander’s Suites. Oia village is famous for its iconic sunsets and luxury-style hotels and is probably the most popular village to stay in.

Where To Stay In Mykonos – In Mykonos stay in Mykons Town at Central Suites Mykonos, or Ilio Maris Hotel. Mykonos Town (Chora) is a great area to stay if you’re looking to be close to nightlife, and restaurants. Then Ornos or Platis Gialos are great areas to stay at if you’re looking to be right by the beach. Great places to stay in this area are Mykonos Kosmoplaz Beach Resort Hotel, and The George Hotel Mykonos.