Greece is a land of superlatives when it comes to the beauty of nature and architecture. From swimming in turquoise waters to walking among historic ruins, here’s what you should do during your 5 days in Greece.
The country of 6,000 islands has so much to offer, it can be hard to find your way around. First you need to define your objectives for this 5 days in Greece itinerary. You could easily spend 4 days in Santorini without getting bored, but you might want to see more of Greece if you’re short on time…
You can’t visit Greece in 5 days and see it all. However, you can still get a pretty good glimpse of the wonders of this country by visiting one mainland city and two islands.
If you are looking for both a cultural and relaxing sunny holiday, we got you covered. In this 5 days itinerary for Greece, we want you to see three iconic sites: the glorious city of Athens, the small cobbled alleys of Mykonos and the wonderful sunsets of the volcanic Santorini.
Here’s how you should spend your first 5 days in Greece, with all the practical information you’ll need as well.
First Time in Greece : Quick to-do list
- Choose the 2 or 3 places you want to visit during your 5 days in Greece. This country has 6000 islands and many wonderful cities to visit on its mainland, so you’ll definitely need some guidance.
There’s no need to buy a 5 days Greece package, here are all the information you’ll need. For a first visit to Greece, we recommend visiting the capital Athens, as well as one or two known islands. - Define the best itinerary for you, or copy this one!
- Once you have a good overview of the places to visit in Greece, book your flights on Skyscanner.
- The next step is to find the best hotel deals on Booking. Are you more into indoor or outdoor jacuzzis? Greece has it all.
- Depending on the location of your hotel and your plans on the island, you might need to rent a car.
- Have the time of your life in this welcoming mediterranean country!
Greece travel itinerary 5 days : the Ultimate Guide
First day in Greece : discover the history and magic of Athens
Greece is known for its ancient history, paradise islands and rich culture. If you’re flying to Greece, there’s a good chance you’ll arrive in Athens. And that’s perfect because its historical hub is a must do! Here are the best things to do in Athens in one day.
Visit the Acropolis
There’s no place more iconic and historically important in Athens than the Acropolis. It is the most known ancient Greek site, and for good reasons. This ancient citadel was built by Pericles in the 5th century BC.
Are the Acropolis and the Parthenon the same thing?
The Acropolis is not only an architectural miracle. It offers wonderful views on both the city and the sea. The Parthenon is the building of marble columns located on top of the hill. It is the most important and most visited building of Greece.
How much does it cost to visit the Acropolis?
You can purchase two types of Acropolis tickets. The entrance ticket costs $22.5 USD (20€) from April 1st to October 31st and $11 USD (10€) the rest of the year.
You’ll be able to visit the whole site of the Acropolis, which is already pretty big and is much more than just the Parthenon. If you’re staying in Athens more than one day, you might want to buy the combination ticket at $34 USD (30€).
It covers the Acropolis and 6 other architectural sites : Ancient Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Kerameikos and Aristotle’s School.
Where to eat in Athens?
Klimataria is a good option for both local food and atmosphere. You’ll enjoy Mediterranean delights with a musical background and a glass of excellent wine. The name of the restaurant literally means grape vines, so it’s pretty trustworthy right?
Mount Lycabettus
After lunch, you have to visit the tallest of the seven hills of Athens : Mount Lycabettus! It is visible from anywhere in the city and there’s no way you can visit Athens without going to the Lycabettus Hill.
It’s 277 meters above sea level, which is approximately twice as high as the Acropolis.
We let you imagine the impressive 360 degree view you will have at the top of all the institutions in the city! It is a perfect spot to admire the city from above or have a picnic at sunset.
Plaka and Psiri
Now it’s time to discover Athens from the pov of a human, and not a bird! Wander in the streets of Plaka. It’s a beautiful neighborhood with small alleys covered by plants and cute shops.
It’s the best antidote to the crowded streets under a heavy sun. Plaka is home to family-run shops of ceramics, handmade jewelry or local food.
It is right next to the National Garden Athens, where locals hang out and breathe the pure air of this little corner of green paradise. In the same area, Psiri is where outsiders have fun.
It has a good nightlife, with endless bar and restaurant options.
Party at Six Dogs
To finish the day on a cool note, Six Dogs is a trendy cultural bar with live music and art exhibitions. It has a great garden and that’s where locals reunite to party. It’s the best place for you to have a taste of the local nightlife!
Where to stay in Athens? 🏛️
Acro Urban Suites offer full suites to guests with an incredible view on the Parthenon for as little as $66 USD (59€). It’s modern, well decorated and extremely well located. Perfect value for money!
The Foundry Suites is literally our dream home 😍. This futuristic building is an architectural beauty, where greenery and graphics are the watchwords! The large industrial glass roofs and the incredible decoration give each of the unique studios an incredible charm.
Last but not least, its rooftop terrace is a true odyssey to nature and offers a view of the Acropolis. The Foundry Suites are also located 500 meters from the central Monastiraki Square and a studio costs $150 USD (134€).
Second day in Greece : explore the Mykonos
As we promised, this Greece itinerary for 5 days includes the best of three wonders : Athens and two paradise islands.
Your second day in Greece will be punctuated by the charming and picturesque alleys of one of the most famous Cycladic islands… The one and only Mykonos!
You must have seen Mykonos instagram spots all over social media. Those spots are as charming as they are photogenic. We strongly advice to visit those, but also the hidden gems in the less touristy parts of the island.
Athens to Mykonos
You can either fly or take a ferry from Athens to Mykonos. The flight lasts 45 minutes, but then you’ll need to add security check and airport waiting times. A high-speed ferry takes about 2 hours to join Mykonos from Athens. It’s more ecological and usually cheaper.
Explore Mykonos Town
Now that you arrived in Mykonos and maybe checked in your accommodation, head to Mykonos town! It is the very heart of the island and it’d be a shame to start your visit anywhere else.
Mykonos old town, called Chora by the locals, is one of those perfect dreamy Cycladic villages.
Its small paved alleys among the white houses and bougainvillea pink flowers are almost entirely pedestrian. Greek houses are both classy white and artistically colorful, with their wooden doors, balconies and windows.
One thing is for sure : you won’t get bored wandering in a labyrinth of cute alleys, lovely houses and churches. There is a popular belief that the streets form a kind of labyrinth to confuse pirates.
You’ll also find numerous cafes, souvenir shops or high-end shopping. If you’re lucky, you might even run into the mascot of Mykonos : the friendly and photogenic Petros the Pelican.
The story of this huge bird is unbelievable and starts back in the 50s’, when a fisherman found a wounded pelican… The rest is history!
You can walk to the Mykonos Old Port to eat at a beachfront restaurant. This is by far the best place to eat at because you’ll be facing the two spots that make the reputation of the island.
Windmills Mykonos
Located on the Old Port, facing the sea and Little Venice, Mykonos windmills have been the very heart of the island over the centuries for various reasons. First, they were built by the Venetians in the 16th century to grind wheat. It was the primary source of income for many locals.
They stopped working in the middle of the 20th century and are now the absolute emblem of the island of Mykonos. There are 16 windmills in total. Most of them stand on a hill overlooking the waves of the Mediterranean and the houses of Little Venice.
Little Venice Mykonos
Little Venice is a set of houses hanging over the water of the Mediterranean sea. It is a very picturesque spot as the waves crash against the walls of those houses and sometimes even reach the blue wooden balconies.
Even if the scene is a bit surreal, they are still standing and still! You’ll see it by yourself : it’s very easy to wander around the town for hours without getting bored.
For sunset, we highly recommend looking at it setting at the famous windmills. The view is mind blowing and this really is the once-in-a-lifetime sunset kind.
Yialo Yialo Restaurant Mykonos
After a long day in the charming streets of Mykonos, you deserve dinner in an atypical haven of peace. Yialo Yialo Restaurant Mykonos serves Greek and international food in the loviest place with sea view. This intimate setting offers a wonderful atmosphere where guests can relax and eat delicious food.
Where to stay in Mykonos? 🇬🇷
Chill Out Studio is a set of several fully-equipped studios located on a hill 400 meters from Little Venice. They offer an insane view of the sea and the pool surrounded by stones is gorgeous. The host is the nicest man and will treat you as if you were in a 5 star hotel for the sum of $180 USD (160€) for two people per night.
Third day in Greece : wander in Mykonos
Halfway through your 5 days in Greece, you might want to relax and soak up the Greek sun. That’s what the program of this third day is all for : walks, beach and party! In other words, a typical day in Mykonos.
Mykonos Churches
There are around 800 churches on the island of Mykonos, and 80 of them are in Mykonos town! Even if you’re not christian or religious, Greek churches’ architecture is something else. Those whitewashed holy buildings are architectural wonders.
Some of the most famous are Panagia Paraportiani and Agios Nikolaos. They are both located in Chora. If you wish to explore more of Mykonos island outside of the old town, you can visit the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani in Ano Mera.
Super Paradise Beach
To unwind from your last busy days, enjoy an afternoon at the beach in the famous Super Paradise Beach. 5 days in Greece wouldn’t be complete without at least one chill afternoon of lounging around in the sun.
Super Paradise Beach Club is a white sand beach with hot crystal clear water. You can do water activities such as flyboard, parasailing or private cruises. However, it’s more known for its beach club.
You can have drinks and dance all day long there! What’s even funnier is that its name is a superlative of the competing range: Paradise Beach.
Mykonos nightlife
The sunset in the Greek islands never gets old – be on time to witness it from Mykonos town. Then, you must discover the party part of the island. From late June to September, there are beach parties with DJ almost every night. Just remember to set an alarm so you don’t miss the ferry the next day!
If you wish to spend more time on this fabulous Cycladic island, here is a complete itinerary for 3 days in Mykonos.
Fourth day in Greece : marvel at the volcanic Santorini
You cannot spend 5 days in Greece and not visit the most wonderful and romantic islands of them all : Santorini. Worldly known for its wonderful architecture, white houses on black lava cliffs and epic sunsets, what might be the lost city of Atlantis amazes thousands of people every year.
Mykonos to Santorini Ferry
To go from one Greek island to another, your best option is to take high-speed boats. Companies like Sea Jets do one crossing per day from Mykonos to Santorini. They usually leave at 10am for two hours and the trip costs $80 USD (69€) per passenger.
Amoudi Bay
The first place you can visit in Santorini is Amoudi Bay. This small fishing village is one of the most picturesque places in all Santorini. Typical houses and tavernas have their feet in soft blue water. They stand from the mountain of red lava in the background.
The village of Oia and its windmills are perched on top of the cliff. And yes, you can see all of this post card from Amoudi Village! This place is out of the world and we couldn’t think of a better way to start your visit of Santorini.
Fishermen bring in fresh fish and octopus daily from their vintage boats. As you can guess, the restaurants there not only have an amazing view, but also food with more flavor than you’ve ever tasted. After an excellent meal, go past the village to reach a swimming and jumping spot.
Oia
Now that you’ve unwinded and ate fresh food at Amoudi Village, you’re ready to face the crowds of the touristy yet mind-blowing Oia. The village is characterized by its breathtaking views of the ocean and the caldera with each new alley.
Wander through the cute alleys and admire its small white houses perfectly aligned and its famous blue-domed churches. Make sure to go to the Oia castle at least one hour before the sunset to have the best view on all the island of Santorini. Oia’s sunsets are among the most beautiful in the world.
After this once-in-a-lifetime sunset, head to Lotza Restaurant for a well-deserved dinner. This cliffside restaurant offers a wonderful view on the ocean and typical food for a normal price. You will be able to try some traditional Greek meals for around $17 USD (14€).
Where to stay in Santorini? 🌇
As we went to Santorini a couple of times, we tried out different accommodations and two of them stood out. And when we say they stood out, we meant that those are the top 3 hotels we ever tried in our entire lives.
Langas Villas
The first hotel that we highly recommend is Langas Villas. We couldn’t possibly describe it in a few sentences, but here’s our best try. Those cave suites are located in Imerovigli, owned by the nicest hosts we ever had, with the highest swimming pool of all the island. The view on the caldera at sunset is stunning!
The suite has a jacuzzi carved into an orange rock, the decoration is stunning and the view on the terrace is breathtaking. A scrumptious continental breakfast is also included in the price of the room (around $230 USD (200€) for two people per night).
Amber Light Villas
The second best hotel in Santorini is Amber Light Villas. This complex offers incredibly luxurious and modern cave suites facing the sea for a wonderful sunrise. It’s located in Imerovigli as well but you’ll have a view on the other side of the island. It costs $300 USD (258€) per night for two people.
Fifth day in Greece: Santorini
Your 5 days in Greece will go by at lightning speed, so we planned amazing activities for your last day. On the day’s schedule: history of ancient Greece, discovery of typical villages and beaches of atypical colors… Let’s make your last day in Greece the best one!
Santorini Breakfast
Locals do not joke around with breakfasts. Marketing may have recently convinced the world that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, inhabitants of Santorini have always believed it. Hospitality is in their veins and hotels are betting big on their breakfast menu.
If you’re staying at Amber Light Villas or Langas Villas, be prepared to have the breakfast of a lifetime. You can have it all : bread, eggs, bacon, sausages, fruits, cheese, cake, yogurt, cold cuts, coffee, tea, orange juice, champagne… The hosts usually bring it to you on your terrace.
As all the houses align on the as all the houses are glued and lined up along the cliff, you can see everyone having breakfast and it’s quite funny. So enjoy your feast before starting the day!
Fira
Fira is the capital of the island. Located right in the middle of the island, it’s the bubbly and lively town where everything happens. Plus, if you’re staying in Imerovigli, it’s a short ten minutes drive so it’s perfect to start off the day the right way.
Stroll in the different alleys and witness the wonderful views 220 meters above the sea. You will run into the cutest sea view restaurants, art galleries and houses. There are churches of all kinds in Fira : orthodox, baroque… You have to at least visit the famous Three Bells of Fira!
For lunch, you can choose among the many seaside restaurants, such as Nektar Lounge. They serve greek food with delicious local wine produced on the island.
Archaeological Site of Akrotiri
In Ancient Greece, Akrotiri was a famous port in the Aegean Sea. Loads of merchant ships were stopping there between the different countries of the Mediterranean Sea. A lava eruption completely covered the site in the 17th century BC, which greatly preserved the settlement.
Nowadays, you can visit the Akrotiri excavation site which remains an important piece of Greece’s history. Suspended walkways allow visitors to visit the site without hurting it. The entrance ticket costs $14 USD (12€) per person.
Red Beach
A trip to Santorini wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Red Beach! There’s not a lot of places in the world where you can see a beach made of a flaming red lava. The water is hot and crystal clear in comparison to the red and brown lava.
In the area, you can also find the white beach and black beach. At the white beach, you’ll find impressive white limestone rocks. The black beach is less frequented as the other two stand out with their original colors. If you only have a limited time of 5 days in Greece, the Red Beach is definitely the one not to miss.
Santorini Sunset
What a better way to end your 5 days in Greece than attending one last Santorini sunset? Head back to Oia or Fira ahead of time to secure a good seat at a bar, restaurant or at the Oia castle. Imerovigli is the highest point of the island and offers incredible sunsets with a view on all the crescent-shaped Santorini.
If you wish to spend more time in the magical Santorini, here’s a complete itinerary on how to visit Santorini in 4 days. This way, you’ll be able to visit the famous volcano, caldera and hot springs that once probably were the lost city of Atlantis…
Greece Travel Tips
How to get to Greece?
Greece is not a landlocked country, and can therefore be reached by boat, plane, train or car. The most common way to arrive in Greece is by plane. Athens Airport is the largest in Greece and receives lots of international flights every day.
Big islands such as Santorini or Mykonos also have airports. However, as they are not this far, we recommend taking greek ferries between them. If you’re planning an Europe road trip, you can drive to Athens and then you’ll need to pay for a ferry to reach the islands.
How to get around in Greece?
Car rental in Greece
Renting a car in Greece is the easiest way to get around! You can do it on Mainland Greece but also on the islands. You won’t need it in Athens and the public transports work fine. In Mykonos, you can stay near the city center and walk around.
However, you’ll need one in Santorini as the main points of interest are quite spread out. The basic car costs approximately $40 USD to $60 USD (35€ to 52€) per day depending on the season.
You can book your car at big companies like Sixt or independent greek companies. Last but not least, do not plan to save on insurance as this is very important in Greece as the roads are mountainous.
Uber in Greece
When planning their trip, a lot of travelers ask if there is Uber in Santorini, Mykonos or Athens… Uber only operates in Greece with its “Uber Taxi” service, which redirects customers to local cabs.
Buses in Greece
The bus is the best way to go around big Greek cities on the mainland. Athens public transport system covers all the city and its surroundings. It’s affordable as well as a single ticket costs $1.58 USD (€1.40) and is valid for one hour and a half.
You can also take the bus on touristy islands like Mykonos. But you’ll need a bit more planning as they’re not as frequent as in the capital! After visiting the city center, you can take it to visit the Super Paradise Beach Club.
Boats in Greece
Fast boats are the best way to travel from one east island to another. Sea Jets for instance operate daily crossings from Mykonos to Santorini for $80 USD (69€). Different boat companies operate crossings between the different islands, but also from the mainland to the islands.
How many days do you need to visit Greece?
Let’s face it ; Greece is a huge country with thousands of islands and you won’t be able to visit it all, even if you moved there. It all depends on what you want to visit ; a weekend in Athens or on one island is worth it. 5 days in Greece are perfect to visit Athens and 2 islands. Two weeks would be great to add two more islands.
Is Greece expensive?
Mainland Greece is much more affordable than Greek islands. A traveler on a budget would spend around $80 USD (70€) per day for a double room, meals and activities in Athens. On an island like Santorini, the same traveler would spend around $140 USD (125€) for a double room, meals, activities and the car rental.
Do I need a visa to go to Greece?
Greece is part of the Schengen Agreement, which allows Europeans to travel in Europe as if there were no borders. Therefore, US citizens may enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
If you’re not European and American, we recommend that you check the entry requirements for Greece on the national website of your country.
Best time to visit Greece
You can visit Greece all year long because the temperature hardly gets under 10°C. However, for warm weather and beach opportunities, we recommend you to visit between May and October.
As the most crowded months are July and August, the very best time to visit Greece and avoid the crowds is in May or September.
Do I need travel insurance Greece?
Travelers are not required to buy travel insurance when travelling to Greece. However, we cannot stress enough the importance of having your medical fees covered when you have an accident abroad. If you’re planning on renting a scooter, quad or doing hiking activities, you should take travel insurance. Better safe than sorry, right?
Where to go in Greece?
Greece is a huge country and has a lot to offer. The best places to visit for a first visit are Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, as covered in this 5 days in Greece itinerary! However, other islands are worth visiting as well : Milos, Zakynthos, Crete, Corfu, Thessaloniki or Kalamata.
Thessaloniki and Kalamata are on mainland Greece while the others are Mediterranean islands. If you are a history lover, Thessaloniki was once part of the Byzantine Empire. Kalamata would be good for you as well because it is home to the ancient ruins of Messenia.
All the islands listed above offer incredible beaches, cliff views and great sightseeing. The islands of Zakynthos and Corfu are located to the west of mainland Greece, while Milos is to the east. Crete is a huge island in the south of the country.
We’ve now covered everything you need to know to have the best 5 days in Greece! This itinerary has been designed to give you a taste of all the magical aspects of Greece, between nature, history, luxury and exceptional food. This country definitely is among the first countries to travel post COVID 19.
