The Perfect Greece Itinerary for Islands and Mainland

Taking in everything that glorious Greece has to offer is going to take time, effort, and some clever planning. That’s why having a robust Greece itinerary in place is great for making sure you take in all of the Mediterranean nation’s best bits, from the islands to the mainland itself.

Whether you’re planning to head to Greece for a week or more, this guide takes you through what to include in the perfect first-time Greece itinerary, how to start planning your trip, and when the best time of year is to travel.

Before you go, too, always make sure you have an eSIM for Greece loaded up and ready to go. The last thing you’ll want to worry about is how much money you’re spending on mobile data while you explore the sun, sea, and sand!

Greece itinerary overview for islands and mainland

When it comes to packing in all you can to make the most of Greece, it’s always worth considering exactly what you want to see, and how you’re going to travel between different islands and accommodation points.

Firstly, we recommend choosing a central point to travel from, such as the capital of Athens. Then, for the best travel spots for your Greece itinerary, map out ferry ports such as Piraeus for island hopping, and consider renting a car to explore the mainland. You can also book onto planes to connect to different islands, but many travellers find ferries more convenient.

Most of the SIMOVO crew who have visited Greece several times recommend spending one or two days at each of the main places to visit explored below. Of course, if you’re heading out here for as long as two weeks, it makes sense to stay longer at spots you really want to explore.

Above all else, however:

• Always pack for warm weather
• Keep yourself hydrated on the go
• Keep your devices charged up with portable batteries wherever possible
• Ensure you have local currency ready to go
• Establish a “home base”, like Athens, and ensure to leave enough time to travel to and fro

Best places to visit in Greece

Greece may be deceptively small, as it’s absolutely packed with tons of history, delicious cuisine, and incredible sights. We recommend packing in Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Rhodes into your Greece itinerary at least, meaning you should absolutely go wild and add more hotspots if you have time and money.

Just make sure your connections make sense and that you have a home base to head back to!

Athens

You really can’t spend a trip to Greece without at least making a pitstop at the capital of Athens, famed for its Acropolis, rooftop bars, al-fresco dining, and wonderful street charm - all backed by that glorious Mediterranean climate. We especially suggest you make Athens the heart of your itinerary, simply because there’s so much to come back to. We’ll suggest how to fit it into a seven-day trip or longer a little further down.

Santorini

From Athens, it’s time to go island hopping, with the wonderful wines of Santorini beckoning just a short ferry or flight away. If you’d prefer to stay in Santorini for a few nights, you certainly can (there are plenty of villas to explore). It’s an absolute must for Greece trippers who want to take lots of photos of the gorgeous seascapes! However, it can get quite busy with tourists even during off-season, so be mindful of spending only a day or two out here.

Mykonos

Mykonos is another island getaway that tends to rank quite highly on many travel itineraries for Greece, and there are of course lots of reasons why. Mykonos’s old town streets and buildings are perfectly charming, with quaint church buildings and windmills galore. Like Santorini, too, there’s lots of wine to sample here, along with a gorgeous beach scene and impressive nightlife.

Crete

According to Visit Greece, Crete “simply has it all” - meaning you could probably spend an entire trip out on this one island if you really want to! From the structures and streets of Heraklion and Rethymno to the Venetian mansions in Chania, Crete couples old town charm with authentic cuisine and, of course, a fabulous beach scene.

Rhodes

Rhodes is famous for its impressive nickname, “the Island of the Sun” - and whoever bestowed that moniker, they weren’t kidding! One of the best Greek islands for soaking up sunshine, there’s a curious mix of beachy walks and forest trekking out here, with another quaint old town scene that UNESCO has recognised for its historic importance. While some of Rhodes can get quite touristy, there are still plenty of picturesque views and important historical sites to set a nice tone.

Greece itinerary overview for first-time travellers

Given that lots of people have different opinions on the best Greece itineraries, here are some quick ideas we’ve put together based on travels for seven, 10, and 14 days.

Greece itinerary for 7 days

• Day 1: Start in Athens (and book accommodation) to explore the local restaurants and bars.
• Day 2: Explore the history of Athens, starting with the Acropolis.
• Day 3: Travel to Santorini and sample some wine, or take a boat tour
• Day 4: Sail to Mykonos to check out the street scenes (book a night here)
• Day 5: Enjoy Mykonos’s beach scenes and head back to Athens
• Day 6-7: Book accommodation in Crete and finish your trip on the island

Greece itinerary for 10 days

• Day 1-3: Book accommodation in Athens and explore the city
• Day 4-5: Travel to Santorini and stay for a few nights
• Day 6-7: Sail out for two nights in Mykonos
• Day 8: Soak up the sun in Rhodes
• Day 9-10: Finish your trip on sunny Crete

Greece itinerary for 14 days

• Day 1-4: Book and stay in Athens
• Day 5-6: Take in Santorini for a couple of nights
• Day 7-9: Stay a little longer on the island of Mykonos
• Day 10-11: Explore Rhodes, either book again or travel back
• Day 12-14: Head back to your favourite spot of the trip!

Best time to visit Greece

The best time to visit Greece generally, of course, is the warmer, sunnier months in summer, especially if you want to experience all that glorious sunshine for yourself. That said, you’re more likely to get competitive deals on accommodation and travel when you go in the spring or fall/autumn.

However, you might find that not all experiences or opportunities are open to tourists who travel off-season. The SIMOVO team recommends choosing late spring so it’s not too stifling, and to check out sailing itineraries if you intend to stay out on the water for much of your trip.

Greece travel tips for first-timers

Now you know a bit more about what to ideally include in your first Greece itinerary for travel, here are a few closing tips to keep in mind so you can make the most of what’s out there.

• Learn more about the local food and drink before you go! A great place to start is a Greek food guide.
• Try not to pack too many things into your first and last days for travel. Give yourself plenty of breathing space to enjoy your surroundings, and time to make connections.
• Be sure to compare different accommodation options and travel routes across the web, and consider changing accommodation from the mainland to an island on your itinerary if doing so makes practical sense.
• Consider building a trip to Greece into a longer journey across the continent with the help of an eSIM for Europe, covering your mobile data as you travel.

Regardless of how you explore and enjoy Greece, be sure to put these Greece itinerary tips into practice and build your holiday your way!