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Madrid to Greece: Athens, Mykonos and Santorini

Madrid → Athens → Mykonos → Santorini

Athens
"Athens_Acropolis_at_Daybreak.jpg" by Andrew Parlette, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Athens Acropolis at Daybreak (Athens)
Foto: Andrew Parlette, CC BY 4.0, über Wikimedia Commons

Greek islands Best season (general guide): Late May–Jun, Sep–early Oct

This route combines Athens with two Cycladic islands. It spends eight nights in Greece. From Madrid you'll fly to Athens.

In Athens, Plaka is the old quarter below the Acropolis. The Acropolis Museum is next to the hill.

Fly to Mykonos. Little Venice has houses on the water. A boat trip goes to Delos, a sacred island listed by UNESCO.

Take the ferry to Santorini. The walk from Fira to Oia follows the caldera rim. Akrotiri is a Bronze Age town, buried by an eruption, and caldera boat trips sail past the volcano.

Late May to June and September to early October are the best seasons. In July and August, the meltemi wind can cancel ferries.

Pacing: book Acropolis tickets for a specific time slot, ideally the first entry of the day or late afternoon, to avoid the heat and the crowds. The museum is a short walk away, and its café terrace has views of the Parthenon.

For the islands, the flight to Mykonos saves time, and ferries link Mykonos and Santorini in summer. Book ferry tickets in advance in high season, and allow a buffer before your flight home in case of delays. Boats to Delos don't run every day, and the site is closed on some days, so check the schedule.

Santorini is busy in summer, especially in Oia at sunset. Walking the caldera rim early in the morning is cooler and quieter. Carry water and wear sun protection, as there is little shade.

Between the big sights, Athens is a city of neighbourhood tavernas and evening walks, and the area below the Acropolis is pedestrianised and pleasant after dark. Mykonos town is a maze of whitewashed lanes, and getting lost in them is part of the fun.

Suggested outline

  1. Madrid

    Start

  2. Athens

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    Plaka, the Acropolis and its museum.

  3. Mykonos

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Little Venice and a boat to Delos.

    Mykonos
    "2011_Dimos_Mykonou.png" by Pitichinaccio, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Santorini

    By ferry · 3 nights suggested

    The Fira–Oia walk, Akrotiri and a caldera boat.

    Oia, Greece
    "Oia_sunset_-_panoramio_(2).jpg" by TomasEE, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Athens — Arrive; Plaka· Madrid → Athens (by air)
  2. Day 2 · Athens — Acropolis and museum
  3. Day 3 · Mykonos — Fly to Mykonos; Little Venice· Athens → Mykonos (by air)
  4. Day 4 · Mykonos — Delos
  5. Day 5 · Mykonos — Beach day
  6. Day 6 · Santorini — Ferry to Santorini· Mykonos → Santorini (by ferry)
  7. Day 7 · Santorini — Fira to Oia walk
  8. Day 8 · Santorini — Akrotiri and caldera boat
  9. Day 9 · Santorini — Travel home from Santorini· Santorini → Madrid (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Athens

More about Athens →

Highlights near Athens

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Mykonos

Nearest airport: Mikonos Search fares · Mikonos ↗

Santorini

Nearest airport: Thira

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