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Paris to the Greek islands: Athens, Mykonos and Santorini

Paris → 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)
Photo: Andrew Parlette, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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

The Cyclades are the Greek islands of the postcards, and this route pairs two of the most famous after a stay in Athens. From Paris there are direct flights to Athens. A short flight or ferry reaches Mykonos, and a ferry continues to Santorini, from where you can fly home.

How to pace it: After the flight from Paris, plan days one and two in Athens: first Plaka, then Acropolis and museum. Next, plan days three to five on Mykonos: first fly to Mykonos, then Little Venice, Delos, and finally beach day. Next, plan days six to eight on Santorini: first ferry to Santorini, then Fira to Oia walk, and finally Akrotiri and caldera boat.

Athens deserves two days at least: the Acropolis early in the morning, the Acropolis Museum, the Agora and an evening meal in Plaka or Psyrri. Mykonos is known for its lively nightlife, but its old town, Little Venice and the windmills are also lovely to walk around in the early evening. The boat to Delos takes you to one of the most important religious sites of ancient Greece. Santorini is set on the edge of a caldera formed by a huge eruption. Walk the clifftop path from Fira to Oia, visit the ancient site of Akrotiri, swim at the dark volcanic beaches and take a boat to the volcanic islets in the bay.

Late May to June and September to early October are the sweet spots: warm weather, warm sea and fewer crowds than in high summer. In July and August, the strong meltemi wind can delay or cancel fast ferries, so leave a buffer day before your flight home.

Book ferries and accommodation early for summer. Sunset in Oia is famously crowded; other caldera viewpoints are often just as good.

If you want a quieter island between the two, Naxos and Paros are on many ferry routes between Mykonos and Santorini and have long beaches, mountain villages and fewer crowds. Island-hopping by boat is easy here, so the route can be adjusted to suit your pace.

Suggested outline

  1. Paris

    Start

  2. Athens

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    The Acropolis and its museum, the ancient Agora and the Plaka district below.

  3. Mykonos

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    A Cycladic island of white houses, windmills and beaches; Delos, an ancient sanctuary and UNESCO site, is a short boat trip away.

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

  4. Santorini

    By ferry · 3 nights suggested

    Reached by ferry from Mykonos. Villages such as Oia and Fira sit on the rim of a flooded volcanic caldera.

    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· Paris → 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 → Paris (by air)

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

Flights, leg by leg

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Athens

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Mykonos

Nearest airport: Mikonos Search fares · Mikonos ↗

Santorini

Nearest airport: Thira

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