Greece: Summer Part I (Athens, Milos)

Welcome to our 2-week trip itinerary from late August through early September across the Aegean Sea, island hopping in Greece! We’ll guide you through where to stay and where to go to get the quintessential Greek experience, spanning from the bustling streets of Athens to the idyllic island escapes of Milos, Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini.

Join us on this journey as we unveil a trove of travel tips, hidden gems, and unforgettable moments so you can make the most of your next trip to Greece. Whether you're a history buff, a beach bum, or simply a lover of exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, Greece has something special in store for you, and we're here to be your compass to make the most of your time.

Let's dive into the idyllic world of Greece!

Timing Breakdown

Athens*	1 Night, 1 Day
Milos**	3 Nights, 4 Days
Mykonos**	4 Nights, 5 Days
Paros**	2 Nights, 3 Days
Santorini**	3 Nights, 4 Days

* Tip: 1 Day in Athens is enough; pick 2-3 attractions that sound most interesting to you (ideas below).

** Tip: Stay at least 3 nights on each island you choose. Less than 3 nights makes it feel like you're counting hours vs. days and get less of a chance to settle down.

FYI: Links below labeled "(map)" are included for places without websites.

Athens

Day 1: Arrive, Sightsee

Arriving in Athens was like stepping into a time machine with a modern twist. The city welcomed us with a mix of ancient charm and vibrant energy, and we rested up before hunting down the best gyros in town.

Morning: Part 1

Activities	Tips
Land in Athens Airport (ATH). Drive to Hotel.	Arrange a driver ahead of time with your hotel to fetch you from the airport and drive you to the hotel. This ensures safety, a fair price (set by hotel vs. the driver) and allows you to pay with a credit card vs. cash only. If you are flying in and out of Greece via Athens, rent a car with pick-up and drop-off in Athens. - Ferry tickets are the same price with a car (plus, you get priority boarding) - The overall price will be far less than renting a new vehicle on each island (most islands require a vehicle to explore). - You won't need to spend time renting a car on each island.
Check in to Hotel.	See the TRIP 2 Hotel Review.
Workout
Shower, Get Ready	Wear sunscreen. Use a fanny pack for essentials.
Breakfast: Hotel	Find a hotel that serves breakfast to spend more time sightseeing and eating lunch/dinner at a restaurant.

Breakfast Rooftop View

Breakfast Rooftop View

Morning: Part 2

Activities	Tips
Local Marketplace: ERGON House. - Full of fresh produce and celebrates the best of Greek cuisine culture.	Grab a fresh squeezed juice or a light snack.
Neighborhood: Monastiraki (map)	Visit the many antique and tourist shops with local handmade items. Coffee: Norman Athens Bar - Order a Freddo (iced) cappuccino with mele (honey). This is a local favorite.

ERGON House

Norman Athens Bar

Afternoon

Activities	Tips
Lunch: Kosta's Souvlaki (map) - Fast casual; one of the most popular gyro spots in Athens.	Order their namesake: Kosta's Souvlaki. Souvlaki = Skewer Gyro = Pita Sandwich
Tour: Acropolis (map) - The Acropolis is a collection of sites. The Parthenon is the most popular. - We were blown away and felt like we were amongst the Gods who came before us. We highly recommend!	We purchased our tickets the same day (heard of many online scams and did not want to commit to a time slot). The line took about 30 minutes but felt quicker. We recommend purchasing an audio guide and spending ~1 hour touring. There is a snack shop and bathrooms next to the ticket sales line. We got large bottles of water and Kevin got a surprise Smirnoff ice to keep our spirits high as we waited to purchase tickets!
Neighborhood: Anafiotika (map) - As you traverse down from the Acropolis, explore these picturesque streets and soak in the local charm.	The streets are quiet and perfect for taking pictures. Pop into some of the countless restaurants, shops, and bars.

Parthenon at Acropolis

Amphitheatre at Acropolis

Evening

Activities	Tips
Cocktails: Thea Terrace Bar - Cute rooftop bar and restaurant with stunning direct views of the Acropolis.	Reserve up to 3 months in advance. Note: you cannot play cards (ex: Uno) here, because they don’t have a gambling license.
Dinner: ERGON House - It was so fantastic that we stopped in again.	Reserve any time before the morning of. Portion sizes are large; we suggest ordering family-style.
Cocktails: The Bar In Front Of The Bar (map) - Upbeat local spot with fun drinks, a live DJ, and a lively ambiance with barstools on the cobblestones.	Go for a night cap to round out a full day.

Thea Terrace Bar

ERGON House Dinner

Milos

Day 2: Ferry, Adamas, Sarakiniko, Trypiti

See the Greek Islands: Ferry Guide for specific tips.

Morning

Activities	Tips
Ferry: Athens to Milos	Duration: 2 hrs 30 min
Check in to Hotel.	See the TRIP 2 Hotel Review.

Afternoon

Activities	Tips
ATV or Car Rental ATV Rental: Moto Adamas Milos - Walking distance from port. - Best reviews in port town. Car Rental: Milos Rent Cars - Walking distance from port. We rented an ATV the first two nights and a Car the third night.	It's necessary to rent a vehicle during your stay on this island (minimal taxis, no Ubers/Lyfts). ATV (350cc+) Pros/Cons - P: Adventurous, Dirt Roads to Beaches - C: Limit 2 Riders, Tires Harsh on Street If you rent an ATV: - Select a newer one (not red or green). - Special license not enforced; show passport and reassure them that you're comfortable driving one. Car Pros/Cons - P: Cleaner, Explore More of Island - C: Harder Parking, More Expensive Regardless of vehicle choice, return with a full tank of gas.
Lunch: Gyros of Milos (map) - Quick, casual - Cute outdoor seating	To-go orders are 50% cheaper (take a gyro to the beach!) Souvlaki = Skewer Gyro = Pita Sandwich
Beach: Sarakiniko (map) - Bleached lava, swimming hole, small beach, mini cliff jump.	Find your favorite spot, either perched up on the cliffside or on the beach. No rental chairs or snack bars. Ladies: This is a top-optional beach and the perfect place to catch a tan. Warning: If you play Marco Polo, do not dive!

Sarakiniko Beach Entrance

Sarakiniko Beach Spot to Lay

Sarakiniko Beach Offshore

Sarakiniko Beach Nature Tunnel

Evening

Activities	Tips
Dinner: Barriello - Romantic and rightly popular. - Enviable views of the sea and sunset. - Repurposed 150-year-old mansion. - Local ingredients, mostly grown on their own farm.	Reserve exactly 1 week prior. - Try to specify a table that has a view of the sunset. - Park on the street near the restaurant. - Order the Gnocchi Rooster (Signature Plate). - If reservations are unavailable, the restaurant next door, Okto, has the same views and good food, as well.

Trypiti Sunset

Bariello Dinner

Day 3: Boat Day, Adamas

Morning & Afternoon

Activities	Tips
Workout	If hotel has no gym or weights, use hotel WiFi for a YouTube video of cardio and core (to feel extra confident in your bathing suit)!
Shower, Get Ready
Breakfast: Hotel	Find a hotel that serves breakfast to spend more time sightseeing and eating lunch/dinner at a restaurant.
Full Boat Day - Trinity Yachting (TripAdvisor Reviews) - Stops: Meet in Adamas, Kalogries, Kleftiko (Caves, Snorkel), Gerakas, Poliegos, Drop-off in Adamas - Includes: Towels, Breakfast, Lunch, Fruit, Water, Beer, Wine, Snorkeling Equipment, No GoPro camera. - Full refund up to 72 hours before reservation.	Reserve your boat day for your first full day on any island, so you can reschedule for a later day in case of inclement weather. The group sets the tone (ex: music, interactions with each other). Look for reviews that match the age group and energy level you are looking for. Some companies allow many more people than others. Look for reviews with groups of 14 people or less. Bring a change of clothes for the boat ride back from the final stop.

Blue Lagoon

Uno with New Friends

Evening

Activities	Tips
Snack: Yanko's (map) - BEST Gyro's in Milos, hands down!	Order to go. Souvlaki = Skewer Gyro = Pita Sandwich
Shop: Adamas Boutique Stores - People staying in other villages shop here.	'Imerovigli Jewelry - Handcrafts' has beautiful handmade souvenirs. Ladies: 'Angel' (map) has elegant cover ups and swimsuits.
Dinner: O! Hamos! (map) - Farm-to-table. - Leafy courtyard, quirky touches. - Heavily goat cheese based.	Reservations not accepted.

Day 4: Adamas, Fyriplaka, Tsigrado, Plaka

Morning & Afternoon

Activities	Tips
Workout
Shower, Get Ready
Breakfast: Hotel
Beach Club: Fyriplaka (map) - Walk down dirt road, around rocks (see first picture below), over a mini cement ledge to access. - Soft sand, beautiful water.	Music audible from some lounge chairs, but not others - party beaches don't really exist in Milos. Great place to swim, lounge, and watch sunset.
Beach: Tsigrado (map) - 2-minute drive from Fyriplaka.

Fyriplaka Beach Club Entrance

Fyriplaka Beach Club Entrance

Fyriplaka Beach Club Entrance

Fyriplaka Beach Club Loungers

Fyriplaka Beach Club Loungers

Evening

Activities	Tips
Village: Plaka (map) - Roam around the windy cobblestone streets and explore the numerous boutiques, artisan shops, restaurants, and bars.	Watch sunset outside the famous church and make a dinner reservation for after sunset, when table wait times can be 1+ hours. Dinner: Avli (map) - Modern Mediterranean - Relaxed

Plaka Sunset

Plaka Sunset

Plaka Sunset Dinner