Explore Greece in 7 Days: Perfect Itinerary for a Memorable Journey
The allure of Greece is undeniable – from its ancient history and breathtaking landscapes to its rich culture and delectable cuisine, it’s a destination that has beckoned travelers for centuries. I’m going to take you through my first-time itinerary from the sunny shores of St. Petersburg, Florida to The Greek Islands! In this guide, I’ll walk you through my thought process on how I plan my minimalist travel itinerary. So, pack your bags and embark on this exciting first-time adventure with me!
WHERE THE HECK DO I START?
Planning any trip, weather it be 3 days or weather it be a month, there’s a lot of consider. When I start to plan a trip, I have two different mindsets when it comes to international or domestic. I’m not going to touch too much about domestic travel in this guide. I will add a link here when I get around to writing that guide, so please check back here if you’re interested!
One of the beautiful features of having an apple phone is SHARED NOTES. From sharing Instagram posts/reels, watching countless Youtube videos, and searching the internet, there’s a lot of information overload when planning a trip with others, so I like to:
- Compile all my top picks into the note
- Divided by area
- Send note to friends on Collaborate Mode
- Advise my friends to add to the note in the same manner.
(Here’s an example of Santorini)
I later open Google Maps and mark each place to identify key attractions (examples provided below). Then, I research the distance of these areas from the airport and other transportation hubs, ensuring accessibility. I prefer accommodations near transportation spots to avoid lugging my luggage around. On this trip, I stayed close to ferry ports, conveniently near my desired attractions. Once I gather this information, I plan the number of days for each area and distribute options across days. In my younger years, I used to overcrowd my itinerary, hindering my ability to appreciate each area due to my instant-gratification nature; I wanted to see everything NOW! I’ve found it more suitable to provide options for each day, allowing flexibility based on how I feel in the moment.
THE LAYOVER
When traveling internationally, layovers are common. I prefer allowing a day buffer for layovers, in case of flight delays or cancellations. If a day isn’t possible, ensure at least a 3-hour buffer. During my trip, I had a layover at London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW). Although there was an option for Heathrow Airport (LHR), LGW was more affordable.
My girlfriend and I stayed at The Courtyard By Marriott London Gatwick Airport for its convenience. Despite being a short 0.2-mile walk, passing the Hilton London Gatwick Hotel made us wish we had chosen it instead, even for an extra $60. We experienced a 4-hour flight delay, arriving at LGW around noon. The airport was easy to navigate, and after our 7-hour flight, we were relieved to walk to the hotel.
Upon checking in, we took a train to London Victoria Station. Although our initial plan for a Big Ben Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour was delayed, we explored the city, visiting attractions like Little Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge, Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace. We found Market Halls, a charming food hall, near the station. Later, we stumbled upon Zizzi’s Pizza, highly recommended. We also discovered a hidden bar, Cachecache, which was cool but better with a reservation. Afterward, we returned to the hotel, preparing for our next adventure in Mykonos!
DAY 1-3 : MYKONOS
Welcome to Mykonos, where vibrant nightlife meets stunning beaches, charming towns, iconic windmills, and rich historical attractions! The flight from LGW to Mykonos Airport takes approximately 2.2 hours. I highly recommend arranging a taxi in advance to avoid haggling with taxi drivers. However, if you haven’t pre-booked, don’t worry; there are plenty of transportation options available right at the airport.
For our stay in Mykonos, we chose the enchanting Little Venice Area, centrally located on the island’s west side. This area offers convenient access to the Ferry port and the Bus Station, providing easy transportation to the north and south parts of the island—home to all the lively beach parties you won’t want to miss.
Between the bustling Little Venice and the picturesque beaches, Mykonos reveals its rocky terrain, devoid of lush greenery due to its infertile soil. Mykonos is synonymous with daytime beach revelry and nighttime excitement in the charming town of Little Venice.
Now, let’s delve into the somewhat chaotic bus system that connects you to the island’s beaches. The process can be disorganized: if you have cash, you pay at a booth and receive a paper ticket for the bus ride. However, if you’re relying on card or mobile payments, you need to enter a building behind the ticket booth, obtain a voucher, and then exchange it at the cash-only ticket booth for your paper ticket. Depending on the time, there might be a rush without any organized lines, reminiscent of a concert crowd. To avoid this, it’s best to steer clear of the 4-7pm rush.
Despite the occasional chaos, we managed to secure one sunset dinner reservation at 180 Sunset bar, which came at a hefty price but was undeniably worth every penny.
MYKONOS RECAP:
- Flight: Easy Jet
- Travel Time: 2 hr 20 min
- Airbnb: Myconian Little Venice
- Day 1: Explore Little venice town, Paralia Beach (Scorpios), Night life
- Day 2: Panagia Paraportiani, Paradise Beach, Dinner at 180 Sunset Bar, Night life
- Day 3: Breakfast at Lalala, Seajet to Paros!
DAY 3-5: PAROS / ANTIPAROS
Paros and Antiparos, two neighboring islands in the Cyclades archipelago, each offer unique charm and attractions. To the east of Paros lies Naxos, a larger island highly praised for its stunning beaches, particularly suitable for families with children. After careful research, we chose Paros for its reputation of beautiful golden-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Paros boasts renowned beaches such as Golden Beach, Santa Maria Beach, Kolymbithres Beach, and Parasporos Beach. Just a 10-minute ferry ride away, Antiparos welcomed us with its laid-back ambiance, serene beaches, and a charming town filled with delightful shops and restaurants. In retrospect, we wished we had chosen Antiparos for our stay; hindsight is always 20/20.
Upon arriving in Paros via ferry from Mykonos, we disembarked in Parikia, a central town on the west side of the island. Although it’s a great lodging option, most of our planned attractions were located in the northern part of the island. Thus, we opted to take a 20-minute bus ride to Naousa, just 0.1 miles to the right from the ferry terminal. Bus tickets were reasonably priced at about 2 euros.”
PAROS / ANTIPAROS RECAP:
- Ferry: Seajet
- Travel Time: 45min
- Hotel: Villa Irena Bianca
- Day 1: Boat ride to Paros Park, explores downtown Naousa
- Day 2: Antiparos
- Day 3: Breakfast at Almond, Seajet to Santorini!
DAY 5-7: SANTORINI
Santorini, also called Thira, is famed for its captivating caldera views, volcano excursions, exquisite wineries, and delightful donkey rides! Upon reaching the centrally located ferry port on the island’s west side, a 25-minute ascent led us to Fira, where we chose to stay. While the northern part, Oia, offers another fantastic option, my preference for Fira remains unchanged if I were to revisit. The southern part of the island exudes charm, especially visible during volcano or winery tours.
SANTORINI RECAP:
- Ferry: Seajet
- Travel Time: 1 hour 50 minuets
- Hotel: Thieras Hotel
- Day 1: Enjoy the resort, walk around Fira
- Day 2: Explore Oia, Sunset Volcano tour, Night life in Fira
- Day 3: Pool, Easyjet back to LGW
REFLECTION AND DEPARTURE
Keep in mind, the essence of minimalist travel lies in cherishing meaningful experiences while cutting out unnecessary costs and activities. Tailor this itinerary according to your passions and the particular destination you select. Embrace spontaneity and exploration; often, the most unforgettable moments occur unexpectedly. Wishing you safe and delightful travels!
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