Greece has over 200 inhabited islands and a ferry network that connects almost all of them. Ten days is enough to do the classic Cyclades route justice — hitting Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and Naxos — or to venture into the less-visited Dodecanese and eastern Aegean. Here's a practical 10-day route that balances the iconic with the underrated.
Getting Started: Athens (Day 1)
Fly into Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) and spend the first afternoon and evening in the Monastiraki and Psirri neighborhoods, which have the best balance of ancient sites and good restaurants. The Acropolis Museum (€10 EUR, open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays in summer) is worth a dedicated evening visit to avoid the midday heat and tour groups. Stay near Monastiraki or Thisio for easy metro access to Piraeus port.
For more on this topic, see our guide on hidden gems: 10 underrated destinations in southeast asia.Day 2: Ferry Athens (Piraeus) to Paros
Take the 7:25 AM or 8:00 AM ferry from Piraeus to Paros (Parikia port) — approximately 4.5 hours on a fast ferry with Blue Star Ferries or SeaJets. Book at ferryscanner.com or directly with the ferry company. Paros is consistently ranked the most livable island in the Cyclades by Greek residents: it has the beaches of Mykonos, better food than Santorini, and a third the crowds. Parikia's whitewashed old town and the Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Church of 100 Doors, free entry) are the main town attractions.
Days 2–4: Paros
Two nights on Paros allows time for the island's varied beaches. Kolimbithres — on the northern Naoussa side — has bizarre granite rock formations that create protected swimming coves. Golden Beach on the east coast is exposed to Aegean winds and the kitesurfing capital of the Cyclades (learn-to-kite courses from €150 for a 3-hour session). Naoussa village, 10km north of Parikia, has a prettier harbor than the capital and better restaurants: To Tamarisko and Barbarossa are both consistently excellent at €20–€35 per person including wine.
Days 4–6: Naxos
A 40-minute ferry from Paros brings you to Naxos, the largest and greenest Cycladic island. The Portara — a 5th-century BC marble gateway standing alone on a promontory connected to Naxos Town by a causeway — is one of the most striking sunset spots in Greece. Naxos produces excellent local products: Naxian potatoes, graviera cheese, and kitron liqueur made from citron fruit. The inland villages (Apiranthos, Halki, Filoti) offer marble-paved streets and authentic mountain tavernas that see almost no tourists.
Naxos has the Cyclades' best beaches for families and long stays: Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna (5–7km south of town) have 6km of uninterrupted sand backed by accommodation of every budget level.
Days 6–8: Santorini
No Greece trip is complete without the caldera. The ferry from Naxos to Santorini (Thira/Athinios port) takes 2–2.5 hours. The caveat: Santorini is the most expensive and most crowded Greek island. A hotel with caldera views in Oia or Imerovigli costs €200–€600/night in peak July–August. Shoulder season (May–June, September) brings prices down 30–50% and significantly fewer tour groups.
The must-dos: walk the caldera path from Fira to Oia (10km, 3 hours, bring water), watch sunset from a position other than the Oia castle (which draws crowds of 2,000+) — the clifftops above Skaros Rock near Imerovigli are quieter and equally beautiful. Take the cable car (€6 one-way) down to Fira's old port for a swim at Ammoudi Bay and fresh octopus at one of the waterfront restaurants.
Days 8–9: Folegandros (the Hidden Gem)
An hour's ferry from Santorini, Folegandros is everything that Santorini was 30 years ago — dramatic clifftop Chora, the Church of Panagia perched at 200m above the sea, small beaches only accessible by boat or dirt path, and virtually no package tourism infrastructure. The island has no ATM machine that reliably works all season — bring cash from Santorini. Accommodation is mostly small family-run rooms, €30–€80 per night. If you only add one "secret" island to your Cyclades route, make it Folegandros.
Day 10: Return to Athens
Catch a morning SeaJets high-speed ferry from Folegandros to Piraeus (approximately 3.5 hours). This gives you an afternoon in Athens for any museums missed on arrival, or just a long lunch in Exarchia or Koukaki before a late-night departure flight.
Ferry Booking Tips
- Book fast ferries early in peak season: SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries high-speed catamarans sell out for July–August departures by April–May. Blue Star Ferries (conventional, slower) have more availability.
- Deck class vs. cabin: For trips under 5 hours, deck class (sitting in the open or air-conditioned saloon) is comfortable and €8–€15 cheaper than airplane-style seats. For overnight runs, a cabin is worth it.
- Check the Meltemi: The Aegean's northerly Meltemi wind blows consistently from mid-July through August, roughening seas and occasionally cancelling high-speed ferry services. Watch weather forecasts 48 hours ahead; build flexibility into your schedule.
- Ferryscanner.com is the best aggregator for comparing Greek ferry routes — it covers all operators and shows real-time pricing.
Budget Expectations
- Ferries: €130–€180 for this 10-day route
- Accommodation (mid-range, double room): €700–€1,400 for 9 nights (varies hugely between islands — budget €50–€70 on Folegandros and Naxos, €120–€200 on Santorini)
- Food: €35–€55/day per person eating a mix of taverna meals and market food
- Total per person (excluding flights): €1,200–€2,000 depending on accommodation choices and season