×Greece Travel Secrets
10 Days in Greece
A trip by Sandy PapasGreece Travel Secrets10 Days in Greece
Ten days is the sweet spot for a first trip to Greece – two contrasting islands, a long Athens at the end, and enough breathing room to do a real day trip (Meteora, Sounio, Delphi) without rushing. Santorini opens, Paros sits in the middle as the surprise, Athens closes the loop.
Santorini
Days 1–3 of 10 · 3 nightsThree nights in Santorini – long enough for Oia's caldera, the Fira-to-Oia walk, an Akrotiri morning, the volcanic beaches at Red and Black, and at least one long winery lunch in the south. Fly straight in to save the half-day ferry ride either side.
White Pearl Cavalieri Santorini Imerovigli
Restored wine canavas on the caldera rim in Imerovigli, turned into suites.
9.8 Alternative places to stay
SantoriniDay 1
Oia & the caldera walk
Oia
World’s most iconic sunset on this cliffside village of astounding beauty. Narrow alleys wind their way through whitewashed buildings adorned with blue-domed churches and vibrant bougainvillea, while the island’s caldera and the azure sea, stretching out as far as the eye can see, offer a dramatic backdrop to the scene. Visitors can explore the village's charming streets, lined with boutiques and cafes, and soak in the laid-back atmosphere. Oia was the first village in Greece to become a heritage site as its greatest part has been built below ground level partly hewn within the rock. As the sun sets, the sky transforms into a riot of colors, making for an unforgettable experience that will stay with visitors long after they've left this magical place.
The Caldera Walk
Three kilometers along the volcanic rim – one of Europe's great walks. Fira through Firostefani to Imerovigli.
Lefkes Taverna
Lefkes Taverna in Oia is also hard to beat for food or service. It often books out well in advance. Quiet stone courtyard tucked away from the sunset crowds, slow-grilled lamb, a wine list that knows its Assyrtiko. Exactly the dinner you want on Santorini that isn't on the caldera edge.
SantoriniDay 2
Akrotiri & Red Beach
Red Beach
A huge attraction of the island and arguably the most famous beach lies on the southernmost part of Santorini. It is located in Akrotiri village, 12 kilometers south west of Fira. Red Beach is without a doubt worth a visit considering that it is a rare sight, probably unique in the whole world, where red is the dominant color. It is enclosed by steep red hills that create a captivating, wild scenery. If you stand on the top you will set eyes on enormous volcanic rocks situated in the sea, small pebbles and sand of various colors, mainly red, all along the beach and appealing dark blue waters. To reach the beach you have to walk a couple of minutes on a downhill path or you can access it by boat from Akrotiri port, Kamari or Perissa. The beach is semi-organized with white sunbeds and umbrellas. There are no facilities (make sure you provide yourself with the necessary supplies from the two canteens you can find right before the beginning of the path) or water sports on this small beach but you can take pleasure in snorkeling as there are interesting rock formations and rich marine life.
Ancient Akrotiri
Close by picturesque village Akrotiri, you can visit one of Greece's most important archaeological sites, a Prehistoric settlement that was discovered buried under the ashes of the volcano. It was first inhabited in the Late Neolithic Period and prospered during the Bronze Age. Its architecture shares many common elements with that of the Minoan cities. Observe the multi-storeyed houses, stone-paved streets and squares, the sewerage network and murals.
Pyrgos
Pyrgos is a big village, with many mediaeval houses and noteworthy churches offering an excellent view of the island
Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna
Taverna that defines Ammoudi experience – fresh-caught fish at water's edge.
SantoriniDay 3
Imerovigli & Kamari beach
Imerovigli
Sandy's recommended Santorini base – quieter than Fira, higher on the caldera than Oia, and on the line of the Fira-to-Oia walk. The Skaros Rock viewpoint at the village's edge gives you the same caldera-rim panorama as Oia without the crowds.
Kamari beach
Kamari Beach is one of the most popular and most visited beach resorts in Santorini. It is located in the seaside village of Kamari. The beach is composed of black volcanic sand and is 5 kilometers long, among the 3 longest beaches in Santorini, with deep crystalline waters and a series of trees. It is fully organized with hundreds of sunbeds and umbrellas, showers, a lifeguard on duty and numerous facilities.
Metaxy Mas
In a hospitable and relaxing space, reminiscent of an island house porch, and an atmosphere full of the Aegean Sea's colors and aromas, you will savour excellent dishes inspired by the islands of Santorini and Creta. Enjoy cool Cretan salads with dakos (barley rusk) and caper, as well as krasotigania and pork from Creta. The friendly staff here uses fresh ingredients from the restaurant's kitchen garden, refreshing raki (the iconic grape-based pomace brandy of Crete) and handpicked wines to ensure that, upon leaving Metaxy Mas, you have a full stomach, and sweet memories!
Sea Side by Notos
Sea Side Bar Lounge is all about the Rhythm! A social place where one can come together to enjoy the chill-out vibes and mingle with the tanned dreamy guests while enjoying the nature's painting of the sunset across the Cycladic scenery. With the beach a few meters away, the sand in your feet, and the salt on your body, it only remains for you to pick one of the amazing cocktails and enjoy life.
Paros
Days 4–6 of 10 · 3 nightsParos is the middle of the trip – Naoussa's little harbour and Venetian castle, the long sandy beaches at Kolimbithres and Golden Beach, the marble quarries at Marathi, and the inland villages of Lefkes and Marpissa. Hire a car for the day-two loop.
Agrabeli Paros
Cycladic studios set in a vineyard just behind Naoussa bay.
9.9 Alternative places to stay
ParosDay 1
Parikia & the Ekatontapiliani
Parikia
The island's whitewashed capital and main port – where Venetian lanes, waterfront cafes, and Cycladic charm converge.
Panagia Ekatontapiliani
The Church of 100 Doors – one of the oldest continuously-functioning Christian churches in the world, with parts dating back to the 4th century. Sandy puts this near the top of her Paros list. Quiet, cool inside; the icons and mosaics reward a slow visit. Free to enter; modest dress required.
Archaeological Museum of Paros
From the Gorgon of Paros to the Fat Lady of Saliagos – five thousand years of Cycladic civilization in two rooms.
Mediterraneo
A family-run kitchen tucked into Naoussa's marina, just removed enough from the harbour bustle to feel calm. The menu builds modern twists on Greek-Mediterranean classics: black risotto with cuttlefish, grilled octopus, marinated anchovies. Boats bobbing twenty metres away, prices reasonable for Naoussa, service unhurried. Booking helps in high season, but the marina's distance from the main square means you're rarely in a queue.
ParosDay 2
Naoussa & Kolimbithres beach
Kolimbithres Beach
Kolimbithres is Paros's most distinctive beach – granite boulders sculpted by wind and water into small coves on a turquoise bay, each pocket of sand its own private spot. Best done as a morning beach before the boats come in. Pair with lunch at Naoussa just 10 minutes around the bay.
Naoussa
Naoussa is Paros's second town and the trip's natural centre – a working harbour with a small Venetian castle ruin at the water's edge, a maze of whitewashed lanes inland, and the best concentration of tavernas on the island. Park outside the centre and walk in; the streets are too narrow for cars.
Venetian Castle of Naoussa
A half-submerged medieval fortress at the harbour's edge – Naoussa's most iconic silhouette and sunset vantage point.
Kima Restaurant
A modern seaside kitchen on Drios beach, the sleepy SE corner of Paros. Plate by plate it's contemporary Mediterranean – fish baked in salt, shrimp carpaccio, tuna tartare, seafood risotto. White Cycladic walls, sea-facing veranda, dialed-up service that suits the prices. Pricier than the village taverna on the next street, but the setting and the food earn it. Book for sunset.
ParosDay 3
Lefkes & the marble quarries
Golden Beach (Hrysi Akti)
A long, wind-blessed shore that hosts international windsurfing championships – Paros's sport beach with golden credentials.
Lefkes
A whitewashed inland village in the centre of Paros, with marble-paved alleys, neoclassical mansions and a Byzantine path that drops down through olive groves toward Marpissa. The village kafenia stay open all day; the bell-tower view from the top of the path is the postcard.
Ancient Marble Quarries
Paros marble – pure, fine-grained, almost translucent – was the stone of choice for the Hermes of Praxiteles, the Venus de Milo, and most of the great classical sculpture. The ancient quarries at Marathi are a quiet 15-minute drive inland; the tunnels still bear chisel marks from antiquity.
Rada
The gastronomic concept of Gikas Xenakis, one of contemporary Greek cuisine's celebrated chefs, set on Agioi Anargyri beach a short walk from Naoussa centre. Modern interpretations of seasonal Greek ingredients in small-plate format; floor-to-ceiling glass framing the sunset. Limited tables and an intimate room – book early, and dress for the occasion. The wine list pairs Greek varietals with the menu.
Athens
Days 7–10 of 10 · 4 nightsFour nights in Athens to close – the Acropolis and Plaka, a south-coast day at Cape Sounio, an open day for Meteora or Delphi if you want it, and a final evening on a rooftop bar before the flight out the next morning.
Noble Suites
A 1901 neoclassical house under the Acropolis – four suites of marble and old wood.
9.7 Alternative places to stay
AthensDay 1
Plaka & Monastiraki
The Ultimate Food Tour
Plaka
Plaka, also known as the "neighbourhood of the gods," is the oldest neighbourhood of Athens. Walking on its paved narrow streets you get the feeling that you are travelling back in time. The origin of the name of the neighbourhood is unknown, although theories abound. According to popular belief, Plaka was named after a slab of stone that was found near the church of Ayios Georgios Alexandrias, in the vicinity of the theatre of Dionysos. The beautiful neoclassical style colour of the houses, the architecture, the well-kept gardens, and the beauty and atmosphere of the neighbourhood are enchanting. In Plaka the air you breathe is different; it is lighter, cleaner, and fragrant, like a gift of the gods. When you visit Plaka you should bring a map, because you might get lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys. In Adrianou Street, the central street of the neighbourhood, as in other streets in the area, you will find shops selling traditional products, souvenirs, Greek folk art and handicrafts, etc.
Monastiraki
A distinctive old Athens area, with narrow, irregularly criss-crossing streets, and small buildings, characteristic of Ottoman and to some extent Byzantine urban planning. On the outdoor stands of street sellers, or the small shops on the central roads you can find anything, such as shoes, clothes, old and new furniture, old books and magazines, souvenirs, jewellery, hats, bronze objects, new and used records and CDs and traditional Greek instruments (bouzouki, touberleki). Shopping or walking in Monastiraki is an unforgettable experience. You will be stunned by the variety and quality of things you can buy in the market
Central Municipal Athens Market
Varvakeios Municipal (Central) Market is a rectangular building (1886) with a large covered court. There are a total of 73 food stalls (meat market, fish market, vegetable market and groceries) in the interior and exterior sections. The market is covered with a glass and metal roof and has symmetrical windows. You will find here small restaurants (eating-houses) with fresh food, attracting Athenians especially after midnight. There is a small grove on the square (Varvakeios Square) across the street.
Kostas
Amazing gyros – a tiny grill on Agia Irini Square that has been doing pork souvlaki the same way for decades. A handful of stools, a queue that moves fast, and the smell of charcoal two streets away. Grab one (or two) in the pita, open the wax paper on the square, and you've understood why this is the Athens food pilgrimage.
Grande Bretagne Rooftop
Enjoy sunset drinks at the Grande Bretagne rooftop bar – the floor-to-ceiling view takes in the Acropolis, Lykavittos and the whole spread of the old city going gold. The cocktail list is serious and the service is old-world; jacket optional but it lifts the room. Book ahead for a sunset table in high season.
AthensDay 2
The Acropolis & its museum
Acropolis
The 8 am opening or the last 90 minutes before closing are the sweet spots – the cruise crowds arrive mid-morning and clear by late afternoon. The full Acropolis ticket bundles entry to seven other classical sites in Athens; if you only do one extra, make it the Ancient Agora at the foot of the hill.
Acropolis Museum
It is one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. Its construction, designed by architects B. Tschumi and Mih. Fotiadis was completed in 2007. Standing only 300m away from the Acropolis, its total area covers 21,000 sq.m, while it offers a display area of 14,000 sq.m. It is made of steel, glass and concrete; it uses natural light efficiently so that its 4,000 exhibits would show off. The last level (The Parthenon room) has the dimensions and the direction of the Parthenon and it has been rotated by 23 degrees in relation to the rest of the building so that the visitor would have an immediate view of the monument. The surrounding area, visible from the glass floor of the ground level, functions as an openair museum-excavation. The main entrance is on Dionyssiou Areopagitou Street. In addition, the imposing Weiller building stands in the vicinity. Having been built by German architect W. Von Weiller, it combines Byzantine style masonry and neoclassical decorative patterns. Initially it was used as a military hospital and later as police unit headquarters, whereas since 1987 it houses the Acropolis Research Centre
Temple of Olympian Zeus
According to the geographer Pausanias, the temple of Olympian Zeus was founded by Deukalionas, a mythical ancestor of the Greeks. In the age of tyranny, circa 515 BC, Peisistratos the younger grandson of the tyrant Peisistratos, attempted to replace the old temple with a new, more impressive temple. The tyranny, however, was abolished and construction work was terminated. The construction of the new temple was later assigned to the Roman architect Decimus Cossutius by the king of Syria Antiochus IV, Epiphanes. Antiochus died in 163 BC and the construction of the temple was once again abandoned. The structure did not have a roof and pediment. The construction of the temple, which ranks among the biggest in antiquity, was completed in 131 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It is of Corinthian order (110m in length and approximately 44m in width), three rows of eight columns at the narrow sides and two rows of twenty columns at its long sides. Inside the temple there was a gold and ivory statue of Zeus which does not exist today.
Lithos Taverna
Tucked into a Psirri side street, Lithos does my favourite Moussaka in Athens – layered the way your grandmother would approve, sitting in front of you within minutes of ordering. The room is stone-walled and unfussy, the wine comes in carafes, and the kitchen turns out the Greek classics with just enough finesse to make the regulars regulars.
AthensDay 3
Meteora
Meteora Tour
A guided trip out of Athens – a 3.5-hour drive into central Greece to the sandstone pillars where six active monasteries sit at the top of the cliffs. Up to four monastery visits, the Cave of Theopetra on the descent, and the photographs people put on the front cover of Greece guidebooks. The shorter version is a long single-day round-trip; the better version is overnight in Kalambaka so you catch sunrise and sunset over the pillars and aren't in a car for 7 hours straight. Sandy's tour operator pick is [Cattaxi](https://www.greecetravelsecrets.com/meteora-tour/) – private driver from your Athens hotel, optional licensed guide for the monastery walks, lunch and admissions on you.
AthensDay 4
Panathenaic Stadium & Lycabettus
National Garden
The National Garden, open from dawn to sunset, is an oasis in the centre of the city. It has a total area of 160,000 m2. Some five hundred different kinds of plants, bushes and trees from various locations around the world are grown here (in total, it has 7,000 trees and 40,000 bushes). At the same time, it comprises an important natural life reserve in Athens as many different species of birds, hedgehogs, turtles, ducks and even bats are gathered here. The National Garden – which was formerly the palace garden - was laid out from 1838-1860. There are six entrances: at Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Irodou Attikou Str, Vasilissis Amalias Avenue, and two entrances connecting the National Garden to the Zappeion. You will also find here a small pond, a small zoo, the Botanical Museum, a traditional café, a children's library, a playground, various monuments of antiquity, and the busts of important personalities of modern Greece (among others, politicians and authors).
Panathenaic Stadium
Panathenaikon [Panathenaic] Stadium, a remarkable construction, was made of white marble. The horseshoe shaped stadium faces the National Garden. In 330 BC a stadium made of wood was built at this location. Herodes Atticus constructed a marble edifice, which was the model for the edifice of the stadium that stands today. It was used as a space for athletic competitions, which took place during the Panathenaea festival. The stadium that stands today has a capacity of approx. 60,000 spectators. It was built in 1869-1870 and it was the venue of the first Olympic Games in modern history (1896). Surrounding the stadium is the wooded Ardittos Hill, where locals love to go for a walk.
Lycabettus Hill
It is a forest in the heart of the city, and among the Athenians' favourite places for hiking or relaxing in the local cafés and restaurants. According to mythology, goddess Athena wanted her temple in Acropolis to be closer to heaven. One stormy night she went to Mount Penteli, and took a large rock with the purpose of placing it on the existing rock. As she transported the rock, two black birds approached her, bringing her bad news regarding something she had to take care of immediately. In her rage and haste, the rock fell in the centre of Athens. The rock, which is 278 metres high, is located in the centre of Athens. In ancient times the hill was covered by lush vegetation and on its top stood a temple dedicated to Zeus. By the time Athens was liberated from the Turkish occupation, Lycabettus Hill had no trees at all. Reforestation started in 1880 and was completed in 1915. Don't miss the view of the Acropolis and of the entire city extending up to the sea. You will also enjoy walking along narrow paths all the way to the top of the hill.
Yiasemi
Yiasemi is a café in Athens, Greece on busy Mnisikleous -a steep, stepped, pedestrian street in the Plaka area that leads down from the Acropolis and is lined with cafés and restaurants. It feels like one of the more characterful offerings on the street, with two separate indoor spaces, seating outside on the steps (of course), tons of plants and flowers, and adorable mismatched furnishings and décor. There's a selection of meze and other dishes but your best bet is to grab a tea or Greek coffee and something sweet to snack on – one of the homemade pies or the honey-drenched, big-enough-to-share baklava. Yiasemi is a nice mix of locals and tourists, buzzy and busy without feeling rushed, and offers superb people-watching