Here is the Barefoot Backpackers’ ultimate one week in Greece itinerary, we spent 8 nights island hopping to a famous and underrated island as well as seeing the ancient sites in Athens. Greece has long been the kind of place travelers dream about. The sunsets over the islands, the food piled high with feta and olives, and the ruins that call back to ancient times – it’s all part of the magic. For backpackers, Greece is an ideal mix of culture, nature, and history. In one day, you can hike a cliffside, swim in turquoise waters, and eat dinner at midnight in a packed-out square.
We spent eight days and eight nights in Greece, moving through Santorini, Paros, and Athens. We considered visiting Milos or Naxos, but decided on Santorini for the iconic views and Paros for the adventurous activities and beaches.
The trip began with Santorini for 2 nights, probably the most famous of all the islands, then to Paros for four nights and its smaller neighbor, Antiparos, which was very relaxing and welcoming. We ended in Athens for two nights, the capital city that buzzes with both history and culture.
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One Week in Greece Itinerary: Santorini, Paros and Athens
This guide is our take on Greece, Barefoot Backpacker style. We love visiting the most ancient cities in the world. Expect a mix of local food, beaches with natural therapeutic clay, and history spots where philosophers and poets once stood.
Santorini: Day 1 and 2
Day 1: Arrival and sunset dinner
We flew straight into Santorini from London to save time on ferries. The island is exactly how the postcards look: white houses stacked on cliffs, blue-domed churches, and crowds gathering every evening to watch the sun sink into the sea. We stayed in Fira, the capital, which made it easy to use the local bus system and explore.
We arrived at 4 pm, giving us enough time to check into our accommodation, change for dinner, and have a sunset drink and some olives and cheese. Much like most of the Mediterranean, the restaurants don’t usually start getting busy until around sunset. We walked past Volkan on the Rocks, a cliffside bar that plays Mamma Mia every night at 8 pm, silent disco style with headphones.
Day 2: Exploring Santorini
We spent our first full day taking the buses across the island. Oia was beautiful – winding lanes, balconies with caldera views, and every corner was a gorgeous photo. Later, we went to Red Beach, famous for its rust-colored cliffs. It was busy but stunning, and visiting in the late afternoon made it much quieter. We decided to have a meal at a family Tavern before getting on the bus back. The chicken souvlaki was slow cooked over an open flame and the quality was incredible. Plus, the portions were huge, which was perfect for us after a long day.
Some people believe Santorini could be the site of Atlantis, the legendary lost city. There’s even an Atlantis Museum if you want to explore that story, though we didn’t have time.
The food in Santorini ranges from casual gyros (our favourite was the chicken skewer option) to cliffside restaurants serving wine and seafood. It’s crowded and polished, but there’s still magic in every sunset. Two days felt just right before moving on to somewhere more relaxed.
Paros: Days 3-6
Day 3: Arrival and local beach time
We caught an early ferry to Paros. The island is quieter than Santorini, with a more local feel. We stayed in a guesthouse on a hillside with ocean views and sunsets that were worth every climb.
That first day we grabbed groceries and cooked our own Greek meal on the balcony. Supermarkets are well stocked with goat yogurt, halloumi, fresh veggies, and of course, feta. The only disappointment was that most olive oil came in plastic bottles, but we eventually found one in glass. We spent the day at Paralia Parikia, the main beach at Parikia the main port and capital of Paros. The beach was ideal for a quick swim late afternoon, and for a quick happy hour beers. Ephesus was a great happy hour spot, and did great juices as part of the deal too.
Day 4: Day trip to Antiparos
The next day, we hopped on a short ferry to Antiparos. This little island was under development and we can see how it will take off in popularity over the next few years. We found the most relaxing beach of the whole trip — soft sand, calm waters, and natural shade under trees. The beach is called Paralia Psaraliki. The town was small and charming, with lots of healthy and trendy cafes, well-priced restaurants and gyros spots to take out and eat at the beach. The perfect place for a relaxed afternoon.
Day 5: Exploring Paros by car
With a rental car, we explored a mountain village Lefkes, and stopped at Staratis bakery where we discovered bougatsa, a custard-filled pastry dusted with sugar. They even had tours in there showing the traditional bakery. From there, we went to Kalogeros, the clay beach, where we covered ourselves in natural clay that turned us into blue-grey Avatars before rinsing off in the sea. Lunch was at Ouzeri Halaris in Piso Livadi, where we ate seabass, rice, fava bean dip, taramasalata, tzatziki, and a seasonal salad. We ended the day at Golden Beach for one last swim before heading home to change for the evening in Naoussa.
Naoussa is Paros’ trendiest town, buzzing with bars and late-night restaurants. Dinner doesn’t even start until 10 pm, and the atmosphere is busy well into the night. Lots of young backpackers there, we did not go out, but all the bars were full and lively.
Day 6: Santa Maria beach and a storm
Strong winds cancelled ferries and swept over most of the beaches, so we couldn’t do much on our last full day. The wind was strong even in the towns, and after visiting a few beaches, we were whipped by the sand. We eventually found shelter at Santa Maria beach, protected from the northern winds. So we spent the best part of the day there, hidden behind some rocks, reading and swimming. It was a beautiful beach with a view of Naxos.
Day 7: Parikia beach day
The ferries were running again, instead of taking an earlier ferry to Athens as planned we took a longer, later, but cheaper one at 7pm. Definitely consider booking your ferries in advance! This worked out for the best as we enjoyed a calm beach day in Parikia, had one last meal by the beach and then headed to Athens, arriving near midnight.
Athens: Day 8-9
We woke up early, ready to explore Athens. The city is a mix of lively markets, modern cafés, and ancient ruins. We joined a free walking tour: Strolling through myths, history and hidden gems with Alexia which was great! that took us to the Patheniac stadium, Zappeion Hall, the Temple of Zeus, Arch of Hadrian, Theatre of Dionysys, the tiny neighbourhood of Anafiotika, the edge of the Pantheon, ending in Monastiraki Square. It was two hours, very informative and helped us understand the layers of the city.
When we arrived at the square, we had the best homemade gelato at Etero Lukumas, a speciality ice cream and coffee shop. It was true quality, homemade, stored in stainless steel containers and had flavours from pistachio and salted caramel to rizogalo – rice pudding. We had two scoops to cool us down before wandering through the sqaure. We also tried iced Greek coffee for the first time. A Greek freddo is a popular iced coffee drink made by shaking a double shot of espresso with ice until frothy and serving it over ice in a glass. Strong, sweet, and perfect for the summer heat. We just asked for it with less sugar as it can be very sweet.
Later we visited Plato’s Academy Park, where the great philosopher once taught his students under the olive tree. The signs were not well kept and we were the only ones there. But as fans of ancient philosophy, we enjoyed standing there imagining where the students once listened.
In the evening, we visited the Acropolis with our 6 pm entry slot. It was crowded, but as the sun set, music drifted up from an orchestra rehearsal in the theatre below, it was a surreal experience. We suggest a morning or evening slot as even at 6pm it was hot.
Our last night was spent with dinner at Aerides Plaka Restaurant, followed by wandering through bar-lined streets filled with Greek music.
Day 9: Flight
On the last morning, we had a midday flight, we checked out of our accommodation, had one last bakery run and headed to the airport.
We had an amazing week of beaches, sunsets, and history. Greece is a place that invites you to slow down, which was a change from our usual fast backpacking style.
Tips for Backpacking Greece for a week
- Best time to visit: Mid-June was perfect — sunny days, warm evenings, and fewer crowds than July or August.
- Luggage: We brought only underseat carry-on and shared one cabin bag between four. We tend to pack minimally, however our bags were weighed and we had to make sure they fit in the basket before boarding. It was very tight, so bare that in mind when packing items or choosing your luggage.
- Traveler vibe: Expect a mix of backpackers, Australians, Americans, and Europeans on summer holidays.
- Ferries: The main way to island-hop. Easy to book, but storms can delay them, so keep your schedule flexible and leave enough time before your flight as a buffer.
- Packing: Bring a wide-brim hat and light natural fabrics
- Food: Groceries are cheap and fresh. Making your own Greek salad or yogurt breakfast saves money and tastes amazing.
FAQ: One Week in Greece
Is one week enough in Greece?
Yes, if you keep it simple. We did Santorini, Paros, and Athens in eight days and it felt balanced. If you have more time, consider adding Milos, Naxos, or Crete.
How do you get between the islands?
Ferries are the main way, and they’re scenic and affordable. But storms can cause delays, so always have a backup plan.
Is Greece affordable for backpackers?
It’s cheaper than northern Europe, but more expensive than the Balkans. Cooking your own meals, staying in Air Bnbs, and traveling outside peak summer will help stretch your budget.
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