Athens • Naxos • Santorini
✨ Introduction
I’ve always dreamed of travelling to Greece — gorgeous sunsets, ancient history, beautiful beaches, and incredible food. This place truly has it all. To celebrate my 40th birthday, my husband and I finally made it happen, spending one unforgettable week exploring this beautiful country in August 2024.
From Canada, we flew nonstop from Montreal to Athens. Since we only had seven nights in Greece, we wanted to make the most of our time and decided to fly straight from Athens to our first island destination upon arrival.
When planning this trip, we knew Santorini was a must — but we also knew it’s essentially the Disney World of Greece. We wanted to balance it with a more authentic island experience — somewhere less crowded, more affordable than Mykonos or Santorini, and home to those postcard-worthy beaches.
We narrowed our choices to the Cyclades Islands and opted for Naxos, which ticked all the boxes and had an airport. We could fly directly there from Athens, making it the perfect first stop.
Naxos is one of the larger islands in the Cyclades, and we spent four nights there. Renting a car gave us the freedom to explore the beaches and mountain villages at our own pace. Starting our trip here gave us time to adjust to the time change, slow down, and ease into that relaxed Greek island rhythm.
After four relaxing days on Naxos, we caught the ferry to Santorini for the last part of our trip — because honestly, no first-time visit to Greece is complete without seeing that famous caldera view. We spent our final nights soaking in the sunsets, wandering through whitewashed lanes, and sipping wine overlooking the sea.
On our last day, we flew back to Athens for one night before returning home — just enough time to explore the Acropolis and enjoy one more Greek meal under the stars.
✈️ Our route: Athens → Naxos → Santorini → Athens
The perfect mix of beaches, history, and postcard views — all easy to do in one week.
🌙 Where We Stayed
Naxos – Chora (Naxos Town)
We based ourselves in Chora, Naxos Town, and it was the perfect choice. Everything was within walking distance — the beach, the seaside strip lined with restaurants, little grocery stores, and the charming old-town lanes.
Our accommodation didn’t include parking, but there was a small surface lot a few blocks away, which made it simple to come and go with our rental car. If you’re visiting Naxos for the first time, staying in Chora offers the best of both worlds: easy access to beaches by day and dinner on the waterfront by night.
Santorini – Imerovigli (Absolute Bliss)
Choosing where to stay in Santorini was the hardest decision of the trip. Like most first-time visitors, we wanted to experience Oia’s famous blue domes and white-washed cliffs — but we also wanted to avoid the crowds, especially in peak season.
We ultimately chose Imerovigli, a quieter village perched between Oia and Fira, and it turned out to be the best decision. The views of the caldera were every bit as breathtaking, but the atmosphere was peaceful and far less touristy.
We stayed at Absolute Bliss and booked the Honeymoon Suite, located at the base of the property — far from the main walking path that winds through many Santorini hotels. The trail connecting Fira to Oia often cuts right through hotel terraces, meaning some “deluxe” rooms can lack privacy. Ours, however, offered complete seclusion and the most incredible, unobstructed sunset views right from our private terrace.
This was also the biggest splurge of our trip — and probably of my life. It was well beyond our usual budget, but we redeemed Avion points to make it happen, and it was absolutely worth it. Each morning, we pre-selected our breakfast from a long menu, and it was delivered to our patio — a full spread so generous we rarely needed lunch.
Because we wanted to be in Santorini for the views, we chose to splurge on the room itself and save elsewhere — eating at budget-friendly tavernas, then coming back to enjoy wine, a private hot tub, and that million-dollar view from our terrace.
Athens – Hotel Plaka
With just one night in Athens, location was everything. We chose Hotel Plaka for its central setting and incredible rooftop terrace overlooking the Acropolis. Our room even had a direct, unobstructed view of the Parthenon — the kind of view you only dream about.
It was the perfect finale to our week in Greece. After wandering through the Plaka district’s cobblestone streets and enjoying one last Greek dinner, we went to sleep (and woke up) to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
🗓️ Our Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Athens & Flight to Naxos
We landed in Athens at 10 a.m. and breezed through immigration. With only a short layover before our 12:15 p.m. flight to Naxos, we made our way straight to departures.
Our flight landed in Naxos at 1 p.m. — warm Aegean air instantly hitting our faces. Our rental included free airport pickup, which made arrival seamless.
First stop: Super Market Koutelieris for drinks, water, and snacks. Then we explored Naxos Town, hiked up to the Portara, and took a quick dip at Agios Georgios Beach.
Dinner that night was pure magic at Taverna Naxos — reservations highly recommended.
Day 2 – Mountain Villages & the East Coast
Our rental car was delivered to the hotel, and we set off toward the mountains. First stop: Filoti, where we hiked up to a centuries-old church with sweeping valley views.
Next came Apeiranthos, a marble village full of charm and tiny artisan shops. After a light lunch we drove east to Psili Ammos Beach — a quiet, unspoiled spot perfect for swimming and a beach nap.
That evening we watched the sunset, grabbed appetizers and drinks, and called it an early night to fight the jet lag.
Day 3 – Southern Beaches & Hidden Gems
We headed south to Alyko Beach, home to a cliff-top church and the graffiti-covered Alyko Hotel ruins — a colorful open-air art gallery.
After exploring nearby coves (some nudist), we stopped at Paralia Mikri Vigla to watch the kitesurfers, then relaxed at Agios Prokopios Beach on loungers with food service right to our chairs.
Dinner at Maro’s Tavern was one of our favorites of the trip — casual, family-run, and delicious.
Day 4 – Beach Day & Sunset in Town
We spent the afternoon back at Agios Prokopios Beach, this time opting for simple chair rentals instead of a beach club.
That evening we headed into Chora for rooftop drinks at Flamingo Restaurant, where traditional Greek dancing and plate-smashing keep the energy high.
Dinner followed at Nikos Tavern — another incredible local meal and the perfect finale to our time on Naxos.
Day 5 – Ferry to Santorini & Arrival in Imerovigli
We caught the 11 a.m. ferry from Naxos to Santorini (about two hours). Our rental car was delivered directly to the port — so easy.
After checking in at Absolute Bliss, we grabbed lunch nearby and snacks for the room, then spent the afternoon soaking in the caldera views from the pool.
At sunset, we sipped wine from our private balcony, completely mesmerized.
That evening we walked the path to Fira for cocktails, finishing the night with our travel tradition — a quick stop at McDonald’s, which we do in every country we visit.
Day 6 – Hike to Oia & Dinner in Imerovigli
This was one of our favorite days of the trip. We set out on the Imerovigli-to-Oia hike, a stunning coastal trail with jaw-dropping views at every turn.
When we reached Oia, we were grateful for our quieter base — it was packed shoulder-to-shoulder, everyone vying for the perfect shot. Beautiful, but intense!
We took the public bus back to Fira, which was hectic; next time, we’d book a private transfer instead.
After another gorgeous Santorini sunset, we enjoyed dinner at Anogi Restaurant, one of the best meals of the week — cozy, elegant, and full of flavor.
Day 7 – Athens in a Day
After one last swim and leisurely breakfast, we checked out and caught an Aegean Air flight to Athens.
An Uber took us to our hotel, where we dropped our bags and set off to explore.
We spent the afternoon wandering through Athens’ market-lined streets, shopping for souvenirs and soaking in the city’s energy. Later, we joined our pre-booked Acropolis tour — an absolute must for first-timers.
As the sun set, we enjoyed rooftop drinks overlooking the Acropolis, then had dinner at a patio restaurant right across from it — a dreamy final evening in Greece.
We ended the night with loukoumades (Greek donut balls with ice cream) and a peaceful walk through the old town before heading back to our room, falling asleep with that glowing view of the Acropolis outside our window.
📸 Photo idea: Acropolis at sunset • loukoumades dessert • rooftop drinks
📅 Quick Itinerary Overview
| Day | Destination | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athens → Naxos | Arrive in Athens, fly to Naxos |
| 2 | Naxos | Mountain villages & east-coast beaches |
| 3 | Naxos | Alyko & Agios Prokopios beaches |
| 4 | Naxos | Relax & sunset dinner in town |
| 5 | Santorini | Ferry to Imerovigli & poolside sunset |
| 6 | Santorini | Hike to Oia & dinner at Anogi |
| 7 | Athens | Acropolis tour & farewell dinner |
🧳 Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: May–June or September–October for warm weather and fewer crowds.
- Getting around: Use FerryHopper to book island ferries; rent a car on Naxos for flexibility.
- Currency: Euros. Most places take cards, but small cash helps for taxis or beach bars.
- Language: English is widely spoken.
- Tipping: 5–10% is appreciated in restaurants.
💭 What I’d Do Differently (and What I’d Do Again)
🌅 What I’d Do Again
- Stay in Imerovigli. This was the perfect Santorini base — peaceful, scenic, and the most relaxing part of our trip. I’d come back here in a heartbeat to recharge and soak in those caldera views all over again.
- Rent a car in Naxos. Having our own wheels gave us total freedom to explore at our own pace. Driving was easy, the roads were quiet, and we were able to discover beaches and mountain villages we’d never have reached otherwise.
- Eat local. For the most part, we skipped the fancy restaurants and ate at small tavernas instead. They were far more affordable, more authentic, and always served incredible food — our best meals were at the places full of locals.
✈️ What I’d Do Differently
- Book a private transfer back from Oia after the hike. The walk from Imerovigli to Oia was one of the highlights of our trip — but after several hours in the hot sun, the last thing we wanted was the chaos of the public bus stop. Hundreds of people were packed into a tiny area, buses were delayed, and the experience was stressful. Next time, I’d pre-book a private transfer or taxi back to the hotel to end the hike on a high note.
- Skip the rental car in Santorini. We didn’t realize how walkable the island is, especially around Imerovigli and Fira. We only used the car to pick it up and drop it off — next time, I’d rely on taxis or walking instead.
- Visit in shoulder season. If you’re hoping for those iconic Santorini photos and a more relaxed vibe, go in late spring or early fall. Athens and Naxos handled August crowds fine, but Oia was packed — it made enjoying the town nearly impossible, and even Fira felt busy.
THE WEEK AWAY 