Have you ever dreamt of spending your summer bouncing between Greek islands? It might surprise you to learn that you don’t actually need to use up all of your vacation days to do so. You can easily get a good taste of some islands in just one week. The trick is to use the existing ferry schedules to your advantage. Choose a few islands that aren’t far away from each other, and make sure they are connected by frequent ferry service. You’ll be able to explore the charm of multiple islands, without wasting time going back to Athens in between each one.
Depending on the distance it’s probably best not to add a fourth island to your week-long itinerary or you’ll end up feeling too rushed to be able to relax. Here’s a suggestion for an island-hopping itinerary, starting from the port of Pireaus. Consider doing these three islands in seven days.
First Stop
Mykonos for 2 days
You’ve certainly heard of Mykonos before, so why not see it for yourself? It’s famous for having legendary nightlife and a wild party scene, but that’s not all this island is known for. In the main town (Chora) you’ll find beautiful and historic architecture as well as an enchanting maze of narrow alleys. Head to the neighborhood of Little Venice to experience a world-famous sunset while dining next to the Aegean Sea.
Second Stop
Folegandros for 3 days
After spending a few days in one of the hot spots of the Cyclades, it’s time to move on to somewhere much more laid-back. Folegandros is an island of unsurpassed beauty that should definitely be added to your bucket list. The Old Town is called Kastro (which means castle) and is one of the most gorgeous settlements to see and explore.
The island’s whitewashed buildings and narrow pathways will make you feel as if you’re walking in a fairytale. Although it is the smallest island on this list, we definitely suggest spending three days here so you can really explore this Aegean paradise.
Third Stop
Syros for two days
For the third and final step of this island-hopping itinerary, we recommend visiting Syros. It’s the capital of the Cycladic islands, although you won’t find as many typical whitewashed buildings and blue shutters here. Instead, there are stunning neoclassical mansions filled with history. It’s easy to get one from one side of Syros to the other, so hop on a bus or rent a car and start exploring. Heading back to Athens from Syros is easy, and only takes a few hours (depending on the ferry).
There are countless combinations of islands to choose from, these three are just to give you an idea. Head to the Ferryscanner website, browse the schedules, book your ferry tickets, and get ready for an incredible adventure.