8
days
Greek Isles
Paros > Santorini > Mykonos
Visit with 1.5 hrs before they close.
Grab a bite at local hot spot Yiasemi for delicious tarts.
Check out Jackie O's, the famed gay bar for cocktails.
Visit with 1.5 hrs before they close.
Itinerary
Day
1
Island of Paros
Arrive: Paros is less touristy than the more known islands, like Santorini or Mykonos, and also our favorite because of it's hospitable people, authentic restaurants, serene beaches and vibrant nightlift.
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3 pm: Check into Hotel Manos. It's a charming, no-frills hotel with a pool and serene (and clean) atmosphere quintessential of the Greek Islands.
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Due to the Greek financial situation, they requested we bring cash (Euros or USD) to pay instead of credit card.
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Cost during the high season: $93/night (including taxes)
9 pm: Dinner at Soso Restaurant in Noussa. Don't skip the Moussaka, a dish with mashed potatoes, ground beef and a white sauce.
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11 pm: Next door to Soso and upstairs overlooking a central square packed with people is a small bar with a rowdy crowd, great cocktails and a mix of Greek and 80s music that's worth stopping by for a nightcap.
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Athens is nice, but you hardly need more than 36 hours to experience it.
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Ferries are fun 1x if you are prone to getting sea sick. Opt for flights between islands for less travel and more beach time.
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Get up early to make the hike from Fira to Oia while in Santorini. You won't regret the early start when you have the trail to yourself.
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Make these reservations in advance:
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Sigalas Winery for the Tour & Tasting in Santorini
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Catamaran cruise around Santorini
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Restaurants in Mykonos
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Ferries between the islands. We used this site to find the schedules.
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4 Tips
The Map
Click on the Map above to see a full-size version with the legend.
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Colors: each day is in different color
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Knife/Fork: places to eat
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Stars: main attractions
We'd recommend downloading the map to your phone using Google Maps so you may use it offline if you don't have cell phone service in Greece.
Day
2
Island of Paros
11 am: Beach time at Santa Maria Beach. A true locals beach with crystal clear water and a beach-side restaurant offering simple snacks, beer and refreshments.
4 pm: A short drive from the beach is a local tavern called ΨΑΡΟΤΑΒΕΡΝΑ ΚΑΤΣΟΥΝΑΣ.
Day
3
Island of Paros
11 am: Marcello Beach, our favorite beach in Paros. The water was calm and crystal clear. You could watch the ferries across the way as they docked in Paros' port.
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7 pm: Head to Cavo d'Oro Restaurant. While the food was fine and there were options to choose from, come here for the views. You're right up on the beach, and have a great view of the sunset.
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10 am: Visit Monastiri Beach. This beach not only offers crystal clear water for swimming, but you can also rent Stand-Up Paddleboards, go waterskiing, and other water activities. Get here early though to find chairs because they are limited.
4 pm: Eat at ΤαβÎρνα Κολυμπήθρες restaurant. It's a family owned and operated restaurant that defines authentic cuisine. Don't let its off-the-side-of-the-road location fool you, it'll be a true Greek experience as you dine alfresco overlooking one of Paros blue water bays and ponder how far away from it all you truly are.
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9 pm: Ouzeri ton Naftikon restaurant was by far our favorite dinner in Paros, this seafood restaurant has many great dishes. Mussels, Anchovies, Seafood Risotto, and a meaty fish they jokingly called "Paros Sashimi." You sit outside in the central square with a mix of locals and tourists in a convivial atmosphere that will make you grateful you stopped in Paros. After dinner, bars surround the square. Stop by the one located upstairs overlooking Ouzeri for a drink and dancing.
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Day
4
Island of Paros
Day
5
Island of Santorini
Arrive: Santorini is more known for its stunning cliffs and views rather than beaches and partying. It is very touristy given the cruise ships of people stopping for the day, but still worth a visit.
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Public Buses: Thera is the main bus terminal, and you can hop on coaches that go to different parts of the island. They don't always run on-time, but they are much cheaper than a taxi (1.80 euros/ticket) and easier to catch.
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2:00 pm: Check into Villa Rose hotel. Another no-frills, clean hotel for you to rest your head. They stocked our mini-bar daily with complimentary yogurts, water, juice, and croissants (great for a pre-morning hike). They also offer a complimentary pickup/dropoff from the port to the hotel.
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Great price and convenient location (near the bus station to get to all parts of the island), but no iconic Santorini views. If you want to splurge, pick a hotel with views of the sea in Oia.
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Cost: $80.05 USD/night (including taxes)
5:00 pm: Sigalas Wine Tour & Tasting. Worth making a reservation in advance. It's an intimate wine tasting done on the vineyard and al fresco. You'll find out how Santorini vines are different than those in Europe or California, and they'll provide a tasting of 12 wines and pairings with local Greek food. We ended up being so full, we didn't eat a dinner after the tasting.
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Length: 2 hours
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Price: 60 euros/person
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Day
6
Island of Santorini
10:00 am: Catamaran excursion with Santorini Sailing Center. One of our all time favorite activities. While you can have up to 12 people on your boat, we only had one other couple with us. They take you by the best beaches (Red Beach, White Beach), allow you to swim in the sea in three different spots, take you to the sulfur hot springs (note: wear a dark colored bathing suit as the sulfur can stain), and provide a Greek lunch with fresh, grilled fish cooked right off the back of the boat.
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Price: 155 euros/person
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Times: Day cruise (10 am - 3 pm) or Sunset cruise (3 pm - 8 pm)
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Note: They will pick you up and drop you off from your hotel
7:00 pm: Dinner at Archipelagos restaurant. While recommended by Conde Nast Traveler, don't come here for the food. Instead, it's all about the views, especially at sunset. Most tourists will crowd around the periphery for views of the sunset, you'll enjoy it from the comfort of a table with a refreshing glass of Santorini white wine.
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Here are some more restaurant suggestions that we didn't get a chance to explore:
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Selene Restaurant: recommended by both the NY Times and Conde Nast Traveler, it is supposed to be one of the best restaurants on the island and expensive.
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Nikolas Taverna: good, local, no frills, operated since 1960s, but will not take reservations.
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Theoni’s Kitchen: cute and centrally located, but we can't vouch for the food.
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Day
7
Island of Santorini to Mykonos
6:30 am: Wake up early for to hike from Thera to Oia to avoid the crowds and catch the sunrise. It's worth the 3-3.5 hours it will take to get unobstructed views of the island, get some exercise and the solitude and tranquility of knowing you're in the middle of paradise. Wear your sneakers (not flip flops) because it gets steep at some points, rocky and windy.
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Take a mini detour to Skaros Rock for a surreal vantage point.
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Once you reach Oia, you can take one of the public buses back to Thera (~20 min ride).
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10:00 am: Eat at Passagio for breakfast. You'll eat good, clean food, great Greek yogurt and just enough fuel to carry you the rest of the morning. The public bus also stops just around the corner for your convenience back to Fira (aka Thera).
--Ferry to Mykonos--
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2:30 pm: Check into Harmony Boutique Hotel. Great location, has a beautiful white exterior and a nice (albeit small) pool.
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Price: $220/night (including breakfast)
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3:30 pm: Beach time at Super Paradise. You will be the "last" to arrive so don't expect to find a lounge chair or umbrella, but you can catch up. The furthest end is the "gay section" nearest the famed Jackie O's, but realistically the whole beach is gay friendly.
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No public buses serve Paradise Beach so you'll either have to take a taxi (20-25 euros from Mykonos Town) or a private shared bus (9 euros roundtrip/person).
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7:00 pm: Drag Show at Jackie O's. Get there a bit early to get a good seat and cocktail. Expect sunburnt Europeans abound and amazing people watching. Get comfortable cause you're here to party.
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On the opposite end of the beach is Super Paradise Beach Club which is the "straight" equivalent. Just as fun and rambunctious with go-go dancers, g-string clad women and bros, which is its own kind of fun. Have a drink (or shot).
9:30 pm: Dinner at Interni Restaurant. The restaurant is outdoors, which unfortunately means that a lot of people tend to smoke at the their tables. The food was good but expensive (25-40 euros for the main dishes). The decoration is superb with great lighting and simple, yet elegant table settings.
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Day
8
Island of Mykonos
10:00 am: Rent ATVs (for a two-seater it was 35 euros/day) and head to Elia beach (~25 minute ride from Mykonos Town). Perhaps Mykonos' most famous beach. It's crystal clear water is great for swimming (no waves). Get there early (or reserve ahead of time) to get a lounger and umbrella for all-day lounging and cocktails. Towards the end of the beach, it is clothing optional.
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1:00 pm: Beach hop and head to Agios Sostis. It isn't particularly big, but also another nice beach for swimming. The water is calm since it is sheltered by the bay.
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Have lunch at Kiki's near the beach. It is simple and delicious Greek food; but there will be a line. It opens between 12:30 and 1 pm, and closes around 7 pm.
9:00 pm: Dinner at M-Eating Restaurant