Greece Tourist Attractions You Can’t Miss!

In June 2024, I embarked on a 9-day journey to explore some of the most enchanting Greece tourist attractions. My adventure began in Athens where I met my friend Sruthi and we immersed ourselves in the rich history and culture, visiting iconic Greece tourist attractions like the Acropolis and Parthenon. Next, we ventured to the serene island of Paros, one of the top places to travel in Greece, known for its idyllic beaches and charming villages. Mykonos was our next stop, a vibrant destination famed for its lively nightlife and stunning views, making it one of the must-see places of interest in Greece. The last leg of our trip was the Greek island Santorini, where we stayed in the picturesque village of Perivolos. We also explored Caldera, Thirasia and Oia, adding some beautiful spots to our list of Greece tourist attractions. This trip offered a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and unique experiences, showcasing some of the best places to go and things to see in Greece.

Travel Trivia:

Flight Tickets: Round-trip from Mumbai to Athens on Indigo and Etihad Airways (via Istanbul, Abu Dhabi respectively) with 30 kg check-in luggage and 8 kg cabin luggage.

Travel Insurance: ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance.

Currency: Carried Euros along with Debit and Credit cards.

Languages Spoken: Greek and English are widely spoken.

Visa: Schengen Visa (I already have a valid 1 year visa).

Capital: The capital of Greece is Athens

Country Code: The country code of Greece is +30

Seasons: Spring: March to May, Summer: June to August, Autumn: September to November, Winter: December to February.

Borders: Greece shares its borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Accommodations (Booked Online):

Athens: 2 nights – Stayed from June 22nd to 24th at Suite 04 – Smart Cozy Suites, centrally located in Athens.

Mykonos: 3 nights – Stayed from June 24th to 27th at Olympia.

Santorini: 3 nights – Stayed from June 27th to 29th at Smaragdi Hotel.

Total Stay: 8 nights. All the places that we stayed are highly recommended. We loved them all!

Internal Flights & Ferries (Booked Online before the trip started):

Ferry: Athens to Paros on Super Express Golden Star Ferries.

Ferry: Paros to Mykonos on Super Jet 2 – Sea Jets.

Ferry: Mykonos to Santorini on Super Jet 2 – Sea Jets.

Flight: Santorini to Athens on Ryan Air.

Day Wise Itinerary to explore the top Greece tourist attractions:

Day 1 – June 22nd, 2024 – Arrival in Athens, Stay in Athens

• My journey began with an unexpected delay as my Indigo flight was pushed back by 4 hours! Consequently, I was rebooked onto a Turkish Airlines flight for the final leg from Istanbul to Athens, ensuring I reached my destination despite the setback.
• At Mumbai airport, I savored a Corn Mexican Pizza and a comforting Cappuccino from New York Burrito, energizing myself for the journey ahead.
• During a layover at Istanbul airport, I treated myself to delightful culinary experiences, including 2 scoops of Mulberry and Lemon gelato at Choc’nette and indulged in 2 pieces of Baklava paired with fresh Orange Juice from the same venue.
• To stay connected, I purchased 2 hours of wifi access at Istanbul airport, ensuring I remained in touch with updates and plans.
• To cap off my airport experiences, I enjoyed an Almond Croissant and another Cappuccino at Obica, adding a touch of indulgence to my travel day.
• Upon landing in Athens, I met my friend Sruthi and we opted for a convenient cab ride from the airport to our hotel, eager to begin exploring this historic city despite the initial travel delays.

Day 2 – June 23rd, 2024 – Explore Athens, Stay in Athens

• I purchased a Nova SIM card for unlimited internet access upon arrival.
• Enjoyed a leisurely brunch of Spaghetti and Orange juice at Paula, savoring the local flavors.
• Highlight of the day was visiting the Acropolis, an ancient citadel perched high above Athens, renowned for its stunning Parthenon temple dedicated to Athena, the city’s patron goddess.
• While at the Acropolis, I refreshed myself with Orange juice and Lemon + Strawberry juice, soaking in the historical and architectural marvels.
• Wrapped up the day with a delightful dinner experience at Diogenes known for its traditional Greek cuisine in Plaka, which is a charming district with vibrant shops and cafes.
• As a memento of the day, I picked up 2 fridge magnets to remember my visit to this historic city.

Day 3 – June 24th, 2024 – Day Trip to Paros, Stay in Mykonos

• Started the day with a ferry journey departing from Rafina, Athens port, bound for Paros, enjoying the scenic views of the Aegean Sea along the way.
• Delighted in a relaxing breakfast at Paros port, savoring a Chocolate croissant paired with a refreshing Raspberry smoothie.
• Later in the morning, had a satisfying brunch at DO’s, where I enjoyed a Cold latte alongside an Avocado Quinoa, Cherry Tomato, and Cucumber salad.
• Treated myself to a delightful serving of Lemon and Strawberry Gelato at Gelataria, indulging in the local flavors of the island.
• We explored the charming lanes of Parikia which is the main port of Paros Island.
• Throughout the day, we refreshed ourselves with Raspberry and Strawberry drinks at Nemobar and Gregorys, adding a touch of local taste to our culinary experiences.
• Picked up some fridge magnets at Paros (from a shop where the owner had 66 cats!) as souvenirs to commemorate the visit and capture memories of the picturesque island.
• Continued the island-hopping adventure with another ferry ride, this time heading from Paros to Mykonos, ready to explore the next destination.
• Ended the day’s adventures with a satisfying dinner at Souvlaki Story near Fabrica bus stop in Mykonos, accompanied by another round of Gelato to cap off a day filled with culinary delights in the Cyclades islands. A live football match was being broadcasted in the restaurant at that time, creating an awesome atmosphere to enjoy the competitive spirit. 🙂

Day 4 – June 25th, 2024 – Explore Mykonos, Stay in Mykonos

• I started the day by treating myself to refreshing Watermelon sorbet and rich dark chocolate gelato at I scream, enjoying the cool flavors against the warm Mykonos sun. The owner had an adorable, playful dog that was a delight to watch as it frolicked around.
• Brunch was a delightful affair with an Acai bowl and Walton on Thames at Nice n Easy in Little Venice, savoring the healthy yet satisfying combination of flavors. It is the only restaurant in Mykonos island that serves bio and organic food.
• During my exploration, I couldn’t resist picking up some magnets as souvenirs, capturing memories of Mykonos to take home.
• Dinner unfolded at Hola India, where we delighted in the aromatic spices and delicious dishes of Indian cuisine.
• The evening continued with a taste of local nightlife at I love Mykonos club, where I tried the renowned 42 below vodka amidst a lively atmosphere with live music at the club.
• Before calling it a night, I enjoyed a taste of Italian cuisine with Bruschetta at Kadena, rounding off a day filled with culinary delights and cultural exploration in Mykonos.

Day 5 – June 26th, 2024 – Explore Mykonos, Stay in Mykonos

• Started the day with a satisfying brunch at Meatropolitan, savoring an Open Falafel Sandwich paired with a refreshing Passion Storm drink. We savored the lively ambiance of Mykonos town, soaking in its vibrant energy and bustling streets.
• Stopped by local shops to pick up fridge magnets as keepsakes from the trip.
• Delighted in the flavors of Nutella strawberry banana walnut hazelnut crepes at Crepa bar during an afternoon break.
• We hopped on a bus from Fabrika bus station to Paradise Beach for a memorable girls’ night out.
• Enjoyed a delightful Indian dinner at Indian Palace, situated along the picturesque Paradise beach.
• Wrapped up the evening with a lively atmosphere at Tropicana Club, indulging in a Cosmopolitan drink while dancing the night away.
• We boarded the bus back to the Fabrika bus station and then walked a few minutes to our hotel nearby.

Day 6 – June 27th, 2024 – Arrival in Santorini, Stay in Santorini

• We arrived in Santorini via ferry after departing from Mykonos, marking the next leg of our Greek adventure.
• To facilitate our journey, we arranged for a cab from the hotel to Mykonos port, ensuring a smooth and timely departure.
• At Mykonos port, I savored a delicious spinach pie paired with a berry blast drink, enjoying the flavors and the scenic port atmosphere.
• Upon reaching Santorini, we opted for a minibus transfer from the port to our hotel, a convenient choice that allowed us to settle in comfortably.
• For an early dinner, we treated ourselves to a delightful meal at Safran restaurant, where I enjoyed spaghetti pasta and savored a mocktail named “sex on the pool” taking in the ambiance and flavors of Black Sand Beach in Perissa, Santorini.

Day 7 – June 28th, 2024 – Caldera Volcano, Hot Springs, and Oia Sunset, Stay in Santorini

• We embarked on a day trip to hike the Caldera Volcano, visit the hot springs, and Thirasia island, culminating with a mesmerizing sunset in Oia. Booking these activities through our hotel was a seamless experience.
• I enjoyed a refreshing coconut smoothie by the pool in our resort before starting the day, soaking in the relaxing atmosphere.
• Near our hotel, I purchased 3 postcards and some souvenirs from Euromarket, capturing memories and enjoying a local find.
• A cab had dropped us from our hotel till the Santorini port where we boarded our boat to the base of Caldera volcano.
• During the boat journey to the base of Caldera hike, I savored cold coffee and water aboard the Princess boat, enjoying the scenic views of the Aegean Sea.
• For lunch, I dined at Captain John restaurant on Thirasia island, indulging in a greek salad and orange juice enjoying the island’s charm.
• At Smoothink in Thirasia, I delighted in a pineapple sunset and salty caramel gelato, savoring the flavors and the local ambiance.
• We were dropped at Oia in the evening, where I had pizza and spaghetti pasta at Osteria, enjoying the local flavors and ambiance.
• We enjoyed a beautiful sunset at Oia before heading back to our hotel in Perivolos via the tour bus.

Day 8 – June 29th, 2024 – Black Sand Beach, Resort Pool, and Half-Day Oia Trip, Stay in Santorini till night

• I revisited Oia, opting for local buses from Perivolos to Fira and then continuing to Oia, enjoying the breathtaking scenery throughout the journey.
• Enjoyed a self service lunch of Greek yogurt with fresh fruits and nuts at Solo Gelato in Oia, savoring the local flavors.
• I wandered through the picturesque streets of Oia, then returned to the hotel for a peaceful afternoon by the pool before catching a cab to Santorini airport for our flight to Athens.
• Ended the day with a cappuccino and margarita pizza at Santorini airport, a final taste of the island’s cuisine before departing.

Day 9 – June 30th, 2024 – Return to India

I enjoyed a chocolate croissant at Athens airport, followed by fresh orange juice at Gregorys before my return journey to India. We spent time at Athens airport, chatting and reminiscing about our trip before boarding our flights to Mumbai and Amsterdam respectively. 🙂

Our journey through Athens, Paros, Mykonos, and Santorini has been an unforgettable exploration of some of the top Greece tourist attractions. From the ancient marvels of Athens to the charming villages of Paros and the vibrant nightlife of Mykonos, each destination offered a unique perspective on things to see in Greece. Santorini’s breathtaking sunsets and the serene beauty of Oia and Thirasia added a touch of magic to our adventure. Athens, Mykonos and Santorini are among the top Greece tourist attractions. This 9-day odyssey was a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural wonders, making Greece an essential destination for any traveler seeking a truly enriching experience in places to travel in Greece.