Dreamy One Week Greek Islands Itinerary (Santorini + Milos)

The Greek islands have been on my bucket list since I saw Mamma Mia as a dorky tween.

As an ocean lover, I desperately wanted to sail around the turquoise waters, swimming in the sea by day and eating fresh seafood by night.

And a few years ago, I made that dream come true with my best friend, and it’s the trip I still recommend to anyone planning their first Greek islands adventure!

We spent one week exploring the islands of Santorini and Milos, doing all of those things (just without the hunky Pierce Brosnan unfortunately).

Bright white houses and windmills climb the hillside in Oia, Santorini under a clear blue sky. Sunlight reflects off the stacked buildings and terraces built into the cliffside. — *The white-washed views of Santorini are still some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen*

So if you’re planning your own Greek Islands itinerary for the first time but are overwhelmed with all the options (like which islands to choose, how to get around them, etc.), I hope to simplify things for you!

Below, you’ll find an extremely detailed 7-day itinerary, splitting your time between the islands of Santorini and Milos (plus one evening in Athens before flying home). I’ve also provided a downloadable version of the itinerary you can print for later!

I personally think this split is the ideal balance of iconic views and vibes (Santorini) and quiet beaches and unique landscapes (Milos).

This itinerary is perfect for couples, best friends, or a small group, especially if you love yummy seafood, beautiful beaches, swimming in the sea, and a good combination of relaxation and activities!

Itinerary Overview, Map, + Downloadable Version

Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview of the itinerary so you know how you will be spending your week!

✈️ Day 0: Arrive in Athens + Fly to Santorini
🌊 Days 1–3: Santorini
🏖️ Days 4–6: Milos
🏛️ Day 7: Return to Athens

Both Santorini and Milos are part of the Cyclades — a group of islands scattered across the Aegean Sea, southeast of Athens, and exactly what most people picture when they think of Greece!

Santorini sits at the southern end of the Cyclades, about 45 minutes from Athens by plane, while Milos sits further west and is roughly a 2-hour ferry ride from Santorini (and also 45 minutes from Athens by plane).

To help get a feel for this area of Greece (and where you’ll actually be), I’ve created a custom Google map with all of the locations mentioned in this itinerary on both Santorini and Milos, plus a few in Athens too!

I highly recommend following along on the map as you read through this itinerary to get a feel for each island’s layout before visiting.

Also, make sure to save a copy of the map for your trip! (Just hit the little star next to the name). You can even download an offline version in case you don’t have Wifi!

P.S. Want to save this itinerary for later? I also created a free downloadable PDF version that you can print out for your trip! It also has the link to this map 🙂 Just click the link above and enter your email address so I know where to send it!

Day 0: Travel to Athens + Santorini

Travel to Greece

I call this day 0 of your itinerary because it is mostly a travel day and shouldn’t count towards the fun!

The first step of this itinerary is getting to Greece, specifically the island of Santorini!

If you are flying from the USA, I recommend booking round-trip flights in and out of Athens for this trip to save some money. (Booking a flight from the USA to Santorini, even with a layover in Athens, will usually be more expensive).

Once you arrive in Athens, you can hop on a one-way flight to Santorini! (This is what my best friend did since she was traveling from Florida. I was already in Europe and got to fly directly from Paris to Santorini!).

There are a few different airlines that fly non-stop from Athens to Santorini, including Sky Express, Aegean, and Volotea. The flight is typically around 45 minutes and should cost less than $100 one way. So easy!

🗺️ Planning your first international trip to the Greek Islands? Ferries between islands, flights from the USA with European layovers, accommodation on multiple islands, and activities that sell out months in advance — there are a lot of moving parts. My Passport to Confidence guide is a $7 step-by-step planning roadmap covering every decision from 6 months out to departure day. Download it instantly!

Arrival in Santorini & Where to Stay

Once you arrive in Santorini, you’ll need to make your way to your hotel from the airport. I highly recommend pre-booking your transportation, as taxis are the most expensive option in Santorini.

We booked our private transfer through GetYourGuide, as it was cheaper than what our hotel quoted us!

The airport is located in the middle of the island (on the east side), so it should only take around 15-30 minutes to reach your hotel, depending on which part of the island you are staying on!

There are a few different areas to stay in on Santorini, but we chose to stay in Oia (pronounced “ee-ah”), which I highly recommend if you are looking for the most iconic views!

However, thanks to those views, Oia is the busiest and most expensive area of the island. There is also not much nightlife here, so if that is your priority, I recommend staying in Fira instead.

Or, if you are a couple or looking for a more romantic and peaceful stay, you can’t go wrong with the small village of Imerovigli, which is tucked in between Fira and Oia. We walked through here while hiking from Fira to Oia and were blown away by the gorgeous (but quiet) hotels and incredible views.

Cliffside view of Oia, Santorini with white buildings and blue domes overlooking the caldera. Boats float on the bright blue water below the rocky volcanic cliffs. — *Seaside views of the caldera in Oia, Santorini*

If you do choose to stay in Oia, I highly recommend staying at the Kaleidoscope Cave Houses!

This hotel was exactly what we wanted for our time on Santorini. It was in the perfect location in Oia (central but tucked away from the chaotic main street) and had insane views of the ocean from our private balcony/hot tub!!

But the best part was how kind and helpful the owner was – he carried our two huge checked bags from the airport taxi to the room, gave us a map of Oia with his favorite spots, and even made dinner reservations for us!

View from a balcony at Kaleidoscope Cave Houses in Oia, Santorini overlooking whitewashed cliffside buildings and the deep blue caldera. Patio umbrellas and terraces sit above the water with rocky islands visible in the distance under a clear sky. — *The unbelievable views from our room at Kaleidoscope Cave Houses*

Depending on what time you arrive at your hotel, you might have a whole afternoon left! If this is the case, I recommend just wandering around Oia to get a feel for the area.

Oia is very easy to navigate as there is one main pedestrian walkway through the whole town, with tons of restaurants, shops, and hotels dotted along it.

Spend your first evening exploring around the area, grab dinner at Thalami, and recover from your jet lag! Don’t forget to grab gelato from Lolita’s (we went here multiple times!!).

White stone walkway above the cave house hotels in Oia, Santorini with tourists walking past shops and restaurants along the cliffside. A restaurant sign and patio umbrella overlook the caldera and whitewashed buildings below. — *Small and elevated stone-lined pathways are the norm in Oia*

Day 1: Explore Oia & Ammoudi Bay

Morning: Wander the Streets of Oia

In case you didn’t have much time yesterday to explore Oia, I’ve blocked off your whole first morning for just that!

Plus, Oia tends to get crazy around sunset, so you’ll have a much better experience if you wake up early on Day 1 to explore before all the crowds arrive.

After you wake up, head over to Melenio cafe for some delicious Greek spinach pies (Spanakopita) and some strong coffee! I highly recommend trying a Greek Freddo Cappuccino, which is made with iced espresso and a thick cold foam. We were literally addicted to these on our trip!!!

Once you’ve had breakfast, spend the rest of the morning exploring the town of Oia! If you wake up super early due to jet lag, this is a great time to snap some photos around Oia before the crowds roll in. In Oia, it’s common to wait in line for the best photo spots.

One of those spots is the Castle of Oia, which is perched on the edge of the caldera and offers jaw-dropping views of the ocean and all the white houses!

Colorful whitewashed buildings and domed rooftops spread across the hillside in Oia, Santorini as seen from Oia Castle. Pastel homes, narrow walkways, and terraces overlook the bright blue sky and caldera beyond. — *View from the Castle of Oia overlooking the pastel cave houses*

There are many things to do in Oia to fill your morning, but my favorite was honestly just wandering through the streets (and stairs, so many stairs). Around every corner, you’ll find adorable shops with handmade Greek goods, perfect for souvenirs!

Once you’re tired and hungry, grab lunch at one of the many restaurants with epic views of the caldera and the sea!

Or, consider taking this Greek cooking class with a local grandmother. I’m having serious regrets that I missed this!!!

Afternoon: Swimming and Dinner at Ammoudi Bay

In the afternoon, once it’s nice and hot and busy in Oia, put your swimsuit on and pack a change of clothes in your bag for dinner. It’s time to head down to Ammoudi Bay and swim in the sea!

To get to Ammoudi Bay, first make your way towards the Castle of Oia. Once you get close to the castle, follow the loooong staircase downwards towards the sea. This is the main walking path, which isn’t too bad going down but can be a beating coming back up.

Note: Along this path, you’ll often see donkeys lined up for rides. We personally didn’t feel comfortable riding them, but it’s up to you! Either way, watch out for donkey poop!

When you reach the bottom, you’ll see a picturesque fishing village – this is Ammoudi, home to some gorgeous Santorini sunsets. You’ll have dinner here tonight, but first, it’s time to swim!

Walk to your left through the Sunset Ammoudi restaurant, and you’ll see a path along the cliff (make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes – my go-to are these Reef water vista sandals!)

View of Ammoudi Bay in Santorini with colorful waterfront buildings, fishing boats, and deep blue water beneath the red volcanic cliffs below Oia. Whitewashed houses and a windmill sit high above the bay along the cliffside path leading to the swimming spot. — *View of Ammoudi Bay from the cliffside path*

After about a 5-minute walk, the path will come to an end, and you’ll find a perfect little swimming spot.

Spend your afternoon soaking up the sun and swimming in the sea here – there’s a small platform where you can easily get into the water.

If you are feeling adventurous like we were, you can even swim across the bay to the large rocky outcrop. Here, you’ll find a large platform where you can jump off into the sea!

The water was a little rough when we visited, but we were still able to make it across. The jump is pretty high (around 20-30 feet I’d guess), so it took me a little while to get up the courage to jump.. but I did it!

And it was freaking awesome. Plus, once you’re in the water, you get incredible views of Oia from below.

Woman standing on the rocky path near the swimming spot beyond Ammoudi Bay in Santorini with volcanic cliffs and blue water behind her. Boats float near the rocky islet under bright afternoon sunlight. — *The path to the swim spot is narrow and rocky!*

After you’ve had your fill of swimming, head back to the town and have dinner at Sunset Ammoudi (the restaurant you walked through).

If you are visiting in the summer, I highly recommend making a reservation here, especially if you want to eat while the sun is setting! (This is where our hotel owner made our reservation for us!).

This restaurant is one of the best places to watch the sunset in all of Santorini. You’ll get to sit right on the edge of the water and enjoy incredibly fresh seafood (like octopus, which you’ll find hanging in the sun at the front of the restaurant).

Get a bottle of Greek wine and enjoy!

Day 2: Black and Red Sand Beaches + Santo Wines

Morning: Explore Kamari Beach and Red Sand Beach

Today you will be leaving Oia to explore some other areas of the island. Santorini is actually a fairly large island, and Oia is just the very tip!

To get around Santorini, you have a few options! You can use private transportation or taxis, which are the most expensive. You can also rent a car or an ATV (which is what I recommend).

Or, you can use the public bus system, which is the cheapest but slowest option. This is what we personally did, but I regret it because it wasted sooo much time. (I cover all the different options more in my Santorini itinerary!)

In your preferred method of transportation, head to the southeastern end of the island, where there are two black sand beaches right next to each other: Kamari and Perissa. (They are very similar, so you don’t need to visit both.)

Lounge chairs and straw umbrellas along the shore of Kamari Beach in Santorini.

We chose Kamari Beach and loved it! They had beach chairs with umbrellas over them, which are free to use if you order food and drinks from the restaurant. We had a whole plate of fries on the beach, and it was lovely.

Note: Greek beaches, especially on Santorini, are notoriously rocky. I highly recommend packing a pair of waterproof shoes, like these Reef water vista sandals, to protect your feet when walking into the water!

After a few hours at the black sand beach, it’s time to head even further south to the village of Akrotiri. Here, you’ll find the legendary Red Beach. The sand isn’t super red here, but there are towering cliffs above the beach that are! This beach requires a quick 5-minute hike to get to, but the views are worth it!

P.S. If you don’t want to navigate today on your own, you can book this guided tour that includes both the black and red sand beaches

Red volcanic cliffs tower above the shoreline at Red Beach in Santorini with deep blue water along the rocky coast. Dark sand and scattered red boulders line the beach beneath the dramatic cliffs. — *The otherworldly red volcanic cliffs at “Red Beach”*

Afternoon: Sunset Views at Santo Wines

Depending on how much time you spend at these two beaches, you might still have time in the afternoon for more exploring. If this is the case and you’re into history, you can check out the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, which is just a 5-minute drive from Red Beach.

This site was occupied by the Minoans from Crete around 3000 B.C., and it is still incredibly preserved after being covered in volcanic ash. Within the site, you can explore the ancient ruins, which includes actual houses and structures still standing. Grab your tickets to the Akrotiri museum here!

Another cool thing to see in the area is the Akrotiri Lighthouse, which is located about 15 minutes away by car from the beach and archaeological site. While there isn’t much to do here, you do get incredible views of the sea and the island!

White lighthouse with a green dome perched on the rocky cliffs near Akrotiri in Santorini overlooking the deep blue sea. Dry coastal terrain surrounds the lighthouse above the water below. — *Akrotiri Lighthouse overlooking the rocky coastline and blue sea in Santorini*

Once you’ve wrapped up your sightseeing, I recommend heading to Santo Wines on your way back to Oia! One of the most famous wineries on the island, Santo Wines is located near the Athinios Ferry Port, close to the center of the island.

In addition to delicious Greek wine, they have an incredible terrace right on the edge of the caldera that offers sweeping views of the sea! This is the perfect place to watch the sunset, have dinner, and taste authentic Greek wine.

They also offer tours of the winery so you can learn more about the wine-making process, as well as the unique Assyrtiko grape variety that calls Santorini home!

Outdoor terrace seating at Santo Wines overlooking the Santorini caldera and volcanic islands beneath a hazy blue sky. White pergolas frame the sea view from the winery’s cliffside patio. — *Caldera views from the terrace at Santo Wines*

Day 3: Fira to Oia Hike + Sunset Catamaran

Morning: Fira to Oia Hike

On your third day in Santorini, it’s time to get some exercise and see some gorgeous views by conquering the incredible Fira to Oia hike!

Note: Depending on how many days you have on Santorini, you may want to prioritize this day over day 2 – totally up to you!

If hiking isn’t your thing, you can totally skip this activity and spend your time relaxing at a resort pool, seeing some historical sites, or whatever tickles your fancy!

While you can technically start this hike from Oia, you actually get the best views from the Fira to Oia direction. So if you are staying in Oia as recommended, you’ll need to make your way to Fira to start the hike.

I recommend doing this hike as early as possible to beat both the crowds and the heat. We didn’t have a rental car or ATV, so we took the first bus leaving Oia to Fira at 7am. However, if you have your own vehicle or plan to take a taxi, you can be a little more flexible.

Once you arrive in Fira, I recommend using this guide from Santorini Dave, which details exactly how to follow the hiking route with specific landmarks. I downloaded this as a PDF before our trip so I could easily reference it throughout the hike without WiFi.

Wooden “weather station” sign overlooking the Santorini caldera with labels reading “grape moving windy,” “grape still calm,” “grape wet rainy,” “grape dry sunny,” “grape invisible humidity,” and “grape gone storm.” Deep blue water and volcanic cliffs stretch across the background beneath a clear sky. — *Official Greek weather station!*

The hike starts out in the capital town of Fira before winding through the other towns of Firostefani and Imerovigli and then ending in Oia, all along the edge of the caldera.

When walking through these towns, the hike is well-paved. However, as you continue through the middle portion, the other parts are less developed, including some rocky and dirt paths!

I recommend wearing trail shoes or sneakers for the hike. I wore low-top Converse and struggled a bit in some areas.

The total hike is around 6.5 miles and should take between 3-5 hours to complete, depending on your pace!

After starting the hike, we stopped for a quick breakfast and coffee at Galini Café in Firostefani, about 20 minutes into the hike. After that, there are very limited food and drink options.

And once you get past the resorts in Imerovigli, the rest of the hike is pretty exposed to the elements, so make sure to pack sunscreen, water, and snacks! However, we did encounter a small snack stand selling fruit and water, which was nice!

Along the way, you’ll be treated to some incredible views of the entire island, including the jaw-dropping caldera cliffs and the sprawling sea beneath them!

This hike was one of our favorite things we did in Greece, so definitely don’t miss it!

wo women stand on a hillside overlook during the Fira to Oia hike with panoramic views of the Santorini caldera and coastline. Rocky trails and white villages stretch across the landscape below. — *Almost to the end of the hike!*

Afternoon: Lunch + Sunset Catamaran Cruise

If you start the hike first thing in the morning, you should arrive back in Oia right around lunchtime. We began the hike around 8am, stopped for a 30-minute breakfast break, and ended back in Oia just before noon!

Once you get back to Oia, head directly to Pito Gyros, one of the most amazing and authentic gyro restaurants on Santorini. I recommend trying to arrive just before they open if you can, as it gets busy!

These gyros are so cheap and the perfect post-hike meal. We even came back here again the following day because they were that delicious.

After lunch, make your way back to your hotel to take a much-needed shower and get ready for part 2 of your last day in Santorini! If you have extra time, feel free to lounge in the pool or hot tub.

In the late afternoon, you will be embarking on a sunset catamaran cruise – one of the most popular things to do on the island.

This sunset catamaran cruise departs around 3 pm from Ammoudi Bay. Once on board, you’ll sail along the island’s coastline and learn fun facts about the island’s history from the guide.

You’ll get a chance to swim at Red Beach (in case you missed it yesterday), then see White Beach and the Akrotiri Lighthouse from the sea while enjoying Greek appetizers (called mezedes).

As the sun begins to set, you’ll enjoy an incredible Greek BBQ dinner and watch the gorgeous sunset from the sea. It’s the perfect way to end your last night in Santorini!

(To be quite honest, we skipped this while we were on Santorini, and I still regret it to this day!! So don’t make the same mistake we did).

Save this post for later!

Enter your info below and I'll email you the link to this blog post so you can refer back to it later 🙂

Day 4: Travel to Milos + Explore the Island

Morning: Ferry or Flight to Milos

Today starts the second half of this Greek islands itinerary as you make your way to the island of Milos!

To get to Milos from Santorini, I recommend taking the ferry, as it’s typically the cheapest and quickest option. As of 2026, there are no direct flights between Santorini and Milos, so you would have to fly from Santorini to Athens and then from Athens to Milos.

The cost might be around the same, but it typically takes a little longer, as the ferry route between Santorini and Milos is usually less than 2 hours.

You’ll definitely want to grab your ferry tickets in advance of your trip, especially if you are visiting in the peak summer months. Ferries do sell out here, especially popular routes like Santorini to Milos! We used FerryHopper to book all of our ferries in Europe.

Also, the ferry port in Santorini is pretty chaotic, so arrive an hour or so before your ferry leaves.

The very tiny departure terminal at the Santorini ferry port
Boarding the ferry at the Santorini port

When you take the ferry to Milos, you’ll arrive in the port town of Adamantas, the heart of the island. This is a great area to stay in Milos if you want to have quick access to everything (more on that in a sec!).

Quick Note on Ferries: The ferry schedule can be temperamental, especially in the summer months of July and August when high winds are common. Delays happen, so it’s important to consider that before you book anything that day! Also, high winds mean rough seas. If you are prone to seasickness like me, make sure to take dramamine before boarding the ferry!

Afternoon: Getting to Your Hotel

Before your trip, I highly recommend arranging a car or ATV rental for Milos. Unlike Santorini, where you can get away with not renting a car or ATV, private transportation is 100% necessary on Milos, as there is extremely limited public transportation.

We rented an ATV through Apollonas Sunshine and had a great experience! Their office is located in Adamantas. However, because we had huge suitcases, they offered to drop the ATV off at our hotel, and we booked a private transport to our hotel from the ferry port.

During our 3 days in Milos, we chose to stay at the Artemis Seaside Resort on Paliochori Beach. We loved our stay here, as it was extremely affordable. Plus, the rooms are gorgeous, the staff is superb, and it’s located right on the beach!

However, the one downside to staying in this area is that there’s not much around. Luckily, there was one restaurant next to the hotel (as well as the hotel restaurant), but no nightlife or shops in the area.

This was fine for our trip, but if I were to return to Milos, I’d consider staying in Pollonia or Adamantas for more options!

For more information about the different areas of the island, make sure to check out my guide on Where to Stay in Milos!

If you took an early ferry to Milos, you may have a whole afternoon left to explore! After dropping your bags at your hotel, I recommend heading over to the village of Pollonia to grab dinner and watch the sunset.

Unfortunately for us, our ferry was delayed, and we didn’t arrive at our hotel until around dark, so we just had dinner there and went to bed!

But if you are staying in a more lively area (like Pollonia, Plaka, or Adamantas), you may be able to walk around and explore after dark, too.

Day 5: Boat Tour around the Island + Dinner in Adamantas

Morning and Afternoon: Boat Tour to Kleftiko Caves

Your first full day on the island will be centered around exploring the ocean and coastline of Milos! While the island of Milos is beautiful, you have to see it from the ocean to truly appreciate it.

A boat tour is the best way to experience Milos’ dramatic coastline, hidden caves, and surreal blue waters. We booked this boat tour with Polco Sailing while on Milos, and it might have been my favorite day of the trip.

This tour takes you to some of the best swimming spots on the island, but the crown jewel of the tour is Kleftiko Caves. If you’ve seen photos of Milos, you’ll probably recognize the towering white cliffs and incredible blue water.

This spot was once a pirate hideout and is only accessible by boat. The name comes from the Greek word “kleftes,” meaning thieves.

On our boat tour, we got to hang out here for several hours, which was the highlight of our day! We swam in electric aqua water, lounged on the sailboat, and ate fresh Greek food prepared by the crew.

The best part, however, was getting to go inside the caves!! The tour guides take everyone in small groups by dinghy so they can fit inside. We went through cracks in the cliffs that definitely didn’t look big enough to fit a boat.

Within some of the caves were secret beaches, swimming lagoons, and cliff-jumping spots! It was absolutely incredible getting to explore these with barely anyone else around.

After we wrapped up at Kleftiko, we made a few more swim stops, including Tsigrado Beach, before sailing back! If you’re planning a trip to Milos, I can’t recommend this boat tour enough!

Read more about this boat tour, as well as some other options, in my guide to the best boat tours in Milos, Greece! ⚓

Evening: Dinner in Adamantas

If you book the above boat tour, you should arrive back at the port of Adamantas around 6pm!

This is the perfect time to grab dinner at one of the waterside restaurants near the port, like Mikros Apoplous or Nostos Seafood Experience. Both of these have outdoor patios right on the water’s edge!

I highly recommend sticking around to watch the sunset here. It’s absolutely gorgeous with the sailboats in the harbor!

If the sunset doesn’t align with dinner, you can also head over to Papikinou beach, a small, sandy (not rocky!) beach just outside of port. This is another great spot to watch the sunset!

Several sailboats anchored in calm blue water in Adamantas with hazy mountains in the background near the coast of Milos. Soft evening light reflects across the sea. — *Dreamy sunset views in Adamantas*

Day 6: Beaches, Villages, and a sunset Dinner

Morning: Explore the Moon-Like Surface of Sarakiniko

Your last day in Milos is dedicated to exploring the island’s incredible beaches, fishing villages, and swimming spots. There are so many incredible things to do on Milos, so we will be hitting the highlights today!

As mentioned, you will definitely need a car or ATV to get around the island, as there is limited public transportation. Make sure to refer to the map at the beginning of this post to understand where all of these spots are located on the island!

To start your morning, head straight to the iconic Sarakiniko Beach, one of the best beaches on Milos. However, calling this a beach is kind of misleading, as there’s barely any sand here!

Instead, the entire surface is volcanic white rock, making it look like you’re on another planet! Because of this, Sarakiniko is often referred to as “Moon Beach”.

I recommend arriving here first thing in the morning for a few reasons. First, it’s one of the most popular spots on the island, so it does tend to get busy.

Second, there is little to no shade here, so you’ll be exposed to the elements. As it gets later in the day, the sun reflecting off the white rock makes it pretty hot!

Spend your morning enjoying the incredible landscape here. We wandered around exploring the rocks for a while and then went swimming! There is a small “beach” area that is protected by the sea and forms a dreamy lagoon where you can go for a dip.

Two women standing together on the shore at Sarakiniko Beach surrounded by white volcanic rock formations and shallow turquoise water. The bright landscape contrasts against the clear blue sky. — *The small cove beach at Sarakiniko is great for swimming even when the seas are rough!*

You can also swim in the sea and cliff jump off the rocks at Sarakiniko! Unfortunately, when we were there, there were some crazy winds and the waves were super rough, so it wasn’t safe to swim. Still absolutely worth visiting though!

There’s no food or drink options permanently here, so definitely bring water and snacks. When we were leaving, however, a small food truck showed up selling snacks!

Another important note: there are no bathrooms at Sarakiniko, so plan ahead!

Afternoon: Lunch and More Swimming!

Once you’ve had your fill of Sarakiniko Beach, head to the small fishing village of Mandrakia. This spot was so quintessentially Greek with its colorful boat houses and blue water!

Small fishing boats floating in clear turquoise water beside white boat garages and a tiny harbor in Mandrakia, Milos. Waves crash gently against the rocky coastline nearby. — *One of the most picturesque harbors on Milos!*

The reason for coming here, however, is to have lunch at the famous Medusa Café. Here, you can indulge in their sun-cooked octopus, as well as a local Milos beer!

I recommend arriving at Medusa on the earlier side (around 11am) for lunch to beat the crowds, as it does get busy.

They have a huge patio right next to the ocean, but we had to sit inside due to the crazy winds!

There’s not much else to do in Mandrakia besides eat lunch and take in the views, so it’s time to move on to the next stop: Firopotomas.

Firopotomas is another small fishing village with a gorgeous sandy beach! While you can absolutely stop for a swim at the beach, I actually recommend going past the beach to the Church of Agios Nikolaos.

In front of the church, there is a platform you can walk out on for incredible views of the sea. On both sides of this platform, you’ll find small, rocky staircases.

One leads down to the sea in front of the colorful boat houses, where you might see some boats rocking in the waves.

On the other side is a small rocky ledge where you can jump off straight into the sea! It’s a small jump (10 feet or less), but so fun! We spent around an hour here jumping off, swimming around the little bay, and floating in the sea.

We had the whole place to ourselves, so it felt like a little hidden gem!

Evening: Explore Plaka and Dinner on Klima Beach

To wrap up the last day of this Greek Islands itinerary, you’ll be heading to the charming Greek town of Plaka, the capital of Milos!

This hillside town is perched at the top of Milos and is pedestrian-only, so you’ll need to park your car or ATV just outside and walk up!

When we visited Plaka in early June, it was extremely quiet, with almost no one around as we walked through the town! However, we were blown away by the beauty – it’s the perfect little Greek town with iconic blue doors and bougainvillea bursting all around.

Spend some time exploring the village and popping into the stores around town. You can also head to the top of Plaka Castle for epic views of the coast.

If you have some extra time before dinner, consider checking out the Catacombs of Milos, the ancient Roman theatre, or the spot where the Venus de Milo statue was found!

These three spots are all right next to each other and on the way to your dinner restaurant!

Now it’s time to drive 10 minutes from Plaka village down to Klima Beach! Try to time this so you are arriving around 30 minutes to 1 hour before sunset.

For your last dinner on Milos, you’ll be dining at Astakas, where I ate one of the best meals of my life! The food here is absolutely to die for – make sure to get the fresh ceviche if it’s on the menu!

The restaurant has tables right on the beach, where you’ll have a perfect view of the sun setting over the sea. The staff was so kind – we had the best experience here. It’s the perfect place to end your time in Milos!

Day 7: Athens + Fly Home

Today is technically the last day of this itinerary, but not the last day of adventure!

Because you are ending in Milos, I highly recommend flying back to Athens in the morning and staying the night in Athens before flying home… Yes, this will add an extra day to your trip, but let me explain!

Milos is a very small airport, and there are only a few flights a day. The planes that fly in and out of Milos are small prop planes that cannot handle high winds. If it gets too windy in Milos, they will cancel all of the flights, and you will be stuck on Milos!

So, you don’t want to fly out of Milos the same day you are flying back home, in case you miss your flight (ask me how I know – this almost happened to us!). Give yourself an extra day of fluff and catch an early flight out of Milos to Athens (earlier flights are less likely to be cancelled).

Once you arrive in Athens, make your way to your hotel in the Plaka area (I recommend either Electra Palace or Plaka Hotel). Both are walking distance to the Acropolis and have rooftop views of it, too!

So, after you drop your bags off at the hotel, of course that’s where I recommend you go. The area of Plaka also has plenty of cute restaurants and shops to keep you busy on your last night in Greece.

Then, wake up the next morning and catch your flight home out of Athens. I promise you will thank me later!

For more tips and ideas for your time in Athens, check out my friend Caity’s 2 Day Athens Itinerary! 🏛️

What to Pack for Greece Island Hopping

You can read everything I recommend packing for Greece here, but below is a quick list of my must-haves to get you started!

1. Beach Cover Up / Kimono
Something you can throw on after a long day in the sun! The sun in Greece is soo strong. I used my kimono a ton on our trip. It can double as a dress, a shirt, a towel, or a pillow!

2. Sunscreen
I will scream this from the mountain tops until I am blue in the face! If you are going to be outside, you need to wear sunscreen. Even if it’s cloudy!! I highly recommend Supergoop!

3. Floppy Hat
Again, having something to protect yourself from the sun is crucial! Bonus points if it can get wet like this one!

4. Dramamine
You’re bound to be on at least one boat during your time in the island hopping in Greece. Make sure to bring seasickness medicine, just in case!

5. Europe plug converter
If you’re traveling from the USA, you will need a converter like this one to use your electronics!

6. Comfy sandals with straps
I purchased these Reef sandals before my own island-hopping trip to Greece, and they are the bomb! They’re so comfortable plus they can get wet! They were perfect for the rocky beaches and the cliff jumping. Now I wear them on every trip!

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helped convince you that Santorini + Milos is the perfect combination for your first time in the Greek Islands!

There are so many islands to choose from, all of which are unique and beautiful in their own way! But now I have a soft spot for both Santorini and Milos for totally different reasons.

Of course, you absolutely don’t need to follow this itinerary to a tee, but I hope it gave you a great starting point for planning your time in Greece.

If you have less than 7 days for your trip to Greece, I would recommend picking one island to visit, and exploring more of Athens so you don’t have to run around to see it all.

And if you’re lucky enough to have even more time, definitely extend your time on Milos and in Athens if you want to relax a bit more, or add in another island if you are feeling adventurous!

Next up, check out my Santorini itinerary and my Milos itinerary to keep planning the details of your trip!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!

Dreamy One Week Greek Island Hopping Itinerary (Santorini + Milos)