Self-Launched Greek Islands: Athens to Santorini in 8 Days

Arrive into Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport and take the X95 express bus to Syntagma Square (€6.50, ~1 hour) or the Metro Line 3 (€10.50, ~40 mins). Check into your central Athens hostel — Dioskouros Hostel in Plaka (the same one Intrepid use) is an excellent shoestring pick at around £18–22/night in a dorm. Spend the afternoon exploring the Plaka neighbourhood on foot, then tackle the Acropolis Archaeological Site (book online in advance to skip queues, €30). As the sun sets, head up Lycabettus Hill for free panoramic views over the city. For dinner, grab a classic gyros from a local souvlaki joint in Monastiraki — budget around £6–8 for a full meal. If you want a foodie intro to the city, Taste of Athens tours are self-bookable via GetYourGuide from around £35pp.

🚌X95 express bus from airport to Syntagma Square (€6.50 / ~£5.50) or Metro Line 3 (€10.50 / ~£9). Walk everywhere in central Athens.

🛏Dioskouros Hostel, Plaka, Athens — dorm bed ~£18–22/night (or budget private room ~£45–55). Central location steps from the Acropolis.

• →Take X95 bus or Metro Line 3 from Athens airport to city centre (~£6–9)
• →Visit the Acropolis Archaeological Site — book tickets online in advance (€30 / ~£26)
• →Climb Lycabettus Hill for panoramic city views (free)
• →Explore the Plaka and Monastiraki neighbourhoods on foot
• →Dinner: Grab a gyros or souvlaki in Monastiraki (~£6–8)
• →Optional: Taste of Athens food tour via GetYourGuide (~£35)

Rise early and make your way to Piraeus Port (Metro Line 1 from central Athens, ~45 mins, €1.40). Book your ferry to Paros in advance via Ferryhopper.com or DirectFerries.co.uk — Blue Star Ferries operate this route regularly and tickets cost around €25–35 (~£22–30) for a standard seat. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. On arrival in Paros, check into your hotel or guesthouse near Parikia — budget options like Hotel Argonauta or similar 2-3 star guesthouses run £35–55/night. In the afternoon, take a local bus (KTEL Paros, €2 / ~£1.70) up to Lefkes village — a beautifully preserved Cycladic village surrounded by olive groves. Wander the whitewashed alleys and visit the Panagia Ekatontapiliani Byzantine church back in Parikia. For dinner, recreate Intrepid's included group meal yourself: find a local taverna in Lefkes or Parikia and order moussaka, dolmas and Greek salad — budget £15–20 for a generous sit-down meal with wine.

🚌Metro to Piraeus (~£1.20), then Blue Star/Seajets ferry Piraeus–Paros (~£22–30, ~4 hrs). Local KTEL bus on Paros (~£1.70/trip).

🛏Budget guesthouse or 2-star hotel in Parikia, Paros — ~£35–55/night (e.g. Hotel Argonauta or similar). Book via Booking.com.

• →Metro Line 1 from central Athens to Piraeus Port (€1.40 / ~£1.20)
• →Ferry: Athens (Piraeus) to Paros via Blue Star Ferries — book on Ferryhopper.com (~£22–30)
• →Visit Panagia Ekatontapiliani Byzantine church in Parikia (free or small donation)
• →KTEL local bus to Lefkes village (€2 / ~£1.70 each way)
• →Explore Lefkes — whitewashed alleys, olive groves, Cycladic architecture
• →Taverna dinner in Lefkes or Parikia: moussaka, dolmas, Greek salad (~£15–20)

A free day to explore Paros at your own pace — just like the Intrepid itinerary. Head to Kolymbithres Beach in the north of the island, famous for its bizarre granite rock formations that carve out sheltered natural swimming coves. Take a KTEL bus toward Naoussa (€2 / ~£1.70) and walk the last stretch, or hop in a shared taxi. For something more active, book a half-day sea kayaking tour through a local operator or GetYourGuide (~£65–80pp). Alternatively, catch the short ferry across to the sister island of Antiparos (€3 / ~£2.60 each way from Pounta port) for a quieter, more local experience with great seafood tavernas. In the afternoon, visit the Paros Archaeological Museum in Parikia (€5 / ~£4.30). Tonight, explore Parikia's waterfront for dinner and drinks independently.

🚌KTEL buses across Paros (€2/trip). Ferry to Antiparos from Pounta port (€3 / ~£2.60 each way).

🛏Same guesthouse/hotel in Parikia, Paros (~£35–55/night).

• →Visit Kolymbithres Beach — natural rock swimming coves (free, KTEL bus ~£1.70)
• →Optional: Half-day sea kayaking tour via GetYourGuide or local operator (~£65–80)
• →Optional: Short ferry to Antiparos island (€3 / ~£2.60 each way from Pounta)
• →Visit Paros Archaeological Museum, Parikia (€5 / ~£4.30)
• →Wander Naoussa village — Venetian harbour, seafood restaurants
• →Dinner independently in Parikia waterfront taverna (~£12–18)

This morning, take the ferry from Paros to Ios — book via Ferryhopper.com in advance. SeaJets or Blue Star Ferries cover this route, and tickets cost approximately €20–30 (~£17–26) for a ~2.5 hour crossing. On arrival in Ios port (Ormos), drop your bags at your hotel and head straight for Mylopotas Beach — the island's most popular stretch of golden sand in a gorgeous horseshoe bay, about 3 km from the main village (local bus available, ~£1.50). For something quieter, take a taxi to Magganari Beach on the south of the island (~£10–12 each way shared). In the evening, rejoin other independent travellers at the iconic Odysseas Elytis Open Air Theatre (free to visit) — perched above the main village (Chora) with sweeping sunset views over the Aegean. This is completely free and a highlight of any Ios visit.

🚌Ferry Paros–Ios (~£17–26). Local bus Ios port to Mylopotas (~£1.50). Walking or taxi within Ios.

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse near Ios Chora or Mylopotas Beach — ~£35–55/night. Options like Francesco's or similar backpacker-friendly spots. Book via Booking.com or Hostelworld.

• →Ferry: Paros to Ios via Ferryhopper.com (SeaJets/Blue Star, ~£17–26, ~2.5 hrs)
• →Mylopotas Beach — swim and sunbathe in the horseshoe bay (free, local bus ~£1.50)
• →Optional: Taxi to quieter Magganari Beach (~£10–12 each way)
• →Visit Homer's Tomb (Plakotos) — legendary burial site of the Greek poet (free)
• →Walk up to Odysseas Elytis Open Air Theatre for sunset over Ios Chora (free)
• →Dinner and drinks in Ios Chora — tavernas and bars from ~£12–18

A completely free day on Ios — one of the Aegean's best party islands with equally beautiful beaches. Book a Seven Beaches boat tour in the morning directly at the port or via GetYourGuide (~£55–65pp) — this takes you around the island's most scenic coves with plenty of swimming and snorkelling stops. Alternatively, rent an ATV or scooter (~£20–30/day) and explore the island independently, discovering hidden beaches like Agia Theodoti and Kalamos. The island's Church of Panagia Gremniotissa is worth a free stop for views. Come evening, Ios transforms into one of the liveliest nightlife scenes in the Greek Islands — the main bar street in Chora fills up around midnight. Go bar-hopping, find beach clubs, and meet fellow travellers. Budget accordingly for drinks!

🚌Local buses or walking on Ios. Optional ATV/scooter rental (~£20–30/day).

🛏Same hotel/guesthouse on Ios (~£35–55/night).

• →Optional: Seven Beaches Boat Tour — snorkelling and swimming (~£55–65 via GetYourGuide or port booking)
• →Optional: Rent an ATV/scooter to explore hidden beaches independently (~£20–30/day)
• →Visit Church of Panagia Gremniotissa for views over the island (free)
• →Afternoon beach time at Mylopotas or a quieter cove
• →Evening: Bar street in Ios Chora — one of Greece's best nightlife scenes
• →Budget for food and drinks: ~£20–30 for a full evening out

Take the morning ferry from Ios to Santorini (Thira) — approximately 2 hours. Book via Ferryhopper.com in advance, especially in peak summer; tickets cost around €20–35 (~£17–30). On arrival at Athinios Port, take the public bus up to Fira (€2.30 / ~£2) — avoid the overpriced taxis. Check into your hotel in Fira or nearby Firostefani for central access to the caldera views. Spend the afternoon exploring Fira's cliff-top streets, boutiques and cafes, then take the local bus (€2 / ~£1.70) or walk the famous caldera path to Oia — the postcard village of blue domes and white-washed houses. The Oia sunset is world-famous; claim your spot early on the castle ruins (free). For dinner, hunt out local restaurants off the main tourist strip for better value — try tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters) and fresh seafood. Optional: Book a sunset cruise via GetYourGuide (~£65–90).

🚌Ferry Ios–Santorini (~£17–30). Public bus Athinios–Fira (€2.30). Local KTEL buses across Santorini (~£1.70/trip).

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Fira or Firostefani, Santorini — ~£40–65/night. Options like Hotel Pelican or Villa Roussa. Book well in advance in summer.

• →Ferry: Ios to Santorini (Thira) via Ferryhopper.com (~£17–30, ~2 hrs)
• →Public bus from Athinios Port to Fira (€2.30 / ~£2)
• →Explore Fira — cliff-top streets, caldera views, shops and cafes
• →Local bus or caldera walk to Oia (~£1.70 by bus or free on foot, ~10 km)
• →Watch the Oia sunset from the castle ruins (free — arrive early for a spot!)
• →Optional: Sunset cruise with dinner via GetYourGuide (~£65–90)
• →Dinner: Local taverna in Fira or Firostefani — tomatokeftedes and seafood (~£15–22)

This is the highlight of the entire trip. Set off early in the morning (before 9am recommended) to beat the heat and crowds on the iconic Fira to Oia caldera hike — a 12 km trail along the volcanic crater rim. The route passes through the village of Firostefani and Imerovigli, with jaw-dropping views of the caldera, the Aegean Sea, and the volcanic islands below. The path is clearly marked and completely free — no guide needed. Wear sturdy shoes, carry 2+ litres of water (there are NO facilities on the trail), sunscreen and a hat. The walk takes 3–5 hours at a comfortable pace. Reward yourself in Oia with a cold Mythos beer and lunch at a cliff-side cafe. In the afternoon, visit the Archaeological Site of Akrotiri (a Bronze Age city preserved by volcanic ash, €20 / ~£17) or the fascinating Wine Museum with tasting (€25 / ~£21 — bookable directly or via Klook). Catch the bus back to Fira and enjoy a final sunset dinner.

🚌Walking (the hike itself). KTEL bus Oia–Fira return (~£1.70). Taxis as needed.

🛏Same hotel/guesthouse in Fira or Firostefani, Santorini (~£40–65/night).

• →Fira to Oia Caldera Hike — 12 km along the crater rim (completely free, ~3–5 hrs)
• →Pass through Firostefani and Imerovigli for the best caldera viewpoints
• →Lunch in Oia after the hike — local cafe or souvlaki wrap (~£8–12)
• →Optional: Archaeological Site of Akrotiri — Bronze Age ruins (€20 / ~£17)
• →Optional: Wine Museum and Assyrtiko tasting (€25 / ~£21 — book via Klook or direct)
• →Optional: Volcano & Hot Springs boat trip (€30 / ~£26 — bookable at Fira port)
• →Final sunset dinner in Fira or Firostefani (~£18–25)

Your final morning in Santorini — and Greece. No activities are planned, so you're free to sleep in, grab a final breakfast with caldera views, or squeeze in any last sightseeing (the Museum of Prehistoric Thira in Fira is worth the €10 / ~£8.50 if you haven't visited). To depart, take the public bus from Fira to Athinios Port (€2.30) and catch a ferry back to Athens (Piraeus) — Blue Star Ferries operate this route (~5–9 hrs depending on speed, from ~£25–40), or fly from Santorini Airport (JTR) back to Athens in 50 mins from ~£40–70 via Sky Express or Aegean Airlines. If you'd like to extend your stay in Santorini — highly recommended — simply book extra nights at your guesthouse in advance.

🚌KTEL bus Fira to Athinios Port (~£2). Ferry Santorini–Piraeus (~£25–40) or flight (~£40–70).

🛏No accommodation included — depart or book extra nights independently.

• →Final breakfast with caldera views in Fira or Firostefani
• →Optional: Museum of Prehistoric Thira, Fira (€10 / ~£8.50)
• →Optional: Last swim at Perissa or Kamari volcanic beach
• →Public bus to Athinios Port for ferry departure (€2.30 / ~£2)
• →Ferry to Athens (Piraeus) via Blue Star (~£25–40, 5–9 hrs) OR fly Santorini–Athens (~£40–70, 50 mins)