One Week Greece Itinerary: Athens and the Islands
This is a short, easy-to-follow guide on one of many ways you could spend a week in Greece. This itinerary is good for a vacation from May through September, when flights and ferries are readily available to the islands … AND … when the restaurants and hotels will be fully-staffed.
While you may have heard horror stories about overcrowding in Greece during the peak summer months, if you follow this guide, you’ll have an enjoyable time seeing the historic sites in Athens and relaxing on the beautiful islands of Skiathos and Skopelos.
While Santorini and Mykonos get most of the attention and are best known by Americans, I’ll suggest venturing to the somewhat lesser-known islands to avoid the crowds.
Key Info on One Week in Greece:
- Buy ferry tickets ahead of your trip (if possible)
- Book hotels in advance
- Bring cash (Euros) or make an ATM withdrawal on arrival
Day One: Athens
One day isn’t enough to see everything in Athens, but if you’re trying to get a broader Greek experience including a couple of islands in a one-week itinerary, we’ll book-end our trip with days in Athens.
The Acropolis & Parthenon
It’s crowded and somewhat of a strenuous hike to the Acropolis, but it’s *THE* must-see site in Athens.
You’ll see all of the ongoing restoration work currently underway to help maintain the structures, which date back to the 5th Century BC.
PRO TIP: Buy your Acropolis tickets in advance! Do this days or even weeks before your visit to ensure you get the entry time you want.
CLICK TO BOOK: Acropolis Tickets & Tour
The crowds are large at the Acropolis and Parthenon, but they’re controlled. The newly-imposed rules limit visitors to 20,000 per day. Groups enter in timed entries to help keep the crowds flowing.
Other Sites
The Ancient Agora includes temples which were once the heart of Athenian life. Specifically, it was a hub for politics, government, and commerce.
Monastiraki Square is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Athens. You’ll find the Monastiraki Mosque, and a thousand-year-old Byzantine-era church.
One of the most famous markets in Athens is in Monastiraki Square. Vendors are selling antiques, souvenirs, clothing and accessories.
Walk to Syntagma Square and catch the Changing of the Guard in front of parliament. The ceremonial change happens every hour.
Restaurants
Take a break from walking around and enjoy a drink at one of the many rooftop bars in Athens.
I’ll suggest Ermou 18: Beyond the Horizon. Ermou 18 has an amazing view of Athens and the Acropolis, and plenty of tables to enjoy it from.
For dinner, I’d suggest either a no-frills local favorite, called Vassilis Grill House.
Vassilis is in the courtyard of a rather unimpressive multi-purpose building housing other businesses.
I promise: you won’t leave here disappointed OR hungry. They have an extensive menu of authentic Greek dishes.
Day Two: Athens to Skiathos
From the city, our itinerary now takes us to the Greek Isles. There are dozens to choose from, so this is merely a suggestion. You could substitute these for the more crowded Santorini and Mykonos, or Crete, Corfu, Naxos, Milos, Sifros, or any number of combinations.
Again, I’m choosing Skiathos first just to show how easy it is to transfer between mainland Greece and the islands of your choice.
Flights to Skiathos
Several airlines make domestic flights to the islands in Greece. Skiathos is about a 45-minute flight from Athens.
I’d check:
- Aegean Airlines
- Sky Express
I’d suggest taking the Athens Metro system to the airport, which is quite a distance outside the city. It’s clean, and about a 50-minute ride on the train.
The Skiathos airport is small and efficient. Outside, you’ll find taxis waiting to take you the 2 kilometers into town for about 10 Euros.
Skiathos Town
Skiathos Town, the main hub of the Greek island of Skiathos, is a picturesque and vibrant town, which caters to tourists.
The town features narrow, winding streets with whitewashed houses, colorful bougainvillea, and charming courtyards, reflecting traditional Greek island architecture.
The town offers a variety of dining options, from traditional Greek tavernas to modern restaurants, serving fresh seafood and local specialties.
You’ll find numerous bars, clubs, and tavernas. The nightlife is concentrated around the old port, which is lined with shops selling souvenirs, jewelry, and locally-made products.
Day Three: Skiathos Beaches
The entire island is full of beaches and coves, so you can find a few on the map you’d like to visit.
Here are a few options to check out.
Siferi Beach
- This is the closest walkable beach to Skiathos Town
- Taverna Twighlight is beachside, serving drinks and food
Koukounaries Beach
- One of the most famous beaches on the island, Koukounaries is known for its golden sand and crystal-clear waters.
- Ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. There are also several beach bars and tavernas offering refreshments and meals.
Megali Ammos Beach
- Only 2km from Skiathos Town, making it easily accessible on foot or by a short drive.
- Great for swimming and beautiful views.
- Several beachfront bars to choose from
Lalaria Beach
- Famous for its dramatic rock formations and iconic rock arch.
- The beach is accessible only by boat, and perfect for swimming and snorkeling in the clear blue waters.
- No facilities on the beach itself, so visitors should bring their own supplies
Boat Tours
From the port, you can select from a large number of boats, offering tours of Skiathos beaches and nearby islands. If you’re looking to go sailing, for a sunset cruise, or anything else, you’ll find it easily here.
Day Four: Skiathos to Skopelos
The islands of Skiathos and Skopelos are next to each other. Skopelos doesn’t have an airport, so you’ll take a ferry from Skiathos to one of a few ports on Skopelos:
- Skopelos (Town)
- Glossa/Loutraki
- Agnontas
The island is covered in pine forests, olive groves, and orchards, offering hiking opportunities and famous beaches.
Ferry Options to Skopelos
I’d suggest taking the ferry from Skiathos to Skopelos Town. The hour-long trip will cost about 20 Euros on the giant Sea Jets ferry, which also carries cars and cargo trucks.
Book your tickets ahead of your trip, using a website or app like FerryHopper.
Skopelos Town
The main town is a picturesque maze of narrow, winding streets, and traditional whitewashed houses. It has an authentic Greek charm with shops and cafes, and a number of businesses to rent cars or ATVs from.
Hike the 108 steps up to the Vrachos Cocktail Bar! It’s worth it for 7 Euro glasses of wine, an extensive cocktail list, and sweeping views of the town and port.
The best restaurant in town is Anna’s, which is a nice walk through the streets off the main road.
Be sure to try local specialties like Skopelitiki tyropita (cheese pie or spinach pie), fresh seafood, and locally produced honey and olive oil.
Day Five: Skopelos Beaches
Skopelos is home to gorgeous beaches. I walked from Skopelos town to the three below in a loop. It was a 15-mile hike, which I enjoyed … but wish more of it was on paths and trails, rather than a mix of hiking trails and highways.
Most people would rent a car to visit the beaches, or rent an ATV from one of the businesses in town.
Stafilos (Stafylos)
Stafilos is about a 2.5-mile walk (or ATV ride) from Skopelos, which will take you alongside roads and farm roads, lined with wildflowers and olive groves.
You’ll pass some of Skopelos’ famous monasteries along the way.
Stafilos Beach has a lengthy coast for swimming, lined with beach chairs and umbrellas.
Velanio Beach
Velanio Beach is just down the coast from Stafilos. It’s also lined with lounge chairs and umbrellas, and a cafe bar opens by late morning.
Amarandos (Amarantos) Cove
The white rocks here became famous, thanks to the opening scene of the “Mamma Mia” movie.
It’s a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Agnontas (Agnontis) Beach
You can follow a dirt path from Amarandos Cove to Agnontas Beach. It’s a small, rocky beach with a row of cafes along the water.
Day Six: Loutraki & Glossa
Loutraki and Gloss are on the western coast of Skopelos (the side closer to Skiathos).
Skopelos to Glossa
You have a few options to cross to the other, quieter side of Skopelos. You can take the bus, which runs a loop to the beaches, or hire a taxi.
The bus runs a few Euros, and will take roughly 45 minutes to an hour.
A private company operates the buses on the island. You can find the bus stop downtown next to the port. They put the schedule up on the whiteboard daily, since it’s subject to change!
Alternatively, you can book a private taxi from Skopelos to Glossa or Loutraki. The cost will be about 60 Euros for the windy, 45-minute ride. Drivers for the transfer are readily available from several businesses in Skopelos.
Glossa & Loutraki
Loutrakis is a small fishing town, which is now home to a few seaside restaurants and a beautiful hotel.
I’d highly recommend spending the night at the Natura Luxury Boutique Hotel.
Click to See: Natura Luxury Boutique Hotel Rates
From Loutraki, it’s s steep, strenuous hike up old stone steps to the bigger town of Glossa.
It’s home to shops and cliffside restaurants with beautiful views.
I’d recommend dinner at Agnanti, a family-owned Skopelos favorite since the 1950s. Many of their herbs and vegetables are grown in their own gardens. Make a reservation for a spot on their patio overlooking the water.
Church of St. John
The Church of St. John, or Agios Ioannis Kastri, is free and open to the public to visit.
It’s a famous chapel, perched on a rock formation just off the coast of Skopelos. Several scenes from the “Mamma Mia” movie were filmed here in 2007, and made it even more of a global attraction.
From Glossa or Loutraki, you can take an enjoyable 4-mile hike to the church, along stone steps, dirt paths, and (mostly) empty 2-lane highways.
You can also find a taxi to take you to the church.
There are 220 steps to the chapel at the top of the rocks. It gets narrow toward the top, but there’s a railing to keep anyone from falling.
Inside, you can light candles, make a donation, and sign the big guest book which is full of names from all over the world.
In the small parking lot, you’ll find a cafe, which serves food, ice cream, and drinks. I was pleasantly surprised with how good my souvlaki was here!
Day Seven: Skopelos to Athens
You have a few ways to get back to Athens from Skopelos. Remember: there’s no airport on Skopelos, so you’ll have to get back to Skiathos.
Ferry Options to Skopelos
From Skopelos Town, SeaJets will cost about 20 Euros, and the crossing will take roughly one hour.
From Loutraki, the ferry crossing is about 30 minutes (or less). The Aegean Flying Dolphin taxi usually departs once a day from Glossa/Loutraki to Skiathos. Otherwise, you can easily find a water taxi to take you across.
The Flying Dolphin will cost around 20 Euros, while the water taxi could cost a bit more. We’ve paid 100 Euros for two people for a Sea Cab.
PRO TIP: Booking at SeaCab.gr is reliable. They’re quick and responsive.
Make sure to time your ferry ride to arrive with plenty of a buffer to get from the Skiathos port to the airport. It’s only about 2km, and you’ll find a taxi stand along the port. The taxi ride from the port to the airport is about 10 Euros.
Skiathos to Athens
If you have extra time between the ferry dropoff and your flight, you can pass it in town having breakfast along the port.
The Skiathos Airport is known for plane spotting, since the runway basically begins at the water’s edge.
The flight back to Athens will be under one hour.
A Final Night in Athens
Back in Athens, after putting your luggage in a hotel, head out to wrap things up in the city.
A couple more sites to check out, if you have the time and energy:
- Rooftop Bars
- The National Gardens
- The Ermou District (shopping)
- Varvakios Central Market
For your last night, I’d definitely plan for a late dinner with an Acropolis view. The Elaia Taverna is an excellent option. Make a reservation!
