Santorini and Mykonos in 7 Days

A week of caldera sunsets, then Delos, sandy coves and cocktails in Little Venice

7 days2 stops

Original illustration

At a glance

A short, polished honeymoon: three nights on the Santorini caldera for cave suites, a catamaran sunset and a winery afternoon, then a ferry to Mykonos for three nights of sandy coves, Delos and sunset in Little Venice. It suits couples with a week off who want the two famous islands without rushing. Go from late May to June or in September.

By the Honeymoon Huts editors · How we research

If you have one week, Santorini and Mykonos are the two Greek islands to pair. They are a short ferry apart, both have airports with quick flights to Athens and between them they cover the two moods most couples want from a Greek honeymoon. Santorini is for views: whitewashed villages along the rim of a flooded volcanic caldera, cave suites with plunge pools and sunsets that make everyone go quiet. Mykonos is for the water and the evenings, with sheltered sandy coves, the ancient island of Delos offshore and cocktails in Little Venice as the waves splash below.

Three nights each is the minimum that works. It gives you two full days on each island and one slow morning, with the ferry in between as your only real transfer. Both islands are expensive and both are busy in summer, so timing and booking early matter more than on most routes.

Fly into Athens, connect to Santorini on arrival day and fly home from Mykonos via Athens.

The route

Best months: Late May to June and September
Trip length: 7 days
Budget: About $600–1,500 a night for two in boutique to luxury hotels, more for top caldera suites in peak season (approximate)

Day by day

Days 1–3: Santorini

Land at Athens International (ATH), which has nonstop flights from several US cities. Connect to Santorini (JTR). The airport is roughly 20 to 30 minutes from the caldera villages. Pre-book a private transfer through your hotel, since taxis are limited and unmetered. Check in, sleep off the flight and watch your first sunset from your own terrace.

On day 2, walk part of the cliff path from Fira through Firostefani to Imerovigli in the early morning before the heat. In the afternoon, book a catamaran sail around the caldera, with stops to swim near the warm springs and sunset at sea. Watching the sun go down from the water, away from the crowds at Oia's castle, is the romantic moment of Santorini.

On day 3, tour a winery to taste dry Assyrtiko and amber Vinsanto, then visit Akrotiri, the Bronze Age town buried by the eruption, where buildings still stand under a protective roof. Hire a private driver for the day rather than driving narrow roads. Save dinner for a caldera-view terrace and book it ahead.

Day 4: Ferry to Mykonos

High-speed boats link Santorini's port of Athinios with Mykonos several times a day in summer. Book a morning sailing so you arrive by early afternoon. Your hotel can arrange the transfer down to the port, which is on a steep switchback road below the cliffs. Arrive at least 30 minutes early.

On Mykonos, arrange your hotel transfer in advance, since taxis are limited. Check in, swim and rest. In the evening, walk into the Chora and wander its maze of lanes, past Panagia Paraportiani, one of the most photographed churches in Greece. Finish with dinner in town. If you have energy left, a late cocktail in Little Venice is a gentle first taste of the island's nightlife. Save the full sunset there for tomorrow.

Days 5–6: Mykonos

On day 5, take a morning boat from the Old Port to Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Temples, mosaics and the famous Terrace of the Lions spread across the island. It is two kilometers offshore and has little shade, so bring hats and water. Spend the afternoon on a south coast beach. At sunset, go to Little Venice, where historic houses hang over the water and bars serve cocktails as waves splash below, then stroll up to the Kato Mili windmills. That is the romantic moment of Mykonos.

On day 6, charter a private boat or join a small sailing trip along the south coast, swimming in coves you can only reach by sea. This is your splurge day. Couples who want the island's famous energy can book a beach club lunch that turns into dancing; those who do not can spend the afternoon at the hotel pool. Have a last long dinner in town.

Day 7: Home

Fly from Mykonos (JMK), about 4 kilometers from town, to Athens. The flight takes around 25 minutes. Connect to your flight home, leaving at least three hours between them in summer, when delays are common.

If your long-haul flight leaves early, take the ferry or flight to Athens on the evening of day 6 and spend the last night near the airport or in the city with a rooftop view of the Acropolis. That turns the trip home into two easy legs and protects your flight from any delay on the islands. Either way, pack swimwear in a plastic bag on the last morning so a final swim does not soak your suitcase. Leave time for a last coffee in town and a thank-you to the hotel staff who looked after you.

Getting Between Stops

Fly from the US to Athens, then connect on a short domestic flight to Santorini (JTR). Most US travelers connect in Athens or another European hub.

Between the islands, take the ferry. High-speed boats link Athinios on Santorini with Mykonos several times a day in summer. Book once schedules are published and keep the tickets on your phone. Strong summer winds sometimes delay sailings, so plan nothing fixed for the afternoon you arrive.

From Mykonos, fly to Athens in around 25 minutes and connect home. On both islands, taxis are limited, so arrange transfers through your hotel. Buses run from Fira on Santorini and from Mykonos Town to the main beaches, but they are crowded in summer. Sea taxis shuttle between beaches on Mykonos's south coast.

Where to Stay

On Santorini, stay on the caldera rim. Katikies Santorini is the classic Oia choice, with white cave suites cascading down the cliff and three infinity pools. Canaves Oia Epitome sits above Ammoudi Bay, with every suite and villa facing west over its own pool. Grace Hotel Santorini in Imerovigli has 23 rooms and the widest views from the highest point of the rim.

On Mykonos, Cavo Tagoo, on a cliff just north of the Chora, is the island's best-known design hotel, with a saltwater infinity pool and suites with private pools or hot tubs. Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort on Ornos Bay, has a private sandy cove, pool villas with butler service and a kid-free infinity pool.

Staying near town on Mykonos puts restaurants at your fingertips. Staying on the south coast puts the beach at your door.

When to Go

Late May, June and September are best. The sea is warm enough for swimming, ferries run frequently and both islands are lively without the full summer crush. September often has the warmest water.

July and August are hot, crowded and expensive. Santorini's sunset spots are packed and the meltemi wind blows hard, which can make boat trips choppy and delay ferries. Mykonos is at its most energetic, which suits some couples.

April and October are quieter, with cooler water. Many hotels on both islands close from November to March and ferry connections thin out, so this route works best between late spring and mid-autumn.

Budget and Booking

These are Greece's two most expensive islands. Plan on roughly $600–1,500 a night for two in good boutique to luxury hotels. Top caldera suites on Santorini and pool villas on Mykonos can run well above that in July and August. These figures are approximate.

Book Santorini first, since the best caldera rooms sell out early. Reserve the catamaran sail, sunset dinners and the Mykonos boat charter when you book the hotels.

Other costs: domestic flights, the ferry, private transfers and a driver on Santorini, Delos tickets, beach club loungers on Mykonos and a nightly accommodation tax at each hotel. Dinners at well-known restaurants on both islands are expensive, so mix them with tavernas.

Make It Shorter or Longer

With only five or six days, pick one island. Santorini suits couples who want views and quiet evenings; Mykonos suits couples who want beaches and nightlife.

With ten days, add a quieter island in between. Naxos or Paros sit between Santorini and Mykonos on the ferry routes and give you three nights of beaches, villages and lower prices. Or end with two nights in Athens to see the Acropolis and its museum before flying home.

With two weeks, add Milos after Santorini for boat days to sea caves, then continue to Athens and finish with Mykonos last, flying out via Athens.

Honeymoon Tips

Pack light. Santorini's cave suites often sit far down long staircases from the lane and you will carry bags on and off the ferry.

Skip the sunset crowd at Oia's castle. A caldera-view terrace in Imerovigli or Firostefani, or a boat at sea, is more romantic and much calmer.

On Mykonos, beach club prices can surprise you, so ask about lounger and minimum spend rates before you sit down. Sun and wind are strong on both islands. Bring high-factor sunscreen, hats and a light layer for evenings and boat trips. Pack comfortable shoes for the cobbled lanes of both towns and the uneven paths on Delos.

FAQ

Planning this trip

Is a week enough for Santorini and Mykonos?

Yes, if you give each island three nights and keep the plan simple. That allows two full days on each, with one ferry in between. You will not see everything, but you will have time for a caldera sail, a winery visit, Delos and a boat day. With fewer than six nights, choose one island.

How long is the ferry from Santorini to Mykonos?

High-speed boats link the two islands several times a day in summer, usually in a few hours depending on stops. Book once schedules are published and arrive at the port early. Strong winds in July and August can delay sailings. Flights between the islands usually route through Athens, so the ferry is simpler.

Should we go to Santorini or Mykonos first?

Santorini first works well. You arrive tired after the long flight. Calm caldera views help you recover from jet lag. Mykonos then gives the trip a livelier finish. Mykonos also has quick flights to Athens, so flying home from there is easy.

Is Mykonos good for a honeymoon if we do not want to party?

Yes. Mykonos has a reputation for nightlife, but it is only half the story. You can spend your days on sheltered sandy coves, visiting Delos and swimming from a private boat. Choose a hotel away from the busiest beach clubs, such as on Ornos Bay or north of town. Then skip the late nights.

What is the best time for a Santorini and Mykonos honeymoon?

Late May, June and September. The sea is warm, ferries run frequently and the crowds are lighter than in July and August. September often has the warmest water. Both islands are very busy and expensive in high summer and many hotels close from November to March.

Stops on this route

Greece

Santorini

Greece

Mykonos

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