Athens → Santorini → Crete
In 60 seconds
The route in 60 seconds
Classical Athens, then out into the Aegean: Santorini, the volcanic island whose white villages hang over a flooded caldera, and Crete, Greece's largest island, with the Minoan palace of Knossos outside Heraklion. Ferries link all three; the fast boats are seasonal, so this is a spring-to-autumn trip.
Stops
Where you sleep
Fira
Greece
Santorini's main town on the caldera rim; Oia for sunset.
Irákleion
Greece
Heraklion, Crete's capital: Knossos and the Archaeological Museum.
Day by day
How the days fall
The order we would follow, with the transfers already in the right place.
Day 1
AthensThe Acropolis.
- Morning
The Acropolis
At opening.
- Afternoon
The Acropolis Museum
The Parthenon galleries.
Day 2
AthensAncient and modern Athens.
- Morning
National Archaeological Museum
The great collection of Greek antiquity.
- Evening
Psiri
Tavernas and bars.
Day 3
Athens → SantoriniInto the Aegean.
- Morning
Ferry from Piraeus
About five hours on a fast boat.
- Evening
Fira
The caldera from the town's edge.
Day 4
SantoriniThe caldera.
- Morning
The caldera path
From Fira through Imerovigli; start early.
- Evening
Oia
Sunset over the caldera.
Day 5
Santorini → CreteSouth to Crete.
- Morning
Ferry to Heraklion
About two hours on the catamaran.
- Evening
The Venetian harbour
The fortress and the old port at dusk.
Day 6
CreteThe Minoans.
- Morning
Knossos
By city bus; go early.
- Afternoon
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The Minoan frescoes and treasures.
Day 7
CreteA slower last day.
- Morning
The market street
Odos 1866 for cheese, herbs and raki.
Transport
Between destinations
- Athens → FiraFerryAbout 5 h (fast) / 8 h
Ferries from Piraeus to Santorini's port, Athinios: about 5 hours on high-speed boats, around 8 on conventional ferries.
- Fira → IrákleionFerryAbout 1 h 50
High-speed catamarans from Santorini to Heraklion in season; conventional ferries take 3–5 hours.
Highlights
Key experiences
If the trip is cut short, these are the four to protect.
The Acropolis at opening
The Parthenon before the heat and the crowds.
The caldera path
The clifftop walk from Fira towards Oia, with the caldera below.
Sunset in Oia
Popular for a reason; arrive early or watch from Fira instead.
Knossos
The Minoan palace outside Heraklion; the finds are in the city's museum.
Stay
Where to stay
- Athens
- Plaka or Koukaki, walkable to the Acropolis.
- Santorini
- Fira for buses and restaurants; Oia and Imerovigli for caldera views at a price.
- Crete
- Central Heraklion, near the old harbour and the museum.