Day 1 -Arrival Athens
August 26th
Arrive in Athens and get a transfer to your hotel in the city center. I recommend staying central at Coco-Mat Athens BC.
It is well-located and has the best rooftop pool with a view. I will link another hotel in case this one is booked.
Read my review of Coco-Mat Athens BC here
Day 2 -Athens Explore
August 27th
Since you have the whole day and night here before heading to the Islands I would consider joining a tour in the morning, either a guided walking tour including the Acropolis or doing a hop-on-hop-off tour so if you would rather get an overview of the city.
A great place to go for lunch would be in Plaka at either:
Later, I recommend checking out this Theatrical show, Medea and Other Friends for your evening. It is something fun and different to do.
A great place for a dinner with a view and cocktail is 360 Cocktail Bar. You need a reservation here, but you can make one online.
Day 3 Naxos
August 28th
Take the 8:45 am ferry direct to Naxos arriving at 12:20. Be sure to schedule a taxi to the Piraeus Port via your hotel.
Traffic to the port can be a problem so I would plan to get in the take to go to the port at 7:15 am. It is better to be early.
Hotels:
- Mariet Naxos Spa & Suites (the best to stay close to the old town)
- Nissaki Beach Hotel (best closest to the beach and the old town)
Take it easy on your first day and either hit the beach or explore the old town and do a little shopping.
If you are looking for a great place for lunch you should check out To Elliniko. It is within walking distance from either hotel.
If you are looking for some great pottery, head to the old town and visit Morfes Ceramics.
Later for great place for a coffee/cocktail with a view is 520 Cocktail Bar Restaurant.
For Dinner, check out Lithos Restaurant. You should inquire about a reservation.
Day 4 Naxos
August 29th
In the morning you should head back into the city center and go visit the Naxos castle. Here is a museum and shop and a lovely spot for breakfast with a view. Take your time just exploring all there is to see in the Chora.
For a chill afternoon, you should explore a nearby by beach and catch the bus near the Naxos port. The bus station sells the tickets for around 2 euros. You should have cash in case they don’t take card.
The Agia Anna beach is only 20 minutes away. It is a great spot to spend the rest of the day popping into one of the many beachside cafes for late lunch / early dinner.
Come back to the center whenever you are feeling ready to either watch the sunset or have dinner.
One of my favorite restaurants for authentic Greek food is Metaxi Mas Mezedopoleio.
Day 5 Naxos
August 30th
If you want to fully explore the island, join this full-day bus tour that will take you around to the idyllic villages and historical sites of Naxos.
I personally took the tour and found it to be a great way to spend the day!
You will return to Naxos around sunset, and you should plan to have dinner at Scirocco Restaurant. Get reservations here.
Day 6 Naxos
August 31st
It is your last day in Naxos, and if you are up for it, I recommend another day tour. My absolute favorite was a day trip on a boat to Koufonisia! There is time for swimming and they provide lunch.
It was a full tour with a lot of people. I found it to be worth it, but if you prefer to be around fewer people, it might not be the tour for you.
Alternatively, you could take the fast ferry to the island of Paros which is only 30 minutes away. You get the tickets at Zas Travel. You would be on your own to explore the island and do as you want in the old town of Naoussa.
Both these activities should take you straight up till dinner time. For your last night in Naxos, go to Barozzi.
Day 7 Milos
September 1st
You can take your time in the morning as the ferry to Milos is not till 15:15. There is a direct option getting you to Milos in 4 hours 40 minutes.
Once you arrive in Milos have your hotel be waiting to pick you up. I highly recommend staying at this boutique hotel Pollonia. I will leave an alternative in case it is booked up.
That night find a place for dinner along the water. All of them are pretty good, go with which stands out.
Day 8 Milos
September 2nd
There are a couple of main attractions on Milos worth visiting. Without a car, you can take the bus from Pollonia to both Plaka and Sarakinko Beach.
Personally, I would take this tour so that you get to see both on the same day, and then if you wanted to return to either at another time you can do it via the bus.
Day 9 Milos
September 3rd
Today you can relax by the beach and just enjoy Pollonia! Or take the small ferry from the dock in Pollonia across to the uninhabited island for a new beach.
There is a small group wine tour you can join later in the day at 18:00! This will include some snacks as well and could be a good opportunity to meet people.
Day 10 Milos
September 4th
For your last day I would highly consider joining this boat tour full of swimming and caves. You will explore the best spots on the island and have lunch in Kleftiko. You will get to see small fishing villages not possible to see without a car.
Day 11 Sifnos
September 5th
Time to head to one of my all-time favorite islands! The island of Sifnos is very close, only 40 minutes by ferry!
You could book the 8 or 11:30 ferry depending on your preference.
I really recommend staying at the Nival Boutique Hotel. The location is perfect without a car and the hotel, staff, and pool is fantastic. I can’t say enough good things about this hotel.
That first day I would explore the town of Apollonia and get lunch at a local taverna. I really liked Kafeneio Drakakis.
The town is small but so lovely!
For dinner on your first night, I would book a reservation at Bostani! You will need the hotel to take you there and pick you back up.
Or you can get a taxi, but there are not many on the island so it is better just to have the hotel take you around.
Day 12 Sifnos
September 6th
Today have the hotel drop you off in Platis Gialos for the day! The beach here has chairs and umbrellas. It also has the best restaurants in Sifnos!
Today is really about relaxing by the beach. Book lunch at Maiòlica Sifnos.
If you would rather you could make it a spa day and book a treatment at the Verina Astra Hotel later in the afternoon.
For dinner, I would suggest Omega 3! You must make a reservation.
Day 13 Sifnos
September 7th
For your last day and night in Sifnos, I would explore the village of Artemonas in the morning. You can walk from Apollonia in about 20 minutes. It is an idyllic little village of shops and restaurants.
After exploring Artemonas, you can come back to Apollonia and take the bus or taxi to the Kastro and go explore the Church of Seven Martyrs. Incredible views and magical vibes.
There is a place you can swim close to Katro at this beach. It is rocky, so have swim shoes.
A good place for lunch is Captain George! Fresh seafood and casual ambiance.
For dinner, I would recommend you get reservations at Catina. It was one of the best meals of my life!
Day 14 Serifos
September 8th
Serifos is a tiny Greek Island perfect for just a night. Hop the Ferry from Sifnos to Serifos and arrive in 20 minutes.
There is a great hotel close to the port and all the action on the main harbor. For the day I would explore the Lividia Harbor and all the shops and restaurants. The beach is also RIGHT there so you can relax.
For the evening take the bus up to the Chora, which is the village at the top of the hill. It is the perfect place to go explore at sunset!
A great place to eat up in Chora would be in the main square. All very casual. You can enjoy all the little shops and bars till you feel like going back down.
Day 15 Athens
There are 2 options to take you back to Athens on that last day. If you are feeling like you would rather soak up the sun in Serifos you can take the later ferry which is at 20:50. Or you can head back earlier.