Itinerary: 7 Days Aegean Islands – Cyclades (From Athens to Santorini)

A seven-day trip through the Cyclades from Athens to Santorini is the best way to see the beauty, history, and culture of the Greek islands. This plan is well-suited for people who like to travel, fall in love, or learn about history. It includes beautiful scenery, old ruins, lively nightlife, and peaceful time spent in the Aegean sun. You can sail through these famous waters and visit many beautiful islands with Greece boat charters. Let’s set sail on a trip that will take us to the beautiful Cyclades, where every moment on a fancy yacht will be an amazing adventure.

Day 1: Athens – Embarkation

The way to get to the Aegean

Your trip starts in Athens, which is the historical centre of Greece. Before you leave, take some time to look around the old city. The Acropolis and the lively Plaka neighbourhood are both worth seeing. Today, you should learn more about the city’s history and get excited about the Cycladic wonders that are coming up.

Get ready to sail

As the sun goes down, you can get on board one of the many high-end yacht rentals in Greece and start your beautiful trip through the Aegean Sea. As you leave the Athenian Riviera, the excitement grows as the sea’s clear waters lead you to your first Cycladic location.

Day 2: Kythnos – The Thermal Springs and Charming Villages

Purity of Beauty

Kythnos is the first place you’ll visit. It has thermal springs and traditional towns. The peaceful beaches on the island, like Kolona, are the great place to relax and enjoy nature. You can spend the day relaxing in the thermal pools or walking around the cute towns of Chora and Dryopida.

Delicious Foods

Kythnos is also a great place to eat, with fresh seafood and traditional Greek foods served in charming taverns. It gives you a taste of real life in the Cyclades and makes you want to slow down and enjoy every moment.

Day 3: Syros – The Cultural Capital

Ermoupoli: A Gem of Neoclassicism

Syros is known for its beautiful capital city, Ermoupoli, which has neoclassical buildings and a lively arts scene. There is a lot of history and art on the island that can be seen in the town square, the marble streets, and the grand buildings like the Apollo Theatre.

Beaches and More

After enjoying Ermoupoli’s cultural offers, take it easy on one of the quiet beaches in Galissas or Delfini. The city of Syros is very sophisticated, but the coastal retreats are more laid-back, which makes the island a very appealing place to visit.

Day 4: Mykonos – The Island of Winds

A getaway in the city

Mykonos is known for its beautiful windmills, lively nightlife, and high-class way of life. It’s a nice change of pace. Spend the day walking through the narrow streets of Mykonos Town, seeing famous sights, and soaking up the city’s cosmopolitan vibe.

Beaches and lively nightlife

The beaches on the island, like Psarou and Paradise, are great for daytime relaxing and nighttime fun. Travellers from all over the world use Mykonos as a hub, so every moment here is a chance to experience something unique. Check out Things to Do and See in Mykonos to learn more about what to do and see there.

Day 5: Naxos – The Largest of the Cyclades

Beautiful nature and old ruins

There is a mix of natural beauty and historical depth on Naxos, with its lush scenery and ancient sites. The Portara, a huge marble entrance to an unfinished temple of Apollo, has stunning views of the sunset. With its fertile valleys and traditional towns, the island’s interior is a great place to explore and learn more.

Traditions in cooking and making things

Naxos is also known for its food customs and local goods, such as cheese, wine, and Kitron. The island’s lively food scene shows off its long history of farming, making it a culinary treat.

Day 6: Paros – The Heart of the Cyclades

The perfect Cycladic charm

The spirit of the Cyclades can be found in Paros, which is known for its traditional towns, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. The city, Parikia, is a maze of winding streets with blue-domed churches, whitewashed homes, and secret courtyards. Once a charming fishing town, Naoussa is now a busy hub with lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants, but it has kept its original charm.

Fun and Adventure

There are many exciting things to do on Paros for people who like to try new things. The island has great wind conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and the clear seas are great for snorkelling and diving. The beaches of Kolymbithres and Santa Maria are great places to relax by lying in the sun and taking it easy.

Day 7: Santorini – The Jewel of the Aegean

Magnificent Views

When you get to Santorini, the dramatic beauty of the island greets you: cliff-top towns with whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and views over the caldera that will take your breath away. Fira and Oia are must-see places with stunning views of the sunset that will capture any traveller.

Exploring different cultures and taking it easy

Santorini is beautiful not only because of its views, but also because it has a lot of history and culture. The old site of Akrotiri shows how advanced a prehistoric society was, and the wineries on the island let you taste the volcanic soil that grows the grapes that make the wine. To relax, the unique red and black sand beaches offer a unique seaside experience, and the cool water of the Aegean Sea is a welcome break.

Delicious Foods

Traditional Greek flavours are mixed with modern touches in Santorini’s food, which focuses on fresh fish, fava beans, and tomatoes from the area. When you eat in Santorini and watch the sunset over the Aegean, you’ll remember the taste, the ritual, and the beauty of the place forever. Check out Santorini’s Highlights to learn more about what the island has to offer.

How to Get Around the Cyclades

Boat rentals in Greece are not only useful for getting from one island to another, but they can also be a luxury addition to the trip. Being able to go at your own pace and discover secret coves and beaches is one of the best things about the islands. By renting a yacht, you can enjoy the beauty of the Cyclades in style and ease, combining adventure with relaxation.

Taking up the Greek way of life

The Aegean Islands trip of 7 days is more than just a trip; it’s a deep dive into the Greek way of life. There is something for every traveller to enjoy in the Cyclades, with their mix of history, culture, natural beauty, and modern comforts. From the rich history of Athens to the famous beauty of Santorini, every day brings new surprises that make every moment on board a treasured memory.

Day 7 Continued: Santorini – Under the Starlit Aegean Sky

Taking it easy in Santorini

As your trip through the Cyclades comes to an end, Santorini’s beautiful nights make you want to relax under the stars. Even though it’s not as lively at night as Mykonos, the island has some beautiful wine bars, cosy cafes, and restaurants on cliffs where you can enjoy the view of the Aegean Sea. A sunset in Oia or Fira is out of the ordinary, and it’s the best way to end your trip through the Cyclades.

The Experience of Santorini

The beaches on Santorini, which are made of lava, are very different from other places to relax. The unique black sands of Perissa and Kamari give your beach experience a new twist. The less well-known white beach, on the other hand, gives you privacy in beautiful scenery. Exploring these natural wonders is a peaceful break from the busy caldera edge of the island.

Taking in the Moments

On your last night, treat yourself to a dining adventure in Santorini. Many of the restaurants on the island are built on the edge of the caldera and serve delicious food while offering stunning views of the area. Local dishes made with vegetables picked right from the volcanic soil promise a taste as memorable as the sunsets over the island.

Some thoughts and suggestions

Looking back on the past week, this trip from Athens to Santorini through the Cyclades has been a rich tapestry of events. Every island has its own interesting story to tell. Athens is full of history, Kythnos is beautiful and untouched, Syros is full of art, Mykonos is full of life, Naxos and Paros are full of nature and culture, and Santorini is breathtakingly beautiful.

How to Help Travellers

• Be flexible: While sailing in the Cyclades, don’t be afraid to go off the beaten road and see what you can find. Greece boat charters is the best way to find hidden coves and secret beaches.
• Cultural Immersion: Learn about and participate in the traditions and history of the area. The Greek way of life, which focuses on hospitality, relaxation, and fun, makes travelling more interesting.
• Respect the natural and cultural settings of the islands you visit to help make tourism more sustainable. Choose things that are good for the environment and buy from local businesses that help protect the Cyclades’ unique history.

Are Seven Days Enough?

A week in the Cyclades is just a taste of how beautiful the islands are, but there are so many things to do that no amount of time feels like enough. Each island has its own special charm and secrets that you can only find there, which makes you want to go back.

The best Greek island to stay on for a week

If you’re picking just one place to stay on for a week, think about what you like. Santorini stands out for its stunning beauty and beautiful settings. You can choose between Mykonos or Paros if you want a lively mix of beaches, culture, and nightlife. Naxos is a good place to get away if you want to find a mix between peace and adventure.

In conclusion

This 7-day plan from Athens to Santorini through the Cyclades shows how beautiful the Aegean really is. The trip takes place against the blue background of the Aegean and combines the ease of island life with the thrill of exploring. Once you get back to normal life, you can’t help but think of the sun-kissed days, starry nights, and warm embrace of the Aegean. They make you want to go back to these islands that have caught your heart.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book a yacht charter on Catamaran Charter Greece?

Choose your dates and destination, browse our fleet, and use request a quote to lock in pricing. Our team confirms availability with the agency and emails the booking summary within 24 hours.

Do I need a sailing license?

For most bareboat charters in Greece you need a recognised skipper certificate (RYA Day Skipper, ICC, or equivalent) plus a VHF licence. If you don’t hold one, we book a professional skipper alongside the boat for the week.

What’s included in the price?

The base charter fee covers the boat, standard equipment, insurance, and final cleaning fee in most cases. Extras such as fuel, port fees, transit log, tourist tax and skipper service are billed separately and explained in the booking summary.

How far in advance should I book?

For peak weeks (mid-July to late August) we recommend booking 6–9 months ahead to lock in the boat and the early-bird discount. Shoulder seasons (May, June, September) usually have availability up to a month before departure.

About this guide

This guide was prepared by the Catamaran Charter Greece editorial team — a group of charter brokers and sailors who have been organizing yacht charters in Greece since 2007. Every itinerary, marina, and pricing range described here reflects current first-hand fleet experience and direct partnership with licensed charter agencies. Last reviewed: May 2026.

If a detail looks out of date, write us at www.catamaran-charter-greece.com/contact — we update guides quarterly.