How to Spend 10 Days in Greece: Itinerary for Athens + Saronic Islands
Greece is a beautiful country, filled with ancient history and stunning landscapes. It is perfect for everyone, from solo adventurers to couples looking to relax with some great wine.
However, one of the best things Greece has to offer is its stunning islands. And it has plenty to offer since it’s surrounded by, not one, not two, but three seas! Each island in Greece has its own personality, but they can all guarantee crystal clear waters and stunning views.
With so many islands to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to go. With this 10-day itinerary of Greece, you’ll not only get to see the best of the mainland with a few days in the ancient capital Athens, but also embark on a mini island-hopping adventure to the Saronic Islands near Athens. Less explored than other more popular Greek islands such as Santorini or Crete, the Saronic Islands offer a more authentic experience, with fewer tourist crowds with just as much beauty.
So get ready to immerse yourself in the history of Athens, and the beauty of its islands, and indulge in Greek cuisine!
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Best time to travel to Athens and the Saronic Islands
If you’re after a warm beach holiday, the best time to visit Athens and the Saronic islands is from June through September. The water might be a bit colder for swimming in June, but it will still be warm enough to be enjoyable. In September, temperatures will be a lot warmer, ideal for sunbathing and swimming.
If possible, try to avoid visiting Greece during peak season (July and August). Not only does it get incredibly warm during these months, making it difficult to be outside during the afternoon, but there are also a huge amount of crowds. This makes it more difficult to move around and see the top sites, especially in Athens, and could be less enjoyable.
If you’re not interested in spending your time sunbathing, you might want to consider visiting during May or October. Whilst it won’t be warm enough to sunbathe or swim longer than a quick dip, the slightly milder temperatures make it perfect for exploring with a light jacket.
There are also far fewer crowds to compete with, however, ferries might run less regularly during these months, so double-check their availability before booking any flights.
Where to Stay in Athens and the Islands
Before your trip, be sure to book accommodations centrally to all of the activities you wish to do! In my opinion, it is worth paying to be in a central location for a jam-packed itinerary, so you can spend more time at your activities rather than traveling.
Itinerary Overview
- Day 1- Arrive in Athens
- Day 2- Explore Athens
- Day 3- Arrive in Aegina
- Day 4- Explore Aegina
- Day 5- Agistri
- Day 6- Arrive in Hydra
- Day 7- Explore Hydra
- Day 8- Arrive in Spetses
- Day 9- Explore Spetses
- Day 10- Return to Athens
10 Day Itinerary for Athens and the Saronic Islands
Day 1: Athens
You’ll begin your first day in Athens, one of Europe’s best destinations for a weekend trip!
- Ancient Agora
Start your morning by exploring one of the most important ancient monuments: the Ancient Agora. The agora was once the political hub of Athens where people came to socialise, sell their goods and discuss the city’s politics.
As you wander through here, you’ll discover the still-standing Temples of Hephaestus. The impressive sight is a testament to the architectural brilliance of the Ancient Greeks. Make sure to also visit the museum, which shows how the agora has changed over the centuries.
- Hadrian’s Library
Just a short walk away from the Agora, you’ll discover Hadrian’s library. Commissioned in the 2nd century AD by Emperor Hadrian, it was once the center of learning and scholarship in Athens. Now only a fraction of the library remains, but the tall pillars still make an impressive sight. Plus, the cats who have made it their home are a cute little extra!
- Roman Agora
Next, it’s time to visit another agora: the Roman Agora, once an open-air market. The most impressive parts of the Roman Agora are the Gate of Athena Archegetis and the Tower of the Winds. To make the most out of your time visiting these ancient ruins, check out a guided tour to get expert insights into how integral they were to ancient life in Athens.
- Plaka District
Once you’ve spent your morning exploring the ancient sites in the centre of Athens, head to Plaka, one of the oldest districts in the city. In its cobbled streets, you’ll discover plenty of authentic Greek restaurants to eat some sizzling souvlaki after browsing the artisan shops.
- The Acropolis
As the day moves on, head towards the ancient Acropolis. Just a short walk from Plaka, the late afternoon is the perfect time to visit this area. As one of the most popular destinations in Athens, make sure to book your ticket in advance, or get a guided tour to make the most out of your experience.
But don’t let the thought of crowds put you off. There’s a reason this is so popular, and everyone who visits Athens should visit here. After walking through the impressive entrance, you’ll visit one of the most important and impressive monuments in Athens: the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Day 2: Athens
On your second day in Athens, it’s time to explore some of Athens’s many museums before relaxing in the stunning natural landscapes found in the urban city. Spend your morning at the National Archaeological Museum which holds one of the world’s greatest collections of ancient artifacts.
- Philopappos Park
For lunch, grab a picnic and head to Philopappos Park. This park gives you a welcome rest from the lively Athenian streets, and is one of the best viewpoints of the city! It even has a small zoo which is free to wander, the highlight being a turtle pond. Spend an hour or two here refuelling your energy before venturing back into the city.
- Benaki Museum
In the afternoon, make your way to Benaki Museum, also known as the Museum of Greek Culture. The museum houses a vast collection of artefacts and paintings, showcasing Greek culture from prehistoric to modern times. Note, that the museum is closed on Tuesdays with reduced opening hours on Sundays.
- Mount Lycabettus
To end your final day in Athens, it’s time to head up and see Athens from above. Grab the cable car to Mount Lycabettus, the highest point in Athens. Here, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city, perfect for watching the sunset. Grab some dinner at the hilltop restaurant before heading back to the city center.
Day 3-4: Aegina
On your third day in Greece, it’s time to start your island-hopping adventure. Your first stop is just a short ferry away to the island of Aegina.
- Aegina Town
Arriving at Aegina Port, start your visit by exploring Aegina Town. Spend a few hours wandering the narrow paths, admiring the neoclassical buildings and browsing the small shops. As you wander, make sure to visit the Byzantine-style Church of Saint Nectarios which is dedicated to the island’s patron saint
Whilst on the island, don’t forget to grab yourself some pistachios. These nuts have been grown on the island since the 1860s, and have become renowned for their quality and taste.
For dinner, head to Kappos Etsi for some traditional Greek cuisine. It sits in a very picturesque stone building and serves brilliant traditional food.
- Beaches in Aegina
On your second day on the island, it’s time to venture further into the island. Spend the morning at one of Aegina’s beaches. Souvala is one of the most popular beaches, just 7.5km away from Aegina town with lovely golden sand and blue waters. Alternatively, you could head south to Marathonas Beach, which has sandy beaches and shallow waters perfect for bathing.
In the afternoon, head to Perdika, a small fishing village 9km south of Aegina town. Sitting on a slight hill, the village has impressive views of the surrounding water and the islet of Moni. You can catch a short boat over to the islet and spend a few hours relaxing with a drink before grabbing some food in one of the tavernas.
Day 5: Agistri Day Trip
Just a 10-20 minute ferry ride away is the beautiful island of Agistri, making it perfect for a day trip. As a less touristy island, you’ll have a more authentic and laid-back experience on Agistri. There are not many tourist attractions here so you’ll spend most of your day hopping from beach to beach.
The island is very small, so you don’t need to hire a car to explore Agistri. Depending on how much walking you want to do, you can simply hike from beach to beach, or hire a bicycle or scooter to see more in the time you have.
- Beaches in Agistri
For your first stop, skip the more popular Skala beach (unless you’re interested in water sports) and head to Skliri or Chalikiada Beach. Tucked away, these beaches are much more secluded. It’s still likely you’ll see other people there, but it doesn’t feel like simply a tourist destination.
- Explore the island on foot
In the afternoon, explore the island by foot and hike over the the west of the island. That might seem like a lot, but Agistri is very small, and it only takes two hours to walk from Chalikiada beach to Aponisos beach.
It’s a beautiful walk mainly through the pine forest, which, if you’re travelling in summer, is a welcomed reprieve from the warm heat. There is a small fee to enjoy Aponisos Beach as it is part of a private area on the island, but as it is also the most remote area, the fee is worth it as it feels much more secluded and special to be here.
Day 6-7: Hydra
Hydra is an island of natural beauty and one of the more popular Saronic islands. A unique aspect of the island is its complete ban on wheeled vehicles! Designed to preserve the islands, you cannot use any car, motorbike, scooter or even push bike.
The result is a very much welcomed peaceful and pollution-free environment. Car horns are replaced by the clop of hooves as donkeys are used to transport goods around the island.
On your first day on the island, you’ll arrive at the main seaside port. From here, you can grab a taxi boat or walk to some of the beaches along the coast. Most of the top beaches are close to the port, including Vlichos Beach, Kaminia Beach and Spilia.
- Take the path from Hydra town to Plakes
There’s a lovely coastal path from Hydra town to Plakes, which takes about an hour without stops. Walk along here, stopping along the way to dip into the water at various bays and beaches along the way. Vlichos and Kamina are more touristy beaches with lots of amenities, bars and restaurants, so stop here for lunch and dinner.
- Enjoy the town
After a day of relaxing, it’s time to see a bit more of the sights in Hydra. Spend your second day on the island exploring the town with its narrow streets, cats, and harbour-front cafes. It’s a very picturesque area and a slightly surreal experience as donkeys wander past.
- Visit museums
Whilst there’s not an abundance of touristy things to do on Hydra, there are a few smaller museums for you to enjoy. In the afternoon, check out the Historical Archives Museum and the Kavos Castle which has statues of Greek heroes and stunning views of the surrounding sea.
In the evening, head back to the harbour to relax with some delicious Greek food and a cool drink.
Day 8-9: Spetses
For your final island hopping destination, head to Spetses. The ferry from Hydra takes 35-40 minutes and is a very easy journey. Spetses is known for its sophisticated atmosphere, with stone houses and cobbled streets, and is worth a visit for travelers looking for a relaxed Greek island.
When you arrive, you’ll find yourself in the Old Harbor in the town of Dapia.
- Explore Spetses Town
Take your first afternoon on the island to explore Spetses town, visit its churches and dine in the local taverna. As there are no cars allowed on the island except a few exceptions, the best way to move about the island is by renting a bike or scooter.
You can cycle the beautiful coastal path in a few hours which will take you around the whole island. The path is just 29km long, so it’s a perfectly reasonable cycle, especially with regular breaks to dip into the water as you go.
- Visit Spetses Beaches
On your second day in Spetses and your final day on the Saronic Islands, take advantage of the beaches the island has to offer. The closest beach to the main town is Agios Mammas, which is a long, sandy beach with shallow waters.
The most famous beach in Spetses is Agia Marina and has some of the best amenities, with bars, restaurants and water sports.
However, that does mean these beaches can get pretty busy. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, head to Zogeria or Agia Paraskevi. Surrounded by pine forests, they offer a great sense of seclusion with beautiful turquoise waters.
Day 10: Return to Athens
The return ferry from Athens takes around 2 hours. You can spend your last few hours in Greece seeing any sights in Athens you didn’t get to see before, or indulging in some of your last Athen’s food staples, such as gyros or keftedes!
Conclusion
So there we have the perfect way to spend 10 days in Greece. With a few days spent enjoying the capital before venturing out into the Saronic islands, it has the perfect balance between culture, history and relaxation.
Whilst you hop between the islands of Aegina, Agistri, Hydra and Spetses, you’ll get to relax on some of the most beautiful beaches with crystal clear, indulge on delicious Greek cuisine, and learn about the rich history of this ancient country. So get ready to make some incredible memories on an unforgettable trip to Greece!
