If you only have 3 days to visit the Greek Islands but you want to visit all the highlights of the region such as Mykonos, Delos, Santorini, and Naxos, all in one go, you are going to love this itinerary.
Within this travel guide, you will find all the information you need to plan your dream trip to the Greek Islands. From a comprehensive list of things to do and places to visit all the way to how to get around, where best to stay, and more. Without further ado, here's a complete 3 days backpacking itinerary for the Greek Islands for solo travelers.
- 3 Days Greek Islands Itinerary Map
- 3 Days Backpacking Greek Islands Itinerary
- More Naxos Activities
- Where to Stay in Naxos?
- When to Visit the Greek Islands?
- How Long to Spend in Greek Islands?
- How to Get to the Greek Islands?
- How to Get Around the Greek Islands?
- How Much Money Do I Need for 3 days on the Greek Islands?
- Is it Safe in Greece?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Greece?
- What to Pack for Santorini?
- Further Reading for Greece
3 Days Greek Islands Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | Explore Naxos |
| ☀️ Day 2: | Visit Santorini |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Explore Delos and Check Out Mykonos |
3 Days Backpacking Greek Islands Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Naxos
Our itinerary begins in Naxos, at one of the most striking and unique tourist attractions on the island, the Temple of Apollo or Portara, a beautiful ancient temple located atop a small hill off the coast of Naxos. If you arrive on the island before sunset, I highly recommend you go and check out the temple after you have settled in your accommodation.
Portara is more than 2,500 years old and it was constructed with a massive marble that stands alone on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Aegean Sea. It is believed to be the entrance to a never-completed temple dedicated to the god Apollo.
From the Temple of Apollo, you will be able to see Naxos Old Town and the town's coastline in its entirety making it one of the most popular places to visit at sunset.
- BURGOS BARRIO (Budget)
- Lygdamis Hotel (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Portara Seaside Luxury Suites (High-End)
- Greek Island Hopper (10 days)
- Iconic Aegean with 4-Night Cruise (8 days)
- Athens, Santorini & Mykonos with 3 Guided Tours | SemiPrivate | 10 Days (10 days)
Sunset is also when the temple attracts the most people and it can get quite crowded up there. If you want the best condition for photography, about 30 minutes before sunset and find a place to sit and enjoy the golden hour.
If you arrive late at night, you can check out the temple early in the morning for sunrise, although the light won't be as dramatic as sunset and not great for photography since most of Naxos town is under shade.
One of the greatest charms of Naxos is being able to explore the beautiful Old Town, also known as Chora, without having to wade through crowds of people like in other islands in the Cyclades like Santorini and Mykonos which can get pretty extreme at times, so be sure to spend some time getting lost in Naxos after you are done at the temple.
The history of this town is believed to have been dated all the way back to the 9th century BC when it was established and was initially inhabited by the Mycenaean Greeks. Throughout the centuries, Naxos was invaded and ruled by various civilizations, including the Venetians, hence why you will find the Venetian Castle of Naxos located right at the top of the Old Town.
Since Naxos Old Town is not overwhelmingly commercialized like on the other islands in Greece, you will still find people living in the all-white traditional houses that the Greek Islands are famous for.
Strolling around the narrow crisscrossing streets of Naxos Old Town will allow you to get a glimpse of what it is like to live on this idyllic island. One particular street that I love is the cat staircase where you will find a ton of cats chilling out under the shade as the ladies in the houses nearby often come out and feed them. It is magical.
In the afternoon, you can spend your time and relax at one of the many beaches in Naxos. There are several beaches you can enjoy in Naxos like Agios Georgios Beach which is located not too far from Naxos Old Town.
If you want more remote beaches, you can also explore the coastline up north where you will find plenty of hidden beaches behind cliffs and rocks like Paralia Grota or Agios Prokopios Beach if you don't mind renting an ATV or a car to get to.
If you are looking for something more active that will reward you with an incredible view of the island, I highly recommend you spend your afternoon hiking to the Chapel of Agios Ioannis Theologos located northeast of Naxos Old Town.
This tiny temple is located atop a rocky hill near Naxos and can easily be reached on foot in about 30 minutes from Naxos Old Town. All you have to do is follow the road up north and you will see the temple embedded in the mountain from afar. That's where you will be heading.
Since the heat can get pretty brutal here and there is no shade along the way, be sure to pack a few liters of water and wear comfortable shoes for the hike.
Once you arrive at the chapel, you will be rewarded with a view of Naxos and its coastline as well as the island of Paros in the background. Watching the sunset here is also recommended as you won't find any viewpoint higher than this in Naxos.
After sunset, you can make your way back to Naxos and stroll along Protopapadaki Street, the main shopping street of the island that becomes the liveliest place in Naxos after sundown.
The street is lined with restaurants ranging from expensive seafood restaurants to small kiosks selling delicious and affordable gyros and kebabs which goes to show the true beauty of Naxos which doesn't cater to only premium tourists with big pockets like Santorini or Mykonos.
Spend the night and enjoy all the amenities here before you retreat for the night and prepare for an early morning ferry ride to visit Santorini from Naxos. It is going to be a long journey taking almost 12 hours, basically the entire day the next day, so be sure to pack some snacks for the trip.
Day 2: Visit Santorini (Day Trip)
On our second day in Naxos, we are going to go on a day trip and visit Santorini via an organized tour that leaves from Naxos at around 8 AM. The tour only runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the summer months so be sure to align your trip carefully.
Everyone should know about Santorini by now. It is a beautiful volcanic island known for its unique architecture, featuring white-washed buildings with blue domes that contrast beautifully against the deep blue sea and bright sunsets.
Due to its reputation as being one of the most romantic getaway places on Earth, the place attracts a ton of tourists every single day which in turn, drove the prices of everything up astronomically, making it one of the most expensive places to travel to in Greece.
To avoid paying outrageous prices for accommodations and dealing with the chaotic transportation of Santorini, I highly recommend you visit Santorini with an organized tour from Naxos which will take you to the island and visit the highlights of Santorini without having to worry about the logistics.
With the tour, you will be taken aboard the Naxos Star ferry and you are on your way to Santorini in 3 hours. Once you arrive at Santorini's new port, there will be a bus waiting to take you to Oia, the famous Santorini village where you will find the highest concentration of the famous white-washed houses built along cliffsides on the island.
Oia is extremely crowded all the time and there is just no way to avoid it. With the tour, you will have around 2 hours here to freely stroll around the village. With the limited time, I highly recommend you power through the people and get yourself Oia Lookout Viewpoint on the tip of the peninsula.
This is where you will have the best view over the whitewashed houses as well as the Oia coastline. There are also fewer people here as most of them are still stuck in the crowded streets of Oia.
Also, if you are hungry, DO NOT EAT at Oia if you don't want to pay outrageous prices for food. It is incredibly expensive here and you would get your money's worth more if you eat in Fira (Thera), the capital city of Santorini, and the next place the tour will take you to.
Fira is definitely preferable for me when it comes to crowds since the town is a little more spacious than Oia and there are a ton more things to do here. The food is also much more affordable here and so if you are looking for a place to eat lunch, Fira is the better place to be than Oia.
While in Fira, be sure to walk all the way to the Three Bells of Fira, the iconic bell tower, and the blue dome of a church set against the blue backdrop of the Aegean Sea. Along the way, you will be able to appreciate the views of Fira and the volcano nearby as you climb up to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, another great place to visit in Fira.
After another 2 hours, you will be transported back to the port of Santorini and the ferry will take you back to Naxos. The whole trip should take about 12 hours in total.
You can spend the rest of the night relaxing in your accommodation or come out for a few drinks at Protopapadaki Street before retreating for the day to prepare for another early morning to visit Delos and Mykonos the next day.
Day 3: Explore Delos and Check Out Mykonos (Day Trip)
On our third day in Naxos, we are going to go on another day trip, this time we are exploring Delos and Mykonos via an organized tour that runs every day from Naxos except on Fridays. The tour will take you to Delos first and then Mykonos before taking you back to Naxos in about 10 hours, in total.
In ancient times, Delos was considered a sacred island and a major center for commerce, religion, and culture. It was believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and was home to one of the most significant sanctuaries of ancient Greece.
Today, you can explore the ancient city of Delos and the island's many archaeological sites, including the ruins of temples, theaters, houses, and public buildings. The most famous of these is the Terrace of the Lions, a row of statues that once guarded the Sacred Way, the main street of the city.
There are also other notable attractions in Delos that you should visit while you are here like the Ancient Theatre of Delos, the House of Cleopatra, and the Archaeological Museum of Delos.
With the organized tour, you will have around 2 hours to explore the island which will allow you to see most of the sites here as well as hike to the highest point of the island where you will be able to see the whole Delos island and all of its beautiful ruins as well as the coastline and even Mykonos island.
The hike is extremely steep towards the top and since there are no shades along the way, be sure to carry enough water to complete the hike. It should take about 15 minutes to hike from the bottom to the top.
Despite the effort, you are going to appreciate the view you get from up here. You can spend a few minutes taking photos and resting at the top before you make your way back down to the ferry and the tour will take you to Mykonos next.
With the tour, you will be taken to Mykonos which is one of the best islands to visit in the Cyclades and is home to some of the most iconic attractions in Greece like the Windmills of Mykonos and more.
In Mykonos, you should have around 3 hours to explore the island which is enough time to see all the highlights Mykonos has to offer before you have to catch the ferry back to Naxos.
While you are here, you can visit the town's boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, which lined the picturesque streets as well as tourist attractions like the iconic Panagia Paraportiani Church, the Little Venice, and all the windmills scattered throughout the town.
Just like Santorini, Mykonos can be extremely expensive to visit but by visiting the town as part of a day trip from Naxos, you are able to see the beauty of Mykonos without having to pay the outrageous price for accommodations and food which is the best way to do it if you want to save cost in my opinion.
The duration of the tour is around 10 hours including Delos so be sure to prepare for the long journey and get pack some snacks with you. Water is given for free with the tour but you can also buy drinks and snacks from the bar on the ferry, although, expect the price to be outrageously expensive.
After you are done in Mykonos, you should be back in Naxos in time for sunset. Be sure to catch the last glimpse of the incredible sunset over the Aegean Sea before you end your last day here and complete this itinerary. The next day, you can catch the ferry back to Athens and fly home from there.
More Naxos Activities
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
Where to Stay in Naxos?
When to Visit the Greek Islands?
The best time to visit Greek Islands is between late April to early September when the weather is nice and warm, perfect for outdoor activities while also increasing the chance of clear days which is a must for the Greek Islands as it is one of the best places to watch the sunset in the world.
If you can't handle the European summer heat, you can stick to the shoulder seasons in April or September when the weather is a little milder, crowds a little thinner, and things get a little cheaper as they settle for the low season. Either way, if you stick to the recommended period, you should be fine.
One thing to note is that the tour from Naxos to Santorini runs only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays while the tour to Delos and Mykonos runs every day except Fridays so be sure to align your visit on those days if you wish to go on these day-trips.
How Long to Spend in Greek Islands?
Three days is the minimum amount of time to explore the Greek Islands. With 3 days, basing yourself from Naxos, you will be able to visit Mykonos, Delos, and Santorini, all in one go.
It's going to be a jam-packed itinerary and so if you wish to relax a little bit in Naxos, feel free to add a few buffer days in and explore more of Naxos.
How to Get to the Greek Islands?
Since we are basing ourselves in Naxos which is where we will begin our journey, you will have to first travel to Athens. You can easily reach Athens by flying into Athens Airport (ATH) via airlines like Wizz and Ryanair and once you arrive at the airport, you can catch the direct bus numbered X96 straight to the Port of Pireas where most of the ferries to the Cyclades leaves from.
From the Port of Pireas, you can catch the ferry operated by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, or Hellenic Seaways that runs from Athens to Naxos between 7 AM and 5:30 PM every day.
Seajets and Hellenic Seaways are speed ferries that are faster, taking only around 4 hours to reach Naxos, although it is also more expensive at 70 EUR per person.
Blue Star Ferries, on the other hand, is a slow ferry service that offers a cheaper ticket costing around 50 EUR but the journey can take almost 6 hours and can often be delayed. If you want to go with this route, you will be asked if you want to book a seat for an additional cost.
Here's a reserved seating area on the Blue Star Ferries.
Here's a tip for you, if you are traveling in the evening, say the 5:30 PM ferry, you do not need to book a seat as not many people are traveling at that time. On the other hand, if you choose the morning ferry, reserve a seat or you will be scrambling, trying to find a place to sit which is not fun for a 6 hours trip like this. I ended up sitting on the stairway as the airplane-style seats were all occupied. Don't cheap out like me and get a reserved seat with your ticket!
Here's a non-reserved seating area on the Blue Star Ferries.
You can book the ferry ticket here for your trip from Athens to Naxos and vice versa. If you are traveling during the summer months, I highly recommend you book the ferry in advance to get the best seats.
How to Get Around the Greek Islands?
By tours: To explore the Greek islands while basing yourself out of Naxos, you are going to have to go on organized tours since some of these islands are more than 2 hours away. You should be able to browse through daily trips here.
By Walking: For Naxos, you should be able to easily explore the Old Town and reach all the tourist attractions I recommend here on foot. For further away places, you are going to need your own vehicle.
For other islands, since we are relying on organized tours, the tour will often organize a bus to take you straight to towns like Fira and Oia on Santorini so you should be able to cover the area on foot without problems.
By Motorbike/Cars: If you wish to explore Naxos freely, you can rent either a motorbike from this rental shop in Naxos Old Town and ride around the island at your own leisure. They have motorbikes, ATVs, scooters, buggies, and even cars for as low as 15 EUR per day. You can reserve the vehicle on their website.
How Much Money Do I Need for 3 days on the Greek Islands?
From this 3 days itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:
Accommodation: For 4 nights in Naxos, you can expect to pay around 144 EUR for accommodation minimum considering you are staying in hostels.
Food: For 3 days, 3 meals a day on the Greek Islands, you can expect to pay around 81 EUR for food considering you eat out every meal. It will be cheaper if you cook it yourself.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you won't have to pay anything for transportation as we will be exploring on foot and relying on tours for the faraway islands.
Activities: Depending on how much you want to follow my itinerary, you can expect to pay approximately 135 EUR for all the day trips we will make including Santorini, Delos, and Mykonos.
Total Budget for 3 days on the Greek Islands: 360 EUR
Is it Safe in Greece?
In most places outside of big cities in Greece, it's pretty safe but it's always a good idea to exercise precautions by not leaving your belongings unattended, especially when in crowded places, and ALWAYS keep an eye out on your belongings at all times. Keep your hands in your pockets when entering or exiting crowded places to secure your phone and wallet.
Other than that, you should be fine traveling around Santorini. I didn't have any problems in Greece when I was there for about 2 weeks. Keep your wits with you and you will be fine.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Greece?
There are 3 major carriers in Greece, Cosmote, Vodafone, and Wind, that offer prepaid sim cards tourists can buy while they are traveling in Greece. Unfortunately, with the rise of esims, having to be in the country to buy a sim card at a store is quite inconvenient and not ideal.
If you have a smartphone that supports esims, I highly recommend you take a look at these esims. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from.
The setup is fast and instant and you can buy it prior to your trip so you don't have to scramble your way to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local sim card with 4G speed across the entire country.
Or if you are traveling to Greece as part of a bigger Europe trip, I highly recommend you get the regional Eurolink esim which will give you access to data from over 39 countries across Europe. I have personally used this esim on my 3-months trip around Europe and it has worked wonders.
For more information on esims in Greece, click here: Check Greece's Available eSim.
What to Pack for Santorini?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Greece:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Greece in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Greece
I hope you found this Greece travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Greece, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- For a complete itinerary of Greece, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Greece Itinerary.
- Most journeys in Greece begin in Athens. For a complete travel guide to the capital city of Greece, check out: 13 Best Things to Do in Athens.
- Here is a complete 3 days itinerary for Athens: 3 Days In Athens: An Itinerary For First Timers.
- One of the best day trips you can make from Athens is to visit Delphi, an ancient Greek sanctuary that was considered to be the center of the world by the ancient Greeks. To visit this historical site, check out our Complete Guide to Backpacking Delphi.
- Looking for things to do in Thessaloniki? Check out: 16 Best Things To Do In Thessaloniki.
- My favorite place out of all of Greece is Meteora, with its incredible towering rock formations and stunning monasteries perched atop. If you plan to visit Meteora, be sure to check out: A Complete Guide to Backpacking Meteora.
- Want to explore the Greek Islands but not sure where to base yourself? Naxos is the best island for that. Here are the 10 Best Things To Do In Naxos.
- Santorini, despite the crowd, is a place you have to see once in your life. If you plan to visit Santorini, the best place to base yourself is Fira, the capital of the island. For a complete travel guide, check out 10 Best Things To Do In Fira, Santorini.
- Renowned for its picturesque streets and crystal-clear water, Mykonos is another great island to visit in Greece. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Mykonos.
- One of the most interesting islands in the Cyclades that you shouldn't miss is Delos, home to stunning ruins of an ancient Greek city of commerce. Want to visit Delos? Check out the Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Delos.
- Want to visit Santorini but not sure where to begin? Check out our 3-Day Backpacking Santorini Itinerary.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Greece, visit the Greece Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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