6 Days • 5 Nights
Santorini & Mykonos: Two Islands of the Cyclades
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- The caldera villages and world-famous sunset of Santorini are a spectacular highlight of this journey. You begin among the dazzling white villages of Santorini, perched on the rim of a drowned volcano hundreds of metres above the deep blue sea. You wander lively cliff-top Fira, with its marble lanes, caldera-view terraces and cable car, and lovely Oia, tumbling down the northern tip in a cascade of blue-domed churches, cave houses and windmills, the most beautiful village in Greece, descending to seaside Amoudi Bay for fresh seafood. At day's end you watch the sun sink into the Aegean in the world-famous sunset.
- Crisp Assyrtiko wine and the volcanic caldera of Santorini are a delicious, dramatic highlight of this journey. Beyond its villages, Santorini offers extraordinary wine and volcanic drama. You taste the island's signature Assyrtiko, a crisp, bright, mineral white, at a celebrated winery such as Santo Wines high above the caldera, among low, basket-pruned vines rooted in volcanic soil. You can cruise the flooded crater by catamaran to the smoking volcanic islet of Nea Kameni and swim in the warm hot springs, seeing the caldera's drama from the water. The wine and volcanic beauty are captivating.
- Cosmopolitan Mykonos, with its whitewashed Chora and iconic windmills, is a glamorous highlight of this journey. Crossing the Aegean to Mykonos, you enter the most glamorous island in Greece. You explore its enchanting Chora, a dazzling maze of whitewashed cube houses, winding lanes deliberately built to confuse pirates, bougainvillea-draped balconies, chic boutiques and lively bars, crowned by the iconic row of old windmills on the hill above. You stroll the pretty waterfront of Little Venice, where colourful houses rise straight from the sea, perfect for a sunset cocktail. The chic, beauty and buzz are captivating.
- The beautiful beaches and stylish beach clubs of Mykonos are a glamorous highlight of this journey. Mykonos is famous for having some of the finest and most fashionable beaches in Greece. You laze on beautiful stretches of golden sand washed by clear turquoise water, from the lively, glamorous beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise, with their world-famous beach clubs and daybeds, to the calmer, family-friendly sands of Ornos, Psarou and Platis Gialos. You swim, sip cocktails at a chic beach club, and soak up the beautiful, sophisticated island atmosphere. The sand, sea and style are wonderful.
- The sacred island of Delos, an open-air museum, is a fascinating highlight of this journey. A short boat trip from Mykonos lies Delos, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, a whole sacred island, uninhabited and protected as a vast open-air museum. In myth the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it was one of the holiest sanctuaries and busiest ports of the ancient world. You wander its extensive ruins with your guide, past temples, the famous Terrace of the Lions, grand mansions with beautiful mosaics, and a theatre, imagining the great sacred city that once stood here.
- Above all, this journey pairs caldera drama with cosmopolitan chic across the two jewels of the Cyclades. The two most celebrated islands of the Cyclades make an irresistible pair, and this journey combines them, the caldera villages, blue domes, famous sunset and volcanic wine of spectacular Santorini, and the whitewashed Chora, iconic windmills, glamorous beaches and sacred Delos of cosmopolitan Mykonos, all warmed by Greek hospitality. The combination of dramatic drowned volcano and stylish island chic, blue-domed sunsets and beach-club beaches, ancient wine and ancient Delos, makes this a beautiful and wonderfully varied escape.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your journey through the two jewels of the Cyclades begins as your flight or ferry arrives on spectacular Santorini, where you are met and transferred to your caldera-view hotel on the rim of the drowned volcano. The first sight of the great flooded crater, ringed by dazzling white villages and deep blue sea, is unforgettable. You settle into your suite, then take a first stroll along the caldera-view terraces, gazing out over the bay and the smoking volcanic islets. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to the island's cuisine and crisp Assyrtiko wine, and to the journey ahead across Santorini and Mykonos. As you settle in, the beauty of Santorini works its magic. Rest well in your caldera-view suite, ready to explore the villages and sunsets of Santorini tomorrow, before crossing the Aegean to glamorous Mykonos.
Today you explore the dazzling caldera villages of Santorini. You wander lively cliff-top Fira, cascading along the caldera cliffs, with its marble lanes, caldera-view terraces and cable car above the old port, and travel along the rim to lovely Oia, tumbling down the northern tip in a cascade of blue-domed churches, cave houses and windmills, the most beautiful village in Greece. You descend the winding steps to seaside Amoudi Bay for the freshest seafood at a taverna almost on the water. In the late afternoon you find your place to watch the sun sink into the Aegean in the world-famous sunset, a blaze of gold and rose over the volcano. As the day ends, you savour Oia by night. This evening, dine above the caldera. Rest well, for tomorrow you taste the island's wine and volcanic drama.
Today you savour the wine and volcanic beauty of Santorini before tomorrow's crossing. You visit a celebrated winery such as Santo Wines on the caldera rim, tasting the island's crisp, mineral Assyrtiko and sweet Vinsanto among the low, basket-pruned vines, with the whole caldera spread beneath you. You might add a catamaran cruise on the flooded crater to the smoking volcanic islet of Nea Kameni and a swim in the warm hot springs, seeing the caldera's drama from the water, or relax by your pool and enjoy the caldera views. You could also step into the Minoan city of Akrotiri. As the day ends, you enjoy a final Santorini sunset. This evening, savour a last dinner above the caldera. Rest well, for tomorrow you cross the Aegean to cosmopolitan Mykonos.
Today you cross the Aegean to glamorous Mykonos. You are transferred to the port for the fast ferry across the sea to Mykonos, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. You settle in, then explore the island's enchanting Chora, a dazzling maze of whitewashed cube houses, winding lanes built to confuse pirates, bougainvillea-draped balconies, chic boutiques and lively bars, crowned by the iconic row of old windmills on the hill above. You stroll the pretty waterfront of Little Venice, where colourful houses rise straight from the sea, and find a spot for a sunset cocktail as the sun sets behind the windmills. As the day ends, you soak up the glamorous, buzzing atmosphere. This evening, dine at a stylish waterfront taverna. Rest well, for tomorrow you enjoy the beautiful beaches of Mykonos.
Today you enjoy the beautiful beaches and, if you wish, the sacred island of Mykonos. You might laze on the island's famous beaches, from glamorous Paradise and Super Paradise, with their world-famous beach clubs and daybeds, to the calmer, beautiful sands of Ornos, Psarou or Platis Gialos, swimming in clear turquoise water and sipping cocktails at a chic beach club. Alternatively, you take the short boat trip to the sacred island of Delos, one of the greatest archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, wandering its ruins of temples, the famous Terrace of the Lions and mosaic-floored mansions with your guide. As the day ends, you return to Chora for a final sunset by the windmills. This evening, enjoy a lively farewell dinner in glamorous Mykonos. Rest well, for tomorrow you depart.
After a final morning on glamorous Mykonos, perhaps a last stroll through the whitewashed lanes of Chora, a final coffee by Little Venice or a last swim, you are transferred to Mykonos's airport or port for your onward journey. You leave having experienced the two most celebrated islands of the Cyclades, the caldera villages, blue domes, famous sunset and volcanic wine of spectacular Santorini, and the whitewashed Chora, iconic windmills, glamorous beaches and sacred Delos of cosmopolitan Mykonos. The images stay vivid long after you leave, the dazzling white villages on the drowned volcano, the sun sinking into the caldera, the winding lanes and windmills of Mykonos, and the beautiful beaches. The Cyclades offer caldera drama and cosmopolitan chic in abundance, and you depart having enjoyed the two jewels of the Aegean, already dreaming of a return to these beautiful islands.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a winery tasting
- Private airport and port transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert licensed local guides
- Entrance fees to sites, museums and wineries as per itinerary
- caldera-view accommodation on Santorini, a Fira and Oia caldera villages tour with sunset viewing, a winery tasting, a fast ferry between the islands, a Mykonos Chora and beaches tour, and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Some lunches and dinners not specified
- Optional caldera cruise, Delos excursion, beach clubs and experiences, and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Santorini is part of Greece and the Schengen area, and travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; a passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay is required, and the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation is being introduced. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality before you travel
- Currency: The currency is the Euro (EUR); cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, wineries and shops across Santorini, but carry some cash for small tavernas, village kiosks, markets, tips and the occasional cash-only spot. ATMs are available in Fira, Oia and the larger villages, though queues can be long in peak summer, so withdraw in good time
- Best time to visit: late April to June and September to October are ideal on Santorini, with warm, sunny days perfect for the caldera villages, wineries, beaches and boat trips, softer light and thinner crowds; July and August are hot, dry and lively, the peak season, when Oia's sunset and the cruise-ship days are busiest; winter is mild and quiet, with many caldera hotels and some tavernas closed, though the island keeps a peaceful, local charm
- Language & etiquette: the language is Greek, and English is widely spoken across Santorini's tourism, making travel easy; Santorinians are warm and hospitable, and a little politeness goes a long way. Dress is relaxed and beachy, but cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches and monasteries, and take care and be considerate on the narrow caldera paths, cliff-edge terraces and the many steps of Fira and Oia
- Getting around: the island is small, and we arrange private air-conditioned transfers between your hotel, the airport, the port and the sights, along with your guided touring, boat trips and any ferries or flights to neighbouring islands; the caldera villages of Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia are largely pedestrian, linked by scenic cliff-top paths and, in Fira, a cable car and the old donkey steps down to the old port
- Health & safety: Santorini is very safe and relaxed, and travel here is easy and rewarding; we monitor conditions and follow official advice. The strong summer sun and the reflective white villages call for sun protection, a hat and water, and the caldera's many steps and uneven cobbles mean comfortable, sturdy shoes are essential; the volcanic beaches can have sharp rocks and dark sand that grows very hot, so bring water shoes and sandals
- Sites, sunsets & boats: the archaeological site of Akrotiri, the wineries, the Museum of Prehistoric Thira and the boat trips to the volcano and hot springs adjust their hours seasonally, and Oia's famous sunset draws big crowds, so we time your visits and reserve sunset spots, dinners and catamaran cruises in advance; our licensed guides bring the island's Minoan past, volcanic story and wine culture vividly to life
- Power & plugs: power is 230V with European type C and F two-pin plugs, so bring an adapter for UK, US and other devices. Tap water on Santorini is largely desalinated and generally used for washing rather than drinking, so bottled or filtered water is recommended for drinking; hotels provide bottled water, and your guide advises at each stage of your stay
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I travel between Santorini and Mykonos?
The islands are linked by frequent fast ferries across the Aegean, taking roughly two to three hours depending on the service, and we arrange your tickets and all transfers to and from the ports. In peak summer there are several crossings a day, past beautiful Cycladic islands. We choose a convenient sailing and handle the logistics so your island-to-island move is smooth and stress-free. Short flights between the two are also occasionally available, and we can advise on the best option for your dates.
How do Santorini and Mykonos differ?
They are the two most celebrated Cyclades, but each has its own character. Santorini is all about dramatic caldera scenery, dazzling cliff-top villages, the world-famous sunset, volcanic wine and romance. Mykonos is more cosmopolitan and glamorous, famous for its beautiful maze-like Chora and windmills, its stylish beaches and beach clubs, its lively nightlife and its proximity to the sacred island of Delos. Together they offer a wonderful contrast, caldera drama and island chic, and we balance your time to suit your taste, whether you prefer scenery and wine or beaches and buzz.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (typically a welcome dinner, winery tastings or a meal aboard a cruise). Santorini's food is a highlight, from the island's sweet cherry tomatoes, white aubergine, fava and caper leaves to fresh seafood at Amoudi Bay and crisp Assyrtiko wine, and we usually leave most lunches and dinners free so you can explore the caldera-view tavernas, village kitchens and seaside fish spots we recommend at every stage.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert licensed local guide and air-conditioned vehicle for touring, and carefully arranged boat trips, tastings and any ferries or flights, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and shared catamaran options can be arranged if you prefer. Santorini's knowledgeable guides bring the caldera, the Minoan site of Akrotiri, the volcanic vineyards and village life vividly to life, greatly enriching every day.
Do I need a visa for Santorini?
Santorini is part of Greece and the Schengen area, and travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with the EU's ETIAS authorisation being introduced. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on the best option, and help with any paperwork, so entry is smooth. A passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay is required.
Is Santorini safe to visit?
Santorini is one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in Europe, and travel here is relaxed, easy and deeply rewarding. We continuously monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and boat operators, and follow official guidance at all times. The main things to mind are the strong sun, the many steps and cliff-edge paths, and the summer crowds at peak sunset times, all of which we help you navigate comfortably and safely.
When is the best time to visit?
Late April to June and September to October are ideal on Santorini, with warm, sunny days perfect for the caldera villages, wineries, beaches and boat trips, beautiful light and thinner crowds than the peak. July and August are hot, dry and lively, the height of the season and the busiest for Oia's sunset, while winter is mild and quiet, with many caldera hotels closed. We advise on the best timing for your interests and the experiences you most want.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of caldera villages, wineries, beaches and boat trips, upgrade to a caldera-view cave suite with a private plunge pool, add a private sunset sailing or a catamaran cruise to the volcano, include the Minoan site of Akrotiri and the museums, and add a stopover in Athens or a neighbouring island such as Mykonos, Naxos, Paros or Crete. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through beautiful Santorini.
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