Self-Launched Greek Islands: Paros & Santorini

Make your way to Piraeus Port from central Athens — a 30-minute metro ride on Line 1 (Green Line) from Monastiraki, ~£2. Book a Blue Star Ferries or Seajets high-speed ferry from Piraeus to Paros in advance via ferryscanner.com or directferries.co.uk. High-speed services take ~3.5 hrs (~£30–45); slower overnight ferries are cheaper (~£20). Arrive in Parikia (Paros's port town) and check into your guesthouse. Spend the evening strolling Parikia's marble-paved alleyways, grabbing a souvlaki wrap (~£3) and a cold Mythos beer at a harbour-front taverna.

🚌Metro from central Athens to Piraeus Port (~£2), then Blue Star Ferries or Seajets ferry Piraeus–Paros (~£30–45, book via ferryscanner.com)

🛏Pension/guesthouse in Parikia — e.g. Hotel Dina, Pension Festos, or similar rated 3–4* (~£40–60/night for a private double)

• →Arrive in Parikia and settle in
• →Evening stroll through Parikia's Kastro neighbourhood
• →Dinner at a harbour-front taverna — try fresh grilled octopus and local Paros wine (~£15–20 per person)

Hire a scooter or ATV (~£20–30/day from Parikia — widely available, no guided tour needed) to tour the island at your own pace. Start at the Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani (one of the oldest churches in Christendom — free entry), then ride to the hilltop village of Lefkes for coffee and views. Continue through Piso Livadi for a swim and lunch at a beachside taverna (~£12–15). Afternoon: ride north to the fishing village of Naousa for boutique browsing and a sunset cocktail on its pretty harbour. Catch the short ferry from Pounda to Antiparos (~£2 each way, runs frequently) for a quick afternoon trip to the smaller island — walk to the cave of Antiparos or simply relax on the beach.

🚌Hire a scooter or ATV in Parikia (~£20–30/day); Pounda–Antiparos local ferry (~£2 each way)

🛏Pension/guesthouse in Parikia — e.g. Hotel Dina, Pension Festos, or similar (~£40–60/night)

• →Visit Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, Parikia (free entry)
• →Scooter/ATV tour of the island: Lefkes village, Alyki, Drios
• →Swimming at Piso Livadi beach (free)
• →Lunch in Piso Livadi at a beachside taverna (~£12–15)
• →Round-trip local ferry to Antiparos island (~£4 return)
• →Sunset drinks in Naousa harbour (~£6–10)

Take a morning high-speed ferry from Paros to Santorini (Athinios Port) — around 2 hours, book via ferryscanner.com or seajets.gr (~£25–35). From Athinios Port, take the public bus (KTEL) to Fira town (~£2) — avoid the expensive private taxis unless sharing. Check into your accommodation in Fira or nearby Firostefani for caldera views without peak Oia prices. Spend the afternoon unwinding at one of Santorini's famous beaches: Red Beach (near Akrotiri), Perissa (black sand, ~£2 bus from Fira), or Perivolos. Grab dinner in Fira — plenty of good tavernas away from the tourist strip.

🚌High-speed ferry Paros–Santorini (~£25–35, book via ferryscanner.com); KTEL public bus Athinios Port–Fira (~£2)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Fira or Firostefani — e.g. Pension Petros, Hotel Keti, or similar (~£50–80/night for a private room with caldera or sea view)

• →Morning ferry Paros to Santorini (~2 hrs)
• →Public bus from Athinios Port to Fira (~£2)
• →Afternoon beach day at Red Beach (Akrotiri), Perissa, or Perivolos — free entry
• →Sundowner drinks in Fira (~£6–10)
• →Dinner at a local taverna in Fira (~£15–20)

Book a shared catamaran sunset cruise independently via GetYourGuide or Viator — search for 'Santorini catamaran cruise' and expect to pay ~£60–90 per person for a half-day cruise from Marina Vlychada or Ammoudi Bay. These include swimming stops at White Beach and the volcanic hot springs, snorkelling at Mesa Pigadia, sailing past Red Beach, the Venetian Lighthouse of Akrotiri, and Aspronisi Island, plus a BBQ meal and drinks on board — identical to the included group tour activity. Book early as these sell out fast in summer. Morning is free: visit the Akrotiri archaeological site (book via e-ticketing.gr, ~£12) or simply wander Fira and the caldera path.

🚌Local bus or taxi to Marina Vlychada (~£3–5 bus or ~£10 taxi); walking within Fira

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Fira or Firostefani (~£50–80/night)

• →Morning visit to Akrotiri Archaeological Site (~£12, book via e-ticketing.gr)
• →Shared catamaran sunset cruise from Marina Vlychada (~£60–90/person via GetYourGuide or Viator) — includes: Red Beach photo stop, White Beach swimming, Mesa Pigadia snorkelling, volcanic hot springs, sailing past Aspronisi & Venetian Lighthouse, BBQ meal and drinks on board

Rise early for the walk (or bus) to Oia — arrive before the cruise ship crowds for the most magical experience of whitewashed houses tumbling to the caldera. The KTEL bus runs from Fira to Oia (~£2, ~25 min). Walk the famous caldera path from Fira to Oia (~10km, 3–4 hrs, free) if you have the time and energy — one of the great walks of Greece. Browse Oia's boutique shops and grab a late breakfast at a café. Return to Athinios Port by KTEL bus (~£2) for your ferry or fly home from Santorini (JTR) airport — book budget flights home via Ryanair, EasyJet, or Sky Express.

🚌KTEL public bus Fira–Oia (~£2); optional caldera walking path (free); KTEL bus to Athinios Port (~£2) or taxi to Santorini Airport (~£15–20)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Early morning trip to Oia village — explore before crowds arrive (free)
• →Optional: walk the caldera path from Fira to Oia (~10km, free)
• →Browse Oia's shops and enjoy a café breakfast (~£8–12)
• →Afternoon return ferry to Athens/Piraeus or fly home from Santorini Airport