Planning a trip to Greece in September? I’ve got you covered with this action-packed, one-week September Greece itinerary!
After our epic two-week summer Europe trip to the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy in June 2023, we decided to plan another big summer Europe trip to France, Monaco, and Greece in September 2024.
During this trip, three of my friends, Courtney, Kristen, and Stephanie, and my boyfriend, Tim, and I spent three days in Nice, France, one day in Monaco, and one week in Crete, Santorini, and Athens, Greece—and, we had an awesome time (and perfect weather!).
Although there are a ton of options when visiting Greece, we felt that this one-week Greece itinerary was perfect for us, as first-time visitors, and that September is the perfect time to visit to avoid the crowds and the heat of the summer.
So, let’s discover what to do for one week in Greece in September!
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Planning a 1-Week Greece Itinerary
Where should you start and end your one-week September Greece itinerary?
Courtney, Kristen, Tim, and I live in Houston and typically fly out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) for our international flights. We found an exceptional deal on round-trip flights to Nice, France, so we decided to start and end our summer Europe trip here.
We chose an overnight flight from IAH, which arrived at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) the next afternoon. After a two-hour layover, we flew to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), arriving around 8:00 pm.
A Broad Recommendation: I usually try to choose a layover on the same continent as my final destination. In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, this betters your chances of more easily and quickly finding a replacement flight to your final destination. Be sure to always give yourself enough time during your international layover, as you’ll have to go through customs when you arrive.
We flew back from Nice to Houston on a connecting flight through Philadelphia (PHL). Again, this was our preferred layover, as we like to have a layover in the United States on our way home, in case of any delays, and this is where Stephanie caught her train back to D.C.
Our 1-Week September Greece Itinerary
Here’s the itinerary we followed during our one week in Greece in September:
- Day 1: Afternoon flight from Nice, France to Crete
- Day 2: Crete
- Day 3: Crete
- Day 4: Early morning ferry from Crete to Santorini
- Day 5: Santorini
- Day 6: Early morning flight from Santorini to Athens
- Day 7: Athens
- Day 8: Evening flight from Athens to Nice, France
Of course, you can always use this itinerary as a starting point and replace some of these destinations to better suit your schedule and interests.
Here’s more information about each Greek city that we visited and the daily itineraries we followed at each destination.
Crete, Greece Itinerary
Located about 100 miles south of mainland Greece, Crete is the largest Greek island and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. And, it’s a great place to start your one-week September Greece itinerary!
Crete’s mix of incredible mountain ranges, gorgeous beaches, dramatic gorges, and charming towns make it a dream destination. With two or more days on Crete, you can visit a few of Crete’s larger cities and see some of Crete’s major attractions, like the Palace of Knossos, Chania’s Venetian Harbor, Rethymnon Old Town, and one or more of Crete’s beautiful beaches.
Here are some great things to do on Crete, Greece and the itinerary we followed during our time on Crete:
Day 1 on Crete:
- 2:00 pm: Fly from Nice, France to Chania, Greece
- 6:00 pm: Pick up rental car at Chania Airport (book in advance)
- 7:00 pm: Check in to Airbnb in Chania
- Tour & tasting at Manousakis Winery
Day 2 on Crete:
- 8:30 am: Breakfast at Tsatsaronakis Mihalis Bakery
- 9:00 am: Falassarna Beach
- 3:00 pm: Lunch & tour at Biolea Astrikas Estate
- 5:30 pm: Olive Tree of Vouves
- 7:00 pm: Old Venetian Harbor & Chania Old Town
Day 3 on Crete:
- 9:30 am: Check out of Airbnb in Chania
- 10:00 am: Breakfast at Platanias Bakery
- 11:00 am: Rethymnon Old Town
- 12:30 pm: Lunch at Remezzo Seafood Restaurant
- 4:00 pm: Check in to Airbnb in Heraklion
- 5:00 pm: Knossos Palace
- 8:00 pm: Dinner at Xylouris Traditional Tavern
Day 4 on Crete:
- 6:30 am: Check-out of Airbnb in Heraklion
- 8:20 am: Ferry from Heraklion, Crete to Santorini
Where to stay: Aphrodite Luxury Villa in Chania & Honeybee House in Heraklion
If you have more time on Crete, you could take a day trip to Samaria Gorge, one of Europe’s longest gorges, Agios Nikolaos, or Spinalonga Island. You could also spend more time on some of Crete’s stunning beaches, like Elafonisi Beach and Balos Lagoon, explore more of Crete’s archaeological ruins and museums, and visit some of Crete’s more remote areas or lesser-visited regions like the Lasithi Plateau, Sitia, or Zakros.
That being said, Crete is quite diverse and could very well be a whole trip of its own! For more on what to do in each specific city (Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos), refer to my Crete blog post (linked above).
Santorini, Greece Itinerary
About an 1.5-hour ferry ride from Crete, the island of Santorini is a paradise of whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, volcanic beaches, and endless sunsets over the Aegean Sea.
The island was created by a series of volcanic eruptions that gave it its iconic caldera and unique crescent shape. And given that the Minoan civilization disappeared after one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history (the Minoan eruption around 1600 BCE), some historians and archaeologists have linked the island of Santorini to the lost city of Atlantis—how interesting!
We recommend spending at least two days on the Island of Santorini to see some of the island’s highlights.
Day 1 on Santorini:
- 8:20 am: Ferry from Heraklion, Crete to Santorini
- 10:30 am: Pick-up from port (pre-arrange this with your Airbnb host)
- 11:00 am: Check in & drop off luggage at Airbnb (ask for early check-in!)
- 1:00 pm: Lunch at Blue Domes Oia
- 2:30 pm: Explore Oia
- 8:00 pm: Dinner at Fratzeskos Fish Tavern in Perissa Beach
Day 2 on Santorini:
- 10:30 am: Breakfast at Family Bakery
- 11:30 am: Explore Fira
- 3:00 pm: Half-Day Exclusive Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with Meal and Open Bar
- 9:00 pm: Dinner at Raki Restaurant Santorini
Day 3 on Santorini:
- 5:00 am: Check out of Airbnb & transfer to Santorini Airport (pre-arrange this with your Airbnb host)
- 7:30 am: Fly from Santorini to Athens
Where to stay: Anedosa Cave House
If you have more than two days on the island of Santorini, here are some other great things check out:
- Akrotiri: Known as the “Greek Pompeii,” this ancient Minoan city was preserved in volcanic ash from an eruption around 1600 BCE.
- Red Beach: an impressive beach known for its red volcanic sand and striking red cliffs.
- Kamari Beach: a popular black sand beach with lots of restaurants, bars, and water sports.
- Wine tour: the island is known for its unique wines, particularly Assyrtiko, and a wine tour is a great way to learn about Santorini’s winemaking traditions and to sample some local wines.
- Trail from Fira to Oia: this scenic 6.2-mile hike follows the caldera and offers some of the island’s best views, particularly at sunset.
- Imerovigli: known as the “Balcony to the Aegean,” this quiet village offers spectacular views of the caldera.
- Pyrgos: a traditional village with narrow, winding paths, charming houses, and historic castle remains.
- Ancient Thera: located on Mesa Vouno mountain, this ancient city has ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
- Museum of Prehistoric Thera: located in Fira, this museum showcases artifacts from the ancient city of Akrotiri and other archaeological sites on the island.
Athens, Greece Itinerary
Just a short flight from Santorini, Athens is a must-visit during any trip to Greece and should definitely be on your one-week September Greece itinerary!
With a history spanning more than 3,000 years, Athens, Greece is one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in the world.
The city is known as the “birthplace of democracy” and “the cradle of Western civilization” and is home to world-renowned historical sites, like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Ancient Agora, as well as lots of Byzantine churches, neoclassical architecture, and lively neighborhoods.
We recommend spending three days in Athens, Greece. Here’s our three-day Athens itinerary, which highlights some of the best things to do in Athens for first time visitors:
Day 1 in Athens:
- 7:30 am: Fly from Santorini to Athens, Greece
- 8:30 am: Metro from Athens Airport to Syntagma Square
- 10:00 am: Check in & drop off luggage at Airbnb (ask for early check-in)
- 10:30 am: Breakfast at Philos Athens
- 12:00 pm: Pass by the Hellenic Parliament & National Garden
- 12:30 pm: Temple of Olympian Zeus
- 1:00 pm: Hadrian’s Arch
- 1:35 pm: Explore the Plaka neighborhood & drinks at Diogenes Cafe
- 3:30 pm: Panathenaic Stadium
- 7:00 pm: Dinner at Kuzina
Day 2 in Athens:
- 8:00 am: Acropolis Monuments & Parthenon Walking Tour with Optional Acropolis Museum
- 11:00 am: Acropolis Museum & lunch at the Acropolis Museum Cafe & Restaurant
- 2:30 pm: Areopagus Hill
- 7:30 pm: Dinner at Mani Mani
- 10:00 pm: Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square
Day 3 in Athens:
- 11:30 am: Lycabettus Hill
- 1:00 pm: Cat Cafe Athens
- 2:00 pm: Check out of Airbnb (ask for late check-out & to store your luggage)
- 2:30 pm: Lunch at GB Roof Garden (luggage can be stored at the hotel)
- 5:30 pm: Metro from Syntagma Square to Athens Airport
- 9:00 pm: Fly home from Athens, Greece (we extended our trip & flew from Athens to Nice, France)
Where to stay: Apartment in Syntagma
There are so many things to do in Athens, and three days here just isn’t enough to see it all! If you have more than three days in Athens, you may want to check out the following:
- Ancient Agora of Athens: an ancient marketplace that was once the heart of ancient Athens’ political and social life.
- Hadrian’s Library: built in 132 AD, this was once a vast library and cultural complex that served as a place for learning, reading, and philosophical discussions.
- Hellenic National Archaeological Museum: the largest archaeological museum in Greece with one of the world’s best collections of ancient Greek art and Antiquity Greece artifacts.
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center: a modern architectural masterpiece that houses the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera.
- Numismatic Museum of Athens: a quaint, old home that houses a collection of coins from ancient Greece and around the world.
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: an easy way to get around the city and to see some of the best Athens attractions.
- Athenian Riviera: an area that offers a mix of beaches, marinas, and seaside promenades.
You may also consider taking a day trip to Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to the ancient sanctuary of Apollo; Cape Sounion, which is home to the Temple of Poseidon and offers stunning sunsets; Nafplion, a lovely and relaxing spot with an impressive fortress; or one of the nearby Greek islands, like Aegina, Hydra, Spetses, or Poros.
Add-Ons for Your 1-Week Greece Itinerary
Well, there you have it! We hope you found our one-week September Greece itinerary helpful and are blown away by all of the history, culture, and exciting activities that each of these historical cities have to offer.
But wait, there’s more! If you have more time, you might want to extend your one-week Greece itinerary and add on one or both of these destinations to your trip.
Nice, France
Nicknamed Nice la Belle, i.e. “Nice the Beautiful”, Nice, France is one of the largest and most beloved cities on the French Riviera.
The city is known for its stunning coastline, charming old town streets, and rich artistic heritage and is a great addition to your one-week September Greece itinerary.
With so many things to do in Nice, three days is the perfect amount of time to get a feel for some of what this beautiful city has to offer.
Monaco
Situated just west of the Italian region of Liguria on the French Riviera, Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, after Vatican City, and one of the wealthiest and most luxurious destinations in the world.
Monaco is known for its infamous Monte-Carlo Casino, prestigious Formula 1 races, luxury yachts and lavish hotels, and a day trip to Monaco from Nice is another great addition to your one-week September Greece itinerary.
More Info for Your One Week in Greece
Here is some useful information to keep in mind for your one week in Greece in September.
Time Zone in Greece
All of Greece operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+02:00). During Daylight saving time, it moves an additional hour ahead to UTC+03:00.
Language in Greece
The primary language spoken in Greece is a version of Greek called Modern Greek. If you’re interested in learning some Modern Greek before your visit, I like the Pimsleur Modern Greek 1 audiobooks and found the lessons to be very helpful prior to our trip. That being said, English is also widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, so you likely won’t need to know too much Greek for your one week in Greece.
Currency in Greece
Greece uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most major cities in Greece, but it’s a good idea to carry some cash for small purchases and tips or in case you visit places that are cash-only.
Greece in September Weather
The weather in Greece varies by location, but average temperatures in Greece in September are generally warm and pleasant.
Mainland Greece sees lows between 64–70°F and highs between 81–86°F, the Greek islands sees lows between 66–72°F and highs between 79–84°F, and Northern Greece sees lows between 59–64°F and highs between 75–82°F.
No matter where you are in Greece, the sea is warm and perfect for swimming in September, and there’s minimal rainfall. There are also fewer crowds in Greece in September, and accommodations are typically cheaper, making September a great time to visit Greece all around!
Tips for Traveling to Greece in September
Here are a few tips that may come in handy when visiting Greece in September.
- Visit popular archaeological sites early in the morning or late in the afternoon for cooler temperatures and to avoid crowds.
- Ferries are often the best way to travel between the Greek islands. Opt for high-speed ferries for quicker travel, and book your tickets in advance.
- Beware of pickpocketing, especially in crowded tourist areas and on the metro. Invest in a cross-body purse, money belt, secure, RFID blocking wallet, or travel fanny pack to keep your valuables secure.
- It’s customary to tip between 5–10% for tour guides and at restaurants in Greece.
- Bring a reusable water bottle, as mainland Greece and some Greek islands have clean, drinkable tap water (note that Santorini does not), and stay hydrated.
- Pack comfortable walking shoes, like these Women’s Weekends or Sabrina Women’s Sandals, sunscreen, a hat, a scarf like this RIIQIICHY Pashmina Shawl to cover your shoulders when visiting monasteries, churches, or other religious sites, and a light jacket, like this Panadila Women’s Waffle Knit Jacket, for cooler evenings.
- You also may want to pack some snacks, your Kindle, and noise cancellation headphones, like these Apple Airpods, for ferries and flights.
- Don’t forget to bring a travel adapter to charge all of your devices. This HAOZI Universal Travel Adapter works in many countries, including Greece.
I hope you have an incredible trip to Greece. Let me know if you have any questions about this one-week September Greece itinerary in the comments below!
XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads