3 Greek Islands for First-Timers on a mid-range budget

3 Greek Islands for First-Timers on a mid-range budget

Annemarie O' Dwyer
In this ‘Greece for first-timers’, you will a receive realistic, no nonsense guide on planning your trip to three of the most popular Greek Islands for first time travelers: Santorini, Mykonos and Paros. We spent 15 days in this amazing country which I planned to a tee. I’ve included ferry/bus tips, accommodations, restaurant/cafes and also some daytrips and activities to fill your days in this paradise! The itinerary begins with some clear and comprehensive general Greece tips and moves onto the specifics of the 3 islands mentioned.
Updated ago
Save
Share

General and helpful tips for travelling to Greece

Athens is the main airport that most people traveling from mainland Europe and Ireland/the UK will fly into. These flights are usually a little cheaper than flying directly to the islands, but if you aren’t that interested in seeing Athens, I’d recommend flying directly to Santorini like we did. Even though the flight was slightly more expensive, we saved on the extra ferry cost getting from Athens.

Speaking of ferries-  Ferries in Greece can be slightly costly. These ferries are what added greatly to our overall costs. There are two websites/apps that  you can use to book these ferries. They are Ferry Hopper and Go Ferry (linked below.) We used FerryHopper which was very smooth. The ticket prices are all the same and don't typically fluctuate like flight prices tend to, even if you book months in advance. The only positive of booking months in advance, is getting your preferred time which may not always be available in high season. Most ferries cost from approximately €50-€90 depending on the time you choose. Just like flights, the midday and more suitable times, are generally more expensive. You can bring your big suitcase with you, no issues. If you get to the port early, like we did and try to get on an earlier ferry, most companies charge you the difference, so it’s something to be aware of.

Buy to unlock full guide

Access all the local insights and recommendations from @annemarieodwyer when you purchase this guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Annemarie O' Dwyer
I’m an Irish girl who has been traveling the 🌍for the past two years with my boyfriend. A major foodie who’s travelled from South East Asia, to New Zealand, lived in Oz for a year while also exploring places like Japan, South Korea, the Pacific Islands and just home from a 3 month incredible trip to South America! My pastime (and guilty pleasure) is creating itineraries and organizing trips (with all the best food and coffee spots ☕️ 🥐🍕) for all of my friends and families that are realistic and budget friendly 🤍
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
5 places
5 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
2 photos
Beautiful, hi-res photos from the creator
4 links
4 links from the creator to go even deeper with more info
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Santorini, Greece
Mykonos, Mikonos, Greece
Paros, Greece
Greece
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Couples
BEST TIME OF YEAR
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Format
Guide
Guides typically include detailed information and how-to’s about a destination as well as suggested places to try.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is Thatch?
Thatch is an online marketplace that provides instant access to thousands of vetted local experts and premium travel guides - making it the easiest and most affordable way to take high quality trips with less stress. For travel creators (tastemakers, travel advisors, influencers and local experts) Thatch makes it easy to curate, publish, and sell digital travel guides, itineraries and personalized planning services.
What if I’m not satisfied with my purchase?
How do I access my purchased guides?
Can I access my guide offline?
How often are guides updated?
Can I request a personalized guide or itinerary?
Can I sell my own travel guides and itineraries?
Save for Later
Share
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Annemarie O' Dwyer 2025 Help Privacy Terms Copyright Become a Seller Seller Academy About Careers Blog Explore Places