Greek Island Hopping : A curated 10-day guide for young travellers in Santorini and Ios, Greece

Greek Island Hopping : A curated 10-day guide for young travellers in Santorini and Ios, Greece

Lea Di Giovanni
Santorini and Ios are two stunning Greek islands that offer an array of experiences for travellers. This 10-day guide is divided in two 5-day lists with restaurants, bars and cultural sites. Explore the culinary scene of Santorini by trying some of the best restaurants recommended by local chefs, you'll find a variety of cuisines to suit your taste. Plenty of cultural offerings exist when you're not indulging in culinary delights. On Santorini, visit the red beach or take a sunset Catamaran cruise to admire the stunning views. Meanwhile, Ios offers a lively nightlife scene with bars and clubs like Jar Bar and Traffic Bar. During the day, you can explore the island's beautiful beaches and enjoy water activities like snorkelling and scuba diving. You might be wondering, why Ios? If you're already visiting Santorini, it's worth taking a few days to take a trip to Ios, known for its impressive beauty, famous beaches, and fantastic nightlife in the summer. While Santorini has a more romantic and historic atmosphere with family-friendly activities, Ios has a more youthful and budget-friendly vibe, making it an excellent option for backpackers and young travellers !! Additionally, Ios is having an upmarket makeover, with new glitzy beach clubs, cool places to eat, and boutique hotels, making it enticing for more sophisticated travellers. With so much to offer, Santorini and Ios are the perfect Greek islands to visit for an unforgettable travel experience!
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What to keep in mind :

Guide for 5 days in Santorini 

Santorini is a stunning Greek island that boasts breathtaking views, ancient history, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine.

This 5-day guide offers a few recommendations for exploring the island's cultural and culinary wonders.

Restaurants :

Explore the local cuisine and take a gastronomic tour with this curated collection of dining establishments.

Melitini
@Leastraveldiaries
Melitini is a renowned restaurant in Santorini known for its delicious Mediterranean cuisine. Visitors can enjoy a range of dishes while taking in panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and surrounding islands if seated upstairs. The service was genuinely 10/10, everything came so quickly and it was all delicious and highly copious + the design of the restaurant is adorable if seated downstairs.
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Pelican Kipos
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Beautiful garden oasis/nice italian food is a killer combo and this restaurant, an oasis in the middle of busy Thira, is proof of it.
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1888 Meze Bar
@Leastraveldiaries
The 1888 Meze Bar is a cosy and intimate restaurant specialising in Mediterranean-inspired tapas dishes. Guests can also enjoy absolutely stunning sunset views of the coast while indulging in their meals.
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Cacio e Pepe
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Cultural sites and activities :

Black Beach
@Leastraveldiaries
Black Beach, also known as Perissa and Perivolos Beach, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Santorini. It is a unique beach that features black volcanic sand instead of the usual white sand. The beach is known for its clear waters and beach clubs that offer a variety of water sports and activities.
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Red beach
@Leastraveldiaries
Red Beach in Santorini is a unique destination that boasts striking red cliffs and volcanic sand. The beach is located near the ancient site of Akrotiri and offers visitors a chance to swim in crystal-clear waters while admiring the dramatic scenery. However, the beach can be crowded during peak season, so it's best to arrive early.
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Lighthouse point of view
@Leastraveldiaries
The Lighthouse of Santorini is perched atop a cliff, providing a stunning panoramic view of the Aegean Sea and the surrounding islands. From this point, visitors can see the picturesque villages of Oia and Fira, as well as the caldera and the volcanic island of Nea Kameni. The sunset view from the lighthouse is apparently particularly breathtaking !!
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Museums :

Santorini Wine Museum
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Lost Atlantis Museum
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Super fun museum and highly interactive, it's short and sweet so a great idea for a stop in a trip down the island.
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Guide for 5 days in Ios :

Explore the charming island of Ios with this 5-day guide that includes visits to cultural sites, beaches, and restaurants.

Where to stay :

Drimoni Boutique
@Leastraveldiaries
Such a lovely boutique hotel. It's a really short walk to the centre, had a kitchen in the unit and a vending machine for snacks and water outside which is so useful when needing a little pick me up at home
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Cocktail and party bars :

With a wide variety of bars to choose from, you'll be able to enjoy everything from classic cocktails to innovative concoctions in Ios.

Jar bar is a must !!

Jar Bar
@Leastraveldiaries
I can’t even find the words to describe my love for Jar Bar. Just go. Billy and Dimitri are genuinely the best bartenders I’ve encountered in this lifetime, they will get to know you and make sure the cocktails you get are ones you’ll love every single time. Athina, their waitress, is the most empathetic and understanding person you could find, with a heart of gold along with the most beautiful dance moves. And Yothi is the greatest guy. PS: Alice in Tomorrowland was my favourite drink EVER (first picture)
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Slammer
@Leastraveldiaries
Put on your party pants and get slammed with a hammer at Slammer Bar – it's literally as fun and wild as it sounds. Owned by the Jar Bar people so you know it’s goooooooooood ;)
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Traffic Bar
@Leastraveldiaries
It's a bar, it's a club, it's a wild ass place in the middle of calm cafes and cool bars.
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Shush Silent Disco
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Restaurants :

Embark on a delicious journey with this handpicked selection of restaurants.

For lunch or dinner :

Katogi Tavern
@Leastraveldiaries
The food here will make you cry, literally. One of us did when we came in May 2023. The vibes, the scenery, and the obvious expertise with flavours will make you want to come straight back. Just try it. Trust me.
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El peace Restaurant Ios
@Leastraveldiaries
Greatttt service, Nick is an amazing guy. Ask him and his staff for recommendations around the city if you feel up to it, the bartender and one of the waiters will party with you :) and maybe steal your cardigan lol
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For breakfast or brunch :

Cantina del mar
@Leastraveldiaries
Literally the best fruit bowl with Greek yoghurt I’ve ever had, the exterior is stunning and their juices are 1000000% fresh
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Cultural sites and activities :

Chapel of Agios Nikolaos
@Leastraveldiaries
From its vantage point, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of Chora (Hora) and the surrounding landscape. The chapel is steeped in historical and cultural significance, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in exploring the rich heritage of Ios. Standing atop the ruins of the old church, visitors can also take a short walk to the Christos chapel and continue on a path with flagstones. It is truly a gorgeous view and the hike up from the centre is so easy and fun.
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Notable shops :

Oioigeeza Clothing
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lea Di Giovanni
Currently at 30 countries visited, and 165 to go! Where I am right now: Tulum - Mexico city - Puerto Escondido A little about me and the guides : I'm a world traveller and passionate explorer, dedicated to crafting interactive maps and curated travel guides that inspire wanderlust! My mission is to curate unique destinations, hidden gems, and must-visit landmarks for fellow adventure enthusiasts 🤩 Let's embark on this global exploration together and uncover all of the world's wonders, one guide at a time! 🌍✈️ All maps are free, and so are guides and itineraries until they’re fully complete :))
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