South Aegean is Greece's island paradise, encompassing the stunning Cyclades and Dodecanese archipelagos in the heart of the Mediterranean. From the iconic whitewashed clifftop villages of Santorini and the glamorous shores of Mykonos to the medieval walled city of Rhodes and the archaeological wonders of Delos, this region offers an unparalleled blend of ancient history, natural beauty, and vibrant island culture.
Local currency: Euro (EUR).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in South Aegean.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- €20-35/night (dorm bed)
- Budget
- €35-60/night (private room in guesthouse)
- Midrange
- €80-180/night (3-star hotel)
- Luxury
- €250-1500+/night (caldera suites in Santorini, 5-star in Mykonos)
Food
- Street
- €3-5 (gyros or souvlaki wrap)
- Local
- €8-15 (taverna main dish)
- Midrange
- €20-40 (sit-down restaurant, 2 courses + wine)
- Fine
- €80-150+ (fine dining in Santorini or Mykonos)
Transport
- Bus
- €1.50-5 (local bus on island)
- Taxi
- €8-15 (short taxi ride)
- Airport
- €15-25 (taxi from airport to town)
- Ferry
- €15-50 (inter-island ferry)
- Fast Ferry
- €35-80 (high-speed catamaran)
- Domestic Flight
- €60-150 (inter-island flight)
- Daytrip
- €30-60 (organized boat trip)
Activities
- Museum
- €8-12 (state archaeological site)
- Beach
- €5-15 (sunbed + umbrella rental)
- Tour
- €20-40 (guided walking tour)
- Excursion
- €30-80 (organized day trip or boat tour)
- Winery
- €15-25 (wine tasting)
- Scuba
- €50-90 (single dive)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to South Aegean costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
€380 for 7 days (islands like Naxos, Paros)
Midrange traveller
€1050 for 7 days (mix of Rhodes, Santorini, Paros)
Luxury traveller
€3500+ for 7 days (Santorini caldera hotels, Mykonos, fine dining)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Travel in shoulder season (May-June or September-October) for 30-50% lower accommodation prices
Book ferries rather than flights between islands — much cheaper and a great experience
Eat at village tavernas away from harbor fronts and tourist centers to pay Greek prices
Carry lunch supplies from bakeries and supermarkets for beach days
Buy Assyrtiko wine directly from Santorini wineries to save vs. restaurant prices
Consider less-famous islands like Paros, Naxos, or Milos — similar beauty at half the Santorini price
Use local KTEL buses instead of taxis on larger islands
EU citizens under 25 enter all state archaeological sites free
Many beaches require no sunbed rental — bring your own mat and umbrella
Look for rooms-to-let (domata) signs — family-run rooms are cheaper than hotels
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Santorini Caldera Walk
Walk the entire 10km Fira-to-Oia trail along the caldera rim for free
Mykonos Windmills
Visit the iconic hilltop windmills and enjoy panoramic views at no cost
Rhodes Old Town Walk
Explore the UNESCO medieval city streets freely (charges only for Palace and museums)
Naxos Portara
Walk the causeway to the ancient marble doorway for spectacular sunsets — free
Beaches
All Greek beaches are public and free — only sunbed/umbrella rental costs money
Mykonos Town Maze
Get wonderfully lost in Mykonos Town's whitewashed alleys — completely free
Symi Harbor Stroll
Admire the stunning neoclassical mansions of Symi from the harbor front — free
Sunset at Oia
Watch the world's most famous sunset from the village ruins — free (but crowded)
Milos Sarakiniko Beach
Explore the extraordinary white lunar volcanic rock formations — free to access
Folegandros Chora Walk
Wander the clifftop medieval village paths and enjoy sea views — completely free