Some of Greece’s most famous tales have come from the sea, so why not get out on the water to create a story of your own? Choose between four different types of boats to embark on your own oversea island excursion.
Greece is one of the oldest wine-producing areas in the world. Sip dry white wine on Santorini, sample rosé on a Peloponnese road trip, try sparkling wines in the mountainous north, or discover the reds of Crete: there is something for every taste. Learn more about the key destinations with this guide.
There are countless reasons to add Thessaloniki (Greece's second largest city) and Macedonia (Greece’s largest province) to your travel plans. From the white sands of Halkidiki to Thessaloniki’s pulsing nightlife, the region is bursting with world-class sites. No wonder that, together, they form the country’s most popular region.
The stunning Cyclades are a group of Greek islands famous for their unique architecture, cosmopolitan nightlife, impressive history, and rocky landscapes. You'll start in Paros, where golden sand beaches and charming villages are yours to explore. Then hop a ferry to neighboring Naxos for a tour of Chora, beautiful whitewashed villages, and countryside filled with churches, archaeological sites, and local distilleries.
The Peloponnese region is the little-visited underbelly of Greece. It's a hotbed of history—the Olympic Games were birthed here, it was the home of ancient Sparta, and even today Arcadian Greece survives largely intact here. The Peloponnese is worth a trip, whether you make a day trip from Athens or road trip through the region on a cultural, culinary, or active tour.
With multiple weeks in Greece, you can truly do it all, returning home with memories of the mainland and a number of islands. History-minded travelers can begin and end in Athens before visiting the sacred sites of Delos near Mykonos, prehistoric Akrotiri in Santorini, and the Palace of Knossos on Crete. Or, spend your time hopping between the Cycladic islands at an easy pace, experiencing the beaches, outdoor activities, and culture of each.
Just south of Athens, in the Saronic Gulf, this group of half-a-dozen or so islands makes for an easy getaway. No two are the same, and which to visit depends on your preference. Match culture with a lively party scene on Spetses, get away from it all on tiny Agistri, and everything in between with this guide.
Naxos is unfairly overlooked by many visitors to the Aegean. It's the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades Islands, and perhaps also its most quintessential, blessed with an abundance of attractions from archaeological treasures to some of the best stretches of white sand beach in Greece. From the main city of Chora to road trip-worthy villages and the glittering southwest coastline, let this guide be your essential handbook for Naxos travel.
See Greece's expansive history both archaeological and nautical with this two-week itinerary. You'll start off atop the Acropolis before you head down for a bike ride through the Athenian city streets. Then set sail across the Saronic Gulf for your own personal island experience, stopping on Aegina, Poros, and Moni. Get back on land to proceed through ancient Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Corinth before you return to Athens.
Channel the spirit of some of Greece's most famous tales as you sail through the Aegean on this nine-day itinerary. Start off by paying the proper tribute at the Temple of Poseidon before you start on your way to Kea, followed by the villages of Kythnos. Visit the capital of the Cyclades on Syros and the home of the Cyclops on Serifos, then search for the Venus de Milo's cousin on Milos before you end your trip on the double beach of Kolona.
Cruise like a celebrity through the glittering waters of the Cyclades on this nine-day itinerary. The Cyclades are some of the most quintessential Greek islands, and you'll see seven of them from the decks of your yacht, along with plenty of time to explore onshore. From lesser-known spots like beach-lined Milos and petite Antiparos to favorites like bustling Naxos and cosmopolitan Mykonos, you'll scope out this island chain in style.
Spend nine days getting your sea legs with this sailing itinerary. Once believed to be one of six entrances to the Underworld, the Saronic Gulf is now one of the most popular yacht spots in Greece. You'll travel to a new island each day, taking in harbor towns and historic temples and churches, sampling island specialties, and enjoying the sea breeze.
Travel across both the Peloponnesian peninsula and Greek history with this 15-day itinerary. After a brief start in Athens, you'll go down to the sea to visit Nafplio and neighboring mythical Mycenae, then over to the castles of Mystras and Monemvasia. Set sail for the quintessential Greek island of Zakynthos to end your journey on its turquoise shores before you return to Athens for one final temple sunset.
Take two weeks to cross the stories of the Peloponnesian peninsula with this 14-day itinerary. Start with the classics on the Acropolis, then make your way down through to the site of the kingdom of Mycenae, ancient vines of Nemea, and stadium at Olympia. Top it off with four days of shipwrecks and sea turtles on the island of Zakynthos before you return to Athens and thank Poseidon for your journey.
Take 13 days to meet some of the stars of Greek history with this itinerary that will take you through the tales of the Peloponnese. After an Acropolis mythology tour in Athens, you'll go through Mycenae, once home to Helen of Troy; the vineyards of Nemea believed to have come from the vines of Dionysus; Nestor's palace in Pylos; and the sanctuary at Olympia. Then sail to Zakynthos to end your trip on its shores, topped off by paying tribute at the Temple of Poseidon in Athens before you depart.
In the Odyssey, King Nestor receives Odysseus's son, who comes seeking word of his missing father. Join the long list of storied guests to Nestor's palace and others with this 12-day itinerary. Go from the Acropolis through historic sites at Nafplio, Mycenae, Pylos, and Olympia before sailing to the island of Zakynthos to explore its villages and vineyards, then return to watch the sun set over the Athenian Riviera.
Some of the most dramatic feats of athleticism of the ancient world took place at Olympia, but you won't need to train quite at that level to take on this 11-day itinerary. After hearing the myths of the Acropolis, your tour will take you to seaside Nafplio, historic Mycenae, and the former stadium grounds at Olympia. Then head to the island of Zakynthos for four nights on the seashore before you return to Athens.
Helen of Troy may have made a dramatic exit from Mycenae, but you may find yourself wanting to stay a little longer with this 10-day itinerary packed with historic sites. Whether you're atop the Acropolis, strolling the Venetian streets of Nafplio, or wandering the former palace halls at Mycenae, you'll be surrounded by stories to fuel your afternoon daydreams as you conclude your itinerary with four nights on the island of Zakynthos.
See both the current and previous capital of Greece on this nine-day itinerary. You'll start in Athens before making a stop in Nafplio, the second capital of the Greek state after the war for independence. Then spend four nights on the island of Zakynthos to explore both its seas and inland shores before you return to Athens for one final temple sunset.
Once named the "Flower of the East" by the Venetians, the island of Zakynthos is in full bloom year-round. Discover its many enticements with this eight-day itinerary. You'll start off with the myths of the Acropolis in Athens, then set sail for four nights on the third-largest Ionian island, packed with boat tours, beaches, vineyards, and more.
According to some Greek myths, Apollo himself was inspired by the beauty of Zakynthos island. Many years later, the Greek national anthem was also written on the island. See what you can compose with this week-long itinerary. You'll start and end in Athens, spending four nights on Zakynthos in between to take in the full concert of the island's attractions.
The bright blue waters off Zakynthos are home to rare loggerhead sea turtles and monk seals that have been returning to the island for generations. See what keeps bringing the turtles back and maybe even meet some of them yourself with this six-day itinerary that covers the island's beaches, villages, and vineyards.
Dip into Zakynthos island on this five-day itinerary. Named for the son of the Arcadian chieftain Dardanus, one of Zeus's many offspring, this Ionian island is home to rare sea turtle nesting grounds, scenic shipwrecks, stone villages, and more for you to explore.
Though Greece has more than 1,000 islands to its name, the Cyclades are some of the best-known and most popular of the set. Encircling the former sacred site at Delos in the Aegean Sea, this island chain boasts picture-perfect beaches, lots of local culture, and historical sites dating back to the Classical era. From big names like Santorini and Mykonos to tiny isles with far fewer visitors, this guide will get you started.
With 10 days to spend in Greece, travelers won't have too many tough choices to make. You'll have plenty of time to island hop around the Cyclades, do a deep dive into ancient history on the mainland, or combine the highlights of both. Check out these 5 itineraries optimized for every type of traveler, from active adventurers and families to those who simply need 10 days of blissful relaxation.
Make the most of your five days in Greece with this quick hit tour of its two largest cities. Start in Athens with a local wine tasting before touring the most famous site of them all — the Acropolis. After spending time learning about the ancient Greeks, head to some of the city's more modern neighborhoods, where you'll spot street art and wander through the markets, stopping to sample food along the way. Next, make your way to multicultural Thessaloniki, where you'll explore its Byzantine and Ottoman history on a walking tour of the city.
Spend six days seeing the sights of Athens and Thessaloniki with this exciting itinerary. Begin in the capital, where you'll be welcomed with a local wine tasting, followed by a jaunt around the Acropolis. You'll tour the city's young, vibrant neighborhoods and markets, and learn to cook a traditional meal as you look out at the Athenian skyline. Then fly north to Greece's second city, where you can appreciate its fascinating architecture on a walking tour of all the hot spots.
This week-long itinerary offers plenty of opportunities to explore the ancient and modern sides of Athens and Thessaloniki. In the capital, you'll learn about mythology straight from the source, and wander through the markets on a street food tour. Enjoy the laidback seafront vibes and multicultural food scene of Thessaloniki, and visit its dramatic monuments on a walking tour of the city. Back in Athens, take in one last view of the Acropolis as you cook a traditional meal with a professional chef.
In just over a week, you'll still have plenty of time to explore the history, culture, and cuisine of Greece's two biggest cities. Learn about ancient mythology at the Acropolis and indulge your taste buds on a street food tour of Athens. In walkable Thessaloniki, you'll visit impressive monuments and see the mesmerizing archaeological site of Pella just outside the city. End your journey back in the capital, where you'll cook a traditional Greek meal as you gaze out over the Athenian skyline.
Whether you thrive on the buzz of the city, or just want to take a deeper look at Athens and Thessaloniki, this 9-day itinerary won't disappoint. In addition to getting to know the lively neighborhoods of the capital, you'll learn about ancient mythology at the Acropolis, and enjoy a delicious street food tour of its markets and coffee houses. Thessaloniki offers a more laid-back atmosphere — perfect for exploring its dramatic architecture and multicultural history on foot. Return to Athens for a farewell cooking class with a glorious view of the city.
You'll visit Greece's two most important metropolises with this 10-day itinerary. Athens is unsurprisingly packed with rich historical sites, but you'll also explore its more modern neighborhoods and get to know its markets and coffee houses. In Thessaloniki, you'll visit Byzantine churches, Ottoman towers, and even a castle before heading back to the capital for a cooking class overlooking the Acropolis.
This 11-day trip to Greece's two largest cities will immerse you in their history and flavors as you explore their vibrant neighborhoods. In Athens, you'll learn about ancient mythology at the Acropolis and taste local delicacies on a food tour of the city's markets. The university city of Thessaloniki offers a different kind of vibe, with its melting pot of cultures and dramatic architecture. Along the way, you'll visit important archaeological sites at Delphi and Pella.
The thrills of buzzing Athens and Thessaloniki await on this 12-day adventure based in Greece's two largest cities. Begin and end in the capital, where you'll frequent the markets and coffee houses in between trips to the Acropolis and the sacred site of Delphi. Travel north to Greece's second city for some fascinating Byzantine and Ottoman history and architecture, and a stroll around beautiful the beautiful Ano Poli neighborhood. Back in Athens, spend your last day learning to prepare a traditional meal at a cooking class with a view.
Enjoy all city life has to offer with this trip to Athens and Thessaloniki. Spend the first few days getting to know the capital's vibrant neighborhoods and flavors. Then switch gears and explore Greece's second city, Thessaloniki, where you'll find a fascinating blend of cultures, a storied past, and an excellent food scene. Although you'll get a taste of Greek city life, you'll also venture out to archaeological sites at Delphi and Pella for another dose of history along the way.
Get ready to explore the best corners of Athens and Thessaloniki and their surrounding regions with this two-week itinerary. Start your adventure in the capital, where you'll immerse yourself in its rich history, mythology, and of course, food! Take part in a bicycle excursion, photo safari, and a jaunt through the markets of Athens before heading north to Thessaloniki. There, you'll wander the cobbled streets of Ano Poli and learn about the city's unique patchwork of cultural influences. Finish your journey back in Athens with a cooking class and an unforgettable sunset farewell.
Spend just over two weeks soaking up the flavors and history of Greece's two largest cities and nearby highlights with this itinerary. Visit the vibrant neighborhoods of Athens, and indulge in the capital's gastronomic delights on a food tour of its markets. Then head north to Thessaloniki, where you'll visit Byzantine and Ottoman-era sites, and wander the cobbled streets of the historical Ano Poli for magnificent views over the city. Return to Athens for a winery trip and sunset at Cape Sounion. Along the way, you'll stop at important archaeological sites at Delphi, Pella, and Philippi.
If you're looking out for a place to go, dance your way through this five-day Greek itinerary featuring the island filming location of Mamma Mia. After landing in Athens, head down to the slopes of Mount Pelion and then out to Skopelos island where Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried worked on the 2008 film before you return to Athens.
Take a chance on this six-day Greek itinerary and get to know the country better. You'll start by going from Athens to seaside Volos and Mount Pelion, then sail to Skopelos island where Mamma Mia was filmed for three days of beaches and a location tour before you fly, like the pretty birds, back to your home.
Spend a week going from the myths of the Acropolis to the songs of ABBA with this seven-day itinerary. You'll hear the stories of the Greek gods and goddesses in Athens and famous Spartan battles at Thermopylae, then sail to Skopelos for a more contemporary story with a Mamma Mia filming locations tour.
Take an eight-day expedition across Greece's center with this itinerary. You'll start at the top of the Acropolis, then ascend even higher up to Mount Pelion and its traditional narrow railway. Go seaward to Skopelos island to take in three days of sun and cinematic trivia with a Mamma Mia tour before you return to the mainland to watch the sun set over Athens.
Whether you're taking in the seaside from the coastal forests of Skopelos or gazing down from the clifftop monasteries of Meteora, this nine-day itinerary has panoramic views to spare. Start atop the Acropolis and site of a famous Spartan battle at Thermopylae, then ship out to the island of Skopelos for three days of beaches and cinematic perspectives with a Mamma Mia location tour. Return to the mainland with a trip up to Meteora before you return to Athens.
Sandwich a scenic island between dramatic mountain views with this 10-day itinerary. After beginning atop the Acropolis and exploring Mount Pilio, you'll set sail for Skopelos island, home to coastal forests and beaches so picturesque they were the setting for Mamma Mia. Dance your way back to the mainland to climb up to the monasteries of Meteora and Zagori mountain villages before you return to Athens to watch the sun set over the Temple of Poseidon.
Spend 11 days traversing the hills and valleys of Greece's central latitudes with this itinerary. You'll start in Athens before heading up to the peak of Mount Pelion and Thermopylae, once home to the famous Spartan warriors, then down across the sea to Skopelos island. Climb back up to the monasteries of Meteora and stone Zagori villages, and descend once more to the island of Corfu to conclude your journey in the same island spot as Homer's hero Odysseus.
Take 12 days to cover Grece's central latitudes with this bustling itinerary. Start up on the Acropolis, then down to the clear waters of Skopelos island. Head back inland to the clifftop monasteries and mountain villages of Meteora and Zagori, then out seaward once more to walk the street food stalls of Corfu before you return to Athens.
There's no resisting this 13-day Greek itinerary across the middle of Greece. Whether you're in the springs of Thermopylae, beaches of Skopelos island where Mamma Mia was filmed, inland mountains filled with stone constructions, or mansions of Corfu, you'll never want to let your trip go.
This 15-day course will take you mainly through Greece's central latitudes, covering a wide swath of terrains to give you a full picture of your surroundings. You'll start by saying hi to Athens, then travel through the hills to the port city of Volos. Set sail for Skopelos island to see where Mamma Mia was filmed, ascend back to the mountains of the mainland to visit the sky-high monasteries of Meteora and stone Zagori villages, and finish it off with one more island by exploring the coasts of Corfu.
Make your way across the middle of Greece with this two-week itinerary. Over the span of 14 days, you'll go from up on Mount Pelion, once believed to be the home of the centaurs, down to Skopelos island and then back up to the clifftop monasteries of Meteora and Zagori mountain villages. Go back out to sea with a trip to Corfu before you return to Athens.
Make the most of your week in Greece with this tour of two of its most fascinating cities and its largest island, Crete. Learn about the ancient Greeks at the Acropolis and discover some of Athens' more modern neighborhoods on a private tour. Discover coastal Thessaloniki and rich Byzantine and Ottoman history. Wander the narrow lanes and harbor promenade of Chania's colorful Old Town on Crete, soaking in the sunshine and lovely views.
Get a healthy dose of history and culture on this 8-day tour of Greece's biggest cities and the island of Crete. Begin with a few days in the capital, where you'll visit the Acropolis and explore Athens' more modern neighborhoods and markets. Next, you'll head to Thessaloniki where you'll find a castle and beautiful Byzantine churches among its many gems. Finally, set out for Crete to stroll around the picturesque Old Town of Chania before making your way back to Athens for a farewell dinner with an unforgettable view.
You'll see the ancient sites of Athens, discover the coastal Byzantine city of Thessaloniki, and stroll around the Venetian streets of Chania with this 9-day itinerary. Along the way, you'll go wine tasting, commune with the oracle at Delphi, and bask on the beaches of Crete. End your journey back in the capital, where you'll enjoy a farewell dinner with a view.
