Must-See Destinations in Greece
A custom Zicasso tour allows you to organize your trip however you wish, and each day is tailored to how you like to travel, explore, and discover. We have recommendations for various trip lengths from our Greece travel specialists to give you a framework from which to launch your perfect trip:
7 to 9 Day Trips
If you have a week or so to travel in Greece and are a first-time visitor, we recommend that you visit Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. Organizing your days as recommended below will give you time to see the essential highlights.
7 Days
Days 1-2: Athens
Days 3-4: Mykonos
Days 5-7: Santorini
8 Days
Days 1-3: Athens
Days 4-5: Mykonos
Days 6-8: Santorini
9 Days
Days 1-4: Athens
Days 5-6: Mykonos
Days 7-9: Santorini
If you have more time (10-16 Days), we recommend:
If you can spend closer to two weeks in Greece, we suggest dividing your time between Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Monemvasia, Naxos, and Meteora. All Zicasso tours are customized to your preferences, but here is how we recommend you spend your time:
10 Days
Days 1-3: Athens
Days 4-5: Mykonos
Days 6-7: Naxos
Days 8-10: Santorini
12 Days
Days 1-3: Athens
Days 4-5: Mykonos
Days 6-8: Santorini
Days 9-12: Crete
14 Days
Days 1-3: Athens
Days 4-5: Mykonos
Days 6-8: Santorini
Days 9-11: Naxos
Days 12-13: Paros
15 Days
Days 1-3: Athens
Days 4-5: Mykonos
Days 6-8: Santorini
Days 9-10: Naxos
Days 11-12: Paros
Days 13-15: Crete
16 days
Days 1-3: Athens
Days 4-5: Mykonos
Days 6-8: Santorini
Days 9-10: Naxos
Days 11-12: Paros
Days 13-16: Crete
How many days is enough to see Greece?
Two weeks or 14 days is an ideal length for a Greece trip. This will allow you enough time to spend at least seven days exploring the mainland at sites like Athens, Monemvasia, and Meteora while also offering another seven days to explore Greece’s islands, such as Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. A 14-day trip brings options for both guided exploration and time on your own to discover the culture, food, and wine at a casual, enjoyable pace.
Essential Experiences for the Best Greece Vacation
Best Way to Experience Athens
During your Greece tour, you can visit many ancient civilizations and be immersed in the preserved culture of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can also discover Byzantine art, classic Mediterannean cuisine, stunning scenery, and unique architecture found in nearly every view.
Athens is a fascinating city with a unique Classical history and heritage that defines Western culture. Lively cafes, museum displays, and private kitchens highlight the preserved traditions. During your Greece tour, the following are essential experiences that you must indulge in when first visiting Athens:
What to See & Do
Tours Covering (2-3 Days depending on pace):
- Historical Tour: Visit the Acropolis, Olympic Stadium, and the Temple of Hephaestus, which immerse you in the ancient history found across Athens.
- Food Tour of the City Center: Uncover authentic gourmet pastries and street food, from baklava to loukoumades and from souvlaki to bougatsa.
- Excursion to Cape Sounion: Witness the massive remains of the Temple of Poseidon, which is perched on cliffs that overlook the Aegean Sea and possesses preserved 5th-century marble pillars that reflect the Mediterranean light.
- Mythology Tour: Experience the heritage of Athens while actors disguised as mythological figures at historical sites enact the culture, legends, and history of Greece.
Best Way to Experience Mykonos
Mykonos is a captivating island decorated with whitewashed Cycladic buildings and glistening beaches. Any visitor should consider the following essential experiences:
What to See & Do
Tours Covering (2-3 Days depending on pace):
- Historical Tour: Discover ancient Delos on a full-day tour to find the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
- Food Tour: Indulge in the flavors of a Mykonos Cooking Class, which reflects the tastes of the island that stem from traditional dishes, such as moussaka and dolmades.
- Scenic Excursion: Relax on the famous beaches known for their powdery white sands, lazy waves, and golden Mediterranean sunlight.
Best Way to Experience Santorini
Santorini is an island famous for its sunsets that spread across the water and its marvelous panoramic views over the cliffs of the caldera. The island also provides insight into the history of the Mediterranean, the preservation of traditional cuisine, and the romance of an island getaway. We recommend the following experiences when visiting Santorini during your Greece vacation:
What to See & Do
Private Tours Covering (2-3 Days depending on pace):
- Food Tour: Delight in a wine tasting tour through the historic vines for a flavorful look at the evolution of wine on Santorini and the Cycladic islands.
- Scenic Excursions: Enjoy a sunset cruise on the beautiful caldera for an unparalleled view of the colorful horizon accompanied by a fresh-cooked meal onboard. Hike from Fira to Oia for stunning views of Santorini’s azure caldera and the rugged cliffs to which the iconic whitewashed buildings cling.
- Historical Tour: Traverse the Ancient City of Akrotiri to find representations of the once-thriving Minoan port that was preserved in ash after a volcanic eruption.
Special Interests & Activities in Greece
Traveling with Zicasso provides you with exclusive access to many activities, excursions, and tours for a distinctive experience. The following information offers insight into our recommended experiences and can be tailored to focus on your unique interests:
Best Food & Wine Destinations
A food and wine excursion is one of the most essential experiences you can have in a country often considered the birthplace of the popular Mediterranean diet. When you travel with Zicasso, you’ll get personalized recommendations on where to eat, and the following highlight some of Greece’s best regions for world-class food and wine:
Crete: The island of Crete has a long tradition of using local, seasonal ingredients to create customary dishes and wines around the hills and valleys that influence the greater cuisine of Greece. You can find wine, raki, olive oil and olive paste, cheese, and charcuterie.
Santorini: The island of Santorini has a unique history of winemaking and a culinary heritage that turns simple ingredients, such as white eggplants, fáva beans, baby tomatoes, caper greens, cheeses, and sausages, into classic dishes with renowned traditions.
Zicasso’s Exclusive Access to Greece’s Best Wine
Zicasso travel partners can arrange private visits to vineyards not open to the public for exclusive tastings and meetings with the vintners. You can also learn more about Greece’s more-than-350 native grape varietals from a sommelier.
Olive Oil: Tours in Crete and the Peloponnese allow you to pick olives, witness the production, and sample the delicious flavors.
Art & History
Greece is one of the world’s most unique destinations for paintings, architecture, mosaics, and sculptures, making art an essential experience. The art of Greece represents Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Byzantine periods, accounting for many iconic European images.
Must-See Art Museums & Attractions:
- National Art Gallery of Greece: The Athens museum hosts 17,000 works of art.
- Acropolis Museum: The new Athens museum exhibits ancient artistic artifacts.
Depending on when you visit, your budget, and a number of other factors, Zicasso’s Greece partners can arrange specialized guides so that you can best appreciate these treasures.
Lesser-Known, Less-Crowded Art Museums & Attraction:
- Museum of Cycladic Art: Hosts a grand collection of Ancient Greek and Cypriot art.
- Palace of the Grand Master: The home of a grand Roman and Byzantine collection in Rhodes.
History: Greece is a history-lover’s dream, and its past is indelibly linked to the land and sea. Witnessing the history of the Greek peninsula and its islands is essential, and its storied history is inherent in the ruins, palaces, museums, and architecture, which represent the Hellenistic era and a shift to the Byzantine Empire. The city of Athens, as well as the islands of Mykonos and Santorini, are living museums that represent ancient life and iconic images of the Cyclades. On a customized Zicasso trip, we can arrange private tours with specialized history guides, such as a former archaeologist with a PhD or a history professor. We can also organize history-focused small-group tours with a certified guide.
Active Tours
An active tour offers the splendor of the countryside or the charms of villages and distinctive neighborhoods around the country at your preferred pace and from a unique perspective.
Recommendations for some of the best active tours in Greece:
Hiking
- Santorini – The coastal trail between Fira and Oia
- Crete – The Samaria Gorge Trail
- Mount Olympus
Private Excursions and Special Access
Zicasso’s travel specialist partners have insider access to unique experiences that you cannot get any other way. These experiences, customized to your specific interests, can often be your most memorable, turning your trip into the experience of a lifetime. Here are some examples, but the possibilities are endless:
- Private sail-boat excursion
- Sail to a deserted island for a private, romantic dinner
- Special dining experiences
- Sunset cruise
How much is a tour of Greece?
The starting price of a custom-tailored Greece trip is approximately $260 per person, per day. For an escorted group tour, the starting price can be approximately $200 per person, per day.
The cost of a Greece vacation is dependent on several factors, such as the:
- Length of your trip
- Season (month) of travel
- Class of hotel
- Number of locations/cities you visit
- Number of guided day tours and activities (e.g., cooking class, wine tasting, etc.)
- How much you spend on meals, shopping, etc.
A vacation such as this is often the biggest purchase of the year. It will also likely be one of the most memorable experiences of your lifetime. To get the most out of your trip, we highly recommend using an expert Greece travel specialist to plan a customized Greece tour that is tailored to your specific interests and budget. You can also join an escorted group tour so that most travel arrangements are pre-planned for you. This way, you can travel hassle-free and relax while a professional tour director and guide takes care of all logistics (including skip-the-line tickets) and any issues that might arise.
The cost of a tailor-made Greece tour typically starts at $2,600 per person for a 10-day trip, i.e., $260 per person, per day during the low or mid-season.
This includes:
- 3-star hotels (shared twin room)
- Some guided day tours and activities
- Transportation in Greece, such as airport transfers and inter-island ferries
A 5-star, tailor-made Greece tour, where most services are upgraded and extra unique experiences are included, typically starts at $6,000 per person for a 10-day trip, or $600 per person, per day.
An escorted Greece group tour with scheduled departure dates delivers excellent value. With comparable inclusions, such as the class of hotel, guided activities, and transportation, a group tour can be 30 - 50% less expensive than an equivalent tailor-made tour.
Everyone’s priorities, interests, and preferences are different. Submit a trip request on Zicasso, and we will personally match you with an expert Greece trip planner who will help you customize your dream trip or help you to select the right Greece group tour while also taking your budget into consideration.
Best Time to Visit Greece
Updated: January 29, 2020
The best time to visit Greece is between May and July and September to October. August is often the busiest and hottest month of the year in Greece.
You will have the best time visiting the Greek islands between June and September due to the warm summer temperatures and vibrant lifestyles that take place during these months. Outside of the summer months, hotels and restaurants on the islands often close down for the shoulder and winter seasons.
The best months to visit Greece for cultural experiences include the shoulder seasons between April to May and again in October. Fall from the end of October through November can be rainy but the majority of tourists have left giving you a sense of authentic Greece without the crowds.
When you visit Greece will depend on the goals of your trip but each season offers something unique and exciting. Certain places in Greece have become year-round destinations for travelers, such as the mainland, Santorini, and Crete. Demand remains high outside of peak travel season, but the crowds diminish, and the prices may decrease; however, the shoulder and low-season are not good months for enjoying the beaches and the sea.
How far in advance should I plan a trip to Greece?
You should plan your trip to Greece up to eight months in advance if you wish to visit destinations like Santorini. Due to the high demand of visitors that travel to this beautiful destination and the limited number of hotels, you must reserve ahead of time, depending on the time of year you wish to travel. We recommend planning your Greece tour up to 12 months in advance for the most optimal travel experience.
Modes of Transportation in Greece
If traveling the mainland, the best way to see Greece in 10 days is by car. The train services and public transportation systems are irregular and not yet held to a consistent and quick standard that can transfer you across the country with ease. Driving in Greece is easy as the roads are paved, the highways are well-marked, and the network of roads makes even the most remote corner of mainland Greece reachable.
Domestic flights are possible and convenient when needing to travel long distances or off the mainland peninsula to islands like Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete. Otherwise, ferries offer scenic views and great value when visiting multiple Greek islands.
When island-hopping around Greece, the ferries are the only way to travel between many of the islands and can be delayed due to inclement weather. Still, your Zicasso travel partner ensures that your logistics are as smooth as possible.
Car Rental
Renting a car in Greece is easier than often expected. If you wish to explore the mainland or want to visit villages across the large island of Crete, renting a car offers you the freedom to travel at your own pace with ease. Public transportation does not offer great access to towns, cities, and villages across the country, making a car-hire one of the best methods for traveling long distances.
Zicasso travel specialists will always include private transfers to and from the airport or between destinations for your best stress-free Greece tour, which circumvents possible taxi service charges, toll roads, or miscommunications.
What to Consider When Traveling Through Greece
Travel considerations during your Greece vacation include safety, ease of logistics, and accessibility. The following information offers our recommendations on what to consider:
Is Greece Safe for Travel?
Greece is very safe. During your Greece tour, you will find the people and the country welcoming and eager to share their culture. As anywhere, pickpocketing can be a concern, especially in larger tourist destinations like Athens. Healthwise, there are no concerns regarding the general safety of eating and drinking throughout Greece.
Travel Insurance
You’ve booked your dream vacation, now protect it with travel insurance. A wide range of factors can leave your vacation in limbo. Medical emergencies, inclement weather, and unexpected cancellations can cause turmoil for your trip, so in the unlikely event of a disaster, get the travel insurance coverage that provides peace of mind. To get a quote, visit our travel insurance page.
For Families
Greek culture is family oriented and offers hospitality beyond expectations to families traveling with children of all ages. Having a family-friendly guide can help maximize your time and enhance your experience for every member of the family.
For Seniors
The terrain of Greece has its challenges, making a Zicasso specialist knowledgeable about the accessibility of each destination important to achieving your perfect Greece vacation. Whether minimizing or eliminating challenges completely, having a guide knowledgeable in touring with seniors will offer more accessible tours, activities, and transfers to maximize how much you can see and experience. Arrangements can be made for drivers to carry your luggage to and from check-in if traveling by ferry or domestic flight.
For Couples
Having a guide knowledgeable in romance around Greece will provide unique perspectives, advice, and opportunities to experience true majesty. A knowledgeable Zicasso specialist can immerse you in a romantic dinner on a secluded island or find the perfect private view over the caldera at your resort on Santorini.
For Travelers with Disabilities
Guests with mobility challenges can be well assisted by our Greece travel specialists. Access and alternative arrangements can be made with ease to ensure the enjoyment of certain monuments, historical sites, accommodations, and restaurants.
Best Airports to Fly In & Out of Greece
The best airport to fly in and out of Greece when visiting Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini is Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH). Athens has the largest and busiest airport in Greece, accommodating non-stop flights from the United States. Athens also has the most opportunities for arriving and departing in Greece by plane based on your schedule and preferred travel timeframe; however, other airports can provide equal opportunities and possibilities for flights inside of Greece, depending on your route and schedule.
For most travelers, the most convenient airport is Athens. The second most accessible airport to fly in or out of in Greece is Crete’s Heraklion Airport (HER). The top active airports in Greece are:
- Athens (ATH)
- Heraklion (HER)
- Thessaloniki (SKG)
Find the Best Flight
Athens has the largest and most accessible airport in Greece, resulting in flights from the islands that often stop in Athens before continuing to another destination.
It is more advantageous to fly in and out of Athens because you get better pricing and availability. It is fine to do so because it is easy to get around Greece with domestic flights from specific islands or ferries that connect islands with airports, such as Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, allowing you to quickly return to Athens.
Domestic Flights
Domestic flights are accessible, frequent, and quick, making it very easy to travel distances across Greece; however, inter-island flights stop in Athens before continuing to other islands.
Flights Via Zicasso
Zicasso Air Desk is an international air ticketing service that eliminates the stress of finding and booking the right flights for your upcoming vacation by employing the same personalized service you can expect from planning a trip with Zicasso. Our competitive flight pricing, 24x7 Service & Support, and Complimentary Consultation of Routing vs. Pricing with an Expert Flight Specialist make finding the perfect flight for your trip effortless.
Recommendations for the Return Traveler
When returning for another Greece tour, you can venture beyond the essential destinations of Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini to discover destinations considered more off-the-beaten-path but equally worthy of your consideration. The following list offers our recommendations for where you can visit during your return trip to Greece.
Crete
Crete is a charismatic and majestic island in the Mediterranean, surprising visitors with eclectic towns that boast a preserved culture and captivating ruins steeped in history. The west side of Crete is known for its authentic villages in addition to its variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking the gorges and boat trips. The east side of Crete hosts more cities and offers a different view of the island’s heritage that has been influenced by the traditions of Europe, Africa, and Asia Minor.
Meteora
The collection of rock formations in central Greece boasts remarkable feats of engineering and sustained culture of the Byzantine Empire, which are demonstrated in the six preserved hanging monasteries. The steep, vertical cliffs provide a unique texture to the landscape, highlighting the distinctive lives the monks continue to live in seclusion on the summits that soar above the town of Kalambaka.
Monemvasia
The charming town of Monemvasia whisks visitors back into the medieval wonders of Greece on a small island linked to the mainland by a narrow road. The teal waters of the Aegean shimmer beneath the sheer cliffs that rise hundreds of feet and are decorated with the cobbled roads and dramatic walls of the town and fortress.
Zagori
The Northwestern region of Zagori hosts a series of villages scattered across the steep ridgeline that rise out of gray stone. The unique visions of slate roofs blend with the surrounding terrain-dense forests. Stone paths and hidden staircases connect the different villages, and arched bridges that date back to the 18th century offer a great space to hike, enjoy nature, and experience the authentic culture of Greece.
Andros
Andros is the second-largest Cycladic island and boasts a wild collection of mountains, streams, valleys, and stone mills. The robust, seafaring tradition continues to shape the culture of locals and is noticeable in the elegant enclave of neoclassical mansions that line the streets of Hora and the pristine scenery that glows with wildflowers and archeological ruins.
Tinos
Tinos is an island at the northern edge of the Cyclades that offers an enchanting, untouched beauty and features sandy beaches and traditional Cycladic architecture. Picturesque towns with stone-made homes, small plazas where locals socialize, and delicious cuisine shaped by the available ingredients of island life make Tinos an undiscovered gem perfect for visitors who are returning to Greece and interested in a different experience.
Related Greece Tours by Zicasso
How to Book a Greece Tour
Any vacation to Greece should include both the mainland and the islands. The mainland, with Athens as the highlight, provides rich history and culture. The islands offer spectacular coastal scenery, beaches, and relaxation. Planning the right mix and choice of destinations can be a time-consuming and complex task, but Zicasso is here to help.
There are three ways to plan and book a trip:
- Get a customized tour planned and booked by a travel professional. Travel independently on your own schedule.
- Book a group tour. Join an escorted group tour with a fixed departure date.
- Plan and book a trip yourself.
Zicasso offers the best solution for a customized tour by matching you with top travel specialists who plan and book the trip for you. Our travel agency division, Marageti, specializes in helping you book an escorted group tour. There is no extra cost to you for either service.
Custom Tours
A customized tour is one that is planned by a travel specialist according to your specific interests, preferences, and schedule. Whether you desire a family-friendly adventure or a romantic getaway, each of the accommodations, activities, and destinations is tailored to your preferences. The knowledge and experience of your travel specialist makes a big difference. Zicasso has spent thousands of hours vetting the best travel partners. We act as a referral service, matching you with specialists that best meet your goals and priorities.
Escorted Group Tours
A group tour offers the advantage of convenience at a great value. The schedule is fixed, the itinerary is pre-planned, and a dedicated tour director travels with the group throughout the trip. A group tour can be 30 - 50% less expensive than an equivalent customized tour. Out of the many hundreds of group tours, how do you select the right one for you? Our travel agency division, Marageti, has sales agents who specialize in helping travelers weigh the pros and cons of each group tour. We give you personalized recommendations to find the best tour for you.
Goals and Priorities
What are your goals and priorities for the trip? These should drive your decision for either a customized tour or a fixed departure group tour. We are here to help you make the right decisions to make your dream trip a reality.
