Starting from:

5546 USD

per Adult

Ancient Greece and Greek islands tour - 12 days

Crafted by Antonis, travel expert from Greece

Trip crafted by:
Antonis
Travel Expert
Greece flagGreece

Step into a living tapestry of myth, marble, and Mediterranean light on an ancient Greece and Greek islands tour. Explore the Acropolis at dusk, trace the footsteps of oracles and sea traders, and hear expert historians reveal the human stories behind the ruins.

This is travel for seekers of authenticity, crafted for travelers who want deeper cultural encounters, time in hidden neighborhoods, and curated access to Greece’s most storied sites.

Your days unfold through conversations with passionate guides, family-run tavernas overlooking the sea, and sunsets glowing against timeless temples. Among our Greece trips, this journey brings ancient history and island life together in a way that feels personal, immersive, and unforgettable.

Ancient Greece and Greek islands tour highlights

  • Walk through the cradle of Western civilization in Athens: Explore the Acropolis, wander Plaka’s hidden alleys, and enjoy local tavernas, with time to shape each day around your pace.
  • Discover Mykonos beyond the nightlife: Stroll whitewashed lanes, visit sacred Delos, and savor family-run eateries that reveal the island’s quieter, more authentic side.
  • Take in Santorini’s iconic views and volcanic heritage: Pair caldera sunsets with boutique wineries, traditional villages, and a personalized itinerary that goes beyond the postcard views.
  • Immerse yourself in Crete’s timeless traditions: Meet local artisans, explore ancient Minoan sites, and enjoy slow-food experiences rooted in the island’s rich culinary heritage.
  • Travel seamlessly with boutique-style arrangements: Enjoy handpicked stays, flexible touring, and insider recommendations that make this trip to Greece a truly tailor-made cultural journey.
DayLocationActivityOvernight
1Athens

• Arrive in Athens

• Private transfer to your hotel

• Meet the local representative for trip tips

• Explore Plaka, Lycabettus Hill, and a traditional café

Athens
2Athens

• Visit the Acropolis and its ancient masterpieces

• See the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Syntagma Square

• Pass Athens’ neoclassical landmarks and Panathenaic Stadium

• Explore the Acropolis Museum

Athens
3Athens → Delphi → Athens

• Drive through Levadia and the mountain village of Arachova

• Explore the archaeological site of Delphi

• Walk the Sacred Way and visit the Temple of Apollo

• See treasures, including the Charioteer of Delphi, at the museum

Athens
4Athens → Mykonos

• Private transfer to Piraeus port

• Travel by high-speed ferry to Mykonos

• Private transfer to your hotel

• Explore whitewashed lanes, cafés, boutiques, and beaches

Mykonos
5Mykonos → Delos → Mykonos

• Sail from Mykonos to sacred Delos

• Explore the archaeological site with a private expert guide

• See the Avenue of the Lions, ancient theater, mosaics, and museum

• Cruise back to Mykonos

Mykonos
6Mykonos

• Enjoy Hóra at your own pace

• Browse whitewashed lanes, local shops, and cafés

• Visit lively beaches such as Paradise or Super Paradise

• Relax at Órnos, Psaroú, Platis Yalós, or quieter northern beaches

Mykonos
7Mykonos → Santorini

• Private transfer to Mykonos port

• Travel by high-speed ferry to Santorini

• Private transfer  to your hotel

• Explore Oia, caldera viewpoints, artisan boutiques, and cliffside tavernas

Santorini
8Santorini

• Visit the archaeological museum and ancient Akrotiri

• Explore Pyrgos and the Monastery of Prophet Elias

• Admire caldera views in Firostefani

• Wander through Oia’s cobbled lanes and sunset viewpoints

Santorini
9Santorini

• Enjoy Santorini at your own pace

• Wander through whitewashed villages

• Pause at cliffside cafés with Aegean views

• Walk along the caldera rim and choose your sunset spot

Santorini
10Santorini → Crete

• Private transfer to Santorini port

• Travel by high-speed ferry to Crete

• Private transfer to your hotel

• Settle in and experience Crete’s traditions, history, and hospitality

Crete
11Crete → Knossos → Heraklion

• Visit the Palace of Knossos

• Explore Heraklion’s Venetian walls, harbor, fortress, markets, and cafés

Crete
12Heraklion → Athens

• Private transfer from your Heraklion hotel to the airport

• Fly from Crete to Athens

• Connect with your onward flight home

 

Places you'll visit

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Day01

Day 1: Welcome to Athens

Arrive in Athens and meet your private driver for a smooth transfer to your hotel. After check-in, our local representative will introduce your trip and share insider tips to help you make the most of your Greece travel experience.

Spend the afternoon at a relaxed pace, exploring the cobbled lanes and neoclassical charm of Plaka. Later, take in sweeping city views from Lycabettus Hill, then settle into a traditional café with fragrant Greek coffee as the vibrant rhythm of Athens unfolds around you.

Athens Airport
Day02

Day 2: Ancient and modern Athens

Experience the striking contrast between Athens’ ancient landmarks and its vibrant modern life. Begin at the Acropolis, where you’ll explore the Parthenon, Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion, with its graceful Porch of the Maidens.

Continue to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Syntagma Square to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Along the way, pass neoclassical treasures including the Catholic Cathedral, the University, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library.

You’ll also see the historic Panathenaic Stadium before ending at the Acropolis Museum, where remarkable artifacts bring the city’s cultural soul vividly to life.

Parthenon
Day03

Day 3: Sacred Delphi and mountain villages

Start your day with a scenic drive through Levadia and Arachova, a lively mountain village set on the slopes of Mount Parnassos.

Continue to Delphi, once considered the spiritual center of the ancient world. Walk the Sacred Way, stand before the Temple of Apollo, and imagine pilgrims arriving to seek guidance from the legendary oracle.

After exploring the archaeological site, visit the Delphi Museum to see remarkable ancient treasures, including the bronze Charioteer of Delphi.

Please note that this private tour includes uphill walking and requires a good level of fitness.

Sanctuary of Athena Delphi, Greece © peterlazzarino/Shutterstock
Day04

Day 4: Sail to Mykonos

Your private driver will meet you at your Athens hotel and take you to Piraeus port in comfort. Settle into your reserved seat on the high-speed ferry and enjoy the scenic voyage across the Aegean Sea to Mykonos.

On arrival, a dedicated driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day easing into island life.

Stroll through winding, whitewashed lanes lined with chic boutiques and artisan shops, stopping at cozy cafés to sample local flavors. Later, unwind on sun-kissed beaches and swim in the island’s crystal-clear waters.

Highspeed ferry trip to Mykonos
Day05

Day 5: Sacred Delos discovery

Sail from Mykonos to the sacred island of Delos, where the myths of Apollo and Artemis come vividly to life.

Explore this remarkable archaeological site with your private expert guide. Walk along the Avenue of the Lions, step inside the ancient theater, and admire intricate mosaics and fascinating artifacts in the museum.

Pause at the museum café to take in sweeping views across this UNESCO World Heritage Site, then cruise back to Mykonos with a deeper understanding of Cycladic history, myth, and culture.

Ancient Delos
Day06

Day 6: Mykonos at your own pace

Use Hóra as your relaxed base and shape the day around your own rhythm. Stroll through its whitewashed lanes, browse local shops, and pause at cafés before heading out to explore the island’s beaches.

For a lively atmosphere, visit Paradise or Super Paradise on the southern coast. For a more relaxed setting, spend time at Órnos or Psaroú, both known for their easygoing, family-friendly feel.

You can also unwind on the organized sands of Platis Yalós, with loungers and beachside service, or seek a quieter escape on the northern beaches of Ayia Ánna, Houlákia, Kápari, Agrári, and Ayios Stéfanos. Bring a good book, settle into the Aegean breeze, and enjoy Mykonos at your own pace.

Mykonos
Day07

Day 7: Sail to Santorini

Meet your private driver at your hotel for a smooth transfer to Mykonos port, with time to enjoy your final views of this cosmopolitan island. Board the high-speed ferry and glide across the Aegean, watching the sea and islands unfold on your journey to Santorini.

On arrival, your dedicated driver will greet you at the port and escort you to your hotel.

Spend a peaceful afternoon wandering through Oia’s iconic whitewashed lanes, one of the best places to visit in Greece for caldera views and timeless island scenery. Pause at viewpoints overlooking the turquoise sea, browse small artisan boutiques, or sample fresh seafood and local wines at a cliffside taverna.

As evening approaches, find a quiet spot to watch the sun melt into the horizon.

Fira Santorini
Day08

Day 8: Ancient Akrotiri and Santorini views

Enjoy a private hotel pickup and set out to explore Santorini’s ancient history and volcanic beauty. Begin with a guided visit to the archaeological museum and the prehistoric ruins of Akrotiri, one of the most important ancient settlements in the Aegean.

Continue to the traditional village of Pyrgos and the Monastery of Prophet Elias, where sweeping views reveal the island’s dramatic volcanic landscape.

Pause in Firostefani to admire the caldera and see the famous Blue Dome church, then wander through Oia’s cobbled lanes, passing whitewashed houses, blue-domed chapels, and sunset viewpoints before returning to your hotel.

Santorini Cliffs
Day09

Day 9: Santorini at your own pace

Savor a tranquil day in Santorini, the world’s most famous volcanic island complex. Shaped by powerful eruptions over thousands of years, the island is known for its legendary caldera, dramatic cliffs, and sweeping Aegean views.

Explore at your own rhythm. Wander through whitewashed villages, pause at cliffside cafés overlooking the sea, or follow scenic walking paths along the caldera rim.

As evening falls, find your perfect sunset spot and watch the cliffs glow in the changing light. This tailor-made day in Santorini is yours to shape around your pace, interests, and passions.

Santorini Cliffs
Antonis

Tips from Antonis

Greece Travel Expert

quotes

For a quieter Santorini sunset, skip the busiest viewpoints in Oia and head to Imerovigli instead. The caldera views are just as spectacular, but the atmosphere is calmer and more romantic. Arrive early, take a slow walk along the rim, then settle into a cliffside café or wine bar before the evening crowds build.

Day10

Day 10: Sail to Crete

Your private driver will meet you at your Santorini hotel and escort you to the port. From here, board a high-speed ferry and cross the Aegean to Crete, the final island on your Greece itinerary.

On arrival, your chauffeur will greet you at the port and transfer you to your hotel. Settle in and begin to experience Crete’s distinct character, from its proud traditions and rich history to its legendary hospitality, all tailored to your style of travel.

Highspeed ferry trip from Santorini to Heraklion
Day11

Day 11: Knossos and Heraklion heritage

Step deep into Minoan history at the Palace of Knossos. Wander through the throne room and royal apartments, admire vivid frescoes, and hear stories of King Minos, the Labyrinth, and Theseus’ legendary battle with the Minotaur.

Continue to Heraklion, Crete’s lively capital, for a guided walk along the Venetian city walls and historic harbor, crowned by its 16th-century fortress.

Afterward, enjoy free time to browse market stalls and boutiques, or relax at a seafront café and soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Palace of Knossos
Day12

Day 12: Farewell to Greece

Your private driver will meet you at your hotel in Heraklion for a smooth transfer to the airport, bringing your tailor-made Greece trip to a relaxed close.

During your flight to Athens, take in the final views of the glittering Aegean Sea. From there, connect with your onward flight home, carrying the memories of Greece’s ancient sites, island landscapes, and warm hospitality with you.

Flight from Santorini to Athens