6 Days in Greece - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Athens, Mykonos, & Santorini

This six-day excursion takes you through the major highlights of Greece's capital and two of its most popular islands. In Mykonos and Santorini, you'll lay on famous beaches, explore agricultural villages, and try delicious regional cuisine. 

Begin your trip in Athens, home to the iconic Acropolis. Enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing at your leisure: check out views of the Parthenon from one of the city's high points, visit the Tower of the Winds, and window-shop on charming Aiolou Street.

Day two takes you by ferry to Mykonos, one of the most famous islands in the Cyclades chain, known for glitzy restaurants and nightlife, art scene, and jet-set crowds. Head to the remote beach of Agios Sostis to experience your own isolated paradise, take a windsurfing lesson at Ftelia Beach, and stroll through Little Venice, an 18th-century neighborhood where colorful former captains' mansions and seaside restaurants seem to sprout straight from the sea. Spend one more day on Mykonos, this time on a guided tour of the island's less-visited villages, harbors, and remote beaches.

After breakfast on day four, you'll catch an early ferry to Santorini. Upon arrival, you'll take in the island's central caldera—the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history—rising above you. You'll explore the many museums in Fira, Santorini's capital, before enjoying an afternoon catamaran cruise. Swim and sunbathe at Red Beach and White Beach, named for their distinctively-hued sands, and jump into the mineral-rich volcanic hot springs at Nea Kameni. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Delightful Athens & Naxos

Divide your time between history-drenched Athens and Naxos, the largest of the Cycladic islands; on this trip, you’ll learn about ancient sites, lounge on incredible beaches, and learn to cook regional specialties. 

Start with two days in Athens, where you’ll introduce yourself to Athenian life, culture, and history with a self-guided tour of the incredible National Museum, stop by smaller ancient sites like the Tower of the Winds, and dust of the day with a celebratory evening of mezze and cocktails in the lively Psyrri district. Immerse yourself in mythological lore and relics on day two with some expert help: learn about Athenian myths and their real history on a four-hour guided tour in the morning, followed by an afternoon guided tour of the captivating Acropolis Museum.

After breakfast on day three, it’s time for island life; you’ll depart for Naxos, where you’ll spend the next three days soaking up rays, learning about agricultural traditions, and discovering ancient ruins under an azure sky. At the home of a rural villager in Kaloxylos, you'll take a Greek cooking class with a seasonal menu customized to your preferences; after, explore the Portara — the entrance to the Temple of Apollo — or indulge more culinary inspiration with a trip to a cheese-making facility or a local distillery specializing in local kitron liqueur.

Before returning to Athens, enjoy one final day on breathtaking beaches: the popular Agios Georgios and Agios Prokopios have amenities like sunbeds and tavernas, while the more rustic Aliko and Mikri Vigla offer seclusion and spectacular scenery. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Family Holiday in Athens & Nafplio

Families will love this action-packed trip plan that introduces you to the secrets of Athens, Greek mythology, theater, and lore. Dress up as gods and best giants in a duel, battle for Olympic glory in the Panhellenic Stadium, discover castles, and bike your way through the seaside town of Nafplio. 

Your family will hit the ground running in Athens, where you’ll spend the next three days uncovering myth, history, and seriously delicious food. Roam the city, imagining the Parthenon in its Classical heyday, and stroll the pedestrian thoroughfare of Aiolou Street for some loukoumades, a honey-drenched fried donut. Embark on a journey of imagination on day two, with an interactive mythology experience full of fun, games, child education specialists and kid-friendly performers: learn stories and myths of classical Greece, reenact a battle between gods and giants at the Acropolis, and learn about Athena and Poseidon in immersive storytelling at the National Gardens. 

Fuel up at breakfast on day three, because it’s off to the races! Today is all about the Olympics: you’ll meet your guide at the Zappeion, the first building created for the modern games; then it’s off to Kallimarmaro, the Panhellenic Stadium, where you’ll learn everything Olympic before hitting the track and going for gold yourself. 

You’ll trade the city for the seaside the next day when you travel to the town of Nafplio. Get a feel for the area on a guided two and half hour cycling tour, suitable for riders of all levels and ages.  After, explore Nafplio Bay and take a boat to the majestic Bourtzi Castle, built to defend the city from pirates in the 15th century.

On day five, pay homage to the greats of ancient Greek theater; an expert guide will show you the actual location that served as a setting for a classical play, and after, you’ll watch a staging of the work (with English subtitles) in the theater of Epidaurus, which dates back over 1,300 years. Enjoy one final dinner in a taverna with your brood, sipping ouzo as the sun sets, before heading back to Athens after tomorrow’s breakfast. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Enchanting Northern Greece and Corfu

This tour of lush Northern Greece and Corfu is an exceptional option for Odyssey-obsessed travelers hungry to explore verdant gorges and mountaintop monasteries, as well as families interested in tasting Greek culture at a slower pace, away from Athenian crowds. 

This adventure begins in the city of Thessaloniki, where you’ll land after transferring from Athens. Depending on the time of your arrival and the activities that pique your interest, you can spend your first day on a self-guided walking tour of the town, filled with ancient history, UNESCO World Heritage demarcated Byzantine churches, or modern markets full of fresh flowers and tempting local specialties.

You’ll make a pilgrimage north the following day to Meteora for a three-hour guided tour of all six of the area’s famous clifftop monasteries, which are still used by clergy today. The magic continues the next day with a morning visit of Zagori and its clusters of over 40 enchanting hillside villages; after, you’ll embark on an easy half-day hike of the area’s flora and fauna, unique river bridges, quaint stone houses, and fairytale-like allure.  

After getting to know the north, you’ll spend two days on the Ionian island of Corfu, famous not only for its beauty and history but for being an important stopping point for Odysseus on his journey in Homer’s masterwork. Enjoy a three-hour guided food tour of the Corfiot cuisine and wander around Corfu's Old Town, another gorgeous UNESCO Heritage site. The next day, you’ll learn about the island through the lens of The Odyssey on a six-hour guided tour; when you stop at the breathtaking Paleokastritsa bay and Ermones beach, you can consult the book to determine which of the sites was really where Odysseus washed ashore, only to be found by Nausicaa, the beautiful Phaeacian princess. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Explore Zakynthos Island 

If you’re interested in exploring an island off the beaten path, this trip plan offers the opportunity to discover the charming Ionian island of Zakynthos, where you’ll be treated to gorgeous beaches, glimpses of traditional village life, and coves home to rare loggerhead sea turtles.

You'll touchdown in Athens, home of the Parthenon and the Acropolis. After you check-in at your hotel, immerse yourself in history at the sprawling National Museum, tour the iconic ruins, or shop for treasures at the buzzing Monastiraki Flea market. The next day, you’ll ferry to Zakynthos, the third-largest Ionian island, where you can spend the day lounging on the southern beaches and exploring the western cliffs, home to rare loggerhead turtles.

Start day three aboard a full-day cruise of the island: you’ll stop into secluded coves before hitting the popular Shipwreck Beach; after some time in the sand, head for the hills to see the beach and shipwreck from on high before dining at a taverna or tasting local wines. 

Choose your own adventure the next day: discover clifftop views at Kampi in the Vrachionas mountains and take a dip in Makris Gialos beach, or visit a smattering of traditional villages, such as Gyri - the highest on the island. Spend your final day on Zakynthos wine tasting in Maries, a rural village where you’ll learn about Ionian varietals from an expert sommelier; later, enjoy some delicious mezze and the sunset from the hilltop Bochali village. After one last breakfast, wave goodbye to island life and ferry back to Athens. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Local Life on Crete

Dive into Crete’s traditions and its incredible turquoise waters on this six-day exploration of Greece’s largest island. Foodies and sun-worshippers will love tasting Crete like a local, exploring villages, flora and fauna, and sensational pink-sand beaches. 

You’ll begin your discovery of Crete in Chania, a region and city in the northwest which will serve as your landing point on the island. Get to know the city on your first day: you could linger over mezze in the charming 14th-century harbor or head straight to beaches like Falassarna or Elafonissi, cloaked in dazzling pink-sand. Spend the next two days in the rural Vamos region, where you’ll learn all about local hospitality. You’ll take a traditional Cretan cooking class, spend the evening in a traditional village guesthouse, and embark on a fun four-hour village-to-village trek, sampling regional bites and sips along the way. 

On day four, get lost in the tropical splendor and lush flora of the Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete, before winding down back in Chania. Treat yourself to a night on the town — maybe with some cocktails at Kikbar, situated in a converted 16th-century monastery — or rest up for a full day of beach exploration. 

Your final day on Crete is filled with sand, coves and maybe even some Mediterranean seals. Travel by boat to pink sand-beaches like Balos, a protected lagoon, and Gramrousa, home to a shipwreck and a former Venetian castle you can hike to. Spend your last night in Chania ambling down narrow streets, strolling the harbor at dusk, or taking a final dip in the sea before you leave the island the next morning. Learn more

More Great 6-Day Greece Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Greece trip? Check out these other 6-day Greece itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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