9 Days in Greece - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Greek Highlights in Athens, Mykonos & Santorini

See Athens and island-hop to some of Greece’s greatest hits with guided tours, excursions to sites like Delphi and Delos, and luxurious touches like home-cooked meals and sunset boat tours on this nine-day trip.

Your tour of Greece beings in its capital, Athens, where you’ll spend your first two days exploring must-see sites and living the best of city life. Unravel the history and mystery of ancient ruins with a full-day guided tour of the Acropolis, Parthenon, Panhellenic Stadium, and National Library — among a slew of other riveting ancient and modern landmarks.

You’ll still have time to wander through bustling marketplaces like the Monastiraki and enjoy dinner and drinks in the hip Pangrati neighborhood. On day three, it’s off to a day trip of Delphi — regarded by ancient Greeks as the mystical site of oracle priestesses; you’ll take a guided tour of the temple ruins and other landmarks like Temple of Appolo before enjoying a home-cooked lunch under the imposing plane trees of the nearby old town district. 

On day four, trade the mainland for the luxe island of Mykonos, famous for gorgeous beaches, swanky nightlife, and world-class dining. Your specialist will customize recommendations so you can spend the day soaking up the island based on your preferences. Then sack out on the sand: enjoy cocktail service from a sunbed on Elia beach or the popular Platis Gialos or head to the quieter Agios Sostis, a simple and serene stretch of beach favored by locals. After, watch the sunset from the water as you cruise to the ancient sacred site at Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, for a guided tour the island and its treasures. 

The next morning, you’re off to Santorini and its iconic whitewashed cubic architecture, and stunning black and pink-sand beaches. Over the next two days, you’ll be treated to fresh local seafood in Oia, playtime in the surf, and a full day hike circling the island’s caldera; you can spend five hours focusing on the trail and its breathtaking views or break up the journey with stops in tavernas and charming villages.  

Finish your adventure where it started, in Athens: spend your final day shopping in the Plaka neighborhood, checking out art at the Benaki Museum, or discovering an ancient model of the first analog computer — the Antikythera mechanism — at the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology. Enjoy a final night of ouzo and mezze in the Psyrri district before you depart this epicenter of ancient life the following day. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Sailing Holiday in the Aegean Sea

All aboard for this sailing adventure to six islands in the Aegean, perfect for travelers hungry for a taste of the Cyclades and her various isles: you’ll discover incredible double beaches, rustic coves, and hiking trails with unforgettable views.

Kythnos awaits on day four and you'll be introduced today to its five main villages: don’t miss the thermal springs in Loutra or the looming Katafiki Cave in Dryopida. The next morning, you’ll sail to Syros, an island lined with gorgeous 19th-century mansions, filled with charming cobblestone streets, and crowned with Ano Syros, a medieval hilltop settlement with fantastic views of the Aegean. From there, you're off to rustic beaches and the remains of a Venetian fortress on the island Serifos.

Before you set sail, you’ll enjoy some time in Athens, where you can visit unmissable sites like the Parthenon and shop for treasures in the ancient neighborhood of the Plaka. The next morning, your voyage begins: your first stop is Cape Sounion, home to the Greek Rivera and the hilltop ruins of the Temple of Poseidon. On day three, you’ll dock on the island of Kea, which abounds with trails, oak forests, remote beaches, and Karthea Bay, a stunner accessible only by boat or hike. 

On day seven, Milos and its breathtaking 70 beaches welcome you; the island is buzzing as the next great luxury Greek escape, so enjoy the quiet now as you explore Kalamos, home to a dormant volcano, and the otherworldy Sarakiniko Beach, where ashen volcanic rocks frame azure waters.

When you return to the island of Kythnos the next day, enjoy one last day in the sand on the unique double bay beaches of Kolona, or hike the hills to see the geographic marvel from above. The next day, you’ll sail the Aegean one last time to Athens before heading home or onto your next adventure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Relaxed Athens, Santorini, Mykonos & Naxos

This itinerary is perfect for travelers looking to blend relaxation, culinary experiences, and leisurely island-hopping around a handful of Greece’s can’t miss destinations. 

Spend your first two days in Athens, where you’ll see iconic sites like the Acropolis and the Panhellenic Stadium on your own speed. You’ll also taste your way through the Greek capital on a guided food tour of the city, sampling from market stalls and quality purveyors. Enjoy a delicious night out in a hidden gem in the Koukaki neighborhood before heading off the next morning for the island of Santorini. You’ll have two days to take in pink and black sand beaches, icon white buildings, museums, and scenic walking trails along the caldera. Cap it all off with an afternoon semi-private catamaran cruise around the island. 

On day five you’ll head to the island of Naxos, where you can choose your own adventure based on your tastes. Play in the waves, explore beaches, hike the pillaring Mount Zas, or stroll the towns of Chalki and Kastro, stopping into tavernas and shops. You’ll also learn how to recreate the taste of this island after a home-cooking class in the village of Kaloxylos. 

The glamor of Mykonos awaits for the final leg of your journey — choose from well-appointed beaches or remote strips of sand, like Agios Sostis, to enjoy the sun. You’ll also savor the island’s flavor and culture: you’ll visit a nearby farm, then be treated to a super fresh, traditionally cooked dinner in a local Mykonian home. After one more island sunrise and morning splash in the sea, you’ll return to Athens for your departure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Athens and Crete Family Adventure

Horseback riding, pink-sand beaches, a guided mythology tour, and blue lagoons await you and your family on this trip plan that explores Athens and Crete, with adventure for all ages. 

Your trip begins in Athens, where you’ll spend two days getting the lay of the land and visiting must-see landmarks like the Parthenon. Gain a deeper understanding of fact and lore on a four-hour guided mythology tour of Athens; you’ll learn the myths and realities behind them at various locales, including the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. 

The next morning, it’s off to Chania, a city and region in northwest Crete that will be your home base on the island. You’ll dine at a taverna in the lively harbor, explore incredible beaches — from the pink sands of Elafonissi to the shallow, family-friendly Almyrida — and trek the scenic Samaria Gorge with an expert guide. 

On day six, you’ll learn about Apokoronas and its seven villages on a guided tour of the area, home to sites like an Ottoman fort, a Venetian watermill along the Kiliaris river, and a glassblowing factory in Kokkino Chorio. The next day, you’ll head north for a taste of the island’s quieter side: trek through abandoned villages in Douliana and spend the night in a traditional village guesthouse in Vamos. 

Begin your final day on Crete with a family-friendly horseback ride along the turquoise waters of Kournas Lake, then taste the island’s culinary delights before heading to the seaside village of Rethymno, replete with a 19th-century lighthouse and the Venetian harbor. Vamos welcomes you for one final night of mezze in the moonlight before you depart from Chania the next morning. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Mainland Greece Road Trip

Start your engine and hit the road for a unique tour of Greece’s mainland! This epic road trip winds you from Athens to amazing sites like the seaside town of Nafplio, the ancient ruins of Mycenea, and Delphi.

Your road trip begins in Athens, where you’ll spend two days exploring legendary sites and tasting delicious cuisine. You’ll visit iconic landmarks — the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Temple of the Olympian Zeus and more — on a four-hour guided mythology tour that will juxtapose famous tales with historical facts. Hit the road on day three for your next stop: Nafplio, a charming and eclectic seaside town with a dense history. Take a boat out to the Bourtzi Castle, a 15-century structure out in the bay, or stroll Vasileos Konstantinou, a pedestrian street that culminates at the lively Syntagma Square. 

Taste your way through day four, when you’ll explore Nemea, a stellar wine-producing region famous for Agiorgitiko, a merlot-like varietal whose grapes are believed to be the fruit of a vine gifted by the god Dionysus. You’ll tour vineyards and enjoying a delicious lunch paired with local wines. Next stop: Mycenae — home to mysteriously-built Cyclopean walls — and Epidaurus, a small ancient city regarded as a powerful healing center. Epidaurus also features a third-century theater, renowned for incredible acoustics; depending on when you visit, you may even be able to watch a performance on the stage. 

After journeying over Mount Taygetos, you’ll explore the Byzantine citadel of Mystras, abandoned in 1832 after centuries of conquests. On day seven, you’ll travel back in time further when you visit Olympia, the archeological site of the first Olympic games, where an expert tour guide will lead you around the grounds of the grand temple and its Sanctuary of Olympic Zeus. Unwind that evening in Nafpaktos, a town on the shores of the Gulf of Corinth. 

Relish one last day of archeological exploration with a guided tour through Delphi, where priestesses of Apollo once served as oracles for the ancient world. Enjoy lunch in Arachova, a quaint mountain town en route to Galaxidi, where you’ll end the day with platters of local seafood in a portside taverna. After breakfast the next morning, it’s back to Athens for your next adventure. Learn more

More Great 9-Day Greece Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Greece trip? Check out these other 9-day Greece itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

Or, describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.