How many days do you need?
- Most travelers spend 7-11 days in Athens and Thessaloniki combined
- Visiting Athens and Thessaloniki in 3 to 6 days is possible, but will feel rushed
- With 12 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Chania
How Many Days Should You Spend in Athens?
Recommended Itineraries for Athens and Thessaloniki
Recommended Itinerary for 7 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Athens, Welcome Wine Tasting | Athens |
| Day 2 | Acropolis and Ancient Greek Mythology Tour | Athens |
| Day 3 | Athens Food Tour | Athens |
| Day 4 | Athens to Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki |
| Day 5 | Thessaloniki Walking Tour | Thessaloniki |
| Day 6 | Return to Athens, Cooking Class | Athens |
| Day 7 | Depart Athens |
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. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Athens, Welcome Wine Tasting | Athens |
| Day 2 | Acropolis and Ancient Greek Mythology Tour | Athens |
| Day 3 | Athens Food Tour | Athens |
| Day 4 | Athens to Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki |
| Day 5 | Thessaloniki Walking Tour | Thessaloniki |
| Day 6 | Pella and Vergina Royal Tombs Day Trip | Thessaloniki |
| Day 7 | Return to Athens, Cooking Class | Athens |
| Day 8 | Depart Athens |
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. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Athens, Welcome Wine Tasting | Athens |
| Day 2 | Acropolis and Ancient Greek Mythology Tour | Athens |
| Day 3 | Athens Food Tour | Athens |
| Day 4 | Athens Photo Safari | Athens |
| Day 5 | Athens to Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki |
| Day 6 | Thessaloniki Walking Tour | Thessaloniki |
| Day 7 | Pella and Vergina Royal Tombs Day Trip | Thessaloniki |
| Day 8 | Return to Athens, Cooking Class | Athens |
| Day 9 | Depart Athens |
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. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Athens, Welcome Wine Tasting | Athens |
| Day 2 | Acropolis and Ancient Greek Mythology Tour | Athens |
| Day 3 | Athens Food Tour | Athens |
| Day 4 | Day Trip to Delphi | Athens |
| Day 5 | Athens Photo Safari | Athens |
| Day 6 | Athens to Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki |
| Day 7 | Thessaloniki Walking Tour | Thessaloniki |
| Day 8 | Pella and Vergina Royal Tombs Day Trip | Thessaloniki |
| Day 9 | Return to Athens, Cooking Class | Athens |
| Day 10 | Depart Athens |
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. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 11 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Athens, Welcome Wine Tasting | Athens |
| Day 2 | Good Morning Athens Bike Ride | Athens |
| Day 3 | Acropolis and Ancient Greek Mythology Tour | Athens |
| Day 4 | Athens Food Tour | Athens |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to Delphi | Athens |
| Day 6 | Athens Photo Safari | Athens |
| Day 7 | Athens to Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki |
| Day 8 | Thessaloniki Walking Tour | Thessaloniki |
| Day 9 | Pella and Vergina Royal Tombs Day Trip | Thessaloniki |
| Day 10 | Return to Athens, Cooking Class | Athens |
| Day 11 | Depart Athens |
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. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
7-Day Itinerary Including Chania, Crete
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Athens, Welcome Wine Tasting | Athens |
| Day 2 | Ancient & Modern Athens Tour | Athens |
| Day 3 | Athens to Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki |
| Day 4 | Thessaloniki Walking Tour | Thessaloniki |
| Day 5 | Travel to Chania | Chania |
| Day 6 | Old Town of Chania Tour | Chania |
| Day 7 | Depart Chania |
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. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Zagori and Corfu
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Athens | Athens |
| Day 2 | Athens to Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki |
| Day 3 | Thessaloniki to Zagori Villages | Zagori |
| Day 4 | Hike Vikos Gorge | Zagori |
| Day 5 | Voidomatis River Rafting | Zagori |
| Day 6 | Zagori Villages to Corfu | Corfu |
| Day 7 | Corfu Jeep Safari | Corfu |
| Day 8 | Hike Mount Pantokrator | Corfu |
| Day 9 | Corfu Sea Kayak Tour | Corfu |
| Day 10 | Corfu to Athens and Depart |
Northern Greece stretches across more cultures and terrains than any other region in the country. This 10-day itinerary starts off in the second-largest city, Thessaloniki—a magnetic place that breathes history and character, offering some of the best food and wine in the country. From here, you'll go hiking and river rafting on the mainland and then ferry to Corfu island for beaches, kayaking, and a Jeep safari toward ancient monasteries. Read more
How to travel between Athens and Thessaloniki
The distance between the cities of Athens and Thessaloniki is 310 miles (499 km). The fastest way to get to Thessaloniki is to fly, which takes 40 minutes. Read more