8 Days in Greece - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Argolic Gulf Adventure 

Explore this beautiful area of mainland Greece via foot, bicycle, and kayak. Then, get hands-on in an olive grove and try shepherding for a day. 

Welcome to Greece! Start things off with a fishing lesson in the Saronic Gulf. Board a kaiki (traditional boat), and take in the scenery before learning paragadi fishing methods from a local expert. Then, head to the seaport town of Napflio, which you'll get to know over the next two days with an Old Town walking tour and a half-day scenic bike trip.  Check out historic sites like Bourtzi Castle—dating back to the 1400s, it sits in the middle of the harbor, accessible only by boat.

On day 5, swap your pedals for paddles with a kayak excursion from Karathona beach to some of the bay's best viewpoints. After a few days of physical activity, you'll be ready for a mellow olive farm experience. Visit farm owners to see learn all about the olive oil-making process—if you'd like, you can also meet some of the farm's other inhabitants with a sheep-milking session. 

Wrap up your stay in Greece with a truly local experience. You'll head back into the countryside to shadow a shepherd for a day, experience real farm life, milk the goats, and even learn to play the shepherd's flute. Afterward, enjoy coffee and dessert with your hosts. Then, it's back to Athens for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Crete in a Nutshell

Use the coastal city of Chania as your base, with its medieval architecture and postcard-perfect Venetian port. Mix in a Samaria Gorge hike and relaxation on pink-sand beaches to round out your trip. 

Fly directly to Crete, the largest and most populous of the 230 inhabited Greek islands. Upon arrival to Chania, your base on the northwest coast, you'll take a guided tour of the charming 14th-century harbor, cobblestone alleyways, and colorful architecture that make this originally Venetian city unique. You'll learn about Cretan history, the Cretan mythology and traditions, meet the locals, and eat like the locals. 

On day 3, head into the countryside to the village of Vamos. You can either have a cheese and olive oil experience on a working farm, complete with kri-kri goats running wild, or you can tour a winery and enjoy a tasting accompanied by traditional mezze. While in Vamos, you'll also visit orchards and herb gardens and eat a meal made from the property's bounty. The next day, explore Chania's waterfront districts and enjoy a celebratory feast at the island's Botanical Park and Gardens.  

A highlight of your trip will certainly be hiking the Samaria Gorge. The trek takes approximately five hours to cover the gorge's approximately 11 miles (18 km), most of which are downhill. The trek ends at Agia Roumeli on the glittering Libyan Sea where you can go for a refreshing swim. Spend your last full day on the pink sands of beautiful Balos and Gramvousa beaches—if you're lucky, you may even spot a Mediterranean seal. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Relaxed Athens and the Cyclades

Get to know Athens before escaping to the famed islands of Mykonos and Santorini—as well as lesser-known Naxos. Have a vacay filled with idle bliss: sun, sailing, wine, and traditional dinners. 

Spend a day on your own in Athens, touring the Acropolis and National Museum, wandering the busy stalls of the Monastiraki flea market, and stopping at shops and cafes along Aiolou Street. The next morning, hop an early flight or ferry to stunning Santorini. Get settled and head into Fira, the capital of the island, before an afternoon catamaran cruise to Red Beach and White Beach (named for the distinct colors of the sand). 

Then, ferry to Naxos and spend the day at your leisure. You might hike to Mount Zas, the mythological childhood home of Zeus, or head inland to the town of Chalki, home to the island's oldest market. While on Naxos, you'll also learn to prepare a typical Greek meal in a local home. 

On day 6, ferry to Mykonos, where you'll stay for the rest of your trip. Head straight to the beach or stroll through the cosmopolitan streets—the day is yours to enjoy as you choose. In the morning, you'll pay a visit to a traditional farm outside of Fira. Your last evening in Greece will be spent in a Mykonian household, where you'll experience the traditional Greek way of life over authentic dishes and free-flowing local wine. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Cycladic Family Adventure

Bring your whole brood to Greece—you'll meet some famous animal residents of the Cycladic Islands, learn all about the mythology of Athens, and have plenty of time to swim in the sun. 

Fly into Athens and start with a family-friendly, interactive mythology tour. Start at the Acropolis, where you'll visit the Parthenon and other sites with guides specializing in children's education. Reenact the battle between the gods and giants for control of the world on the lands where it took place.

After getting your fill of mainland history, ferry to Mykonos for beach time and a visit to a traditional farm. Talk to the farm's caretakers to learn about how vegetables are grown on the islands and how the livestock are raised, and say hi to the animals. From there, hop on another ferry to Naxos, where you'll have a range of activities to choose from. Hike to the summit of Mount Zas, the mythological childhood home of Zeus, or head inland to Chalki where you'll find the island's oldest market and a square perfect for whiling away the afternoon. 

On your last full day, spend some time lounging on Agios Georgios beach, which is generally filled with families enjoying the shallow waters. Neighboring beaches Agia Anna and Agios Prokopios also have plenty of amenities on their sweeping sands, with enough shoreline that you'll be able to stake out a spot but sufficient tavernas to keep you fed. Learn more

Itinerary #5: History and Mythology of Greece

Take a private tour of Athena's Parthenon and the Delos of Artemis and Apollo, along with a marble quarry hike, and exploration of island agriculture, and more. 

From the moment you hit the ground in Athens, you'll be immersed in the ancient history that makes this place special. First up: a guided mythology tour. Meet your guide and storyteller at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, then head to landmarks around the city including the Acropolis, ancient cemetery at Kerameikos, and the Agora. 

After your time in Athens, hop a ferry to Naxos—you'll visit the Temple of Demeter at Sangri on your way. Multiple deities of fertility were worshipped in this precursor of classical Athenian architecture. While on Naxos, there are a number of activities to choose from. You'll definitely want to stroll to the Portara, an entrance to the Temple of Apollo built in the 6th century BCE. It was never finished, but the still-standing entranceway has become one of the hallmarks of the island.

Mykonos is next, which includes a day trip to historic Delos, the mythological island birthplace of twin deities Apollo and Artemis. Then, on to Tinos, where you'll visit the imposing Panagia Evangelistria, the epicenter of an annual August pilgrimage and a key part of the island's identity. If that's not your scene, there are also nearly 80 windmills to be explored, Venetian ruins, hiking at Exomvourgo mountain, and the famous "marble route." Learn more

More Great 8-Day Greece Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Greece trip? Check out these other 8-day Greece itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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