With eight days in Greece, you have time to island hop, dive into Greek history and culture, or a little of both. Take the classic route and visit Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, or jump on a traditional fishing boat and become a shepherd for a day in Athens and the Peloponnese. Slow down your pace on Crete or experience an authentic slice of culture and history on the mainland. Or, explore less famous islands in addition to the highlights, like Naxos, Folegandros, and Paros.
See detailed itineraries below, and for more ideas, check out 8 Days in Greece - 5 Unique Itineraries.
Escape the troubles of the world with eight days in the Cyclades. You'll arrive in Athens, then head to the islands to explore famous Mykonos and Santorini as well as lesser-known but spectacular Naxos. Enjoy your Greek vacation filled with sun, sailing, and sampling, with cooking classes and traditional dinners accompanying your days of blissful idleness.
Sailing the Greek islands for a week sounds amazing for good reason. Board a catamaran with an experienced crew to hop from island to stunning island in the Cyclades. Along the way, explore the best of Mykonos and watch the sunset from Santorini, see ancient ruins, and swim in the azure Aegean waters before bedding down in your boat each night.
Hit three major hotspots on this active eight-day tour of some of Greece's most beautiful and iconic sites. You'll start in Athens, with a full day to experience the Acropolis and Greek mythology and buzzing neighborhoods before hopping a ferry to glamorous Mykonos. Here you'll explore beaches, boardwalks, and nightlife under the eyes of the island's famous windmills and take a horseback ride to the coast. End the trip in Santorini with its classic white-topped cliffs and caldera views, complete with island cruising, hiking, and stunning sunsets to spare.
Many travelers flock to Santorini and Mykonos, but during this trip, you'll visit two spectacular yet less-traveled islands in the Cyclades chain. Start off in Paros, where golden sand beaches and charming villages are yours to explore. Then hop a ferry to neighboring Naxos for a bustling Chora (main town), beautiful whitewashed villages clinging to mountainsides, and countryside filled with churches, archaeological sites, and local distilleries.
If you love sunny days, turquoise waters, and relaxing beaches, this tour's for you! Sweep from coastal town to coastal town as you travel by yacht from Corfu to Syvota, Paxos, and more. Explore ancient ruins, sun yourself on Ionian beaches, and fall in love with everything Greece has to offer.
Hit three major hotspots on this tour of some of Greece's most beautiful and iconic sites. You'll start in Athens, with a day to experience the Acropolis and buzzing neighborhoods before hopping on a ferry to glamorous Mykonos. Here you'll explore beaches, boardwalks, and nightlife under the eyes of the island's famous windmills. Make a quick visit to Paros and neighboring Antiparos, and end the trip in Santorini with its classic white-topped cliffs and caldera views, complete with island cruising, wine tasting, and stunning sunsets to spare.
The ancient Minoan civilization on Crete was one of the first to create a functional sewer system, but you'll be staying above ground in the fresh air on this eight-day itinerary for the whole family. After a tour of the mythology of Athens, you'll fly to Crete for six days of hiking, beaches, and city tours that will transport you through history.
Athens was made for strolling, as you'll find out in this itinerary. The neighborhoods of Monastiraki, Syntagma, Plaka, and Makrygianni hide petite pedestrian streets and neoclassical homes overflowing with floral balconies. You'll see street art with an artist, be schooled by a chef, and take a sunset visit to the Temple of Poseidon. Step back into history with day trips to Delphi and Mycenae before departing.
Experience the culture, scenery, and romance of Crete—Greece's largest island—with this 8-day itinerary. You'll use the coastal city of Chania, with its medieval architecture, elegant mansions, sculpted fountains, and postcard-perfect Venetian port as your base of exploration. Stroll through the local markets, visit a traditional village, and savor a Cretan feast with after-dinner dancing. Then, apply your energy to hiking the Samaria Gorge before wrapping up with some relaxation on a few of the most beautiful pink-sand beaches in the world.
Hit three major hotspots on this eight-day tour of some of Greece's most iconic sites. Start in Athens before hopping a ferry to glamorous Mykonos. Here you'll explore beaches, boardwalks, and nightlife under the island's famous windmills. End the trip in Santorini with its classic white-topped cliffs and caldera views, complete with island cruising, wine tasting, and sunsets to spare.
As the ultimate sailing adventure through Greece's coveted Cyclades Islands, this tour combines bustling city life with tranquil villages nestled in the Aegean Sea. From some of Europe's best nightlife to humble fishing towns and secluded beaches, travelers will enjoy Greece's rich and varied heritage. Enjoy sunsets and local seafood while discovering important and ancient archeological sites, all from the comfort of a private yacht.
The stunning Cyclades are a group of Greek islands famous for their unique architecture, cosmopolitan nightlife, impressive history, and rocky landscapes. You'll start in Paros, where golden sand beaches and charming villages are yours to explore. Then hop a ferry to neighboring Naxos for a tour of Chora, beautiful whitewashed villages, and countryside filled with churches, archaeological sites, and local distilleries.
Visit the world-renowned sea sports paradise of Paros and Naxos islands for 8 days of oceanside hikes, windsurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding. And when you're not taking on all the active adventures the islands have to offer? Explore the unique local architecture, delectable cuisine, cosmopolitan nightlife, and impressive archaeological sites.
Get to know the way of life on Crete, in the island's far west region of Chania. With the 8-day version of this itinerary, you'll experience culture, scenery, and cuisine within the island's historic villages. Enjoy historical walking tours, Greek cooking lessons, and guided day trips to the surrounding countryside.
In just over a week, this itinerary will take you from the Acropolis in Athens to the Byzantine ruins of Mystras to the hills of Delphi. Along the way, you'll visit important archaeological sites, stroll the pretty streets of towns brimming with history and culture, and enjoy unforgettable views.
Once named the "Flower of the East" by the Venetians, the island of Zakynthos is in full bloom year-round. Discover its many enticements with this eight-day itinerary. You'll start off with the myths of the Acropolis in Athens, then set sail for four nights on the third-largest Ionian island, packed with boat tours, beaches, vineyards, and more.
Spend eight days trekking through the northern Greek mountains and exploring the beaches of Corfu with this itinerary. In just over a week, you'll go from the bustling capital to the historic monasteries atop the cliffs of Meteora to the hillside villages of Zagori and the rugged shores of Corfu. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy your natural surroundings along the way!
Santorini is the glittering gem of the Cyclades. You'll spend five days exploring this iconic Greek island from top to bottom with beach time, volcano tours, and sunsets that'll take your breath away. Then ferry to neighboring Folegandros to relax on a smaller and lesser-visited (but no less beautiful) island, discovering empty coastline and medieval architecture before returning to Santorini for your departure.
Long dominated by the omnipresent Parthenon, Athens mingles its classical past with a budding art scene and bustling markets. You'll spend eight days exploring this city's many cultural treasures and cool neighborhoods—along with day trips to archaeological sites in nearby Eleusis, Mycenae, and Delphi. See why the epicenter of antiquity and philosophy is well worth a trip today.
Both Rhodes and Crete dwarf most of the other Greek islands, and you'll see some of their expansive contents with this eight-day itinerary. See the medieval history and villages of Rhodes, then sample ancient palace life and wines on Crete before your return to Athens.
Experience captivating Athens and highlights of the nearby Peloponnese Peninsula and Cycladic Islands with this week-long itinerary. After getting your first taste of Greece in the capital city, you'll take a day trip to legendary Mycenae and charming Nafplio. Then, head to Naxos to experience the beaches, history, villages, and culture of the largest Cycladic isle.
Live like a local in Greece's idyllic Argolic Gulf with this active 8-day itinerary. You'll explore Athens for a few days and even hop onboard a fishing boat with an expert fisherman before you head to seaside Nafplio, home to winding streets and a historic water fortress. 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.
Visit some of the high points of Athens and the Cyclades with this eight-day itinerary. You'll start with a tour of the Acropolis and its neighboring museum, then journey off to Naxos, one of the largest islands in the Cycladic chain, for a hike through the island's past and present. Finish your trip in stunning Santorini, where you'll sea kayak and see island's classic caldera.
Get off the beaten path with this itinerary to some of Greece's most magical landscapes. In just over a week, you'll see beautiful Byzantine architecture in Thessaloniki, visit the clifftop monasteries of Meteora, and relax by the atmospheric silver lake at Ioannina. Trek through the mountains of Zagori, stopping to appreciate its picturesque stone villages and bridges along the way. Then head to the island of Corfu to indulge in its culinary delights and follow in the footsteps of Homer's Odysseus.
Athens is believed to have the most theatrical stages of any city, a nod to the long history of Greek dramas. Take the stage for yourself with this eight-day itinerary that will take you from the heights of the Acropolis through the city's kitchens, museums, and most picturesque corners.
Legend has it that Dionysus was born on the island of Naxos, so manage a revel of your own with this eight-day itinerary to lesser-known yet amazing isles. From your starting point in Athens, you'll first visit petite Tinos for a taste of Cycladic cooking, then onward to Naxos to spin past its sunny beaches before you return to the city.
Pack comfortable shoes for this eight-day itinerary—you'll be walking through Greek history from Athens through some of the best Cycladic islands. Take a mythology 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.
Explore ancient ruins, relax on beautiful beaches, and wander through island villages on this 8-day trip around Greece. The trip starts and ends in Athens, where you'll tour the Acropolis and visit key museums. In between stays in the capital city, you'll visit the fabled Homeric city of Mycenae and the original site of the Olympic Games in Olympia. Then you'll catch a ferry to Santorini and enjoy a few days exploring the island, relaxing on the famous Red Beach, and taking in stunning sunsets over the water.
Get a healthy dose of history and culture on this 8-day tour of Greece's biggest cities and the island of Crete. Begin with a few days in the capital, where you'll visit the Acropolis and explore Athens' more modern neighborhoods and markets. Next, you'll head to Thessaloniki where you'll find a castle and beautiful Byzantine churches among its many gems. Finally, set out for Crete to stroll around the picturesque Old Town of Chania before making your way back to Athens for a farewell dinner with an unforgettable view.
Adventure awaits on this thrilling itinerary through the Cyclades. Spend just over a week exploring Naxos and Ios by hiking through the hills, diving in the sea, and paddling over the Aegean waves to secluded beaches. Top it all off with an exciting bike ride in and around Athens, where you'll see all the sights.
Take an eight-day expedition across Greece's center with this itinerary. You'll start at the top of the Acropolis, then ascend even higher up to Mount Pelion and its traditional narrow railway. Go seaward to Skopelos island to take in three days of sun and cinematic trivia with a Mamma Mia tour before you return to the mainland to watch the sun set over Athens.
Some historians believe that pygmy hippos once lived in parts of Greece until they were hunted to extinction, likely for food. You won't get to sample any pygmy hippo, but this eight-day itinerary has plenty of other culinary delights to keep you intrigued, from your welcome dinner in Athens to the tavernas of Naxos's Venetian castle and stone villages of Crete.
Bring your whole brood to meet the most famous residents of Mykonos—its pelicans—on this eight-day itinerary. You'll start off with a guided mythology tour of Athens, then head to Mykonos to make some animal friends with beach time and a traditional farm visit. Then head to Naxos, where you'll see the island from horseback and top it off with one last day of lounging before you depart.
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.
Many trips to Greece involve island-hopping. But this 8-day tour, perfect for history lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, showcases the best of the mainland! You'll begin in Athens, visiting the Acropolis and the city's top museums, then viewing the city from far away on a sunset tour to Cape Sounio. Continue on to the ancient sites of Mycenae, Nafplio, and Olympia, the host of the first Olympic Games. Spot dolphins in the water on a scenic cruise around Amvrakikos Gulf, then explore the monasteries and rock formations of the Meteora before circing back to Athens. With a mix of culture, history, wildlife, and active pursuits, this journey around mainland Greece is popular with travelers of all ages.
Enjoy theater, nature, and sport like the ancient Greeks on this family-friendly tour of the country. Your family can take on the roles of Olympic athlete, Peloponnesian shepherd, Classical actor, and more as you travel from Athens to Nafplio in just over a week.
The taverna has been a cornerstone of Greek life throughout history—artifacts even suggest there was once a taverna at the Acropolis itself. Find out why and eat your way through this eight-day itinerary, sharing your table with olive harvesters, local chefs, Mykonian farmers, and more as you ferry between some of the best islands in the Cyclades.
