Two weeks gives you and your family plenty of time to traverse the nearly 1,000 miles of coastline that Greece has to offer. Whether you're going for a deep dive into the northern Greek mainland, island-hopping through the Cyclades, or getting cultural on Crete or in the Peloponnese, you'll find something that speaks to you.
There are countless reasons to add Thessaloniki (Greece's second largest city) and Macedonia (Greece’s largest province) to your travel plans. From the white sands of Halkidiki to Thessaloniki’s pulsing nightlife, the region is bursting with world-class sites. No wonder that, together, they form the country’s most popular region.
While many travelers understandably plan trips to Greece that center around the islands, beaches, and nature, there are incredible ancient sites all throughout the country that offer unforgettable trips to the past. Whether you want to wander the streets where the philosopher, Socrates, walked or enter a Temple of Apollo where a high priestess once spoke prophecies heard throughout the land, these experiences will help you better understand the cradle of Western civilization.
Thessaloniki's hotels reflect the city's vibrant atmosphere with colors, artwork, and impressive design touches. Stay in the city center or near the harbor and surround yourself with a funky traveler atmosphere, classic style, or cutting-edge design at one of these hotels.
Seven to 11 days is a great length for a Greece trip with stops in Athens and Thessaloniki. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as 3 days. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Crete. See more ideas for Athens and Thessaloniki itineraries below.
Make the most of your five days in Greece with this quick hit tour of its two largest cities. Start in Athens with a local wine tasting before touring the most famous site of them all — the Acropolis. After spending time learning about the ancient Greeks, head to some of the city's more modern neighborhoods, where you'll spot street art and wander through the markets, stopping to sample food along the way. Next, make your way to multicultural Thessaloniki, where you'll explore its Byzantine and Ottoman history on a walking tour of the city.
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.
Spend six days seeing the sights of Athens and Thessaloniki with this exciting itinerary. Begin in the capital, where you'll be welcomed with a local wine tasting, followed by a jaunt around the Acropolis. You'll tour the city's young, vibrant neighborhoods and markets, and learn to cook a traditional meal as you look out at the Athenian skyline. Then fly north to Greece's second city, where you can appreciate its fascinating architecture on a walking tour of all the hot spots.
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.
The thrills of buzzing Athens and Thessaloniki await on this 12-day adventure based in Greece's two largest cities. Begin and end in the capital, where you'll frequent the markets and coffee houses in between trips to the Acropolis and the sacred site of Delphi. Travel north to Greece's second city for some fascinating Byzantine and Ottoman history and architecture, and a stroll around beautiful the beautiful Ano Poli neighborhood. Back in Athens, spend your last day learning to prepare a traditional meal at a cooking class with a view.
Spend just over two weeks soaking up the flavors and history of Greece's two largest cities and nearby highlights with this itinerary. Visit the vibrant neighborhoods of Athens, and indulge in the capital's gastronomic delights on a food tour of its markets. Then head north to Thessaloniki, where you'll visit Byzantine and Ottoman-era sites, and wander the cobbled streets of the historical Ano Poli for magnificent views over the city. Return to Athens for a winery trip and sunset at Cape Sounion. Along the way, you'll stop at important archaeological sites at Delphi, Pella, and Philippi.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy all city life has to offer with this trip to Athens and Thessaloniki. Spend the first few days getting to know the capital's vibrant neighborhoods and flavors. Then switch gears and explore Greece's second city, Thessaloniki, where you'll find a fascinating blend of cultures, a storied past, and an excellent food scene. Although you'll get a taste of Greek city life, you'll also venture out to archaeological sites at Delphi and Pella for another dose of history along the way.
Get ready to explore the best corners of Athens and Thessaloniki and their surrounding regions with this two-week itinerary. Start your adventure in the capital, where you'll immerse yourself in its rich history, mythology, and of course, food! Take part in a bicycle excursion, photo safari, and a jaunt through the markets of Athens before heading north to Thessaloniki. There, you'll wander the cobbled streets of Ano Poli and learn about the city's unique patchwork of cultural influences. Finish your journey back in Athens with a cooking class and an unforgettable sunset farewell.
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.
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.
Discover the cultural and historical highlights that Greece's cities and islands have to offer with this cosmopolitan tour of Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete. Spend the first few days exploring the history and flavors of the capital on foot and by bicycle. In Greece's second city, immerse yourself in Thessaloniki's rich Byzantine and Ottoman history, and visit fascinating archaeological sites. Next, hop over to Crete for a trip to the Venetian city of Chania and an excursion to the Minotaur's labyrinth before making your way back to Athens.
This 12-day cosmopolitan itinerary will take you through the streets of the capital, the coastal metropolis of Thessaloniki, and the Cretan city of Chania and beyond. Explore neighborhoods both old and new in Athens and find its most photogenic corners. Then head north to Thessaloniki, where you'll enjoy a walking tour of its fascinating historical sites. Finally, travel over to Crete to wander around Venetian Chania and visit the Palace of Knossos, before returning to the capital for a cooking class with a view.
Northern Greece has been the home of mighty civilizations, including the Macedonians, Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and Ottoman Turks. Get a five-day glimpse into their world with this itinerary. From the bustling streets of Thessaloniki, you'll go on to see the monasteries of Meteora as they touch the sky, then follow the footsteps of Oydsseus to the Ionian Sea.
You'll see the ancient sites of Athens, discover the coastal Byzantine city of Thessaloniki, and stroll around the Venetian streets of Chania with this 9-day itinerary. Along the way, you'll go wine tasting, commune with the oracle at Delphi, and bask on the beaches of Crete. End your journey back in the capital, where you'll enjoy a farewell dinner with a view.
Immerse yourself in Greek history and culture with this trip to the cities of Athens and Thessaloniki and the island of Crete. You'll explore neighborhoods both ancient and modern in the capital, and engage with Greek mythology at the Acropolis and at Delphi. Wander the streets of Greece's coastal second city on a walking tour of Thessaloniki, and stop in Pella to see the birthplace of Alexander the Great before hopping the ferry to the island of Crete. There, you'll discover the Old Town of Chania and tackle the Minotaur's labyrinth at Knossos.
Take two weeks to travel to some of Greece's lesser-visited landmarks and villages with this family-focused itinerary. Guided tours specifically designed for school-age children will help keep everyone engaged with stories from history and legend as you visit ancient monuments, gardens, and natural attractions. Start with the main sights in Athens, then hit the road up to the temples of Delphi, sky-high monasteries of Meteora, the northern bustle of Thessaloniki, and stone villages of Zagori.
Spend two weeks exploring the Greek cities of Athens and Thessaloniki and the island of Crete with this comprehensive itinerary. Start and end in the capital, where you'll tour its neighborhoods on foot and on two wheels, discover its most photogenic spots, indulge in Athenian cuisine, and learn about ancient mythology straight from the source. In Thessaloniki, you'll discover a rich history spanning several eras and visit archaeological sites on a walking tour. Then head to Crete, where you'll roam the quaint Venetian lanes of Chania's Old Town and tour the ruins of the Palace of Knossos.
This 10-day exploration of Greece's cities and the island of Crete is the perfect introduction to the country's culture and history. You'll begin in Athens with a private tour of its famous attractions and lesser known secrets. After a stop at the sacred site of Delphi, you'll head north to Thessaloniki, where you'll explore its Byzantine and Ottoman past. Next, hop down to Crete to visit Chania's Old Town and walk the Minotaur's labyrinth at Knossos, before ending your trip back in the capital with a cooking class overlooking the Acropolis.
In just under a week, you'll see some of northern Greece's most unforgettable landscapes with this itinerary. From the historical port city of Thessaloniki to the beaches of Corfu, you'll be immersed in history and culture. You'll trek through the hills of Zagori to its photogenic stone villages and bridges, and visit the clifftop monasteries of Meteora. End your journey with a stop in Corfu, where you'll taste local delicacies and trace the path of Homer's Odysseus.
Experience both the stunning mountain landscapes of northern Greece and the inviting turquoise waters of Corfu with this exciting itinerary. Start in the port city of Thessaloniki, packed with rich Byzantine history and architecture. From there, make your way to the clifftop monasteries of Meteora, the silver lake of Ioannina, and the postcard-perfect stone villages of Zagori. Finally, head to the Ionian island of Corfu, complete with colorful plazas, quaint side streets, and gorgeous beaches.
Learn about the history and culture of Greece with this 11-day journey to its two largest cities and the island of Crete. In Athens, you'll indulge in a wine tasting, and get a sense of the capital's ancient heritage and modern thrills on a private tour of its neighborhoods. After a visit to the sacred mountain site of Delphi, continue on to Thessaloniki to see its fascinating Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. From there, head to Crete to explore the Old Town of Chania and to walk the Minotaur's labyrinth.
Northern Greece stretches across more cultures and terrains than any other region in the country. After arriving in Athens, you'll head to Thessaloniki, with 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.
See some of Greece's most mesmerizing landscapes with this itinerary across the northern part of the country. Delve into the rich history of Thessaloniki, before heading for the photogenic cliffs of Meteora, where you'll visit some of the country's oldest monasteries. Then relax lakeside in Ioannina and visit the stone villages in the mountains of Zagori. Wrap up your adventure with a few days on the Ionian island of Corfu, where you'll explore via Jeep safari, enjoy a delicious food tour, and more!
Go off the beaten path as you traverse the beautiful landscapes of northern Greece. Beginning in Thessaloniki, you'll explore the port city's rich Byzantine history before making your way to the magnificent clifftop monasteries of Meteora. From there, travel to the silver lake of Ioannina and the picturesque mountain villages of Zagori. Top it all off with a few days on the sunny shores of Corfu, where you'll follow in the footsteps of the ancient legendary wanderer Odysseus.
This week-long adventure will take you from the port city of Thessaloniki to the cliffs of Meteora, to the hills of Zagori and the beaches of Corfu. Along the way, you'll see some of Greece's oldest monasteries, hike to Zagori's picturesque stone villages, and follow Homer's Odyssey to Corfu's turquoise shores.
Experience the lesser-known side of the country with this two-week trip across Northern Greece. You'll go from Greece's second city of Thessaloniki to living like the proverbial pasha in lakeside Ioannina, then up to the clifftop monasteries of Meteora. Continue on through the stone Zagori mountain villages to wrap up your journey on the shores of Corfu in the Ionian Sea, where you'll follow in legendary traveler Odysseus's footsteps.
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.
Immerse yourself in Greece's rich culture, history, and mythology on this 16-day trip across the mainland and Crete. Begin in Athens, where you'll explore the Acropolis, visit museums, and discover the city's Ottoman history. More archaeological wonders await in Nafplio, Olympia, and Delphi as you walk in the footsteps of ancient Greeks. Finally, visit the UNESCO-listed monasteries of Meteora before flying to Crete to explore Knossos Palace in Heraklion and ride a Trikke along Chania's Venetian harbor.
Visit some of Greece's beautiful lesser-known regions on this 9-day itinerary across the northern part of the country. You'll go from the historical port city of Thessaloniki to the clifftops of Meteora to the majestic silver lake at Ioannina. Then you'll trek through the mountains of Zagori and its perfectly preserved stone villages. Finish up on the shores of Corfu, where you'll enjoy a food tour of the island and bask on the beaches where, according to legend, Odysseus once roamed.
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.
Enjoy an unforgettable journey through the varied landscapes of northern Greece with this 10-day itinerary. Explore Thessaloniki with its incredible Byzantine architecture before making your way to the clifftop monasteries of Meteora. Travel to the atmospheric silver lake at Ioannina and trek through the mountain villages of Zagori. Then head to Corfu, where you'll fill up on a culinary tour of the island and trace the footsteps of the legendary traveler, Odysseus.
