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15-Day Greek Island Trip from Paros to Crete

Customisable Itinerary
4.5 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

This 15-day itinerary has you visiting the five most cosmopolitan islands in Greece where you will get to experience the best of Greek culture, history and have an exciting sun-fuelled adventure!

Begin your Greek island trip stepping back in time and admiring the ancient attractions of Athens before jetting off to Paros where you can enjoy swimming in sunbather's paradise and stroll around Parikia's history-filled streets.

Spend some time in two of Greece's most coveted islands, Mykonos and Santorini, for some adventurous cruises around the Aegean sea and some of the most incredible sunsets of the Mediterranean.

Your final Greek destination will be Crete, the birthplace of the oldest civilisation in Europe! Tour the old cities of Chania and Rethymnon, two of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Crete, walk around the narrow streets overlooking the ocean and taste the famous Cretan cuisine at one of the traditional taverns for the ultimate authentic experience.
Sightseeing
Cruising
Culture & Arts
Hiking & Trekking

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Athens

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Arrival in Athens

Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival at Athens International Airport, a driver will be waiting to collect you at the arrivals hall and will transfer you to your hotel in the centre of Athens. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax after your trip or to spend some time exploring the capital. Soak up the culture and architecture that is present in every street1

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Athens Cypria Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    AthensOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Athens International Airport to Athens

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Athens

Day 2

Athens Sightseeing and Cape Sounio Tour

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Athens Sightseeing and Cape Sounio Tour

Today you will go on a full-day tour to see Athens' most interesting sights and learn more about the fascinating history of the capital of Greece. You will visit the Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games were held, the famous Acropolis and the National Gardens amongst others. After enjoying lunch in the vibrant district of Plaka, you will head to Cape Sounio, also known as the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Athens Cypria Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Athens City and Cape Sounio Tour

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Athens

Day 3

Greek Island Trip to Paros Island

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Greek Island Trip to Paros Island

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your Greek island trip by catching a ferry to Paros island. You will arrive at Paros port around 11:30, where a driver will transfer you to your hotel. You have the rest of the afternoon free to explore Paros at your leisure. You can take a stroll around Parikia’s streets and admire the traditional Greek architecture, and later on, you can have some dinner or a drink or buy some local products and souvenirs.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Contaratos Beach Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    ParosOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Athens to Piraeus port

    Ferry from Piraeus port to Paros

    Private Driver from Paros to Paros

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    Destinations

    Athens

    Naousa

    Paros

Day 4

Cruise to Antiparos and Despotico

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Cruise to Antiparos and Despotico

Today you have a free day in Paros. You can choose to stay on the island and explore its charming streets, or you have the option to take a full-day cruise to visit Antiparos and Despotico. These two small islands are located southwest of Paros, and make for a wonderful day trip. You will go sailing along the Aegean Sea, making numerous stops to go swimming and enjoying a Greek barbeque onboard.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Contaratos Beach Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Antiparos and Despotiko CruiseOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Naousa

    Antiparos

Day 5

Journey to Naxos

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Journey to Naxos

Today you have one last morning free in Paros before heading to the port of Paros around noon to catch a short one-hour ferry to your next destination: Naxos island. Upon arriving, a driver will greet you and take you to your hotel next to the beach of Agia Anna. You can enjoy some swimming here or relax at the hotel and later in the afternoon take a stroll to the town of Naxos for some dinner, shopping and drinks.

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    Accommodation

    Naxos Resort

  • activities icon
    Activities

    ParosOptional Activity

    NaxosOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paros to Paros port public beach

    Ferry from Paros to Naxos

    Private Driver from Naxos to Naxos

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    Destinations

    Naousa

    Paros

    Naxos Palace Hotel

    Naxos

Day 6

Naxos Highlights

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Naxos Highlights

Today you have the day free to explore Naxos at your own pace or you have the option to take a guided tour that will take you to the most interesting attractions around the island. With your local guide, you will journey to Byzantine churches, picturesque villages in the mountains and visit local artisans over six hours to catch a glimpse into what local life is like in Naxos.

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    Accommodation

    Naxos Resort

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Naxos Highlights TourOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Naxos Palace Hotel

    Naxos

Day 7

Travel to Beautiful Mykonos

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Travel to Beautiful Mykonos

After breakfast at your hotel, you have the morning free to explore Naxos for one last time before heading to the port and catching a short one-hour ferry to Mykonos. Once you arrive, a driver will transfer you to your hotel for check in. In the afternoon you can take a stroll around Little Venice or walk around the narrow streets of Matoyianni. This is one of the most famous islands of Greece and is renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife.

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    Accommodation

    Mykonos Kosmoplaz Beach Resort Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    NaxosOptional Activity

    Mykonos TownOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Naxos to Port Of Naxos

    Ferry from Naxos to Mikonos

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    Destinations

    Naxos Palace Hotel

    Naxos

    Platis Gialos

    Mikonos

Day 8

Day Trip to Delos Island

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Day Trip to Delos Island

Today you are free to enjoy some time exploring Mykonos by yourself, or you have the option of taking a guided tour to the sacred island of Delos, the birthplace of two of the most important ancient Greek gods, Apollo and Artemis. Here you will learn about this UNESCO World Heritage site and you will get to visit ancient homes, market places and temples dedicated to the ancient gods.

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    Accommodation

    Mykonos Kosmoplaz Beach Resort Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Delos Island CruiseOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Platis Gialos

    Decentralized Administration of the Aegean

Day 9

Journey to Santorini

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Journey to Santorini

This morning you have a few hours to explore the whitewashed streets of Mykonos and the beautiful boutique shops here. After lunch, you will be transferred to the port to catch a 2.5-hour ferry to the stunning island of Santorini. A driver will meet you and take you to your hotel to check in. The rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy dinner or a drink at one of the many places located on the rocks above the sea.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mykonos Kosmoplaz Beach Resort Hotel4 star

    Rose Bay Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mykonos TownOptional Activity

    SantoriniOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Mikonos to Mykonos New Port

    Ferry from Mikonos to Thera

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Platis Gialos

    Mikonos

    Kamari

    Thera

Day 10

Santorini Sunset Cruise

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Santorini Sunset Cruise

This morning you have some free time to discover the beauty of Santorini as you wish. You can take a trip to southern Santorini, where you'll find charming traditional villages and beautiful black sand beaches. In the afternoon, you will embark on an exciting sunset cruise around the Santorini volcano, and you will get a chance to watch the sunset from your boat, as you sail across the Aegean Sea. This is sure to be the highlight of your trip!

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    Accommodation

    Rose Bay Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    SantoriniOptional Activity

    Southern SantoriniOptional Activity

    Santorini Sunset Volcano CruiseOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kamari

    Thera

    Decentralized Administration of the Aegean

Day 11

Santorini Akrotiri and Winery Tour

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Santorini Akrotiri and Winery Tour

Today you have another free day in Santorini to spend as you wish. You have the option to take a tour of the excavation site of Akrotiri and embark on a wine tasting tour around the surrounding villages. You will spend some time in Pyrgos village, the highest point of the island, before heading to a local Santorini winery with fantastic views of the ocean. After you'll go to Akrotiri, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

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    Accommodation

    Rose Bay Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Akrotiri, Santorini Villages and Wine TourOptional Activity

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kamari

    Thera

Day 12

Santorini and Journey to Crete

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Santorini and Journey to Crete

You will have one last morning on this stunning island before departing to Crete. You can explore Santorini as you wish. A suggestion is to hike the popular Caldera Trail between Fira to Oia, where you will be treated to breathtaking views along the way. In the afternoon, you'll head towards the port to catch a ferry to Crete. The journey will take around two hours, and once you arrive, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Olive Green Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    SantoriniOptional Activity

    Hike the Caldera TrailOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Thera to Όρμος Αθηνιού Θήρας

    Ferry from Thera to Crete Region

    Private Driver from Heraklion to Crete Region

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kamari

    Thera

    Decentralized Administration of the Aegean

    Heraklion

Day 13

Tour of Chania and Rethymno

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Tour of Chania and Rethymno

Today you have the option of visiting two of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Crete: the city of Chania and the city of Rethymno. You will visit the old town of both cities, with your guide explaining the interesting history of each site you visit. You will make a stop at one of the traditional tavernas to taste typical Cretan cuisine before returning to Heraklion late in the afternoon.

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    Accommodation

    Olive Green Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    ChaniaOptional Activity

    RethymnonOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Heraklion

    Chania

    Rethimno

Day 14

Knossos Archaeological Site and Travel Back to Athens

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Knossos Archaeological Site and Travel Back to Athens

This morning you will go on a tour to the largest archaeological site on Crete: the Palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Here you will have the unique opportunity to learn about the rich lifestyle which began circa 2000 BC and was typified by magnificent monumental buildings and a complex social structure. After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport in Crete to catch a short flight back to Athens.

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    Accommodation

    Athens Cypria Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Knossos Tour

    Palace of Knossos

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Knossos to Heraklion Airport N. Kazantzakis

    Plane from Crete Region to Athens

    Private Driver from Athens International Airport to Athens

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Heraklion

    Knossos

    Athens

Day 15

Departure From Athens

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Departure From Athens

It's time to bid farewell to Greece after a wonderful two weeks of making memories! After breakfast at your hotel, a private car will be waiting to take you to the airport in time to catch your departing flight home.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Athens to Athens International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Athens

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What’s included?

  • 14 nights accommodation
  • 3 activities
  • 6 breakfasts
  • Domestic flights
  • Ground transportation

What’s not included?

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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