When deciding on how many days to spend in Greece, your travel preferences play a crucial role. Do you stick to mainland Greece for more historical sites and ancient mythology, or prefer to make an island-hopping trip for sunny beaches and the warm water of the Mediterranean Sea?
No matter where your interests lie, we can create a flexible itinerary personalized just for you based on your requirements. Typical Greece tours range from 7 days to more than 2 weeks. If you have fewer days available, we suggest sticking to Athens or your favorite island and maximizing your time with day trips, especially if you plan to visit only for a weekend.
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- Choosing Where to Spend Your Days in Greece
- 7 Days in Greece
- 10 Days in Greece
- 14 Days in Greece
- Itinerary Ideas for Longer Trips
Choosing Where to Spend Your Days in Greece
For a first visit to Greece, we recommend a duration of 7–10 days.
A minimum of 7 days allows you to explore Athens along with one or two Greek islands, such as Santorini and Mykonos, providing a taste of Greek history and stunning beaches.
For a more comprehensive experience, we highly recommend spending 10 days or more in Greece. This duration allows you to explore one island in depth at a more relaxed pace. Islands like Crete or Corfu, being larger in size, offer opportunities for exploration and a variety of activities for everyone.
Alternatively, you could consider adding one more neighboring island to your trip based on the 7-day itinerary for a diverse island experience.
With more days in Greece, you could embark on a road trip to explore the Peloponnese peninsula for its rich history and culture or choose to island-hop between the islands that interest you, enjoying endless sunshine and discovering stunning beaches along the way.
If you have your own schedule, check our handpicked itineraries for various durations: 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 12 days, and 14 days...
7 Days in Greece
Typically, 7 days is an appropriate duration for first-timers to experience the essence of Greece. Athens and Santorini are your must-sees, balancing history, culture, natural beauty, and beach relaxation. Except for 1 day for transportation, the other 2 days could really depend on your interests, whether you want to explore more at the above destinations or visit one more spot.
- Mykonos is usually the first choice, which is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and stunning beaches. You could take a day trip to Delos from Mykonos for ancient history and Greek myths.
- Paros and Naxos are less crowded than Mykonos and both boast beautiful beaches for relaxation. While Paros has a more family-friendly vibe, Naxos is suitable for taking a light hike and exploring Mediterranean villages.
Below are two sample itineraries for inspiration:
1) 7-Day Essence of Greece Tour
- Days 1–2: Explore Athens' rich history and authentic cuisine.
- Days 3–4: Have fun with the vibrant nightlife and stunning beaches of Mykonos.
- Days 5–6: Witness one of the most beautiful sunsets in Santorini.
- Day 7: Departure
This itinerary would lead you to explore the main highlights of Greece, including Athens and two of the most famous Cyclades islands — Santorini and Mykonos. This is perfect for first-timers visiting Greece in a relatively limited time frame.
2) 7-Day Leisure Vacation in Greece
- Days 1–3: Athens
- Days 4–6: Santorini
- Day 7: Departure
This itinerary offers a more relaxed pace than the first one, focusing on visiting Athens and Santorini with only one change of hotel, allowing you more time to enjoy your Mediterranean vacation. Additionally, we recommend embarking on a day trip to Delphi from Athens to have a more comprehensive understanding of Greek history and mythology.
10 Days in Greece
With 10 days to spare, you could consider expanding your itinerary by adding an extra destination.
If you prefer more Greek history and mythology explorations over hopping between islands, take some day trips in the Peloponnese peninsula. This area offers you opportunities to immerse yourself in ancient monuments.
If your heart is captivated by the amazing islands, spend your days in one of the Cyclades islands mentioned above for a beach getaway and relaxation with water sports.
Looking to avoid the trouble of changing hotels frequently and seeking a balance of culture and water fun? We suggest focusing on one large island to delve deeper into its offerings.
- Crete (at least 5 days) is the largest island in Greece. It boasts various activities and it is also the birthplace of the Minoan civilization, offering a rich history and culture for exploration.
- Corfu (at least 5 days) is known for its family-friendly beaches and picturesque landscapes, and you could enjoy the charm of its unique cultural blend of British, Venetian, and French colonial influences.
Below is a sample itinerary for inspiration:
- Days 1–3: Explore the old town of Chania, admire the natural beauty at Balos Lagoon, and soak up the sunshine on Elafonisi Beach.
- Days 4–5: Wander through the historical city of Heraklion and unveil the Minoan history in the Knossos Palace.
- Days 6–7: Take a caldera cruise to see Santorini's stunning sunset and taste local wine in a winery.
- Days 8–9: Appreciate famous landmarks, such as the Acropolis and the Parthenon in Athens, and embark on a Greek food adventure.
- Day 10: Departure
This itinerary balances history, culture, natural beauty, and beach relaxation, leading you through well-preserved historical highlights and the savoring of authentic Greek cuisine. All of our itineraries are customizable. Contact us at any time and we'll personalize your very own private stress-free tour.
14 Days in Greece
Having 14 days in Greece, go beyond the 10-day ideas for a deeper exploration. You could include highlights from both mainland Greece and some Greek islands in your dream journey. This would allow you to experience all the best Greece has to offer and enjoy a more immersive vacation.
You could also choose to explore your favorite region for days to delve deeper into it and enjoy a leisurely pace for your vacation.
Below is a sample itinerary for inspiration:
- Days 1–2: Athens
- Day 3: Explore the UNESCO Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus from Nafplio.
- Days 4–5: Learn the stories from the livestock bell-maker passed down for centuries in Delphi and visit a local olive farm in Olympia.
- Days 6–7: Mykonos
- Days 8–10: Santorini
- Days 11–12: Chania, Crete
- Days 13–14: Heraklion, Crete
Before enjoying the charming Cyclades islands, you could also opt for a day trip to Meteora for marvelous monasteries that are built on steep cliffs. Accompanied by your local guide, you would gradually unveil the history of the monks and the establishment of the monasteries.
Itinerary Ideas for Longer Trips
When planning to visit Greece for longer than 2 weeks, we suggest spending at least 2 full days in each destination for some quality time and a more comprehensive experience.
If you prefer to stay on the mainland, you could explore the Peloponnese region including the Mani Peninsula, Halkidiki, or Central Greece. We highly recommend using our private transfer to do so, as you could travel at your own pace without rushing, appreciate beautiful wildlife on the road, and stop in small towns to live life as the Greeks do.
For beach lovers and island-hoppers, beyond the famous Cyclades (classic), laying your feet on the Saronic (touristy), Dodecanese (sunniest beaches), Sporades (less-visited), or Ionian (mountainous and wild) islands could offer various joys depending on your preferences.
Additionally, most of our clients opt to combine a longer Greek adventure with Italy (for arts and history), Spain (for gourmet food and culture), or Turkey (for a blend of culture and history), making up a more diverse experience across two countries.
Contact us at any time and we will be happy to personalize a private tour for you.
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
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