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A Grand Tour Of Greece: 14 Days Itinerary in Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete

A romantic destination fit for a honeymoon? No, it’s not just that. Beyond the blue and white facades, Athens is a jaw-droppingly ancient city, filled with an endless coastline and stunning architecture. As the cradle of Western civilization, it has some of the world's greatest ancient monuments. While it's a late bloomer in the modern age and retains echoes of a simpler, time-passed world, contemporary Greece has one of Europe's fastest-changing cultural landscapes. With its classical past, hang-loose present, and edgy future, Greece offers something for every traveler!

Highlights:

Get acquainted with the historical city at the Old Port

Time travel back by visiting cultural museums

Stroll along a pink natural pool where you can paddle or lie back and float in shimmering water!

Visit Europe’s oldest city!

Wander the picturesque streets of Oia, Fira and Pyrgos towns

Explore the alleys of Mykonos Town

Have a Romantic Dinner Overlooking the Caldera

Swim at a Red Sand Beach!

Take a boat trip to the archaeological site of Delos!

BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1 Arrive in Athens

Day 2 Explore the historical and cultural museums of Athens

Day 3 Continue exploring Monasteries and incredible districts

Day 4 Athens to Mykonos

Day 5 Explore Mykonos

Day 6 A Day trip to Delos

Day 7 Mykonos to Santorini

Day 8 Hiking from Fira to Oia

Day 9 Last day in Santorini

Day 10 Santorini to Crete

Day 11 Visit the town of Chania!

Day 12 Explore the Pink Beaches of Crete

Day 13 Return to Athens

Day 14 Depart Athens

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrive in Athens

Welcome to Athens, Greek capital's best-kept secret. Gritty and edgier than the majority of European capital, this city is filled with many well-kept rabbit-holes which will reward open-minded travelers that venture off the beaten path. Touch down onto the Greek’s land and take the Metro Line 3 which connects Athens airport with its city center. Stowaway your luggage and prepare to take a visit through time!

Begin your adventure at The Acropolis, the most recognizable landmark in Athens. It takes a couple of hours to explore the site and there is a bit of uphill walking. That means it’s also a good idea to start here early in the morning before the day gets too hot (especially in the warmer months). There are the ruins of buildings and monuments on ground level but the highlights are on the top, where the Parthenon takes center stage.

No visit to the Acropolis is complete without also visiting the excellent Acropolis Museum at the base of the site. This large and modern building has an extensive collection of artifacts that were found in the area. It gives you a good impression of how it would once have been laid out and decorated. The Acropolis Museum tops the lists of the best museums in the world. The new museum which opened its doors in 2009 is a piece of art designed and completed by New York’s, Bernard Tschumi together with the local Greek architect Michael Photiadi. The Acropolis Museum spans over three floors and houses the frieze of the temple of Parthenon among other prized possessions such as the five Caryatids which are the original version of the maidens that supported the porch of the Erechtheion.

From the Acropolis Museum, it’s only a five-minute walk to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, through Hadrian’s Arch. This impressive temple was built in the 6th century BC and, even though only a small section of it is left, you can picture how large and grand it must once have been.

If you buy the combined entry ticket for the Acropolis, then entrance is included here.

After all of this, you’ll probably be hungry. A great option for lunch is Aegli Zappiou, which is just a few minute's walk from the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Aegli Zappiou has a casual cafe area and a separate restaurant. There is a good selection of Greek and international food to choose from. There is also a fantastic view of The Zappeion building, which was built as the administrative center of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

After lunch, take a stroll through the Plaka district, which is just a few minutes from Aegli Zappiou, back towards the Acropolis. This is one of the oldest parts of the city although most of the buildings here now are from the 1800s. It is a rather touristy part of town but for good reason. The cute streets have little shops and cafes (if you are in need of a coffee) and quite a few small ancient monuments.

After seeing the Acropolis by day and up close, why not spend the evening admiring it at night. The restaurant at the Electra Palace Hotel has a fantastic view of the site from every table. There are an inside and an outside area and the menu is fantastic. The specialty is modern Greek food and the friendly staff will help you match some of the local wines with the dishes you choose.

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Day 2: Explore the historical and cultural museums of Athens

Begin your morning at the Panathenaic Stadium, where major sporting events were held. It was refurbished to host the 1st Modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Next, visit one of the top attractions in Athens was built in AD 161 by a Roman Herodes Atticus for his wife Regilla. If you are visiting Athens in the summer check out the Athens & Epidaurus Festival program which takes place at the Odeon of Herodes. Over the years some of the world’s most elite performers such as Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Sting, and many others have taken its stage.

If you’re interested in trying some good local Greek food, a great option is to have lunch at the Byzantino restaurant in the Athens Hilton. It’s perfect if you’ve worked up a hunger while exploring in the morning – and it’s right near my suggested afternoon activities.

Less than a ten-minute walk from Byzantino is the Byzantine Museum, which is one of the best museums in Athens. There is an enormous collection of about 25,000 items from the 3rd century AD through to medieval times.While it is not what you might normally think of as ‘Ancient Greece’, this Byzantine period was influenced by the Classical Period and was extremely influential in the culture of Athens today.

A little bit further down the same street is the main building of the Benaki Museum (I say ‘main’ building because there are some satellite buildings with specialty exhibitions). The Benaki Museum has an excellent collection of works from Ancient Greece on the ground floor. The really interesting thing about this museum, though, is that the exhibitions cover the entire Greece history up to the past century.Within the one building you can get a sense of all the important stages in the development of the country in a very well-presented way. This museum is a must-see!

Nearby you’ll also find the Museum of Cycladic Art.This museum has a great collection of Greek antiquities with a focus on prehistoric art from the Cyclades islands in Aegean Sea. There are about 350 Cycladic pieces including marble sculpture, pottery and metalwork.

In the same part of town as these museums is an excellent restaurant that embraces the traditional Greek style of eating. Cookoovaya dishes are made to be shared and although the food has a modern flavour, it’s an authentic experience to have the large plates all on the table together. There is a lovely atmosphere at the restaurant with inside and outside areas and an excellent wine list to complement the dishes.

Day 3: Continue exploring Monasteries and incredible districts

There is no better museum in Athens to see artefacts from Ancient Greece than the National Archaeological Museum. It is an incredible collection with thousands of sculptures, pottery examples and other pieces of art and history.

Kerameikos Cemetery, the ancient cemetery has about 1000 tombs from the 4th and 5th centuries BC. It was constructed on the edge of the old city wall, just outside the entrance, and was the burial ground for citizens of all classes. What is so fascinating about the site is the tombstones – each a piece of art in its own right.

While you are in the area around Kerameikos Cemetery, a good option for lunch would be one of the new restaurants in the nearby Gazi district. This is an interesting part of Athens that has a bit of a ‘hipster’ vibe and is definitely on the up. There are lots of places to eat here so I’m not going to recommend any one in particular – have a wander and sit down somewhere that takes your fancy. It’s unlikely you’ll be displeased.

Next, head to Kaisariani Monastery. This Byzantine complex was established in the 10th century on Mount Hymettus, overlooking Athens. The original church from this period is still accessible and some of the frescoes are in excellent condition. This Eastern Orthodox monastery is an important part of the story of Athens which, of course, did not stop after the Classical Period.

On the outskirts of Athens is the Daphni Monastery, another Byzantine site. Daphni does not have as nice a setting but it is more significant and a much more impressive building. It is part of a World Heritage Site that includes other Byzantine monasteries in Greece.

End your night at Ermou street, for shopping addicts!

Day 4: Athens to Mykonos

Rise and shine, it’s time to head to your next city. Extreme nightlife, glamour, crowded beaches and party till the sun comes out. And these are not even half of the reasons why Mykonos is such a popular destination! Mykonos has a traditional beauty, apart from its party scene. Its main town, Chora is the perfect example of Cycladic architecture. Cycladic white and blue little houses, narrow paths, and cute churches create the perfect scenery for unforgettable holidays. What’s more, Mykonos is famous for its traditional windmills. You will find them near Chora and you bet they will be your favorite photo background.

The good thing is, ferries from Athens to Mykonos are frequent! This means you don’t have to worry whether you’ll manage to catch a specific ferry. Expect to do a 3 to 6 hours trip, depending on the type of the ferry you’re traveling with. Once you get there, you’ll have to get a taxi to downtown Mykonos. An alternative is to take a bus or your hotel’s bus, which will get you straight to your hotel in Mykonos! Take a short breather in your hotel before heading out for some classic Mykonian Lunch

De-stress and eat near the Old Port. Walking along the strip, you can find various afforable lunch options! Try Madoupas, a restaurant famous for serving traditional Greek meals at reasonable prices. Taste their Mykonian platter which includes island specialties - louza and pork sausage!

For your first day in Mykonos, it’s best to start with a little shopping at the old port! There are many souvenirs and boutique shops located throughout the city. You can find anything from your standard souvenir items to high-end quality leather or jewelry shops. It is definitely worth the look if you want to find a unique item to take home with you! Don’t forget to stop to take a few pictures as you make your way through the town. The white-washed walls and colorful doors and windows are definitely photo-worthy.

Close out your first day by catching the sunset in the “Little Venice” area. You should aim to grab something to eat or drink in one of the restaurants lining the bay. Get a reservation in advance to make sure your viewing spot is confirmed! This will help you avoid fighting the crowds or needing to find a seat far in advance. If it interests you, there are many options for nightlife around Little Venice and throughout Mykonos Town as well.

Day 5: Mykonos

Wake up early to have Mykonos Old Town to yourself! Walk through the empty streets and orient yourselves through the maze like alleys. Head to get some breakfast and start day 2 with some Mykonos sightseeing! Mykonos town is set among a series of cobblestone alleys and narrow, almost maze-like village side lanes that create a postcard perfect picture of Greek architecture.

From there, trace your route to Kastro's. It is a restaurant, famous on Instagram for its idyllic narrow alley heading to the sea! Our last stop was Panagia Paraportiani. This whitewashed church is one of the most photographed churches in the world because of its unusual shape and architecture.

Your trip wouldn't be complete without meeting the island's resident pelican - Petros III! He is the official mascot of Mykonos.

End a long day of exploring with a sunset yoga session at Castle Panigirakis. Class starts at 6:30pm daily, and you’ll be treated to a view of the sun going down over Delos Island and all of the white washed buildings of the village below. A truly unique experience! Classes are all level vinyasa. The castle itself is stunning, and there’s a 180 degree bar as well for after class.

Mykonos is the party island of the Cyclades and has the best nightlife in Greece. You can start your evening by taking a stroll down the picturesque old harbour of Mykonos. There are many cafes and restaurants in the area overlooking the sea. As the evening progresses you can visit the legendary Scandinavian bar, the gay-friendly Jackie O, Cavo Paradiso or you can head in one of the famous beach bars like Nammos, Scorpios and Jackie O on the beach. The options are endless!

Day 6: Day trip to Delos Island

Make your way to Mykonos old port to catch a short ferry read over to Delos island! Keep in mind that boats may be cancelled on windy days, and that these times may change at any time, so always confirm them at the port! A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is considered as one of the most important Archaeological sites in Greece for it was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Delos island served as a religious center for religions throughout the neighboring regions from the 8th through the 1st century B.C.

Despite the fires that destroyed the island’s homes, the remains you find there are quite remarkable. Try going for the Ancient Delos Tour guided tour so that you can best understand what life was like on the island in ancient times.

As you make your way around the ruins from the Sacred Harbour, where the tour boats dock, sights not to miss include the Sanctuary of Apollo, lined with the remains of three temples dedicated to the god, the Artemision – a sanctuary of Artemis, Apollo’s twin sister, and the Terrace of Lions, lined with the much-photographed replica lion statues. Nearby is the overgrown Sacred Lake where Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis after hiding from the wrath of Hera, Zeus’ wife, Zeus being the twins’ father.

In the Theatre Quarter, formerly home to Delos’ wealthiest inhabitants, spot the mosaic depicting the wine god Dionysos riding a panther at the House of Dionysos, and another superb mosaic featuring lions, dolphins and griffins at the House of Dolphins. If you have time, it’s well worth climbing Mt Mynthos for great views of the surrounding islands and to visit the Sanctuaries of Zeus and Athena.

Visit the archeological museum and see exhibits on the island’s major historical periods. Enjoy some free time to further explore the museum on your own and to hunt for souvenirs in the museum shop. Make your way back to Mykonos on the last ferry at 7.30PM and head for some dinner before you rest for the night!

Day 7: Mykonos to Santorini

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll get an early ferry to Santorini. Nothing says "good morning" like watching the sun coming up over the island's iconic cubic architecture. Upon arrival, you'll take in the island's central caldera—the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history—rising above you.

Spend your first morning on Santorini exploring some of the towns! What better way to get to know the island than to explore the capital, Fira! (Also known as Thira of Thera) The main town, lies on the curve of the caldera, facing west. The ferries arrive at the port that lies south of the main town. Its picturesque whitewashed buildings cling to the sides of the cliffs.

Walk on the 587 steps old donkey trail from Fira down to the Old Port, in amongst all the donkeys is not for the faint-hearted, especially in the midst of summer. If the steps don’t get you, being on alert for the donkeys, and having to get close to the wall as they weave their way down, often laden with passengers!

Catch the cable car back up to the top! It’s only 5 euros and allows you to sit back and take advantage of the views once more, without expending all of your own energy, leaving room at the top for some shopping and browsing around the wonderful shops.

Before you head back, grab dinner in Fira. There are so many options to choose from and especially if you’re looking to grab food after sunset, it should be a lot easier. Opt to try Ouzeri, a traditional Greek restaurant that has a homely vibe to it. Try the Santorini Yellow Donkey beer before you head back to your hotel for rest.

Day 8: Hiking from Fira to Oia

In the morning, lace up your walking shoes. From Fira, it is about a four-hour hike to Oia, and vice versa. The walk follows the rim of the caldera and passes through Firostefani and Imerovigli as well as Fira and Oia. From the ridge, you’ll have spectacular views of both the inland plains and the Aegean Sea. Start early in the summer, as it gets hot by late morning, and bring water. There are shops in which to buy water or snacks in the towns, as well as vendors on the street.

Oia is the most famous, for this is the town with the iconic blue domed roofs and whitewashed buildings. It is on the northern curve of the caldera, facing south toward the rest of the island. Oia is an ideal place from which to watch the sunset! While still a major tourist attraction, it is quieter than Fira. You will find many shops, cafes, and tavernas in Oia, as well as a lot of art galleries. There are remains of a Venetian fortress as well as old captains houses that are worth viewing.

Spend the afternoon at the Akrotiri archaeological site. This famous Minoan Bronze Age settlement site was buried by the volcano eruption of Thera in 1627BC. Akrotiri is very similar to the Roman site at Pompeii since both are incredibly well preserved by the volcanic ash. It is often suggested that Plato used it for his inspiration of Atlantis, hence why many people believe that the lost island of Atlantis was either near or a part of Santorini.

Akrotiri is a working archaeological site. Visitors have a chance to see the settlement, the pottery, frescoes, mosaics, and more that only revealed themselves to the world in the late 19th century. Excavations began in the 1960s and continue today.

From the archaeological site, you can walk back into the town of Akrotiri. This agricultural town is one of the least visited on the island, and chances are you will see few other visitors. Continue to the right to reach the popular Red Beach for a late afternoon swim!

End the day by watching the sunset go down at Oia. Bear in mind that people flock to the island to catch a glimpse of Santorini sunsets to prepare for a little stamped but if you choose to end your exploring with a hike to Sarkos Rock then you will be rewarded with great sunset views and no crowds!

Day 9: Last day in Santorini

Get started in Fira with an early morning tour of the volcanic islands and the hot springs in the middle of the caldera. There are a variety of tours available in different styles and price ranges, but those simply wanting a boat ride out to the caldera islands can easily find it. On tours, visiting the nearby island of Thirasia is often an option. There are several good hiking trails located there, and the views from the mountaintop are excellent. Be sure to stop by Captain John’s and sample the grilled swordfish.

Upon returning to Fira, one should check out the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, which is located only a short walk from the main square and features a variety of ancient Minoan artworks that have been recovered from the nearby village of Akrotiri.

Spend some time in Fira walking the narrow streets and admiring the Cycladic houses, browsing boutiques and enjoying the occasional Caldera views. You'll see medieval villages at Megalochori and Pyrgos and stop for a wine tasting to sample varietals dating back centuries. Finally, have dinner at the superior Apion restaurant, which not only has great views of the sunset but also provides excellent service and tasty cuisine!

Day 10: Santorini to Crete

Rise and shine! It’s time to explore a new city. Grab some breakfast at your hotel and head over to Santorini’s port to catch a ferry to Crete. Touch down at Heraklion, the capital of Crete after a 2 hour high speed ferry ride and check in to your hotel!

Start your historical adventure in Crete by visiting it’s biggest and best-preserved Minoan site lies just five kilometers southeast of Heraklion. The Palace of Knossos is a vast monumental palace, believed to have been the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos. Remarkably sophisticated, it is a sprawling maze of royal chambers, grand staircases, storerooms, and workshops. The throne room is still in place with the original throne, and replicas of many of the frescoes have been restored to the walls.

As you continue to walk around the town of Heraklion, visit the Koules Fortress. The fortress is a living sign of the Venetian rule that lasted for more than four centuries on the island before Ottomans came in (and rules for another 200 years!). An easy walk at the promenade leads to the fort. Aftwards, you can also choose to visit the Crete aquarium, Cretaquarium, which is considered one of the largest in Europe and displays unique sea life of the Mediterranean Sea.

Finish your day by strolling along the waterfront. Some of Heraklion's best seafood restaurants, an ancient fortress, museums, and amazing views are what you'll find here.The walks consist of two sections: the main waterfront stroll, running along the sea from east to west; and the breakwater walk, which extends out past the historical fort.

The waterfront stroll starts at the breakwater and runs east to the traffic roundabout past the ancient Venetian arches and west to the Natural History Museum. This is the option you'll want to choose if you want to stop for a bite to eat or learn a bit about the island.

To take the breakwater walk, head towards the ancient Koules Fortress and keep going. This 4.6-kilometer return walk takes you out into the sea and provides great views back towards the city and mountains in the distance. At about the halfway point, some interesting tile work adorns the breakwater.

Day 11: Visit the town of Chania!

Start the next day with a drive to the town of Chania. If you have rented a car (highly recommended to rent one in Crete), a drive from Heraklion to Chania will take about two and a half hours. Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Heraklion that operates quite frequently.

Chania is all about old narrow vivid streets, lazy walks at the Venetian harbor, nightlife, and a lot more walking in and around the old town. Pick a walking tour of the old town area, a food tour, bar hopping, beach hopping, wine tasting and many more tours available in plenty. Chania Old Town is a maze of colorful paved pedestrian streets filled with welcoming little shops for visitors to explore. Tattoo parlors, traditional tavernas, souvenir shops, cafés and bars set against a homey background. In the main square, called '1821' (taking its name from the local revolt in 1821 against the Turks), lies an ancient sycamore tree whose refreshing shade turns the 'piazza' into a perfect spot for a Greek coffee break during the day. There you will also spot one of the most significant churches of Chania, 'Agios Nikolaos', hosting both a bell tower AND a minaret, demonstrating the multicultural character of this town.

The harbour and lighthouse at Chania is where all the buzz is and it’s for a reason that this spot is insanely famous among locals and the tourists. The harbor sparkles in different shades throughout the day ending with a stunning sunset only to lighten up even more with the night life. Try Portes for a great meal and ancient ambience.

If you're wondering what to do in Chania in the evenings, then head to Daliani Street to hang out with the locals. The area is heavily frequented by people of all ages since it offers a variety of restaurants and bars that suit all tastes and budgets.

Finally, enjoy a sunset dinner in the Tabakaria area! The Tabakaria area used to be a small industrial center of leather tanneries. Although this area has been mostly abandoned, there are still a couple of operational tanneries worth visiting during the day. Delight in dinner against a beautiful sunset at the 'Thalassino Ageri' fish restaurant!

Day 12: Crete

On the west side of the Venetian port, right next to the landmark, red Maritime Museum, you will find the 'Alcanea café & wine bar'. This cosy café offers -besides a great breakfast, great views of the port but is secluded enough to guarantee a relaxing breakfast with beautiful sea-view, away from the busy part of the port.

Save the best for the last and visit Elafonisi, a stunning pink beach that lists on the top ten beaches of the world! Elafonisi beach is located ninety minutes away from Chania and it makes for a mind blowing drive from the town to the beach.

The beach itself is pinkish and the sand is softer than cotton. A wide and shallow lagoon spreads for a considerable distance before the waves hit making the beach perfect for long walks into the water. The beach does receive a lot of crowd (it’s justified!) through the day and gets a bit windy; make sure you go prepared with beach accessories to make the best of the day.

Drive to the spectacular monastery of Chrisoskalitissa located on a rock 5 kms off Elafonisi. The monastery itself may not appeal to many, the views of the open Libyan Sea make for a great visit. The rock that holds the monastery is perched at 35 metres making it a natural elevation to watch the thick blue waters from.

Day 13: Return to Athens

Make your way from Crete back to Athens! A long ferry ride awaits so make sure your bellies are filled before you head out! The Piraeus Heraklion ferry route connects Athens with Crete with a sailing duration of around 8 hours 30 minutes!

Put on a pair of comfortable shoes and head to the Varvakios Agora to experience the raucous splendour of Athens' major fresh food market. Walk past hawkers and hampers filled with plump prawns, jostle between the crowd to buy fresh fish and hanging entrails, and then find some slow-paced solace amid the spice mountains outside. Follow your trip to the market with a stop at the fascinating Museum of Gastronomy and see how well food combines with art! You can also opt for a cooking class here!

Climb the Philopappou Hill for some great views of the Acropolis. There you can discover the Philopappou Monument, handmade cobbled roads and the church of Ayios Demetrios Loumbardiaris, the 16th-century basilica with great murals. The area of Philopappou Hill has been designated a Scheduled and Protected Monument of the Global Cultural Heritage.

For dinner, have some pomegranate sorbet and watch the sunset over the Acropolis! The Electra Rooftop Garden Hotel is a glorious hotel that drips in cream and gold and, as the name suggests, there's a rooftop terrace that overlooks the Acropolis. Now, plenty of places in Athens overlook the Acropolis but this one lives right up close and it serves a delicious pomegranate sorbet!

Day 14: Return home

On your final day, depart from the historic city center after grabbing some breakfast at your hotel! From ancient romance to skyscrapers and edgy street art, Athens is all the better for being a city that's hard to define!

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