Tour overview

This 15-day journey combines the great sites of mainland Greece with three Cycladic islands. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve, by train, bus, private transfer and ferry. You stay fourteen nights in hotels, with breakfast on most days and a few special meals.

After the Acropolis you travel north to Thessaloniki, the cultural capital, with a visit to a refugee craft workshop. A train takes you to Kalambaka, below the monasteries of Meteora perched on 400-metre rock pillars, before you head to Delphi for its sanctuary, museum and a lunch with olive oil tasting.

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After a free day in Athens you sail to Syros for a loukoumi workshop and a dinner in a remote village, then on to Mykonos and a half-day trip to the sacred island of Delos. You finish on Santorini, walking the caldera rim to Oia.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits travellers who want ancient sites and island life in one journey.

Trip highlights

  • The Acropolis (Day 2)
  • Thessaloniki (Day 3)
  • The monasteries of Meteora (Day 5)
  • Delphi (Day 6)
  • Delos (Day 12)
  • The caldera hike to Oia (Day 14)

Your route

10 stops from Athens to Santorini

15-day route: Athens – Thessaloniki – Kalambaka – Delphi – Athens – Syros – Mykonos – Santorini
  1. Athens Day 1
  2. Thessaloniki Days 2–3
  3. Kalambaka Days 4–5
  4. Meteora Day 5
  5. Delphi Day 6
  6. Athens Days 7–8
  7. Syros Days 9–10
  8. Mykonos Days 11–12
  9. Delos Day 12
  10. Santorini Days 13–15

Why choose this tour

Mainland highlights and three islands. Small group with a local leader.

Best suited to

  • History lovers
  • Island hoppers
  • Solo travellers
  • Active travellers
The Parthenon on the Acropolis

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Athens, Greece to Santorini, Greece

  1. Day 1 · Athens Athens

    Welcome to Greece.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Acropolis, Thessaloniki Thessaloniki

    The Acropolis.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · White Tower, Thessaloniki Thessaloniki

    The cultural capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Kalambaka Kalambaka

    By train.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Meteora Meteora

    Monasteries in the sky.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Delphi Delphi

    The oracle.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Athens Athens

    Back to Athens.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Athens Athens

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  9. Day 9 · Piraeus, Syros Syros

    By ferry.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Ano Syros Syros

    A village dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Mykonos Mykonos

    To Mykonos.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  12. Day 12 · Delos Delos

    A sacred island.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Santorini Santorini

    To Santorini.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Fira, Oia Santorini

    The caldera hike.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Santorini Santorini

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Monasteries on the rock pillars of Meteora

Where you stay

  • Athens (1 night) Hotel
  • Thessaloniki (2 nights) Hotel
  • Kalambaka (2 nights) Hotel
  • Delphi (1 night) Hotel
  • Athens (2 nights) Hotel
  • Syros (2 nights) Hotel
  • Mykonos (2 nights) Hotel
  • Santorini (2 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights in hotels
  • Meals 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
  • Trains, buses, transfers and ferries
  • Acropolis with a local guide
  • Meteora monasteries and Delphi
  • Delos half-day trip
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 3 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 13 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Pastel houses on the Syros waterfront

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury hotels
  • You want most meals included
  • You dislike ferries
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–7, 9 and 12–15 · Lunch: Day 6 · Dinner: Day 10
The Temple of Apollo at Delphi

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,515 per person, twin share, tour only. 60 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Greece?

No, UK citizens can visit Greece visa-free for short stays, though the EU Entry/Exit System applies at the border.

How do you travel between islands?

By public ferry, with tickets arranged.

How hard is the caldera hike?

About 10km on uneven paths with some climbs; you can stop at villages along the way.

Is there free time?

Yes, including a free day in Athens.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available on request.

How many people travel together?

No more than twelve travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £3,515
See dates & prices