Tour overview

This 16-day small-group tour combines mainland Greece's great ancient sites with three of the most beautiful Cyclades islands, travelling at a relaxed pace with comfortable hotels and local guides. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You stay fifteen nights in hotels including the Athenaeum in Athens, a guesthouse near the monasteries of Meteora, a boutique mountain hotel in Dimitsana and a resort on Santorini. Fifteen breakfasts, three lunches and six dinners are included, from a welcome dinner in Athens to a sunset drink at Meteora and lunch in one of the oldest olive groves in the world on Naxos.

In Athens a local guide brings the Acropolis to life before you travel north to Kalambaka. Two nights let you visit the monasteries of Meteora, perched on towering rock pillars, with a sunset visit and a drink. Delphi, home of the ancient oracle, is explored with a local guide on the way to Nafpaktos.

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Crossing to the Peloponnese, you visit ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, and stay two nights in the stone village of Dimitsana, walking with a local guide into the Lousios Valley with its cliff-hanging monasteries. Mycenae, the UNESCO-listed citadel of Agamemnon, and the elegant harbour town of Nafplion lead back to Athens for a free day.

A ferry from Piraeus takes you to Paros, with two nights to explore its marble villages and harbours. On Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, you spend three nights, visiting the ancient olive grove at Kaloxylos for a tasting and lunch and having time for beaches and mountain villages. The journey ends on Santorini, where you stay two nights and hike along the edge of the famous caldera, formed by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, with a farewell dinner.

The physical rating is medium, with walking at archaeological sites and a caldera hike. This tour suits travellers who want the best of mainland and island Greece in comfort, with the logistics handled. Ferry tickets between the islands are included, and an arrival transfer is provided in Athens. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the sites.

Trip highlights

  • The Acropolis with a local guide (Day 2)
  • Meteora's monasteries at sunset (Day 3)
  • Delphi and Olympia (Days 4–5)
  • The Lousios Valley (Day 6)
  • Mycenae and Nafplion (Day 7)
  • A caldera hike on Santorini (Day 15)

Your route

14 stops from Athens to Santorini

16-day route: Athens – Meteora – Delphi – Olympia – Dimitsana – Mycenae – Athens – Paros – Naxos – Santorini
  1. Athens Day 1
  2. Thermopylae Day 2
  3. Kalambaka Days 2–3
  4. Meteora Day 3
  5. Delphi Day 4
  6. Nafpaktos Day 4
  7. Olympia Day 5
  8. Dimitsana Days 5–6
  9. Mycenae Day 7
  10. Nafplion Day 7
  11. Athens Days 7–8
  12. Paros Days 9–10
  13. Naxos Days 11–13
  14. Santorini Days 14–16

Why choose this tour

Mainland Greece's great sites and three Cyclades islands in one tour. Comfortable hotels, local guides and a small group.

Best suited to

  • Travellers who value comfort
  • History and archaeology lovers
  • Couples and solo travellers
  • First-time visitors to Greece
Blue-domed churches above the caldera on Santorini, Greece

Day-by-day itinerary

16 days from Athens, Greece to Santorini, Greece

  1. Day 1 · Athens Arrive in Athens

    An arrival transfer and welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Acropolis, Kalambaka Acropolis to Kalambaka

    Ancient Athens, then north to Meteora.

    Hotel
    Monastery Guesthouse or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Meteora Meteora

    Monasteries on rock pillars, and sunset.

    Hotel
    Monastery Guesthouse or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Delphi, Nafpaktos Delphi

    The ancient oracle with a local guide.

    Hotel
    Nafs Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Olympia, Dimitsana Olympia

    Birthplace of the Olympic Games.

    Hotel
    Mikri Arktos Boutique Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Lousios Valley, Dimitsana Lousios Valley

    A guided walk among cliffside monasteries.

    Hotel
    Mikri Arktos Boutique Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Mycenae, Nafplion, Athens Mycenae and Nafplion

    Agamemnon's citadel and a harbour town.

    Hotel
    Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Athens Athens

    A free day in the capital.

    Hotel
    Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Piraeus, Paros Paros

    A ferry to the Cyclades.

    Hotel
    Hill Mill Paros Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Paros Paros

    A free day on the island.

    Hotel
    Hill Mill Paros Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Naxos Naxos

    A short ferry to the largest Cyclades island.

    Hotel
    Naxos Princess or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · Kaloxylos Olive grove

    An ancient olive grove, tasting and lunch.

    Hotel
    Naxos Princess or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  13. Day 13 · Naxos Naxos

    A free day for beaches and villages.

    Hotel
    Naxos Princess or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Fira Santorini

    A ferry to Santorini.

    Hotel
    El Greco Resort Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Santorini caldera Caldera hike

    Hike the caldera rim and a farewell dinner.

    Hotel
    El Greco Resort Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  16. Day 16 · Santorini Tour ends

    The tour ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The Temple of Apollo at Delphi

Where you stay

  • Athens (1 night) Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar
  • Kalambaka (2 nights) Monastery Guesthouse or similar
  • Nafpaktos (1 night) Nafs Hotel or similar
  • Dimitsana (2 nights) Mikri Arktos Boutique Hotel or similar
  • Athens (2 nights) Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar
  • Paros (2 nights) Hill Mill Paros Hotel or similar
  • Naxos (3 nights) Naxos Princess or similar
  • Santorini (2 nights) El Greco Resort Hotel or similar

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 15 nights in hotels
  • Meals 15 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Private transport, ferries and an arrival transfer
  • Acropolis, Delphi and Olympia with local guides
  • Meteora monasteries with a sunset drink
  • Lousios Valley walk, Mycenae and Nafplion
  • Naxos olive grove visit with tasting and lunch
  • Santorini caldera hike
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 11 lunches and 9 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
The Bourtzi castle in the harbour at Nafplio

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a budget trip
  • You want a beach-only holiday
  • You dislike ferries
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–16 · Lunch: Days 2, 6 and 12 · Dinner: Days 1, 7, 9–11 and 15
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Greece
Naoussa harbour on Paros

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £7,995 per person, twin share, tour only. 23 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.

What are the hotels like?

Comfortable hotels, including a boutique mountain hotel in Dimitsana and a resort on Santorini.

How do we travel between islands?

By public ferry, with tickets included.

Is the caldera hike hard?

It is a moderate walk along the rim of the caldera, with uneven paths in places.

Is an arrival transfer included?

Yes, a transfer on arrival in Athens is included.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 15.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers, with a 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

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