Best Greece Tour for Aegean Sea

Welcome to Athens, which is known as the “cradle of Western civilization" and also the birthplace of European philosophy. Upon arrival, you’ll find our private driver waiting to escort you to the hotel we carefully selected for you. From here on out, your wonderful trip in Greece begins!

► Free-Time Recommended Activity:
Explore Athens on your own if you arrive early. The Areopagus Hill (Mars Hill) is recommended, free of charge, and just a 10-minute taxi ride or 20-minute walk southwest of your hotel. Hike to the hilltop for grand views and a stunning sunset. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, as the path can be rocky and slippery. With lights turned on after dark, the nearby Acropolis in distance looks incredible against the deep blue sky.

► Recommended Restaurant for Dinner:
Greek restaurants often stay open late because the locals don’t eat dinner until 9 or 10 pm. The Greco's Project, a 10-minute walk northeast from the Areopagus Hill, is worth trying. Enjoy the outdoor seating and savor their signature dishes and tasty wines. Fried feta cheese with sesame and honey, kebabs, crisp and refreshing salads, as well as gyros pita are all great. And you might even get a free mini-dessert. It costs €15-25 per person.

► How to Hail a Taxi in Athens
The taxi-hailing app FreeNow, with different vehicle types like regular, comfort and eco-friendly ones, is widely used. The local taxi-hailing app Taxiplon and Uber also work. Besides, piatsa, the designated taxi stop, can be found around Syntagma Square, Monastiraki Square and Klafthmonos Square.

► Expert Tip on Money Exchange
The primary circulating currency in Greece is the Euro. $1 equals to about €0.913 (September 2024). Have some cash of small denominations on hand, as it’s commonly required for bus rides, taxis and tips, and even restaurants on some small islands. Exchange some beforehand at your domestic banks or in the airport upon arrival, but the airport exchange rate isn’t that favorable. Withdrawing euros with a debit card from an ATM is also feasible.

Accommodation: Brown Acropol, Athens (4 stars) or similar

Our experienced local guide will greet you after breakfast and start the trip. We’ll pass by the Corinth Canal, which is 80 meters high and 6 kilometers long, before we get to the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus by driving along the coastline for about 2 hours. Astonish at this most famous amphitheaters in classical Greek architecture, which is very well preserved and renowned worldwide for its stunning acoustics. If you sing on the stage, you are heard from every corner in the theater without using any amplification equipment! Isn’t it a magic? It wasn't until 2007 that researchers discovered that this acoustic wonder is due to the filtering effect of the limestone in the seats. Give it a try and clap your hands to verify the miraculous effect. The theater is among the ones hosting the most prestigious theatrical event in Greece — Athens & Epidaurus Festival, which is held every summer from June to August. Our next stop will be Nafplio, one of the most beautiful towns in Greece and once a military fortress. The Palamidi Castle which stands on a 216-meter rock is its main attraction. Standing on the castle, you can overlook the sea and the beautiful surrounding scenery.

In the afternoon, drive for about half an hour to Mycenae, famous for its castles, domed tombs and exquisite gold and silver artifacts. Once thought to be a mythical city, Mycenae wasn’t discovered until the 19th century by a German archaeologist. Explore the famous ancient city of Mycenae and the Archaeological Site of Mycenae including the Lion Gate, one of the oldest stone carvings in Europe, the Cyclopean Wall and the Treasury of Atreus. The discovery of archaeological site reveals the excellence achievements of the Mycenaeans in architecture, art and craft technology. After the tour, we’ll leave Mycenae and make a stop in Tripoli on the way. After driving for about 2 and a half hours, we’ll arrive at Olympia, the birthplace of Olympic Games. Check into the hotel and have a good rest.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amalia Hotel Olympia (4 stars) or similar

Good morning! Let's start this day with a visit in Olympia, the most important religious and sports center in ancient Greece. This is the very place the Olympic Games were held for the first time in 776 BC. The Statue of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Pelops and the Stadium at Olympia will be visited one by one. The ancient Olympic Games held at the stadium were in honor of Zeus. Unlike modern stadiums with a 400-meter oval track, the Stadium at Olympia is a larger rectangular sports field measuring 210 meters long and 32 meters wide, allowing 20 athletes to compete at the same time. The first Olympic event was a 192-meter sprint. Observe the shame columns at the entrance, a reminder of the athletes who committed foul play, and a testament to the pursuit of true sportsmanship in ancient Olympic Games.

► Fun Fact about Olympic Truce
In the 9th to 8th Century BC, the Greek city-states fought wars to expand their power. The competitive nature of these wars promoted the development of sports in Greece, and in return the ancient Olympic Games bore a clear military brand. For example, Spartan children were raised by the state from the age of seven and engaged in sports and military training. However, the continuous war stimulated people's desire for peace. Hence the kings of the city-states reached an agreement to hold regular games in Olympia and provided that a three-month "Olympic Truce", when no one shall wage war, should be followed.

Ferry to Zakynthos Island
Later, we will head to the port and take a one-hour ferry to Zakynthos. After check-in on arrival, you may arrange the rest of the day by yourself.

► Recommended Activities in Zakynthos:
Take your time to spend the cozy afternoon on the beach 3 minutes’ walk east of your hotel, relaxing in the sun with a cool and tasty drink. Or if culture is your thing, visit the Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos, a 6-minute walk south of the hotel. Explore the church relics preserved from various churches on the island. It closes at 15:00 and on Tuesdays and Sundays. If you don't make it to the opening time, walk another 3 minutes south to Solomos Square. Here you can see St. Nicholas in the Church of Moros, the monument to Dionysius Solomos and the bust of Ugo Foscolo. As it’s getting late, have dinner in the garden-styled Paradosiako, a Greek restaurant less than a 5-minute walk south of your hotel. If you're a cheese lover, try their fried cheese balls with local marmalade. The shrimp rolls, lamb shank, pork tomahawk as well as salmon and chicken rigatoni are all worth trying and don’t miss a cup of cocktail. It costs around €30 per person and paying by card is feasible.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Palatino Hotel, Zakynthos (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, let’s head to Zakynthos Pier and have a boat tour to explore the Zakynthos Island! The cruise departs at 9 am and returns at about 5 pm. If you are liable to seasickness, bring seasickness tablets. We will travel north along the east coast of Zakynthos, pass Tsilivi and Planos beaches, the sandy beaches of Alikanas and Alikes, and arrive at the famous Blue Caves whose seawater looks like blue ink. And it’s well-known for the consecutive and nested holes. Here, maybe you would be lucky to find some dolphins. 

★ What Makes Us Different
We’ve carefully planned your visit to the Blue Caves for the morning to fully appreciate their unique beauty. Unlike later in the day, the soft morning sunlight accentuates the vibrant colors and shimmering seawater within the caves. With the sea being calmer and the air fresh in the morning, follow our experienced guide to visit this blue world by rowing a small boat or enjoying swimming in it.

Our next stop will be Shipwreck Beach (Navagio Beach), one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. The beach is full of round pebbles, which can be a bit scratchy, instead of fine sand, so you’d better wear beach shoes. Then we will move on to the beautiful fishing village of Porto Vromi and explore the Dolphin Cave slowly. Next, move southward until we come to Keri which features a narrow and rocky beach, a promontory, a gazebo and two caves, Marithi Cave and Damianos Cave. Watch the sunset at the Lighthouse Town. Later, we will arrive at the Laganas Bay. There you can see the famous and rare sea turtle Caretta in the Mediterranean. The last stop today is Marathonisi, a protected island off Laganas. Looked like a turtle, the island is home to Greece's famous loggerhead turtle. Every year around June, turtles lay eggs on the island and the turtle nests will be protected to keep people off. Then we will return to Zakynthos Town along the coast of Porto Zoro, Banana, Porto Roma and Argassi.

► Recommended Evening Activities
Lighten your night at Zakynthos! Enjoy a delightful dinner and watch an open-air movie along the beach. 4-minute walk south from your hotel, San Marco is a cozy and romantic restaurant with a rooftop garden. It offers food catering to a variety of dietary preferences and costs around €25-30 per person. Steak, pizza, burgers, focaccia bread and cocktails are all tasty. Then walk 6 minutes north to reach the Open Air Cinema Christos Negas to enjoy a fun outdoor movie. It charges €7 per person and you can pay in credit card.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Palatino Hotel, Zakynthos (4 stars) or similar

Around 8 am, a 1-hour ferry ride will take you to Kyllini port, from where we’ll drive across Europe's largest Rion-Antirion Bridge, and reach the beautiful seaside town Nafpaktos before noon. Here, explore the Venetian Castle of Nafpaktos (exterior on Tuesdays) and the Nafpaktos Venetian Port before continuing our road trip to Delphi.

We will finally reach Delphi after lunch. Legend has it that, in order to survey the earth, Zeus once sent two giant eagles from opposite ends of the earth. At last, the eagles met in Delphi and Zeus marked it with an ovoid stone named Omphalos, which means navel. So Delphi was considered to be the center of the world. Follow the guide to see the Temple of Apollo first. Ponder over the three maxims engraved on the porch of the temple: "Know thyself", "Nothing in excess", and "Give a pledge and trouble is at hand", which are the divine oracles of Delphi that warn people to act with reverence. In ancient Greece, when the kings of city-states hesitating in making a decision, they would come here for an oracle. During the 7th to 6th century BC, the Oracle of Delphi became the spiritual prop to the ancient native Greeks. People would consult everything, from the results of national wars to the fate of individuals. Pythia of the Temple of Apollo is particularly famous, and people once believed that she could directly communicate with Apollo.

Then we’ll continue to see the Ancient Stadium of Delphi, the Ancient Theater of Delphi with a capacity of more than 5,000 spectators, and of course the Delphi Archaeological Museum, which is with a rich collection of bronze vessels, human sculptures, gold, silver and ivory artifacts. Marvel at the key highlights of the collections like Apollo statue made of gold and ivory, Argos twins, the Charioteer, authentic Navel of the Earth and Sphinx statue. The sculptures show the exquisite skills of ancient Greek sculpture, which introduces the golden ratio and human anatomy. The figures are so lifelike that the Charioteer, famed as one of the best bronze statues of all time, was even carved out with eyelashes. In contrast, the stone carvings left by the ancient Chinese and ancient Indian civilizations of almost the same period are expressive, but with relatively rough details.

After that, we will visit Arachova, the most famous winter resort in Greece. It is a small traditional city at an altitude of 1,000 meters, and a modern city as well. Finally we will pass through central Greece and Trikala and check into the hotel at a small traditional town Kalambaka.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amalia Hotel, Kalambaka (4 stars) or similar

You must have heard Hayao Miyazaki's famous anime "Castle in the Sky". This morning, we are going to visit the inspiration of this anime – Meteora, which means “suspended in the air” in Greek. We’ll visit two of the six monasteries due to the opening time of them. The Great Monastery of St. Varlaam was built on top of a high rock in the 16th century. And the 15th-century Monastery of St. Stephan has a museum exhibiting some Byzantine and Christian objects inside.
► Friendly Reminders:
1. Please wear knee-length dresses or long pants, and avoid off-the-shoulder tops.
2. Photos are not allowed inside the monasteries.
3. The way up to the monasteries are not level roads and we need to climb long stairs, so wear comfortable walking shoes.

In the afternoon, drive and pass by the small towns of Domokos, Thermopyles and Kamena Vourla which is along the sea. After 4 hours’ transfer, we’ll arrive in Athens and check into the hotel. You can either have a rest or take our suggestions to wander around the city by yourself.

► Early Arrival Recommendations in Athens
You can take a 12-minute walk south of the hotel to explore the Monastiraki Square, whose marble tiles on the floor present a unique Mosaic style with an ancient artistic sense. And the 1,000-year-old Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Pantanassa, located in the center of the busy square, can be seen. Moreover, filled with vendors selling handmade soaps, sandals, commemorative T-shirts and more, the flea market is worthy of going, too. Then have a delicious dinner in a traditional bistro or restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Brown Acropol, Athens (4 stars) or similar

Today we will take you on a deep cultural tour in Athens! The spots we will visit include the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Hellenic Parliament (exterior), the National Library of Greece, the Presidential Palace and the traditional Presidential Guard. These traditional guards are dressed in a national style which earns them a high reputation as “the men fighting in ballet dress”. They wear black knee-length pleated skirt, white pantyhose and velvet shoes which make a distinctive clicking sound as they walk. These soldiers are selected after a rigorous examination of height, willpower, and quality. The ceremony of guard changing is worth watching. You can take a photo with them, but please remain a respectful distance.

Then we will go to Acropolis, an excellent place to know the mythology, religion and civilization of ancient Greece. The most famous sites are the Parthenon, the Stoa of Eumenes, the Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena Nike, which is the smallest temple of the Acropolis. The winged goddess of victory Nike was originally a companion god of Zeus and then of Athena. But the Athenians shaped a statue of Nike without wings, which is said that in order to maintain victory, the Athenians had hope of her staying forever and made her wingless. After visiting them and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, we will head to the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games was held. This is the only large-scale stadium constructed entirely of marble in the world.

In the afternoon, we will drive 1.5 hours south to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon surrounded by seas on three sides. Return to the hotel after the visit.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Brown Acropol, Athens (4 stars) or similar

In the morning, the driver will send you to Pireaus Port to take an early morning boat to Santorini. After about 7.5 hours, reach the destination at around 3 pm. The private local driver in Santorini will pick you up and escort you to the hotel. Then the rest of the day is free for you.
► Note: If you prefer to avoid a long boat ride, consider upgrading to a flight from Santorini to Athens. Our travel consultants can assist you with this and provide pricing information.

► Recommendations for Free Afternoon in Santorini
Embark an interesting wine trip to Santorini Wine Museum, about 10 more minutes’ drive southeast from your hotel. Explore inside a natural cave to find the museum exhibiting ancient winemaking process and instruments used. Interesting audio tour is available in several languages and creative dioramas make your winery tour lively. Have a taste of wine in the reception hall then. Different wine packages are available, for example, the minimum package of €25 per person, including the audio tour device, 4 kinds of wine and some local snacks.

► Recommended Restaurant for Dinner
A 20-minute walk west of the wine museum lies Vothonaki, a traditional café tastefully blending traditional Greek cafe aesthetics with a modern style. The traditional dishes Bouyourdi, Soutzoukakia and Moussaka are all delicious, and some innovative dishes are served. It costs about €20 per person. If you're a dog person, the lovely big dog here will capture your heart.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Philippion Boutique Hotel, Santorini (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, the arranged bus will pick you up and take you to the Athinios Port for a boat ride to the Volcano of Santorini, which is an active volcano. Climb up the volcanic island to see the Aegean Sea, and enjoy swimming in the nearby hot spring. Taking a hot spring bath here is also jokingly called "hot spring jumping", as you need to jump into the water and swim to the hot spring pool after the boat stops near it. That is definitely an interesting experience. The water is about 10 meters deep, please always consider safety first. In addition, swim rings and long foam floating sticks are provided on board.

Then continue by boat to Therasia Island, a beautiful island where you will enjoy lunch at the top of the mountain while overlooking the sea and crater. Please wear comfortable shoes as you have hundreds of stairs to walk up. Then we’ll disembark at Ammoudi Bay at around 5 pm and enjoy sunset in the famous town of Oia, which is known for its blue domed churches and white buildings. The 3 Domes Viewpoint, burnt orange stairs of Kastro Oia Houses, and Castle of Oia are all places where you can take great photos. Have a novel experience of riding a donkey here! Or hike through the narrow streets of the town and admire the craft shops and art galleries. At around 8 pm, the bus driver will escort you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Philippion Boutique Hotel, Santorini (4 stars) or similar

There are no guided activities today. You could feel the leisurely life of the local by strolling around the narrow streets, or look through what we recommend. In Santorini, taking a bus or taxi, or renting a car are all available and convenient ways to wander around. For car rental shops, you can ask the hotel reception for help. Choose a proper car according to the number of people and the size of your luggage. A small Smart car is about €50 a day.

► Recommended Places to Go
Many beaches in Greece require a long walk or mountain climb before arrival. Rent a car and drive about 20 minutes to Perissa Beach to avoid such a trek as its parking lot is just near the sea. Bus is available from the station 15 minutes’ walk north of the hotel and it costs about €2.50 one way. With crystal clear waters and volcanic rocks as a backdrop, Perissa is well-equipped with beach facilities. Take a sunbathing or do water sports like riding a motorboat by yourself or escorted by staff.

After sunbathing on Perissa, take a 15-minute drive to Pyrgos, the highest point of Santorini, for a panoramic view of the island. Walking along the steep medieval alleyways full of bars, galleries and boutiques, find the Franco’s Cafe and have a cozy moment here.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Philippion Boutique Hotel, Santorini (4 stars) or similar

The morning is left for your own arrangement. Later, the driver will send you to the port of Santorini at the agreed time for you to take the boat that departs around noon and sails about 7.5 hours to return to Athens. Upon arrival near midnight, the local driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.

► Recommended Activities for the Free Morning in Santorini
Walk 20 minutes north from your hotel to the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, which represents the prehistoric Minoan civilization. Admire valuable artifacts from the Akrotiri archaeological site, with the first floor showcasing the archaeological finds like pottery and furniture, and the basement displaying magnificent frescos that adorned Akrotiri's buildings. The gold ibex statue, another highlight, is astonishingly well preserved. It charges €6 per person and is closed on Tuesdays. If you prefer a leisurely morning, wander around the town of Fira, soaking up the local customs. Explore Fira Theotokopoulos Main Square, filling with cafes and bistros, and find one to sample Greek ice cream and have a delicious brunch. Then pick a boutique to send local postcards to your friends.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Brown Acropol, Athens (4 stars) or similar

Your best Greece tour comes to an end today. The driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby according to the agreed time and transfer you to Athens International Airport. Wish you a pleasant journey home!

► Recommendation for Later Flight
In this last free morning, walk 15 minutes southwest from your hotel to enjoy daily life at the Ancient Agora of Athens. The Agora contains a museum and the Temple of Hephaestus, from where you can look out over the top of the Acropolis. Find the highlight of the sculptures of Socrates and Confucius with the theme "Dialogue" commemorating the exchange between the two sages across time and space.

Meals: Breakfast