Day 1: Athens (arrival, Plaka, and first dinner)
Arrival in Athens with a relaxed first afternoon exploring the historic center around Plaka before a traditional Greek dinner.
- 14:30 — Arrive in Athens and transfer to accommodation
- 15:30 — Check-in in central Athens
- 16:30 — Stroll through Plaka neighborhood
- 19:00 — Dinner at Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani
Transport: Airport transfer by taxi, local walking around Plaka and central Athens.
Day 2: Athens (Acropolis and museum highlights)
Full day discovering Athens’ most iconic ancient landmarks, with time at the Acropolis, its museum, and atmospheric neighborhoods nearby.
- 09:00 — Visit the Acropolis of Athens
- 12:30 — Lunch at Liondi Traditional Greek Restaurant
- 14:00 — Visit Acropolis Museum
- 17:00 — Walk through Anafiotika neighborhood
- 20:00 — Dinner at O Thanasis
Transport: Walking and metro within Athens city center, with no intercity travel.
Note: For a more immersive experience in Athens, see the Athens 3-day itinerary or Athens 4-day itinerary which includes more attractions and activities.
Day 3: Delphi day trip from Athens
Long but rewarding day trip to Delphi to explore one of ancient Greece’s most important sacred sites before returning to Athens in the evening.
- 07:30 — Athens → Delphi (bus)
- 11:00 — Visit Delphi Archaeological Site
- 13:30 — Lunch at Taverna Vakchos
- 15:00 — Visit Delphi Archaeological Museum
- 17:30 — Delphi → Athens (bus)
- 20:30 — Light dinner at Kuzina
Transport: Round trip Ktel bus Athens ↔ Delphi, plus local walking at Delphi and in Athens.
Day 4: Nafplio (drive from Athens and old town)
Travel from Athens to Nafplio by rental car, then ease into the Peloponnese with fortress views, seaside atmosphere, and a relaxed old-town walk.
- 08:30 — Athens → Nafplio (car rental)
- 11:00 — Check-in in Nafplio town center
- 11:30 — Explore Palamidi Fortress
- 13:30 — Lunch at Aiolos Taverna
- 15:00 — Walk along Nafplio Old Town
- 20:00 — Dinner at Prosilio Restaurant
Transport: One-way car rental from Athens to Nafplio, plus local walking in Nafplio.
Day 5: Nafplio and Mycenae
Easy day combining the major archaeological site of Mycenae with a more relaxed afternoon back in Nafplio by the sea.
- 09:00 — Drive to Archaeological Site of Mycenae
- 09:30 — Visit Mycenae ancient citadel
- 12:00 — Lunch at Orestis Tavern
- 14:00 — Return to Nafplio and relax at Arvanitia Beach
- 20:00 — Dinner at Alaloum
Transport: Private car for the Mycenae return trip, with walking for the beach and town.
Day 6: Nafplio (slow-paced culture and waterfront)
Relaxed day in Nafplio with local museum visits, a scenic harbor walk, and a short boat trip to the town’s island fortress.
- 09:30 — Visit Komboloi Museum
- 11:30 — Walk along the waterfront promenade
- 13:00 — Lunch at Pidalio Mezedopoleio
- 15:00 — Visit Bourtzi Castle
- 20:00 — Dinner at Prosilio Restaurant
Transport: Walking and a short boat trip within Nafplio.
Day 7: Santorini (ferry day and Oia)
Travel from Nafplio to Santorini, then spend the afternoon settling into island life with a first look at Oia’s famous cliffside views.
- 07:30 — Nafplio → Piraeus Port (car)
- 08:30 — Drop off rental car near Piraeus Port
- 10:00 — Piraeus → Santorini (ferry)
- 15:00 — Check-in in Santorini (Oia area)
- 16:00 — Explore Oia village
- 20:00 — Dinner at Ammoudi Fish Tavern
Transport: Car rental drive to Piraeus, ferry to Santorini, and local walking in Oia.
Day 8: Santorini (Akrotiri, beach, and sunset views)
Balanced island day with archaeological history, black-sand beach time, and a scenic evening walk overlooking the caldera.
- 09:00 — Visit Akrotiri Archaeological Site
- 12:30 — Lunch at Pelagos Restaurant
- 14:00 — Relax at Perissa Beach
- 19:00 — Walk and sunset at Firostefani
- 20:30 — Dinner at Pelican Kipos
Transport: Local bus or taxi between sites, with mostly walking in the villages.
Day 9: Santorini (volcano boat tour and Imerovigli)
Classic Santorini day built around a volcano and hot springs excursion, followed by a slower evening in one of the island’s most scenic villages.
- 09:00 — Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs boat tour
- 13:00 — Lunch at Sea Side by Notos
- 15:00 — Rest and relax at accommodation in Imerovigli
- 19:30 — Evening walk in Imerovigli
- 20:30 — Dinner at Avocado Restaurant
Transport: Local boat tour, with short transfers by taxi or on foot.
Day 10: Santorini (Pyrgos, wine, and final island dinner)
Another relaxed island day focused on traditional village atmosphere, local wine culture, and free time before a casual evening meal.
- 09:30 — Visit Pyrgos Village
- 12:00 — Santorini Wine Museum visit
- 13:30 — Lunch at Metaxi Mas
- 15:00 — Free time for shopping or beach
- 20:00 — Dinner at Lucky's Souvlakis
Transport: Taxi and walking within Santorini villages.
Day 11: Heraklion (ferry from Santorini and Knossos)
Travel onward to Crete, then dive straight into the island’s Minoan history with a visit to Knossos and an evening in Heraklion’s old town.
- 08:00 — Santorini → Heraklion (ferry)
- 10:30 — Check-in in Heraklion city center
- 11:30 — Visit Palace of Knossos
- 14:00 — Lunch at Peskesi Restaurant
- 16:00 — Walk through Heraklion Old Town
- 20:00 — Dinner at Herb's Garden
Transport: Ferry from Santorini to Heraklion, plus local walking and taxi rides in Heraklion.
Day 12: Heraklion (museum and beach afternoon)
Day mixing Crete’s top archaeological museum with an easy beach break and a relaxed evening back in the city.
- 09:30 — Heraklion Archaeological Museum visit
- 12:30 — Lunch at Ippokambos Restaurant
- 14:30 — Relax at Ammoudara Beach
- 18:30 — Return to hotel and freshen up
- 20:00 — Dinner at Paralia Seaside Restaurant
Transport: Local walking and taxi rides between the city and the beach.
Day 13: Arkadi day trip from Heraklion
Inland day trip through Crete’s countryside to visit the historic Arkadi Monastery before returning to Heraklion for a final evening.
- 09:00 — Drive to Arkadi Monastery
- 10:00 — Visit Arkadi Monastery
- 13:00 — Lunch at Taverna Palladion
- 15:00 — Drive back to Heraklion
- 17:00 — Free afternoon for shopping or museums
- 20:00 — Dinner at Kouzeineri
Transport: Rental car or taxi for the Arkadi round trip, plus walking in Heraklion.
Day 14: Athens (return and departure)
Final travel day back to Athens with a light city-center stop before heading to the airport for departure.
- 06:30 — Heraklion → Athens (flight)
- 08:30 — Arrive Athens and transfer to city center
- 09:30 — Check-in at hotel in Athens
- 10:30 — Morning stroll in National Garden
- 11:30 — Brunch at Avocado Restaurant
- 13:00 — Transfer to Athens International Airport
Transport: Flight from Heraklion to Athens, plus taxis and walking in Athens city center.