You possibly can see a whole lot of Greece in below two weeks and get an actual really feel for its historical past, ruins, seashores, meals, late-night revelry and some of its many iconic islands. Ferries hyperlink most of the greatest locations to go to, and lazing away the hours on deck gazing on the passing turquoise water is an irresistible interlude to extra storyed sights.
We've put collectively an in depth 10-day itinerary to indicate you the very best Greece provides. Don't have that a lot time out there? By no means worry – you can too curate your personal preferrred places to construct a blissful lengthy weekend from our picks.
Day 1: begin in Athens, the nation's cradle
Don't delay; climb the hill within the heart of Athens to the magnificent Acropolis. Descending again into the land of mortals, wander the traditional Agora neighborhood earlier than becoming a member of the merry mobs hopping from one taverna to a different within the Plaka district. For further credit score, pause in some unspecified time in the future on the extraordinary Acropolis Museum.
Go from Athens to Mykonos: Catch one of many many ferries that make the run from Piraeus, the primary port of Athens, to Mykonos. The quick occasions are on speedy hydrofoils, whereas the slower runs are on conventional boats, with their broad and sunny decks.
Day 2: Sail the Aegean to Mykonos
Burn off your pre-trip stress on the island of Mykonos. One among Europe's fabled celebration locations (St-Tropez and Ibiza are rivals), this small island has simply sufficient to maintain you occupied by day. Discover the maze of coated lanes, boutiques and flower-covered cafes within the previous city of Hora. Head to close by seashores on your first dip within the ever-blue Aegean. However avoid wasting power for properly after darkish when the infamous golf equipment prefer to celebration till daybreak – or later.
Go from Mykonos to Delos: Boats to Delos make the run in a fast half-hour beginning within the morning.
Day 3: Stroll with the traditional Greeks in Delos
Battle off any after-effects of the evening earlier than and catch a morning boat to Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The whole island is a sacred shrine – ruins stretch throughout the sunbaked panorama. Let your creativeness run wild as you reconstruct this as soon as magnificent heart in your thoughts. Make the fast return to Mykonos by boat and funky off at a seashore. Then get misplaced in Hora till you come across the proper seafood dinner.
Go from Mykonos to Paros: A number of ferries a day make the run in about one hour.
Day 4: Chill out on Paros
One thing of a ferry hub for the Cyclades, Paros – the group of islands that in some ways defines Greece – actually has one thing for everybody. Flower-draped tavernas within the port city of Parikia make nice post-ferry lunch spots.
Get a rental automobile and drive the circumference of the island. This may be an all-day journey and contains loads of seashore entry alongside the east coast. The island can be famous for its produce – particularly the tomatoes – so get pleasure from one thing scrumptious within the oh-so-cute mountain village of Lefkes or the regionally well-liked beachside city of Aliki.
Go from Paros to Antiparos: Automotive ferries hyperlink the adjoining islands in below quarter-hour.
Day 5: Decelerate on Antiparos
Virtually touching its a lot bigger neighbor, the diminutive island of Antiparos actually is the anti-Paros. Elements of the island qualify as sleepy, and there's an unhurried vibe throughout its slim, windy roads. Take the fast boat experience to Despotiko, a restored historic sanctuary, then get pleasure from a seafood feast in Agios Georgios at a waterfront taverna. In the event you're feeling sporty, be part of the windsurfers making the most of among the most dependable winds in Greece.
Go from Paros to Santorini: Ferries take 2-3 hours.
Day 6: Be a part of the thrones on Santorini
With its polychromatic cliffs hovering above its drowned caldera, Santorini is the definition of a 'Greek island' for a lot of. Steep and slim lanes are lined with brilliantly whitewashed homes topped with cerulean domes. Seashores dot the curving coast, and delicate climbing paths observe the island's backbone, providing sweeping views. Sunsets are mesmerizing. Take within the spectacle from tiny hillside village of Oia, which provides a alternative of tavernas serving deeply conventional Greek fare (count on grilled meats, creamy tzatziki and extra).
Go from Santorini to Crete: There's normally one speedy ferry day by day, making the two-hour run to Heraklion in Crete.
Day 7: Get misplaced in Greece's greatest palace at Knossos
The island of Crete is so huge that it might probably really feel like its personal nation. The primary metropolis of Heraklion is greatest loved for a fast lunch in a café and as a spot to safe a rental automobile. From there, cost south for barely 20 minutes to one of many prime historic websites in a nation of historic websites. The Palace of Knossos was constructed by the Minoans and is an enormous and considerably restored destroy the place you possibly can simply spend half a day or extra. When you have time to take a tour, there are greater than a dozen wineries close by that make the wonderful native wines you'll get pleasure from with each meal.
Go from Heraklion to Hania: Rental automobile costs on Crete are aggressive, and distances are manageable. The run between the island's two major cities takes solely two hours, though limitless stops and diversions to admire unbelievable views can drastically prolong that.
Day 8: Revel within the gorgeous fantastic thing about Crete
Crete's second metropolis of Hania is absolutely the island's first metropolis within the hearts of these within the know. The previous city and harbor mix the legacies of the Minoans, the traditional Greeks, the Venetians and numerous different influences from occupiers and others who simply occurred to sail by. The meals right here is extraordinary, and the cooks put Crete's fabled produce to exceptional use. Two glorious detours are the absorbing historic port city of Rethymno and the grand and glittery Orthodox church buildings within the hills, resembling Moni Arkadiou.
Go from Hania to Elafonisi: Driving direct will take about two hours, however, as at all times, detours and numerous excuses to pause and benefit from the surroundings will prolong that drastically.
Day 9: Hit the seashores of Crete
The Samaria Gorge is probably the most well-known of southern Crete's many gorge walks, which begin excessive within the craggy hills and observe often-lush, stream-fed canyons right down to little villages and seashores. If the crowds at Samaria are daunting, contemplate the Agia Irini Gorge as a substitute. End your day at elegant Elafonisi Seashore, the place the sand has a pinkish hue in a sure mild, and the swimming is excellent.
Go from Hania to Athens: Frequent flights to Athens take below an hour from Crete's second-largest airport.
Day 10: Stroll round Athens
The Acropolis is rarely removed from view as you stroll the compact and endlessly fascinating heart of Athens. Catch the altering of the guard on the heart of presidency (and Athens) in Syntagma Sq.. Select from sights such because the antique-stuffed Benaki Museum, the plush Nationwide Gardens, the ornate Hadrian's Arch and the magnificent Temple of Olympian Zeus.
End your time in Greece with a languid session within the upscale neighborhood of Kolonaki and cafe-lined Plateia Kolonakiou.
