5 Best Places to Visit on a 12-Day Vacation to Greece

Three days of your trip are dedicated to exploring Athens, as there is so much to see and do in the Greek capital as you experience the top things to do on 12-day vacations in Greece.

Culinary excursions will introduce you to the nuances of Mediterranean cuisine and history tours will unveil the prominence of Ancient Greece etched into the momentous Acropolis and Parthenon. Adventures to the countryside will reveal the humble and traditional rural Grecian lifestyle, while strolls around Plaka will highlight the charming boutique atmosphere of the Greek streets.

Highlights: Acropolis & Museum • Parthenon • Erechtheion • Temple of Hephaestus

Recommended length of stay: 3 days

Learn more: Athens & Santorini Vacations, Tours & Trips

Travelers adore Mykonos for its sparkling beaches, teal sea, and vibrant atmosphere that buzzes from sunup to sundown. Chic bars hug the shoreline and visitors brush shoulders with celebrities, while sipping decadent cocktails under the sun.

Cobbled streets weave through little towns, where quiet cafés provide an escape from the beachside hustle. Mykonos is also around the corner from Delos and tours to the quaint island’s temples, fountains, and mosaics whet the appetites of history buffs seeking more than the glimmering shores of Mykonos’ pearly beaches.

Highlights: Watersports • Super Paradise Beach • Kato Mili • Ano Mera

Recommended length of stay: 2 days

Learn more: Mykonos Vacations, Tours & Trips

Santorini is an enchanting island you will recognize immediately from postcards and Instagram images of youthful travelers standing on white-washed terraces overlooking the blue-domed homes that cling to the rugged volcanic cliffs, not forgetting the azure waters of the Aegean Sea.

Your days in Santorini will be pleasant and relaxed, offering you opportunities to step out into nature and wander the trails that weave across the top of the volcanic landscape. You may also sip on locally grown wines at world-class estates overlooking the prolific vineyards of the island.

Highlights: Fira • Oia • Santorini Caldera • Wine Tasting

Recommended length of stay: 2 days

Learn more: Santorini Vacations, Tours & Trips

The largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos is known for many things, among them it’s rich and fertile soils that grow much of Greece's olives, potatoes, and citrus.

You will tour orchards and olive groves, savor farm-to-table meals with drizzles of Greek olive oil, and sip cocktails splashed with sweet, fruity peels.

Exploring Naxos’ Old Town, the castle of Kastro, egg-white beaches, and fishing villages will complete an authentic discovery of local Greek living by the sea.

Highlights: Portara • Chora • Agios Prokopios • Archeological Museum of Naxos

Recommended length of stay: 2 days

Learn more: Naxos Vacations, Tours & Trips

Crete is a beautiful island and a gateway to other breathtaking islands a short speedboat trip away.

Tours will lead you to the historic Arabian architecture on Spinalonga Island, hidden beaches carved into rocky chasms, the tiny fishing village of Loutro, and the charming promenade of Chania.

You will see a series of sensational scenes from lofty observation points and on castaway shores during your seaside discoveries around Crete and across the sea.

Highlights: Spinalonga Island • Seitan Limania Beach • Loutro • Balos Lagoon

Recommended length of stay: 3 days

Learn more: Crete, Santorini, and Athens Vacations, Tours & Trips

There's a world of wonders to discover throughout Greece and across the Aegean Sea, and it is often difficult to choose the best destinations and essential experiences for one vacation. With two weeks to explore Greece, Zicasso’s 12-day tours of Greece are crafted to show you the best of the country, from Athens to Crete, and share the exceptional Grecian highlights from start to finish.

To discover more about Greece, browse our Greece travel guide to find out the best time for a 12-day Greece vacation and more in our FAQ for 12-day Greece vacations.