Name: Best 7-Day Greece Itinerary: Islands, History & Culture
Brand: Zicasso
Rating: 4.925204274041484 (3182 reviews)

What to expect on this itinerary

Leisurely travel may be par standard in Greece, but that will not prevent you from properly exploring with just one week. This handcrafted tour mixes a little of everything that makes Greece so intoxicating with ruins and archaeological sites traditional fishing villages, sublime coastlines and cruises, colorful neighborhoods, and indulgent taverns. Mixing an island vacation with a dose of history is easily done while minimizing travel time, and these seven days are the perfect introduction to Greece with time spent in Athens, Santorini, and Crete.

Countries Visited

Greece

Places Visited

Athens, Santorini, Oia, Crete, Knossos, Delphi

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Day 1

Athens – Ancient Greece, Plaka and the Acropolis

The Acropolis is your Athens compass point, its colonnades, and temples visible from almost anywhere in the city. You might even glimpse its splendor from the plane window, the remains of an ancient civilization perched high on the rocks above Greece’s capital. Check into your hotel and check out the rooftop view, the compass point almost within touching distance. Down below the streets twist and turn, and a myriad of sounds creep out from the tavernas and echo upwards, suggesting what’s to come this evening. But once your bags are dropped there is only one place for you today, the centerpiece of a civilization that changed the world in so many ways.

A path ascends, and the ruins start. Beyond the Beule Gate, you will glimpse what lies ahead with polished stone lies along the path, small sculptures sit on the floor, with temples coming gradually into view. Keep ascending, walking slowly in the heat, and take your time as the Acropolis temples and Parthenon rise high above you. It is the ruins of the Parthenon you never forget, so perfectly proportioned, so remarkably preserved. And although busy with tourists, there is enough to the area that you can also find quiet moments to take it all in. There is a chance to escape the heat with a look inside the Acropolis Museum, a place preserving marble and friezes that were rescued from destruction.

Maintain the slow walking pace as you descend, this time amid the cobblestone and marble of Grand Promenade. Skirting Acropolis Hill, you will be led to the Theater of Dionysus before plunging you forward into the 17th and 18th centuries. That is the time when Plaka evolved, and the neighborhood still has a lived-in old-world atmosphere. Boutique stores spill their wares into pedestrianized streets, enticing aromas come from narrow taverna doorways, and street traders call as they walk past. It is energetic and laid-back at the same time, classically Greek, but just completely different from the nearby Acropolis. Your guide will point you in the right direction for a traditional dinner before you take an early night, or stay out and enjoy all that is on offer.

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Day 2

Santorini – More Ruins and History Before Sunset in Santorini

Gods without heads mark the Odeon of Agrippa entrance. Columns line the streets, casting shadows across the dusty ground. You will be in Ancient Agora, walking through more remains and ruins. While the Acropolis was the land of the gods, the Agora was the empire’s business and political hub. Grasp its history with your local guide before a mid-morning visit to the National Archeological Museum. Nowhere else in the world has such an impressive collection of ancient artifacts with gold death masks in the Mycenaean gallery, expressive marble figures from the Cycladic era, and Thira frescoes that hint at where you are heading this afternoon. Your guide will help you explore the highlights before you grab your luggage and head to the airport.

Santorini is five hours away by unreliable boats or just 50 minutes by flight. Touch down and transfer across the island, the vineyards and orchards leading to a sublime cliff-dominated coastline. You will be staying in Oia, the largest of the famous blue and white towns but also one that is relatively quiet, as nearby Fira is much busier with tourists. Oia is where Santorini’s visitors come to watch the sunset, and you will have a private view on your terrace perched above the old town and the Aegean Sea. Spend the evening strolling Oia, without a guide, a plan, or a map. This mazy little town has a treat on every corner, and the food is sublime, almost anywhere you dine.

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Day 3

Santorini – Cruising Across the Blue and White Island of Santorini

Vineyards flicker in the morning breeze while orchards are punctuated by the faded grandeur of stone outhouses. A road twists through the valley, and slowly you approach a winery. The vines are old, and the terroir is volcanic here, creating a wine that even the Ottomans allowed during their prohibition period. The wine is acidic and dry, lots of citrus on the nose, and a lingering earthy finish. Pair it with some Santorini food delicacies, and you have a dreamy morning, complemented by a dreamy view over the island. Continue your private tour of Santorini in Akrotiri, a 5,000-year-old town that is still being excavated from volcanic dust. Frescoes have survived, along with ceramics and alleyways of three-tiered stone houses.

You will now be in the northeast of the island, and enjoy your lunch on the coast before an hour or two to wander, or take some time for a nap on Red Beach. The afternoon is dedicated to blue and white villages, those that Santorini is famous for. Explore Pyrgos and listen to how the church bells sing in harmony. Delve into Fira with your local guide, descending steps to small taverns and a microbrewery. You can then choose to walk the cliffs back to Oia, or travel by boat. Either way, you can gaze up at a stunning volcano, so iconic with its perfect shape and impression of nature. Evenings are quiet in Oia, and once more you can watch the sunset from your private perch.

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Day 4

Santorini – Santorini by Catamaran and Helicopter

Santorini’s history starts to make sense from the air. Beneath helicopter propellers, you can see the volcanoes and rugged ash fields, appreciating how civilizations have come and gone through the whim of nature. The island also makes sense on a catamaran, just in a completely different way. Cruise slowly beneath the cliffs with turquoise water all around as wind ruffles the sail. Tiny beaches hide beneath the cliffs, cut off from the land while caves impress more of Santorini’s volcanic history, visited by swimming or perhaps kayaking from the catamaran. Hot springs appear at a small islet in the Aegean, the water is not that hot but very refreshing on a warm afternoon.

After the bird’s-eye view, you now get a glimpse at the island’s rugged exterior. It doesn’t take long before there are no other boats in view. The captain lays anchor, and you drift off in the sun-loungers or go swimming in placid pools of blue-green water. As evening draws near you’re sailing back to Oia, enjoying a setting sun from the deck. Gradually the town’s lights turn on and perhaps the moon comes out to play, a peaceful scene that leads into your third night on Greece’s favorite island.

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Day 5

Ellinika – Beauty and Archeology on the Island of Crete

Although there are ferries to Crete, it is far better to fly as the schedules can be inconsistent. An early flight means you can be exploring Knossos before the early-afternoon crowds descend. This centerpiece of Minoan culture is now a maze of rough rock and rugged ruins, the stone surrounded by trees in a peaceful valley. Palace remains are the major highlight, the evocative state of ruin suggesting their true age. Standing before the ruins, you can appreciate that populations were thriving on Crete more than three millennia ago, long before visitors came for the coastline and beaches.

Heading into bustling Iraklion you can take your lunch in the Pantheon, which is not an ancient temple, but a lively market that’s stuffed with great food, so if you want to dine like the locals, this is where you come. Refresh and energize with a cafe stop on Ta Liontaria square, Venetian sculptures the backdrop to a thick, gloopy coffee. Staying in Iraklion, you can delve into Crete’s Archeological Museum. It is not as extensive as in Athens but is very detailed in its portrayal of Minoan life. After all the sights, it will be back to the Greek tranquility, and you will be staying just outside Ellinika, a small resort town that twists elegantly along the waterside.

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Day 6

Ellinika – Discovering the Lasithi Plateau and Elounda Peninsula

Take it even slower today. The rhythm of the islands starts with a late breakfast and continues at a siga siga pace until sundown. It will be an especially slow rhythm in rural Crete, away from the tourist resorts, as this is an island with treasures that should be savored and that’s what you do today, the guide takes you on a scenic drive to the Lasithi Plateau. Orchards and cultivated fields cut a picture across the valleys, with strange hills casting shadows upon them. Windmills are dotted around while small, whitewashed villages are so sleepy you might not see a single person on their streets.

Hidden around here you find Psychro Cave, considered the birthplace of Zeus, if you can imagine that a god has a birthplace. There is a superb rural restaurant out here, perfect for a lunch that can last for over three hours. Eat, relax, eat some more. Drink, eat some more, wait for the heat of the afternoon to slip away. And only now do you finish the meal, perhaps after 4 pm. Complete the day trip on the Elounda peninsula, where the water is fresh and placid, back-dropped by palm trees, and the odd crucifix-topped church. Like yesterday, you will spend the night near Ellinika, enjoying a final evening of simple island pleasures.

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Day 7

Athens – Day Trip to Delphi and the Temple of Apollo

There is a really early flight back to Athens this morning. Some may say too early, but it is worth it as you get to include one more magnificent attraction. Delphi is high in the mountains, a city of ruins mostly untouched by time. Temples are back-dropped by rugged peaks as the amphitheater gazes down upon an often mist-filled valley. Sculpted figures give you the eye while the Temple of Apollo suggests a grandeur that can rival the Athens Acropolis. This alluring place is ancient Greece at its very best, full of mystery and magic for your final day on vacation.

Driving back from Delphi is part of the experience, the road twisting through sublime mountain vistas, each corner a potential photo. You will reach Athens by 7 pm after the private tour, perfect timing for a final evening in Plaka. Relax on the hotel rooftop, wander the lively streets, dine on classic Greek fare, and glimpse up at the floodlit Acropolis. One week will have flown by in some senses, yet the country’s serenity ensures it feels like a break as well as an active adventure.

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Day 8

Athens – Departure

Trip Highlights

Watch the sunset from a private terrace in the Santorini village of Oia
Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Athens Acropolis
Spend the day in Delphi, in awe of the Temple of Apollo
Get to know the best of Crete, including the dramatic ruins of Knossos and the patchwork fields of Lasithi
Soar above Santorini in a helicopter and spend an afternoon cruising the island’s coastline on a private catamaran
Delve into the colorful streets of Plaka and other Athenian neighborhoods
Walk the cliffs from Fira to Oia, explore the Minoan-era ruins of Akrotiri, and dine in waterside taverns
Visit the archaeological museums in Athens and Crete, two of the best of their kind on the planet
Relax on the coast – even with just seven days there can be plenty of downtime

Detailed Description

Nothing is rushed in Greece. Meals continue long into the evening, the walking pace is languid, and the mantra of siga siga, slowly slowly, can be felt everywhere. Even in the capital city, you will rarely encounter a sense of urgency. But to see the best of Greece in seven days? Surely that is a no-go given the languorous way of life? Not any more. Modern transport connections are making one-week itineraries possible, allowing you to hop between ruins and islands without missing out on the siga siga way of life. This best of Greece tour takes you to Athens, Santorini, and Crete with seven active days followed by seven tranquil evenings.

While the sights are many, you will not need to charge around. Slow down, change your perception of time, and appreciate the Greek ambiance that unfolds all around. In the evenings, you will discover one of the most cultural and traditional of all the world’s countries. During the days, you will explore settings beyond the imagination with the Acropolis in Athens, the blue and white villages perched above the Aegean Sea, the vast ruins of an old Minoan city, crystalline waters, towering volcanoes and the magnificent Temple of Apollo. Also included in this best of Greece itinerary is a helicopter and catamaran tour around Santorini, Crete’s remote landscapes, intimate Athens neighborhoods, and a whole host of other coastal and historical treasures.

Day one and you will head straight to the Acropolis. Explore the ruins beyond the Beule Gate, basking in the glory of the Parthenon and its nearby temples. This is classical Greece, and it is so much more impressive than the photos suggest. Plaka is a lively evening destination, perfect for strolling and eating local. Then the next morning you stay within history, seeing important galleries at the National Archeological Museum and passing another couple of temples. Fly next to Santorini and inhale the fresh sea breeze, and you will be staying in Oia, a village of blue and white houses that only gets prettier at sunset. Cliffs glimmer in the moonlight and your hotel is built on the cliffs, ideal for appreciating slow island life.

Spend day three exploring the best of mainland Santorini with beaches, villages, vineyards, volcanic remains, and then what remains of Akrotiri, a once lavish Minoan town. Santorini epitomizes the Greek island vibe, and you will continue to take things slow on day four, admiring the island from a helicopter window before a half-day private catamaran cruise. Fly next to Crete and savor a second island as Knossos is all dramatic ruins, Iraklion offers intimate market experiences, and other old cities present a maze of culture and charm. You will be staying close to the village of Ellinika, at a five-star retreat on cliffs that preserve this itinerary’s laid-back atmosphere.

Crete is vast and diverse, an island of beautifully barren landscapes and simple pleasures. Spend day six discovering rural sides to the island, the Lasithi Plateau a puzzle of orchards and pastures topped by tiny villages and cottages. Remote turquoise waters are nearby, the Elounda Peninsula a place to swim alone beneath the cliffs. You will have an early flight back to Athens on day seven, meaning you can spend the day visiting Delphi and the Temple of Apollo as it would not be the best of Greece without something majestic and mysterious to end on. Your final night in Athens is back where you started, amid tavernas and traditions in the neighborhood of Plaka. Don’t take just our word for it - consider reading some of our travelers’ reviews of Greece, and see how you can customize your own dream vacation.

Starting Price

$2,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

Accommodations
In-country transportation
Some or all activities and tours
Expert trip planning
24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 3182 reviews

Greece Tour Review: Athens, Naxos, Santorini, Akrotiri, Winery, Volcano, Walking Food Tour, 8 Nights

We had a wonderful experience with our Zicasso travel specialist while planning our vacation in Greece. We had a group that consisted of two families; in total, eight people. Our travel specialist gave us recommendations based on the types of activities we wanted to do and the types of islands we were hoping to experience.

We stayed two nights in Athens, three nights on Naxos, and three nights in Santorini. The accommodations were fantastic! Every tour guide and driver was helpful and so kind.

When we wanted to add a stop in Naxos for an impromptu lunch, our guide was happy to detour and bring us to a place with the best gyros that the locals really enjoy! Everyone made us feel at home. Thank you for a beautiful trip and all the lovely memories!

Greece Travel Review: Paros, Santorini, Private Sailing Experience, 9 Nights

Zicasso's travel expert was very professional. She answered all my questions promptly and made sure to book the tours and hotels that fit our needs. Highly recommend.

Greece Honeymoon Review: 11 Days

Our 11-day honeymoon in Greece was nothing short of magical—and we owe so much of that to our Zicasso travel specialist and the entire team at her company. From the very start, they worked within our budget and offered a flexible payment plan that made planning feel manageable and stress-free.

As our trip approached, we had a thorough planning call with our specialist. She walked us through every detail of our itinerary, which completely put us at ease. That level of preparation meant we could focus on enjoying the moment instead of worrying about logistics.

Once we landed in Athens, the travel company was just a WhatsApp message away. Anytime we had a question—no matter how small—they responded within minutes. That kind of real-time support made us feel cared for the entire time.

The accommodations they booked were absolutely out of this world. Each hotel felt handpicked just for us—luxurious, romantic, and incredibly welcoming. It was clear the company has strong relationships with local vendors because we were treated like royalty everywhere we went.

As a gay couple, we also appreciated how safe, inclusive, and celebrated we felt throughout the trip. Every detail was thoughtfully planned with us in mind.

We’d recommend our travel company 1,000 times out of 10. If you're planning a gay honeymoon—or any trip to Greece—look no further. This was truly the trip of a lifetime.

Greece Trip Review: History, Local Cuisine, Scenery, 2 Weeks

Zicasso's travel specialist and her company did an amazing job of planning the most incredible and memorable trip for my family of five.

Every detail was meticulously thought out and perfectly executed. Every transfer was spacious and, thankfully, air conditioned. Each boutique hotel booked was unique and beautiful, with stunning views and amenities offered. Every excursion with English-speaking guides was incredible. The guides were knowledgeable and super-friendly.

We can't thank our travel specialist and her team enough for this amazing trip. We have memories for a lifetime!! I highly recommend using her for your next trip to Greece or Europe.

Greece Family Vacation Review: Santorini, Athens, Chania, Skiathos, Acropolis, Catamaran Sunset Cruise, Boat Ride, Private Tour, Old Town, Culture, 13 Days

It was our family's first time visiting Greece. We've always wanted to see the country and there were so many good things we'd heard about Greece.

There were a couple of things that made this trip very special. First, our youngest daughter's request for her 16th birthday was to go as a family and celebrate it in Greece. Second, none of us had ever been to Greece (on our previous trips, either my husband and/or I had been there or it was our family's second time there), so experiencing it together for the first time was really special.

Zicasso gave us two very good Greek travel companies. Both presented interesting itineraries to us. It was a year of planning and I'd gone back and forth with both travel companies with revisions of itineraries and, of course, the cost.

What made us choose this travel company was that the specialist was very honest, upfront, and very accommodating. He gave his honest opinion when I asked him about certain excursion activities or even restaurants (social media makes it really look good, especially for people who have not been there), and he did not pressure or force us into doing activities that did not interest us. He wanted to make sure we got to experience the best, but he was also very mindful of the costs. I had many back and forth conversations with him via texts, emails, or phone calls. He wanted to get to know our family. When I told him about our daughter's 16th birthday requests, he made sure he got every detail of what would make her birthday special. He also asked me about the interests of our eldest daughter because he wanted to surprise her with something special from Greece. That says a lot about the travel specialist and his company; they are personal and it's not just pure business for them.

A few days before we left the US, he called us so we could reschedule our flights (Santorini to Athens) to an earlier time going back home because he was concerned we may miss our connecting flights. Who does that? This just shows he checks every detail and wanted to make sure that even before we left the US, up to the time we arrived back home, everything was taken care of.

We had the best vacation in Greece. We did not worry about anything the entire time. The travel company was in constant communication with us. They created a WhatsApp group chat which made it so much easier. They gave us daily reminders and they arranged everything for us. We felt that the entire trip was customized for our family. The "Mamma Mia" island tour and birthday celebration for our daughter was perfect. The restaurant in Kolios was a great recommendation, and when I asked him to reserve the specific table and have a little birthday decoration for my daughter, it was accomplished.

Chania was amazing; both me and my husband loved this place. The view from our hotel room on Zampeliou Street, overlooking the old harbour and the Cretan Sea with the lighthouse, was breathtaking. We enjoyed walking through the streets of the Old Town of Chania.

We thought Santorini would be overcrowded, but we had a great tour guide who knew where to take us first to avoid crowds, and he gave us really helpful advice to go around the island. He took us to the little hidden alleys and showed how locals live. We ended up really loving the island.

We enjoyed every activity planned for us. We enjoyed our stay at our hotels. Mine and my husband's favorite were the hotel in Kalamata and the one in Chania. We really liked the view of the Acropolis from our rooms at the hotel in Athina, and that hotel was very convenient. We also enjoyed their breakfast there. The girls enjoyed the hotel in Skiathos because of how close it was to the beach, and they loved the "Mamma Mia" boat tour.

We each have our own favorite activities/tour/tour guides, but overall, our family had an amazing time in Greece – the way the travel agent and the entire team did a phenomenal job. The way the itinerary was put together and the timing for each place/island was just perfect for us. They exceeded our expectations. We fell in love with Greece, the culture, and the people, who were all so kind, nice, and very hospitable (not once did we have a bad encounter). We will definitely go back; there is so much more to explore and we'll definitely be working with this travel company in the future.

We only have good things to say about our Greece vacation and we highly recommend this travel agency. We've been to other countries and worked with other travel companies. In our opinion, this one was the best travel company we've ever worked with.

Greece Trip Review: Athens, Naxos, Acropolis, Delphi, Meteora, 10-Day Tour

Zicasso's travel agent took great care of my family, planning an excellent trip, with revisions based on our interests, and was quick to respond to my emails. He took care of the necessary arrangements when the ferry was unexpectedly cancelled.

We stayed in beautiful hotels and enjoyed our tours with knowledgeable guides and drivers. Our trip to Delphi and Meteora was a highlight of our trip. We had a great driver there.

Highly recommend!

Zicasso in the News

Best 7-Day Greece Itinerary: Islands, History & Culture

What to expect on this itinerary

Countries Visited

Places Visited

Suggested Duration

Customizable Itinerary

Athens – Ancient Greece, Plaka and the Acropolis

Santorini – More Ruins and History Before Sunset in Santorini

Santorini – Cruising Across the Blue and White Island of Santorini

Santorini – Santorini by Catamaran and Helicopter

Ellinika – Beauty and Archeology on the Island of Crete

Ellinika – Discovering the Lasithi Plateau and Elounda Peninsula

Athens – Day Trip to Delphi and the Temple of Apollo

Athens – Departure

Trip Highlights

Detailed Description

Starting Price

What's Included

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