If you’re planning a trip to Greece, these five itineraries are perfect for a week-long trip. Each is designed for a different type of traveler so you’ll be sure to find one that piques your interest. You’ll begin each itinerary by flying into Athens International Airport as it is the largest airport in the country as well as a perfect central location for most of the major sights you’ll want to see. Read on to discover some of the best one week Greece itinerary ideas for your perfect seven-day vacation to Greece.
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One Week Greece Itinerary For First-Timers: Athens – Santorini – Mykonos
If you’re heading to Greece for the first time and you want to fit in as many of the iconic sights in the country as you can, this itinerary is for you.
No matter where you plan to go in the country, you’ll likely be starting your trip by flying into the Athens International Airport so you’ll be perfectly situated to start exploring some of the most historic sites in Greek history. Spend at least two full days seeing the historic sites within the city including the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and the Agora. Stop by Syntagma Square to see the Changing of the Guard that happens here daily in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which honors anonymous soldiers who died fighting for the country. You can also head to the various museums throughout and you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants and cafes.
Next, head to Santorini. This island is one the most iconic places in Greece and you’ll be able to spend a few days exploring the narrow alleyways and staircases that take you through the whitewashed, blue-domed structures which contrast with the bright pops of colors that come from flowers and greenery that decorate the area. Get a glimpse of the famous Santorini sunset, explore the ancient city of Thera, and make sure you spend at least a few hours relaxing and soaking in the beauty of Santorini.
After two days in Santorini, continue on to Mykonos. One of the reasons you’ll want to take it easy in Santorini is so you’ll be prepared for your three days in Mykonos, which is known for its vibrant nightlife scene as well as resort areas with plenty of activities to do. Before you head back to Athens to fly home, make sure you spend at least some of your time in Mykonos exploring some of the traditional areas such as Matogianni Street which is lined with restaurants and shops selling local goods.
One Week Greece Itinerary For the History Buff: Athens – Katakolo – Sparta
If the main reason you’re heading to Greece is to see historic sights and walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks, you’ll love this seven day itinerary which covers some of the most notable Greek historic sites.
Start in Athens. This famous and historic city is home to notable historic attractions such as the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and the Agora. The Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum are just two of the many museums you can explore here as well.
After three days in Athens, head onwards to Katakolo where you’ll spend at least one full day. A beautiful fishing village in its own right, Katakolo is notable for being near Ancient Olympia and the ancient Olympic Games which ran every four years starting as early as 776 BC. Today you can see the ruins of some of those original venues including a stadium where you can see the judges stand as well as a tunnel that would have led competitors into the arena.
End your weeklong historic tour of Greece in the ancient city-state of Sparta. You can explore ruins of this notable city and learn about the strong and fearsome Spartan warriors. Sparta was also known for its social and political structures, which you can learn about as well. You can also see a statue of King Leonidas, the famous ruler of Sparta who led his army to victory in the Battle of Thermopylae.
One Week Greece Itinerary For a Romantic Retreat: Athens – Paros – Santorini
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, embarking on a European honeymoon, or simply celebrating your love, this seven-day itinerary is perfect for any couples looking for ideas for a romantic Greek retreat.
Start your romantic Greek adventure in Athens. You can spend time exploring the historic sites such as the Acropolis or you can discover the neighborhoods of Plaka and Anafiotika which will take you away from the most crowded touristy areas to experience this historic area. You can find quaint shops, cobblestone alleyways, and cafes that feature delicious Greek cuisine.
Next, head to the island of Paros. This romantic spot features the vibrant nightlife that you may expect from Mykonos but Paros sees less crowds. You can spend a few days here relaxing on the warm sands of Golden Beach or sightseeing in Lefkes.
Finish your romantic Greek adventure on the island of Santorini. The landscape features the iconic whitewashed, blue-domed structures and you can spend an afternoon wandering the alleyways and stepping into shops and cafes. Make sure you get a glimpse of the famous Santorini sunset, which can be best viewed from Oia.
One Week Greece Itinerary for a Family Vacation: Athens – Olympia – Rhodes
If you’re planning a family vacation to Greece, this one week Greece itinerary is perfect for you. The mythology and stories of life in ancient Greece will enchant adults and children alike, and there’s no better place to start this adventure than in Athens. There are so many museums and historic sites here that you can find something that appeals to the members of your family. You can see sights relating to Greek mythology such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus. For a change of pace, head to the eclectic Monastiraki Flea Market where you can find souvenirs amongst the locally made goods.
After three days in Athens, head to Olympia to see the site of the ancient Olympic Games. These games started in 776 BC and included events such as horse races, running events, and boxing. You can see ruins of structures that were built for these original games including a stadium which has its entrance tunnel still standing.
After learning about the history and culture of ancient Greece, head to the island of Rhodes to soak in the sun and enjoy some outdoor activities. You can relax on the sandy beaches or wade into the sparkling water which generally remains calm and is a safe place to swim. The island has all-inclusive resorts where you and your family can enjoy water sports, excursions, and delicious meals.
One Week Greece Itinerary for an Adventurous Traveler: Athens – Stemitsa – Kardamyli
If you’re the type that thrives on adrenaline and is looking for an adventurous itinerary that will take you to some exciting places where you can enjoy the outdoors, this is the perfect itinerary for you!
Start your seven-day or one-week Greece itinerary by flying into Athens. You can spend your first day here exploring some of the most famous sites like the Parthenon and the Acropolis or you can seek out an alternative experience by checking out Airbnb Tours. These tours are created and led by locals and while the exact offerings vary, you’ll be able to find something unique such as a cooking lesson in a family’s kitchen or a walking tour that introduces you to a colony of stray cats run by an organization which seeks to care for these cute creatures.
Next, continue on to Stemnitsa to spend three days exploring what the mountain town has to offer such as whitewater rafting on the Lousios River or hike throughout the area as there are many trails to choose from.
Finally, head to Kardamyli. Spend your first day hiking through groves of cypress trees and historic villages and relaxing by the sea. Your last two days can be spent sea kayaking, boating, and exploring caves that feature underground lakes or the ghost town of Vathia.
Video Guide: One Week in Greece|5 Amazing 7-Day Itineraries
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Additional travel resources for planning a trip to Greece
To make planning a trip to Greece easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip to Greece and other European cities.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a one-week trip to Greece?
Want to plan a one-week or seven-day trip to Greece but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a multi-city trip to Greece are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
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