Best of Greece

Reviews
Countries
1
Days
12
Per Day from
€ 180
Start Point:
Athens/
End Point:
Athens/
Ages:
10 - 75+
Accommodation:
Hotel
Transport:
Private coach & ferry

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Was€ 2,510
From € 2,170
View Dates & Rates

Price per adult twin share room.

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More reasons to book with us

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  • Pay the remaining balance off in instalments
  • FREE Wi-Fi in hotels

Summary

Explore the best of Greece on this exciting 12-day tour! Uncover fascinating history and enjoy locally-guided tours of Athens, Olympia and Mycenae. Marvel at the views in Meteora and visit mysterious ancient sites including the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and the iconic Acropolis! Round off this trip to Greece with three nights each on the famous islands of Santorini and Mykonos. Enjoy exploring islands, chase the sunset and feast on the best Greek seafood. With ancient history,  vibrant culture and island hopping, this is a Greek holiday you will never forget! 

Highlights

  • Explore the ancient sites of mainland Greece, including Meteora, Olympia and Delphi
  • See the Acropolis on an Athens city tour
  • Relax with three nights on Mykonos island and three nights on Santorini island

Itinerary View Full ItineraryDownload PDF

Start Point

Hotel in Athens | 10:00 AM

End Point

Athens | 10:00 AM
DAY 1: Start of tour in Athens

Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival this morning, make your way to the hotel for the start of the tour and meet with the tour leader for an overview of the upcoming itinerary. Then, head into the city for an orientation tour of Athens! Get acquainted with this ancient city and its many iconic sites. You’ll even get to see a traditional changing of the guard ceremony! During free time this afternoon, why not sample some delicious Greek food on an Athens food tour? This evening, enjoy an included dinner of authentic Greek cuisine. Get to know your tour leader and fellow travellers before the tour continues tomorrow.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 1: Start of tour in Athens

Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival this morning, make your way to the hotel for the start of the tour and meet with the tour leader for an overview of the upcoming itinerary. Then, head into the city for an orientation tour of Athens! Get acquainted with this ancient city and its many iconic sites. You’ll even get to see a traditional changing of the guard ceremony! During free time this afternoon, why not sample some delicious Greek food on an Athens food tour? This evening, enjoy an included dinner of authentic Greek cuisine. Get to know your tour leader and fellow travellers before the tour continues tomorrow.

Experiences

Orientation tour of Athens: Get to know Greece’s bustling capital city on an orientation tour with your tour leader. See top attractions like the Academy, National Library, Greek parliament, Panathinaikos marble stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, and the temple of Olympian Zeus. Witness the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Welcome dinner in Athens: Greek cuisine is one of the world’s most delicious cuisines, renowned for fresh flavours and ingredients. Get your first taste of Greek food in Athens as you get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner.

Meals

Dinner

On Tour Excursions
Athens Food Tour

Journey through authentic Greek cuisine in Athens! Taste delicious local coffee, meze, seafood, pastries and more as you wander through Athens.

DAY 2: Athens - Thermopylae - Kalabaka

Depart from Athens this morning as the tour makes its way to Kalabaka, an excellent base town from which to visit the famous Meteora landscapes and monasteries. On the way, stop at Thermopylae to admire the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta. Upon arrival in Kalabaka, visit a Byzantine art workshop to see how locals create exquisite works of Christian Greek art. Then, check into tonight’s accommodation. Finish the day with a mesmerising sunset drive of the Meteora hills and catch panoramic views of the monolithic pillars and hills with its celebrated cliff-top monasteries. It’s truly any photographer’s dream! Enjoy traditional Greek food for dinner this evening at the hotel.

Experiences

Visit Thermopylae and see the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta: Enjoy a photo stop and admire the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta in Thermopylae. This location is famous around the world as the scene of the battle of Thermopylae between the Greek and Persian forces in 480 BC.

Visit a Byzantine art workshop: Visit a Byzantine art workshop under the hills of Meteora. Byzantine art was inherited from the empire of Istanbul and later brought to the Mediterranean world. See how Greek artists handcraft hagiographic art based on the traditional methods of old craftsmen of Meteora.

Take a sunset drive of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Take a sunset drive through the Meteora hills at day’s end to see amazing rock formations that have provided sacred retreats for monks over the centuries. The views are breathtaking and you’ll soon understand why Meteora is considered among the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meals

BreakfastDinner

DAY 3: Kalabaka - Meteora (optional) - Delphi

Spend free time in Kalabaka this morning, exploring as you wish. Or, enjoy a guided tour to conquer the hills of Meteora. This excursion will drive through the hills and giant cliffs of Meteora, with scheduled visits and free time to explore the beautiful cliff-top monasteries. Later, cross the mountains for central Greece, arrive in Delphi (also known as Delfí) and embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader. Dinner is prepared in the traditional style and served at a local restaurant near the hotel this evening. The rest of the evening is free to spend at your leisure.

Experiences

Delphi orientation tour: Take a short driving and walking tour of Delphi. Your tour leader will show the group where the ancient sanctuary of Delphi is located and will then guide the group through the main street to point out local amenities, restaurants and main attractions.

Meals

BreakfastDinner

On Tour Excursions
Monasteries of Meteora

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora, one of the most beautiful regions in Greece, and explore two of its stunning hilltop monasteries.

DAY 4: Delphi - Glyfada/Trizonia Island - Olympia

Enjoy some free time this morning. Or, join the optional excursion to discover Delphi with a local guide. Admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and visit the famous museum of Delphi. Then, drive along the Coast of Corinth and take a short ferry to the colourful Greek island of Trizonia. Soak up the culture and experience how life here has remained the same for centuries. Why not enjoy an optional lunch at a local eatery? Later, drive to Olympia, the home of the original Olympic Games. Tonight offers the opportunity to join an optional Greek evening of traditional food and dance. The perfect way to end an eventful day!

Experiences

Visit Trizonia: Take a ferry to the hidden island of Trizonia, just off the coast of Glyfada. The small island is 2.5 square kilometres in size and is the only inhabited island on the Gulf of Corinth. It's nothing less than a haven, with an idyllic fishing port, local seafood tavernas and magical views of the mountainous coastline. There are only a handful of people living on the island, and almost no cars!

Meals

Breakfast

On Tour Excursions
Delphi Museum and Ancient Site Tour

Uncover ancient history and Greek legends with a tour of the archaeological site of Delphi and the Delphi museum with an expert local guide.

Trizonia Lunch

Tuck into a delicious seafood lunch with breathtaking sea and mountain views at a family-run taverna in Trizonia.

Greek Dinner & Traditional Dancing

Enjoy an authentic three-course Greek dinner along with traditional music and dancing!

DAY 5: Olympia - Mycenae - Nafplion

This morning’s activities include a locally guided tour of the Archeological Museum and ancient site of Olympia. Next, cross the mountains of Peloponnese to arrive at Mycenae for a visit to the tomb of Agamemnon and the famous Lion’s Gate. It’s not only one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece but also the place where many ancient Greek myths originated. Tour the grounds with an expert guide and have an included lunch before travelling to the picturesque town of Nafplion. Nafplion is the first capital of modern Greece, the skyline of which is dominated by Palamidi Castle. This evening offers the opportunity to join an optional evening tour to Epidaurus and see the ancient theatre.

Experiences

Olympia Museum and ancient site: Learn more about the history of Olympia, the Temple of Zeus and the Olympic games with a locally guided tour of the Olympia Museum. Discover ancient Greek art and explore significant exhibitions about ancient Greece. Visit the ancient Olympia complex and see the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra, Phidias' workshop and more.

Explore the ancient ruins of Mycenae: Visit Mycenae and take a walking tour with an expert guide to explore the ruins of this once powerful settlement. Learn all about how it came to exist and, according to Greek myth, was ruled by King Agamemnon. See highlights such as the Palace, Tomb of Agamemnon and Lion’s Gate. Lunch is included this afternoon with a three-course meal at a local restaurant.

Visit the hillside seaport of Nafplion: Dominated by Palamidi Castle, Nafplion is one of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis. Be sure to take time to explore the picturesque narrow streets and admire the neo-classical architecture. Take a stroll along the seafront promenade and enjoy the amazing views of the fortified Bourtzi islet, which once guarded the entrance to the port of Nafplion.

Meals

BreakfastLunch

On Tour Excursions
Epidaurus Guided Tour

Tour one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in Greece, the Epidaurus theatre, with an expert local guide.

DAY 6: Nafplion - Corinth Canal - Athens city tour - Acropolis - Mykonos

Depart Nafplion this morning and enjoy a photo stop at the Corinth Canal en route. Arrive in Athens and embark on a locally guided city tour. See top attractions like the National Library, Greek parliament, Panathinaikos marble stadium, Hadrian’s Arch and more. After, there is an option to join a guided tour of the Acropolis site. During this optional excursion, walk to the sacred rock of the Acropolis and visit the Propylaea, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike and Parthenon. This tour includes lunch in the Plaka neighbourhood at a local restaurant. Later, transfer to the port to catch the local ferry to Mykonos. Upon arrival in Mykonos, settle in at the hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Experiences

See the Corinth Canal: Constructed between 1880 and 1893, the Corinth Canal is one of Greece’s most important engineering achievements. The four-mile-long canal was designed to link the Corinth and Saronic Gulfs, and in the past used to be an important navigational route for ships coming in from the Aegean Sea. Today it’s mainly used for small ships and tourist boats.

Athens city tour: This exciting tour of the city includes stops at the Academy, the National Library, the Greek parliament and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Panathinaikos marble stadium (where the first modern Olympics took place), Hadrian's Arch and the temple of Olympian Zeus.

Meals

BreakfastLunch

On Tour Excursions
Acropolis Guided Tour

Skip the queues and tour the sacred rock of the Acropolis! Visit the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, the temple of Athena Nike and the Parthenon.

DAY 7: Mykonos: Free Day

Enjoy a full free day to explore the magnificent island of Mykonos and its unique sandy beaches. Today also offers a fantastic opportunity to take an optional cruise to the majestic and untouched islands of Rhenia and Delos. In the morning, visit Rhenia and swim in its crystal clear waters. Enjoy lunch on board and later, explore Delos island and its many archaeological treasures! Alternatively, relax at one of Mykonos’ beaches and be sure to snap a pic of the iconic Mykonos windmills!

Experiences

Mykonos Island: Enjoy two full free days to explore and relax on one of Greece’s most famous islands. Renowned for its pristine beaches, iconic windmills and vibrant nightlife, Mykonos is a must-visit Greek travel destination! Spend these two days as you wish or join one of our exciting optional excursions.

Meals

Breakfast

On Tour Excursions
Rhenia & Delos Cruise

Cruise around the scenic Cycladic islands! Visit Rehnia island and explore the Delos archaeological site. Swim, relax and explore local history!

DAY 8: Mykonos: Free Day

Today offers another day at leisure to soak up some sun, explore the bustling town of Mykonos or enjoy the facilities of your hotel. Alternatively, join the South Coast Boat Trip optional excursion. This day at sea begins with a cruise in a traditional Greek Kaiki boat as well as swimming, snorkelling and a picnic at Frangias beach. Then, visit Kalafatis. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant by the sea and explore the town. Later, end the trip with visits to Paradise beach, Plati Yialos beach and Orlos beach.

Meals

Breakfast

On Tour Excursions
South Coast Boat Trip

Cruise along the south coast of Mykonos on a traditional Greek Kaiki boat! Enjoy a beach picnic and swimming stops along the way.

DAY 9: Mykonos - Santorini

After breakfast this morning, transfer to the port to catch the local ferry to Santorini. Arrive in Santorini in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel for the next three nights. The rest of the day is free to explore Santorini at your own pace or simply settle in and relax at the hotel. Santorini is famous for its exceptional views, world-class winemaking and whitewashed houses perched on caldera cliffs!

Experiences

Santorini Island: Take the local ferry from Mykonos to Santorini where you will enjoy the next three nights. Experience two full free days on this picturesque island. Take these two days to relax, explore at your leisure or join one of the unforgettable optional excursions on offer.

Meals

Breakfast

DAY 10: Santorini: Free Day

Wake up on the gorgeous island of Santorini and look forward to a full free day to relax and wander around this picture-perfect island. Today also offers the opportunity to join the Santorini Highlights optional excursion to learn more about what makes this island so special. This full-day tour begins with a visit to the island’s unique black and red sand beaches followed by a visit to the prehistoric city of Akrotiri. Later, sample Santorini’s famous wines at a local winery! The optional excursion ends with a tour of the stunning village of Oia. Watch the sunset before heading back to the hotel for the evening.

Meals

Breakfast

On Tour Excursions
Santorini Highlights

Discover Santorini’s iconic beaches, visit a local winery, explore a prehistoric city and watch the sunset in Oia on this full-day tour.

DAY 11: Santorini: Free Day

Enjoy another free day to explore this magical island at your own pace. Alternatively, join the optional boat excursion to the caldera islands. This tour will visit the volcano, the hot springs, little Thirassia island and will end at Amoudi Bay, the little port of Oia. Climb up to Oia village and admire one of the best sunsets of the Aegean Sea islands! Later, head back to the hotel and make the most of the last night in Santorini.

Meals

Breakfast

On Tour Excursions
Caldera Islands

Explore the islands of the Santorini caldera! Visit the famous volcano and relax at the hot springs.

DAY 12: End of tour in Athens

Early this morning, transfer to the airport of Santorini to catch a local flight back to Athens. This flight is included in the cost of the tour package. Arrive at Athens airport where this memorable 12-day Greece tour will come to an end. Don’t forget to swap details with your new travel buddies before travelling onwards!

Meals

Breakfast

What's Included

Accommodation

  • 11 nights' accommodation in twin rooms with private en-suite facilities
  • Single travelers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room

Meals

  • 11 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
    *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request

Transport

  • Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
  • Public ferry between Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
  • Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)

Tour Leader

  • Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
  • Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details

14 Experiences!

  • Explore Athens; Greece’s ancient capital city
  • Enjoy a welcome dinner in Athens
  • See the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta in Thermopylae
  • Visit a Byzantine art workshop
  • Take a sunset drive of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Discover Delphi on a driving and walking tour
  • Discover the colourful island of Trizonia
  • Explore the Olympia Museum and ancient site
  • Uncover Greek myths in Mycenae
  • Wander the picturesque streets of Nafplion
  • See the Corinth Canal
  • Embark on an Athens city tour
  • Enjoy two free days on the iconic Mykonos island
  • Spend three nights on Santorini island

Accommodation

Hotels are chosen closer to departure date. We do use a variety of hotels in each destination, so you may stay in a hotel different to that listed here.

Athens

Photos of the tour

Athens Food Tour

Join a local guide for a three-hour journey through authentic Greek cuisine in Athens. Start with a traditional tiropita (Greek cheese pie) followed by a visit to a historic cafe in a local antique market for traditionally-brewed Greek coffee. Next, taste kouloúria (sesame bread rings) before sitting down at a local taverna for a variety of meze dishes. Afterwards, visit Athens Central Market, known as the “Grand Central Station of food”! Here, meet with local fishermen and try fresh seafood served with ouzo - a famous Greek spirit. Then, sample Greek spices, herbs and olive oil before finishing off with a delicious sweet pastry in the centre of Athens’ historic downtown area. Vegetarian options are available throughout the excursion.

Please Note: This excursion must be pre-booked prior to your tour starting to guarantee a space - please contact us to book.

Optional Excursions

All optional excursions are booked on tour and paid in cash to your tour leader, unless stated otherwise. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Dates & Rates

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Our pricing model: Lowest-priced seats are sold first, then the price increases slightly. The quicker you book, the less you pay. Select a date below to secure your seat.
Years
Start Date / End DateFlexible BookingStatusPrice Per Person
04 Oct 2023 - 15 Oct 2023Flexible booking date for 04 Oct 2023 - 15 Oct 2023SOLD OUT!
17 Apr 2024 - 28 Apr 2024Flexible booking date for 17 Apr 2024 - 28 Apr 2024Seats selling fast - Book now!€ 2,510 € 2,325
01 May 2024 - 12 May 2024Flexible booking date for 01 May 2024 - 12 May 2024Contact us!
15 May 2024 - 26 May 2024Flexible booking date for 15 May 2024 - 26 May 2024Seats selling fast - Book now!€ 2,510 € 2,325
29 May 2024 - 09 Jun 2024Flexible booking date for 29 May 2024 - 09 Jun 2024Seats selling fast - Book now!€ 2,510 € 2,325
12 Jun 2024 - 23 Jun 2024Flexible booking date for 12 Jun 2024 - 23 Jun 2024Seats selling fast - Book now!€ 2,510 € 2,325
04 Sep 2024 - 15 Sep 2024Flexible booking date for 04 Sep 2024 - 15 Sep 2024Seats selling fast - Book now!€ 2,510 € 2,325
18 Sep 2024 - 29 Sep 2024Flexible booking date for 18 Sep 2024 - 29 Sep 2024Seats selling fast - Book now!€ 2,510 € 2,325
02 Oct 2024 - 13 Oct 2024Flexible booking date for 02 Oct 2024 - 13 Oct 2024Seats selling fast - Book now!€ 2,510 € 2,325

Number of travellers

Payment option

Flexible booking: flexible booking

Additional Information

For pre-departure and visa information, as well as frequently asked questions regarding preparing for and travelling on this tour, please visit our Help Centre.

Additional Information Help Centre

Reviews

Reviews powered by: Power Reviews

81 reviews
B
Biggles Verified Buyer2023-07-01
An amazing tour in beautiful and Historic Greece.
Had a wonderful experience and loved the meteora mountains and Santorini especially.
R
Rob Verified Buyer2023-06-13
Awesome
Amazing
M
Meow ? Verified Buyer2023-06-09
Yamas
We had a beautiful time. We saw so much. I would recommend to anyone who wants to see and explore Greece and culture. Our tour guide Vivien is so sweet, calm, and attentive. Always looking out for all of us. Highly recommend. ?
C
Curly Couple Verified Buyer2023-05-18
The trip of a lifetime!
The trip was amazing! The Best of Greece tour covers all the main highlights you'd want to see in Greece and more! The included experiences were great and the optional excursions give you the opportunity to do and learn even more. Our tour guide, Matt, was knowledgeable and our bus driver, Tasos, was very skilled. The hotel accommodations varied from acceptable to excellent. Breakfasts were generally good, but the included lunches and dinners were hit or miss. We loved visiting Kalambaka and Mykonos; we would have liked more time staying in Nafplion and visiting Delos. Best of Greece was a fantastic vacation -- however, we wouldn't necessarily recommend it specifically as a honeymoon (as we did) because it is a very group-centered trip, especially during the first week. Overall, we loved it and highly recommend this Expat Explore trip!
N
NT Verified Buyer2022-10-20
Thank you Matt!
I spent 5 weeks doing 3 different tours with Expat and this was by far the best experience I had out of the 3. Matt is a great tour leader and I can't thank him enough for restoring my faith in Expat. Matt dealt with challenges in a professional manner and made the tour fun and enjoyable. I learned a lot from him and I also learned that a good tour leader can really make a difference in the overall experience. Greece was not my favorite country that I visited during my 5 weeks in Europe, but the Greece tour was definitely my favorite. I would recommend any tour that Matt leads.

Why this tour?

Greece is famous for being home to ancient history, captivating culture, delicious cuisine and stunning scenery. This Best of Greece tour showcases the best of this magnificent country over 12 days. Look forward to seeing highlights of the mainland plus experience a picturesque Greek island tour of Mykonos and Santorini. 

Start off in the capital, Athens, and travel inland where the tour delves into Greek history. Step back in time thousands of years while in central Greece. Visit the sites of ancient battles in Thermopylae, discover the myths and legends surrounding Delphi, see King Agamemnon’s tomb, visit the tiny island of Trizonia and spend a night in the original home of the Olympic Games! The drive through Meteora’s breathtaking rock formations is a real highlight of the tour - so be sure to have your camera’s ready! 

In Athens, you’ll gain insight from a local guide into this bustling city, which is crowned by the ancient hilltop Acropolis. Experiencing the sun-bleached ruins of the Acropolis is a top activity for travellers during a trip to Greece.

After exploring ancient sites and archaeological wonders, it’s time to enjoy sun, relaxation and vacation vibes along the Aegean Sea! Greece is home to several islands and this tour visits two of the most popular destinations. Spend 6 leisurely days experiencing the unique Greek island culture of Mykonos and Santorini. Grab the chance to embark on optional island-hopping day tours and excursions to ancient towns. Enjoy hikes along rocky clifftops, explore the narrow, cobbled lanes of whitewashed villages and don’t miss the opportunity to dig into freshly-caught seafood - this is as authentically Greek as you can get! 

This package is designed to show you the highlights of Greece, at a great price, during some of the best times to visit the country and its islands (April to Mid-June as well as September). Overall, this Greek vacation group tour is perfect for history buffs and beach bums alike!