Whitewashed villages, blue-domed roofs and sparkling seas — Greece is blessed with natural beauty, idyllic settings, tasty bites and very welcoming people. With so much on offer and thousands of islands dotting its landscapes, it’s easy to see why it remains a perennial favourite. But where to start? The honest answer is literally anywhere but here’s our roundup of our top land and sea-based experiences. Opa!
Sunsets, sailing and Santorini
Let’s be real — even with 2000 Greek Islands to choose from — you wouldn’t be disappointed if Santorini is the only one you ever visited. It’s as beautiful as pictured and then some. The good news is that many of our sailing tours start, end or stop off at this volcanic island gem. To make the most of your free time, you can rent scooters or an ATV to navigate hilly laneways and cover a lot more ground.
As for eats, fresh seafood is a given but make sure to find a crusty slice of Spanakopita and a shot of ouzo. At day’s end, you’ll want to grab a cocktail and gather in Oia with everyone else to applaud a pretty sunset. Some tourist gatherings are hard to explain and best avoided, but this is not one of them.
Sound ideal? Then we’d suggest a sailing tour where the splendour of Santorini is just the beginning and includes explorations of the Southern Cyclades like Naxos, Paros and Ios before ending with the iconic windmills of Mykonos.
Hot tip: One of our skippers swears by Matina Taverna in the small mountain village of Koronos on Naxos. It’s a tucked away gem that farms their own food and makes their own yogurt, wine and olive oil.
Our tour suggestion: Sailing Greece — Santorini to Mykonos
Archaeological Athens and onward to Mykonos
For those who love to mix ancient wonders with sailing on deep blue seas, you can choose to shove off on our yacht from Athens instead. Take in the world’s most historic sites like the Acropolis or the Parthenon and then set sail for the Cyclades. You’ll stop at seaside tavernas, snorkel from hidden coves and explore historic sites on islands like Syros, Kea, Kythnos and Hydra. When you’re not trying your hand at sailing, you can fill up on Greek cheeses and wine at every port. Yum!
Our tour suggestion: Sailing Greece — Athens to Mykonos
Simply the best, better than all the rest
If you’re the kind of person who craves an Olympic-sized adventure, we suggest a comprehensive tour that takes you to the best heres, theres and everywheres in Greece. You’ll explore the must-see historical sites of Athens and Delphi, visit monasteries in Meteora and hike the rugged plateaus of Samariá Gorge. In Loutro, you’ll learn how to cook a Cretan meal with a local family which sounds delightful. And if you somehow muster the courage to leave such hospitality, you’ll wind up in Santorini. Like we said, it’s the best.
Our tour suggestion: Best of Greece
Hiking the great Grecian outdoors
Some people love to put one foot in front of the other as their main mode of exploration. Sound like you? Toss your comfiest hiking boots into a bag and get thee to Greece! We’ve got day hikes to see the best parts of the Corfu Trail with a local cheese tasting along the way. On the island of Crete, you can mix coastal walks with a trek through the ‘Iron Gates’ of the Samariá Gorge. Or, you can hike to the summit of Mt Olympus, visit monasteries built atop massive natural pillars and sit down to a foraged mushroom dinner. By the power of your own two feet and our expert local guidance, you’ll get plenty of fresh air, enjoy legendary Greek hospitality and see sides of a country that few get to see.
Our tour suggestions:
Hiking Northern Greece
Corfu Trail Hiking Highlights
Hiking Crete: Gorges & Coastal Walks
Getting There
Ready to sail, hike, explore and eat your way through Greece? Us too. Check out our full range of tours in Greece.
