Greece map & itineraries
Greece is synonymous for far too many with ‘sun, islands, sea’. Don’t ignore the sun-kissed archipelagos and 15,000km of coast but discover its panoply of other highlights. Glorious mountains mix stark peaks with lush alpine meadows and woods – plus dazzling snow fields in winter. There are rivers and dramatic gorges, plus quiet hiking trails as easy or difficult as you wish. Everywhere you'll find richly diverse flora and fauna. Thousands of years of colourful history place a host of legendary gods and humans amid one of the world’s finest concentrations of stupendous archaeological memories. Enjoy the sun – but explore.
1.
Arkadia
2. Athens
3. Crete
4. The Cyclades
5. Delphi & Parnassos National Park
6. Ithaca
7. Lefkada
8. Meteora
9. Mycenae / Epidaurus / Nafplio
10. Mystra / Sparta
11. Northern Pindos
12. Thessaloniki & Mt Olympus
2. Athens
3. Crete
4. The Cyclades
5. Delphi & Parnassos National Park
6. Ithaca
7. Lefkada
8. Meteora
9. Mycenae / Epidaurus / Nafplio
10. Mystra / Sparta
11. Northern Pindos
12. Thessaloniki & Mt Olympus
Arkadia
1. Arkadia
Few places give their name to dream visions but this central Peloponnese mountain-ringed enclave inspired the poetic ‘Arcadia’ as an idealised unspoiled wilderness. And fairly so. Atmospheric medieval villages dot wooded hills, shady valleys and lush meadows, while gorgeous monasteries cluster in the magnificent Lousios Gorge. There’s even 100km of unspoilt coast around the pretty town of Kiveri. Sounds idyllic to us.
Athens
2. Athens
Once the heart of Ancient Greece, Athens itself has an unfortunately pretty grubby air, but the grandeur of its archaeological sites can never be diminished. There are few tall buildings allowed in Athens, so that famous view of Acropolis Hill is never obscured. Then there are the ancient theatres of Herodes Atticus and Dionysus, the Arch of Hadrian and the Temple of Zeus. A day in Athens at the start or end of your trip is always rewarding.
Crete
3. Crete
Friendly and spirited, Crete distils Greece into one sun-baked island. The scenery blends hills carpeted with olive groves and vineyards with dramatic mountains split by epic clefts like the Samaria Gorge, and sublime beaches backed by welcoming tavernas. Add a panoply of history from the majestic ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos to memories of Venetian, Byzantine, Moorish and Ottoman settlers once drawn here too.
The Cyclades
4. The Cyclades
The Cyclades offer a meze of Greek charms. On Naxos, walk the orchard-filled Tragea Valley and scale the chain's highest peak, flanked by tiny hamlets. Traverse the unforgettable volcanic caldera on Santorini, or ancient paths across Paros and Syros from virgin cove to virgin cove. Nature abounds - from Natura 2000 havens like Amorgos and Koufonisia to dolphins, seals and turtles accompanying inter-island sailing.
Delphi & Parnassos National Park
5. Delphi & Parnassos National Park
For 1500 years, rulers and pilgrims came to Delphi to hear Apollo's fateful prophecies in a temple by precipitous cliffs on Mt Parnassos, and the majestic ruins still exude spiritual power. Today, activity pilgrims climb the adjacent Parnassos National Park or stride along trails through scented woodland of juniper and fir and alpine meadows, overflown by vultures and eagles.
Ithaca
6. Ithaca
Tiny off-the-beaten-track Ithaca ranks high in myth as the beloved island home of Odysseus – plus the cave of nymphs where he reputedly hid plunder after the epic return from Troy chronicled by Homer. Gorgeous shingle coves like Minimata, Gidaki and Sarakiniko are backed by pines, cypress and olives, set against tumbling mountains concealing peaceful valleys and quiet hiking paths.
Lefkada
7. Lefkada
A green Ionian island jewel, Lefkada's tracery of ancient footpaths brings walkers to traditional mountain and coastal villages, the wildlife-rich ancient oak Skaros forest, plus valleys watered by falls and natural springs. Its eponymous main town sits on the Gira lagoon, alive with flamingos and penguins. A west coast beach voted the best in the Med (Egremni) is icing on the lovely cake.
Meteora
8. Meteora
Meteora boasts UNESCO World Heritage status, a giant rocky forest of surreal pinnacles topped by ancient monasteries once reachable only by rope ladders (there are steps now!). Medieval monks fled Turkish invaders to pray here in cave chapels – but today Meteora draws hikers and rock-climbers to pointy-up bits with names like Devil's Tower, Iron Edge and the Corner of Madness.
Mycenae / Epidaurus / Nafplio
9. Mycenae / Epidaurus / Nafplio
The 3,500-year-old ruins of Mycenae - home of Agamemnon – offer mountain views and a fine museum, while the sweeping auditorium at nearby Epidaurus is a cradle of Western drama, wrapped in low hills and groves. The lovely seaside town of Nafplio, meanwhile, was modern Greece’s first capital, laced with memories of Venetian rule – take a boat to the bay's island fort.
Mystra / Sparta
10. Mystra / Sparta
Sparta was home to ancient Greece's fiercest warriors, famed for the epic stand of 300 against thousands of Persians at the Battle of Thermopylae – commemorated with a giant statue at the nearby battle site. The city itself also boasts an impressive acropolis in the lee of the Peloponnese's highest mountain. Mystras, meanwhile, is a Byzantine hillside beauty filled with ravishing churches and monasteries.
Northern Pindos
11. Northern Pindos
One of southern Europe's great wildernesses, the mountains of this northeastern National Park are bountiful wildlife enclaves, centred on the Valia Kalda valley. It's Greece's best spot to track brown bears plus lynx, wild cat, wolves and marten amid forests of black pine and beech percolated by mountain streams full of otters. Up above, various eagles share airspace with the lovely shore lark.
Thessaloniki & Mt Olympus
12. Thessaloniki & Mt Olympus
Athenians may disagree but lots of Greeks rate their 'second city' far pleasanter than the capital. Compact and friendly, Thessaloniki's cosmopolitan vibe comes with 2,500 years of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman memories, fine museums and a waterfront lined with sundowner spots. It’s also a base to visit the monasteries of Athos plus Mt Olympus – Greece’s highest peak, and reputed home of ancient gods.
Our Greece Holidays
Luxury gulet cruise in the Aegean 2023
5 star services while cruising the Greek Islands in luxury
From
£1250
8 days
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Greece walking holiday, Kythnos
Hiking holiday on Kythnos, a beautiful Greek island in the Cyclades group
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€435
6 days
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Walking holiday in the West Cyclades, Greece
Walk & explore the authentic Serifos, Sifnos & Milos islands
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£592 to £914
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Cyclades walking holiday, Greece
Walk ancient paths and enjoy stunning Cycladic sceneries
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Walking holiday in Corfu, Greece
Hillside villages, whitewashed monasteries and quiet beaches
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Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Greece or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Greece travel times
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Greece.
Athens – Thessaloniki: 5 ¼ hours by train
Nafplio to Mycenae (Pelopponese): 35 minutes by car
Athens to Delphi: 3 hours by bus/car
Base of Mt Olympus (Prionia) to summit: 6 hours on foot
Fira – Oia (Santorini): 3 hours on foot
More about Greece
When is the best time to visit Greece? Summer (July to September) is idyllic, and we'll help you escape the crowds.
Our Greece travel guide is as smooth as olive oil, as appealing as a deserted Cycadean island in May, and, dare we say it, as interesting as a tour around the classical sites of the Peloponnese.
Find out what Responsible Travel recommend for travelling in Greece with kids, including Minotaurs, the Med and magic mountains that should never be far from any family-friendly itinerary.
Discover our recommended things to do in Greece ranging from sublime sailing sites and Byzantine island churches to walking in the sandal steps of Ulysses, or paddling the pristine coastlines of Mediterranean island idylls.
If you’re interested in the myths and legends of the ancient world, the Greek mainland, including the Peloponnese, is certain to sate your curiosity.
Greece walking holidays take you along mountain trails and coastal paths with plenty of ancient sites and natural wonders to keep an eye out for along the way.
Greece self drive holidays put you in full control of how your holiday unfolds, whether you want to hike mountains or visit little out-of-the-way beaches for an authentic take on Greek life.
Discover the benefits of a Greece sailing holiday as you contemplate life in the Cyclades, and beyond, from an on board perspective that’s bound to be as relaxing as it will be exhilarating.
Small ship cruising in Greece is about experiencing island life at a relaxed pace, not about being bombarded by entertainment on a floating hotel.
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With between 1,200 and 6,000 islands, from tiny uninhabited specks to large rocky land masses, Greece is without parallel when it comes to island variety.
Rightfully popular and wildly beautiful, the Cyclades archipelago holds over 200 islands, which are largely mountainous and mostly uninhabited.
At just an hour and a half from Athens, the charms of the Peloponnese are well known to locals, but for international travellers, this peninsula lags far behind the Greek Islands in popularity.
While many people concentrate on the Greek islands, it’s well worth spending some time in the capital.
Wellness holidays in Greece connect you with the therapeutic powers of Mediterranean sea and sunshine – and its healing herbs and plants, which have sustained and revived since the time of the Gods.
Volunteering holidays in Greece give you the chance to work with animal charities that, thanks to the economic crisis, need all hands on deck.
Multi activity holidays in Greece are like an epic: you’ll sail the Aegean, battle your way through white water rapids, hike Olympic mountains, and swim in seas with ancient sea creatures.
Greece travel advice should always start with those who know it best which is why we’ve asked our suppliers to give us their recommendations alongside a few pearls of wisdom related to health & safety in Greece.
Everyone should want to find out how to travel right in Greece, which is why our responsible tourism in Greece page is devoted to helping you preserve the wildlife & environment of this gorgeous part of southern Europe.
From idyllic island-hopping to hiking between fascinating archaeological sites and sublime cycling, find your perfect holiday, and stacks of information on what to see and do, with all our Greece guides in one place.
