Greek Islands Itinerary: Athens, Paros, Naxos & Crete

Discover some of Greece’s most perfect islands, starting with Paros’ pristine beaches and charming villages, then exploring Naxos’ rich history and culinary delights. Conclude your journey in Crete, revelling in its diverse landscapes, ancient ruins, and warm hospitality.

Discover all our Greece luxury travel options here.

Discover ancient ruins, pristine beaches, and island magic on this unforgettable Greek adventure.

Top Highlights

Immerse yourself in Athens' rich history, exploring the Acropolis and vibrant Plaka district
Sail the crystal-clear waters of Paros and explore its sunny beaches
Explore Naxos' diverse landscapes, from stunning beaches to historic villages
Delve into Minoan history at Knossos Palace and the archaeological museum in Heraklion

What’s Included

We design unforgettable and luxurious journeys just for you. Our bespoke trips include:

Best Time to Visit

Bask in Greece’s island magic! The shoulder seasons (April-June & September-October) offer the best all-around experience. Savor warm days ideal for exploring ancient ruins and charming villages, without the summer’s peak heat and crowds. Crystal-clear waters and comfortable temperatures make them perfect for swimming and island hopping. For true sun worshippers, July and August always deliver sun-kissed days, but be prepared for larger crowds.

Itinerary

Athens

Welcome to Greece! Dominating the Attica region of Greece, the country’s capital, Athens, is one of the oldest cities in the world. For centuries, the astonishing Greek temples and monuments of Athens have continued to intrigue and amaze visitors from around the world. This icon of western civilization seamlessly combines ancient history with modern architecture and a surprisingly lively atmosphere. This is particularly apparent in areas at the foot of the Acropolis, Anafiotika, Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio where visitors will find extraordinary Neoclassical buildings, trendy and traditional cafes and shops, and narrow winding streets with historical treasures at every turn.

Once you have had a culture fix, try some mouth-watering Greek cuisine at one of the city’s fine local restaurants before indulging in the insatiable nightlife at the chic cocktail bars and waterfront dance clubs.

As a base to explore it all, stay at the beautifully appointed Electra Metropolis Athens Hotel, in the heart of the city. To get you acquainted with major monuments, take a full day sightseeing tour of Athens including the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and mythology. Stop in the vibrant Plaka district (aka ‘Old Town’) for a casual lunch at a local taverna for fresh seafood. From Athens, you can visit Cape Sounion for a short hike up to the Temple of Poseidon, one of the major monuments of the ‘Golden Age of Athens’ (480-404 BC) with particularly magical sunset views!

Suggested Accommodation: Electra Metropolis Athens Hotel

Paros

Naoussa is a beautiful, authentic-feeling fishing village set on the north side of Paros, Greece, 10 kilometres east of its capital, Parikia. A 15th-century Venetian Fortress watches over the port, where it once defended the city against pirate invasions. The Piperi town beach provides the perfect place to take a dip in the crystal clear waters, for which the town is famous, along with its true-to-culture atmosphere and brightly coloured sea-facing bars and restaurants. Take a full-day sailing cruise, enjoy the freshest, most traditional seafood dishes, and explore the winding cobbled alleyways up the hill.

Stay at the lovely Stelia Mare Boutique Hotel, within walking distance of the Venetian Fortress and beach. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy during your time in Naousa, allowing you to select what best suits your group. For adventurers, there is stand-up paddleboarding, sea kayaking, wind surfing, hiking, horseback riding along the beach, and more! For a more relaxed vibe, explore the islands many charming villages or go beach-hopping.

Suggested Accommodation: Stelia Mare Boutique Hotel

Naxos

Situated in the Aegean Sea, the Greek island of Naxos is the largest–and greenest–of the Cyclades Archipelago and is famous for its local fare including olive oil, cheeses, and wine. Its fertile landscape features ancient ruins, quaint mountain villages with sheep-dotted slopes, and vast stretches of magnificent beaches. Stay at the Iria Beach Hotel, crafted in the traditional Cycladic style and just steps from the Agia Anna beach. With their crystal-clear waters, soft white sands and watersports such as swimming, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and surfing on offer, the multitude of beaches here provide the ultimate holiday experience, while the island’s lush interior makes it an ideal destination for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts.

Optional activities abound on this island paradise, including village tours, boat tours, visits to ancient temples, scuba lessons, and more. The wide variety of historic attractions includes breathtaking Venetian mansions, Byzantine country churches, and the medieval old quarter of Kastro, with its centuries-old stone paving, arches, and buildings. We especially recommend you visit the mysterious Cave of Zas, filled with incredible stalactite formations and dedicated to Zeus in ancient times.

Suggested Accommodation: Iria Beach Art Hotel

Crete

Situated on the northeastern coast of Crete, the small fishing village of Elounda is known for its magnificent coastline, vast open skies, and secluded beaches. Stay at the serene Elounda Mare Hotel, perched along Elounda’s sun-kissed shores. You can look forward to exciting activities including: boat trips to the historical island of Spinalonga, exploring the magnificent peninsula of Kolokitha, soaking up the natural beauty of Elounda’s harbour – known as the Gulf of Korfos – and discovering the many quaint little villages that dot this area. Other historical attractions include the nearby Monastery of Aretiou, once one of Crete’s richest and most powerful monasteries. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in mouth-watering seafood and drinks at the vibrant bars and eateries that line the picturesque waterfront.

From Elounda, it’s a short flight to Heraklion, where you can explore the archeological site of Knossos, the oldest Bronze Age archeological site in Crete and technically Europe’s oldest city. The Palace of Knossos (dating from c. 2000 BC) was the political and ceremonial heart of the Minoan civilization and in its heyday covered over five acres with more than 100,000 inhabitants, and may have inspired the Labryinth in the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. The adjoining archeological museum provides great context and detail of the Minoan civilization and Knossos complex.

Suggested Accommodation: Elounda Mare Hotel

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something just for you.

Hear it from our clients first

I had an absolutely incredible experience with GHardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland. From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with them!

Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip. We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!

The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us! The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything - we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.

Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable! The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you GHardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.

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Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.

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