3-Week Greece Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Greece tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaGreece travel expert at TourRadar

• 17 Days in Greece, incl. Athens and Thessaloniki

  A grand tour visiting 21 Greek cities from Athens to Thessaloniki over 17 days. Key sites include Delphi's Oracle, Meteora monasteries, Vergina's royal tombs, and Saronic Islands cruise. Comprehensive package at approx. $420 per day includes private transport and daily breakfast.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Athens & Ancient Corinth

    Plan your airport arrival for afternoon to avoid Athens morning traffic. Visit the Corinth Canal for photos of the impressive 80m-deep cut. Take the Odontotos railway through Vouraikos Gorge, a scenic route climbing through tunnels and cliffs.

    
  • Days 3-5

    Peloponnese Discovery

    Stay in Nafplio, Greece's first capital. Visit Mycenae's Lion Gate by 8:30 AM before tour groups arrive. See the remarkable Epidaurus Theater. Drive to Monemvasia, known as the "Gibraltar of the East." Be careful on Mystras' cobblestones. "The stones can be very slippery, especially in spring. Good grip shoes are essential," a traveler warns.

    
  • Days 6-8

    Western Greece & Olympia

    Book ahead for boat rides through the beautiful Diros Cave system. Visit Ancient Olympia's stadium early to avoid peak heat. Travel to Ioannina to see the lakeside castle and take a boat to the historic island of Ali Pasha.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Northern Greece

    Use Thessaloniki as your base to visit Pella, Alexander the Great's birthplace, and the Royal Tombs at Vergina. "Plan 2-3 hours minimum for the Vergina Museum. The royal tomb artifacts are incredible and need time to appreciate," one visitor shares. Stop at Edessa's waterfalls.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Meteora & Delphi

    Spend two nights near Meteora. One traveler advises: "Visit Great Meteoron first thing for spectacular morning light and fewer crowds. Remember modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees." Explore Delphi during cooler hours.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Return to Athens

    Take a day cruise to Hydra, Poros and Aegina islands. "The optional Aegina Temple tour is worth the extra cost," a recent visitor notes. Finish with Athens' main sites: the Acropolis (visit at opening or last entry), Acropolis Museum, and Archaeological Museum.

    

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• 19 Days in Greece UNESCO Sites, incl. Athens and Meteora

  A 19-day route spans 1,996 km, visiting 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites including Delphi's Oracle, Meteora's monasteries, and Ancient Olympia. Stay 18 nights in 3-star hotels while touring Byzantine churches, Venetian fortresses, and ancient theaters across mainland Greece.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Ancient Corinth & Epidaurus Region

    Start in Athens before visiting the Corinth Canal and Ancient Corinth with its Temple of Apollo. "The sites are beautiful and the Greek people so welcoming and helpful. There is lots to see!" one visitor shared. Make time for the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus and its remarkably preserved ancient theater. Visit the theater in early morning when crowds are thin and acoustics are at their best.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Sparta & Monemvasia

    Visit the medieval ruins of Mystras UNESCO site near Sparta. You'll need good walking shoes with grip for the steep paths. The fortress town of Monemvasia is best explored early - plan to reach the upper town before the heat picks up. Set aside 2-3 hours to see everything including the Church of Agia Sophia.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Mani Peninsula & Ancient Messene

    Travel through the Mani Peninsula to see its stone towers and Byzantine churches. Ancient Messene is quite exposed so bring plenty of water and sun protection. Stop at the medieval castles of Koroni and Methoni for coastal views - the late afternoon light makes for great photos.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Olympia to Nafpaktos

    Beat the crowds at ancient Olympia by arriving when it opens at 8:00 AM. Visit St. Andrew's Cathedral in Patras before continuing to Nafpaktos with its Venetian port and castle. The castle walk takes about 45 minutes and requires good shoes.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Dodoni & Metsovo

    See the ancient theater of Dodoni then spend time in Ioannina. Take a boat trip to the island monastery. Book ahead for wine tastings at Averoff Winery in Metsovo. Consider motion sickness prevention for the winding mountain roads.

    
  • Days 16-17

    Meteora Monasteries

    Take two full days to explore Meteora's cliff-top monasteries. Women should pack long skirts or pants and clothes to cover shoulders. Most monasteries open at 9:00 AM but check individual closing days. The morning light is perfect for photography.

    
  • Days 18-19

    Delphi & Return to Athens

    Get to Delphi before tour buses arrive around 10:00 AM. The climb to the stadium takes about 30 minutes. On your final day visit the UNESCO-listed Hosios Loukas monastery on your 3-hour drive back to Athens.

    

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• 19 Day Greece Mainland Itinerary, incl. Delphi and Meteora

  The Greek circuit spans 19 days visiting 31 destinations from coastal Parga to mountain town Metsovo. Tour 9 UNESCO sites including Meteora's monasteries and ancient Olympia. Stay in carefully selected 3-star hotels while viewing Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine churches, and traditional villages with expert guides.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Northern Greece Coast

    Begin in Igoumenitsa and visit Parga, where you'll find a Venetian castle with beautiful bay views. "The castle path can be slippery after rain - wear good shoes and go early before the day heats up," according to a recent visitor. Travel to Arta to explore its stone bridge and Byzantine churches. Next, stop at Messolonghi's lagoons before reaching Nafpaktos. While the medieval castle requires a steep climb, the Gulf of Corinth views make it worthwhile.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Ancient Olympia & Southern Peloponnese

    Take a 3-hour drive to Patras and visit St. Andrew's Cathedral. Plan a full day at Ancient Olympia, the original Olympic Games site. A visitor suggests: "Arrive at the archaeological site by 8am - you'll have the stadium almost to yourself and avoid the midday heat." Head south to see the impressive Venetian fortifications in Pylos and Methoni.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Mystras & Sparta

    Stay in Sparta while you explore Mystras, a UNESCO Byzantine site. Pack good walking shoes and water for the hillside monastery paths. A helpful tip from a traveler: "Start at the upper entrance and work your way down - it's much easier on the legs and gives better views."

    
  • Days 9-11

    Nafplio & Ancient Sites

    Use Nafplio as your base to visit Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Tiryns. Visit these exposed archaeological sites early and bring sun protection. Take a boat ride (€5) to see the Bourtzi fortress in Nafplio's harbor. The Corinth Canal is a 2-hour drive from here.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Delphi & Thermopylae

    Visit the Hosios Loukas monastery on your way to Delphi. A visitor shares: "Hike up to the stadium at sunset when most tour groups have left - the valley views are incredible in the golden light." Plan an early morning visit to Thermopylae's battlefield site to avoid crowds.

    
  • Days 15-16

    Meteora & Mt Olympus

    Allow two full days for Meteora's monasteries. A recent visitor notes: "Check monastery opening days carefully - they rotate closure days to allow monks private worship time." You'll need moderate fitness for the monastery steps. Afterward, visit Mt Olympus National Park and stay in Litochoro village.

    
  • Days 17-19

    Northern Sites & Return

    Explore the royal Macedonian tombs at Vergina and sample wines in Metsovo village. Complete your journey in Ioannina to see its lakeside castle before returning to Igoumenitsa. The route covers about 2,000 km, so take regular breaks and pace yourself between sites.

    

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