7-Day Dodecanese Islands Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Dodecanese Islands tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaDodecanese Islands travel expert at TourRadar

• 5 Days in Rhodes, incl. Symi Island and Lindos

  Three magnificent 6-hour cruise adventures unfold over 5 days, taking you to Symi Island, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Caves. Each sea voyage provides 3-4 hours at destinations with dedicated swimming breaks.

  

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  • Day 1

    Rhodes Town

    Land at Rhodes International Airport and settle into your hotel near the Old Town. Most hotels are just 5-10 minutes from Mandraki Harbor. Book a room facing the medieval walls if you can. They light up beautifully at night. Take the afternoon to explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Visit the Street of Knights after 4 PM when the cruise ship crowds leave and it's quieter.

    
  • Day 2

    Symi Island Day Trip

    Take the 11 AM high-speed boat from Mandraki Harbor to Symi Island. The harbor view is stunning with its pastel mansions stacked up the hillsides in classic neo-classical style. You'll have 3 hours on the island. Start with a swim at Saint George's Bay while the water is clear and calm. Then grab fresh calamari for lunch at the local fish market.

    
  • Day 3

    Coastal Cruise

    Take a 6-hour cruise along Rhodes' east coast. You'll stop at Kallithea Caves, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Afandou Beach. Pack water shoes for the caves since the rocks get slippery. Anthony Quinn Bay offers great snorkeling, especially near the rocky edges where octopuses like to hide. Enjoy the included Greek buffet lunch with fresh tzatziki and souvlaki.

    
  • Day 4

    Lindos

    Catch the morning high-speed boat to Lindos before it gets too hot. You can ride a donkey up to the Acropolis, but walking only takes about 15 minutes if you start early. The view of St. Paul's Bay from the top is incredible. For lunch, try the rooftop restaurant Mavrikos in one of the village's shaded squares. Local travelers say it serves some of the most authentic food in Rhodes.

    
  • Day 5

    Departure

    Check out by noon, though you might get late checkout in low season. The airport transfer usually takes 25 minutes. Add extra time in July and August when Rhodes Town gets busy with traffic.

    

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• 6 Days in Northern Greece, incl. Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki

  A six-day coastal getaway blends Thessaloniki's rich culture with Chalkidiki's pristine shores. Two nights in the vibrant city lead into three days of sun-drenched peninsula beaches and archaeological treasures.

  

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  • Day 1

    Thessaloniki Arrival & City Exploration

    Pick up your rental car at Thessaloniki Airport. Book an early flight to make the most of your first day in Greece's second-largest city. Visit the White Tower on the waterfront before 11 AM to avoid crowds. Spend about 2 hours at the Byzantine Culture Museum in the afternoon when it's quieter. Leave your car near Aristotelous Square and walk through the historic center.

    
  • Days 2-4

    Chalkidiki Peninsula

    Drive 90 minutes to Chalkidiki early in the morning. The peninsula has three distinct sections known as "fingers": Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos. Stay in Sithonia for easy access to both beaches and cultural sites. The roads are good but curvy. Drive carefully and watch out for locals who speed through the turns. Visit Possidi beach in Kassandra. Get there by 9 AM to park close to the lighthouse. In Sithonia head to Kalamitsi Beach for swimming. The water is clearest and calmest in the morning. You can rest in the shade of pine trees during hot afternoons. A visitor shares this tip about Mount Athos: "The best spot to see the monasteries is from the Ouranoupolis boat tour. Book the 10 AM departure for the clearest photos. Women especially appreciate this option since they can't visit Mount Athos itself."

    
  • Day 5

    Return to Thessaloniki

    Take your time driving back to Thessaloniki on the scenic route (about 2 hours). After 5 PM join locals for the traditional volta (evening walk) along the seafront from the White Tower to the umbrella sculpture. Park in the Plateia Eleftherias garage instead of looking for street parking.

    
  • Day 6

    Departure

    Plan 45 minutes to return your car and get to your departure terminal. If you're leaving between 8-10 AM add another 30 minutes because of rush hour traffic.

    

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• Sailing & Hiking the Dodecanese Islands

  

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  • Kos Greece

    12 mi

  • Gyali Island Greece

    5 mi

  • Nisyros Island Greece

    16 mi

  • Tilos Greece

    21 mi

  • Alimia Greece

    6 mi

  • Chalki Greece

    29 mi

  • Symi Greece

    24 mi

  • Rhodes Greece

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