7-Day Mainland Greece Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Mainland Greece tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaMainland Greece travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Greece, incl. Athens and Delphi

  The week-long route includes Athens' Parthenon, Delphi's Oracle site, and Meteora's monasteries. Visitors tour Olympia's ancient stadium, Mycenae's Lion Gate, and Nafplion's Venetian fortress. Accommodations at 4-star hotels like Athenaeum Grand and Europa Olympia.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Athens

    Start your week in Athens with a full day at the Acropolis and main sites. "Visit the Acropolis early - by 8:30 AM before tour groups arrive and the heat builds." Walk to the Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Zeus, and Parliament. Stay in Plaka or Monastiraki for easy access to everything and great local tavernas.

    
  • Day 3

    Mycenae & Nafplion

    Stop for photos at the Corinth Canal on your way to the ancient citadel of Mycenae and its Lion Gate. The stone paths can be tricky, so wear sturdy shoes. Take a break in beautiful Nafplion, the first capital of Greece. Have lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants before heading to Olympia.

    
  • Day 4

    Olympia & Delphi

    Get an early start at the birthplace of the Olympics. You'll find the archaeological site easy to navigate with clear signs. One visitor noted: "The Temple of Zeus foundations really help you imagine its original grandeur." After lunch, take the scenic 3.5-hour drive north across the Rio-Antirio Bridge to Delphi. If you get motion sickness, grab a seat up front for the mountain roads.

    
  • Day 5

    Delphi & Kalambaka

    See Delphi in the morning when temperatures are lower. Make time for the Archaeological Museum with its famous Bronze Charioteer. Then drive to Kalambaka near Meteora. A recent visitor suggests: "Book a hotel with a Meteora view - the sunset over the monasteries is incredible."

    
  • Day 6

    Meteora & Return to Athens

    A key tip from visitors: "The monasteries have strict dress codes - women need long skirts/dresses (no pants), men need long pants, and everyone needs covered shoulders." Visit 2-3 monasteries in the morning for the best views. The 5-hour drive back to Athens takes you past Thermopylae, where you can stop to see the Leonidas statue.

    
  • Day 7

    Athens Departure

    Book an afternoon flight if possible to avoid morning traffic. Plan for an hour to reach the airport from central Athens.

    

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• 7 Day Northern Greece Itinerary, incl. Zagori and Meteora

  The 7-day trek across mainland Greece's finest trails leads from Athens to the remote Zagori region and UNESCO-listed Meteora. Participants cover 58km including Vikos Gorge crossing and Dragon Lake ascent at 2,100m, staying in traditional guesthouses in Vitsa and Papigo.

  

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  • Day 1

    Athens Arrival & Old Town

    Spend your afternoon exploring the Plaka and Monastiraki neighborhoods in Athens' historic center. "The pre-travel coordination was excellent in setting expectations," noted one traveler. Book your hotel near Syntagma Square for easy access to restaurants and the Acropolis area.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Zagori Region & Stone Villages

    Travel to the Zagori region by car (5.5 hours) or flight (1 hour). Walk the historic Vradeto steps trail from the 16th century up to Beloi viewpoint at 1,400m. Your third day is perfect for visiting the region's arched stone bridges, including the beautiful three-arch Plakidas bridge. Stay in Vitsa village's traditional guesthouses, where you can enjoy excellent homemade meals.

    
  • Day 4

    Vikos Gorge Trek

    Take on one of Greece's most impressive hikes through Vikos Gorge. The 14km route takes about 6 hours with 1,150m elevation gain. "The section traversing Vikos Gorge was an absolute highlight - breathtaking throughout," one hiker shared. Start early from Monodendri village and pack plenty of water. You'll find natural springs along the way, but they're not always easy to reach.

    
  • Day 5

    Dragon Lake Ascent

    This demanding day includes a 1,000m climb from Papigo village to Astraka refuge (3 hours), followed by a trek to Dragon Lake at 2,050m. Pack warm layers as temperatures drop significantly at higher altitudes. Stay overnight at Astraka Mountain Refuge. "Watching sunrise from the hut is unforgettable," previous travelers report.

    
  • Day 6

    Meteora Introduction

    After coming down from Astraka, head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Meteora. Take an evening drive to see the main viewpoints. The rocks look most beautiful just before sunset when they take on an orange glow.

    
  • Day 7

    Meteora Monasteries & Return

    Your final morning is for hiking the ancient monks' trails between Meteora's monasteries. The moderate 3-4 hour hike covers 5-7km. "Bring good shoes with grip - the stone steps can be slippery even when dry," advised a recent visitor. You'll return to Athens by early evening around 6 PM.

    

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• 7 Days in Greece Sailing, incl. Athens and Saronic Islands

  A coastal adventure from Athens Marina through Saronic Gulf showcases the Temple of Aphaia, world's largest ancient theatre in Epidavros, and historic Poros clock tower. Features professional sailing instruction and fresh Greek cuisine.

  

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  • Day 1

    Athens to Aegina

    Start from Piraeus Marina at 9 AM to avoid Athens traffic. Visit the Acropolis first at 8 AM before the crowds arrive. The sail to Aegina takes about 3 hours. One traveler noted: "The Temple of Aphaia has far fewer tourists than the Acropolis, and the view across the Saronic Gulf is incredible." Remember to pack motion sickness tablets while you adjust to life at sea.

    
  • Day 2

    Ermioni

    Plan for 4-5 hours of sailing with stops for swimming. The morning waters near Ermioni are perfect for paddleboarding. Head to the south side of town for better swimming spots near the port under the pine trees. The beaches are pebbly so water shoes are a must.

    
  • Day 3

    Hydra

    It's a 2-hour sail to Hydra in the morning. You'll need to walk or take water taxis since cars aren't allowed on the island. Book water taxis before 10 AM or after 4 PM to skip the long lines. Watch the sunset from the western hills but take a flashlight for your walk back.

    
  • Day 4

    Poros

    The sail to Poros takes just 1.5 hours. Visit the clock tower early for great photos before it gets hot. Stop by Dimitris Family Winery for excellent Greek wines but make a reservation first. Watch out for afternoon winds in the channel between Poros and the mainland.

    
  • Day 5

    Epidavros

    Visit the ancient theater in the morning to avoid intense afternoon sun. Stand in the center and speak normally to experience the amazing acoustics that carry to the top row. Skip the tourist restaurants near the theater and try the authentic fish tavernas by the port.

    
  • Day 6

    Agistri

    Clear waters make this island perfect for swimming. Rent a scooter for about $25 per day but get there early before they run out. Join the toga party at Rosy's Bar but bring your own white sheet. A fellow sailor shared: "The hidden cove on Agistri's north side was the best swimming spot of the whole trip – ask your skipper about it."

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Athens

    Take a final swim before the 3-hour journey back to Athens. Plan to arrive by 3 PM for boat cleaning and check-out. Consider staying near Marina Zea if you're spending more time in Athens.

    

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