Three Islands and a Capital — Eight Nights from Athens to Crete
The longest of the Greek itineraries in this range: Athens and then three islands, each for two nights, travelling south by ferry the whole way and flying home from Crete.
- Duration
- 8 Nights / 9 Days
- Destinations
- Athens · Mykonos · Santorini · Crete
- Travel style
- Cultural · Honeymoon
- Stays
- Comfort standard
Journey overview
The longest of the Greek itineraries in this range: Athens and then three islands, each for two nights, travelling south by ferry the whole way and flying home from Crete.
Photographs: dronepicr · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · Ancient Palace of Knossos Ruins with Red Columns in Crete Greece — ivanmorenosl via Envato Elements · Jakub Hałun, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Why you'll love this journey
- Two nights each in Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Crete.
- Three ferry crossings running south through the islands.
- A full-day panoramic bus tour of Santorini.
- Free days on both Mykonos and Crete.
- An open-jaw routing that flies home from Heraklion.
Day-by-day itinerary
You are met on arrival by a representative and transferred to your hotel on a private basis. The old quarter beneath the Acropolis is the best part of the city to spend a first evening in, and it is walkable from most central hotels.
A half-day guided tour of Athens on a shared seat-in-coach basis. The classical core of the city is compact, and half a day covers it before the heat builds. The rest of the day is free.
A private transfer takes you from your hotel to the port for the ferry to Mykonos, and a shared transfer runs from the port to your hotel on arrival. The rest of the day is free once you have checked in.
No touring is scheduled and the day is yours. The town is a deliberate maze of white lanes, the windmills stand above the harbour, and the beaches are easy to reach independently. Island sightseeing can be arranged locally if you want the day organised.
A shared transfer takes you from your hotel to the port for the ferry to Santorini, with a shared transfer from the port to your hotel on arrival. Check-in follows standard hotel times and the rest of the day is free — keep the late afternoon for the caldera.
A full-day panoramic bus tour of the island on a shared basis. It takes in the Akrotiri lighthouse at the southern tip and Panagia Episkopi, one of the oldest churches on Santorini. Pick-up is from selected central points rather than from your hotel.
A shared transfer takes you from your hotel to the port for the ferry south to Heraklion on Crete, where a private transfer meets you at the port. Crete is a different scale from the Cyclades — long enough that you only see a part of it in two nights.
No touring is scheduled and the day is yours. Heraklion has the archaeological museum holding the Minoan finds, and the palace at Knossos lies a short way inland. Local sightseeing can be arranged if you would rather have the day organised.
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and a private transfer from your hotel to Heraklion airport for your onward flight. Allow the check-in time your airline requires.
Make this journey yours
Every departure is planned around your dates, your pace and your stays. Tell us what matters and a specialist replies within 24 hours (Mon–Sat) with a tailored proposal.
Inclusions & exclusions
Included
- Eight nights' accommodation — Athens 2, Mykonos 2, Santorini 2 and Crete 2.
- Daily breakfast at the hotel, from Day 2 to Day 9.
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Athens airport to your hotel.
- Private airport transfer on departure, your Heraklion hotel to the airport.
- Half-day guided tour of Athens on a shared seat-in-coach basis.
- Ferry journeys Athens to Mykonos, Mykonos to Santorini and Santorini to Heraklion.
- Private transfer from your Athens hotel to the port, and a private transfer from Heraklion port to your hotel.
- Shared port transfers on Mykonos and Santorini.
- Full-day Santorini panoramic bus tour on a shared basis, including the Akrotiri lighthouse and Panagia Episkopi.
Not included
- GST is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- TCS is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- International airfare is extra and is not included.
- Domestic and internal airfare is extra and is not included.
- Visa is extra and is not included — visa fees, associated service charges, airport taxes and any related charges.
- Travel insurance is extra and is not included.
- The Mykonos sightseeing named on Day 4 and the Heraklion sightseeing named on Day 8. Both are marked optional by the source and neither is included.
- Hotel pick-up for the Santorini bus tour. The source states pick-up is from selected central points, not from your hotel.
- All meals other than the daily breakfasts listed above, and any meal expressly listed as part of a named included component. Lunches, dinners and drinks with meals are not included otherwise.
- Every activity the itinerary marks as optional. Optional excursions are named so you know what is available locally; none of them is included in the price.
- City tax, tourist tax or resort fee. Most European cities levy a per-person per-night tax which the hotel collects directly at check-in or check-out. It is not included.
- Any transfer other than those specified under Inclusions.
- Any sightseeing, entrance ticket or excursion not specifically listed under Inclusions.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal expenses — laundry, telephone, minibar, and anything of a personal nature.
- Early check-in and late check-out charges, and any hotel upgrade.
- Anything not specifically listed under Inclusions.
Accommodation, meals & transport
What the journey covers day to day, taken from this package's own inclusions.
🏨 Accommodation
- Comfort standard
- Eight nights' accommodation — Athens 2, Mykonos 2, Santorini 2 and Crete 2.
🍽 Meals
- Daily breakfast at the hotel, from Day 2 to Day 9.
🚆 Transport
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Athens airport to your hotel.
- Private airport transfer on departure, your Heraklion hotel to the airport.
- Half-day guided tour of Athens on a shared seat-in-coach basis.
- Ferry journeys Athens to Mykonos, Mykonos to Santorini and Santorini to Heraklion.
- Private transfer from your Athens hotel to the port, and a private transfer from Heraklion port to your hotel.
- Shared port transfers on Mykonos and Santorini.
Flights, visa & practical
Arranged separately from the journey itself — listed here so there are no surprises.
✈ Flights
- International airfare is extra and is not included.
- Domestic and internal airfare is extra and is not included.
🛂 Visa
- Visa is extra and is not included — visa fees, associated service charges, airport taxes and any related charges.
🛡 Insurance
- Travel insurance is extra and is not included.
Every journey is quoted individually for your travel dates and party. Read our pricing terms for how a quotation is prepared. Cancellations and amendments follow our Refund & Cancellation Policy and Terms & Conditions.
You may also like
Journeys that pair naturally with this one, and the destination guides behind it.
Beach & IslandsAthens, Santorini & Mykonos — 8 Nights
- 8 nights in hand-picked hotels chosen to your budget and style — Athens (2), Santorini (3), Mykonos (3)
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Timed entry to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum with a private guide
The Acropolis and the Ancient Agora with a guide, in two Athens days
CulturalAthens and Two Islands — Six Nights to Mykonos and Santorini by Ferry
- Six nights' accommodation — Athens 2, Mykonos 2 and Santorini 2.
- Daily breakfast at the hotel, from Day 2 to Day 7.
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Athens airport to your hotel.
Two nights each in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini.
CulturalGreek Island Circuit — Seven Nights out to the Cyclades and Back
- Seven nights' accommodation — Athens 2, Mykonos 2, Santorini 2 and Athens 1.
- Daily breakfast at the hotel, from Day 2 to Day 8.
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Athens airport to your hotel.
Seven nights out to Mykonos and Santorini and back to Athens.
Plan your journey
Our travel designers turn knowledge and inspiration into a journey crafted entirely around you.
Plan My Journey →