12 days · Greece
Best of Greece
From AED 11,808per person, twin share
Explore Athens & tour ancient sites on the Greek mainland before enjoying free time on the beautiful islands of Mykonos & Santorini.
- Duration
- 12 Days / 11 Nights
- Route
- Starts and ends in Athens
- Country
- Greece
- Activity level
- Light (2 of 5)
- A gentle pace for Greece: guided sightseeing on the mainland for the first six days, then free time on Mykonos and Santorini
- Accommodation
- 11 nights in mostly 3 and 4 star hotels, including two nights on Mykonos and three on Santorini
- Meals
- 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners
- Group
- Group tour, up to 26
- Guide
- English-speaking tour leader throughout, plus local guides at ancient sites
- Transport
- Air-conditioned coach, Plane
- Best time to go
- Runs May to October, skipping August: warm Greek summer on the mainland, into late-summer and autumn on the islands
Tour overview
See the Best of Greece in 12 days! Start in Athens and explore mainland archaeological treasures in Meteora, Olympia and Delphi. Then enjoy a Greek island escape with two nights on Mykonos, known for beaches and nightlife, and three nights on Santorini with its iconic whitewashed houses and stunning sunsets.
Highlights
- Explore Athens, Greece’s ancient capital city
- Enjoy a welcome dinner in Athens
- See the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta in Thermopylae
- Visit a Byzantine art workshop
- Take a sunset drive of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Discover Delphi on a driving and walking tour
- Discover the colourful island of Trizonia
- Explore the Olympia Museum and ancient site
Show all 14 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- Wander the picturesque streets of Nafplio
- Uncover Greek myths in Mycenae
- See the Corinth Canal
- Embark on an Athens city tour
- Enjoy two nights on the iconic Mykonos island
- Spend three nights on Santorini island
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
Athens
2 nights · Days 1–2
Dorian Inn
Thermopylae
Day 2 · on the way
Kalabaka
Day 2 · on the way
Meteora
Day 3 · on the way
Delphi
1 night · Day 3
Acropole Delphi City Hotel
Glyfada/Trizonia Island
Day 4 · on the way
Olympia
1 night · Day 4
Hotel Europa
Nafplio
1 night · Day 5
Rex Hotel
Show all 14 stopsShow fewer stops
Mycenae
Day 6 · on the way
Corinth Canal
Day 6 · on the way
Athens
1 night · Day 6
Dorian Inn
Mykonos
2 nights · Days 7–8
Giannoulaki Hotel
Santorini
3 nights · Days 9–11
Nikos Hotel
Athens
Day 12 · end
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Start of tour in Athens
Meals included: Dinner
You meet your tour leader and the rest of the group at the hotel this morning, before an orientation tour introduces you to Athens. Among the highlights are Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, two of the city’s many ancient sites. Afterwards, there is free time, or you can join the optional Athens food tour. An included dinner of Greek cuisine awaits this evening.
Included
- Orientation tour of Athens, taking in Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Welcome dinner of Greek cuisine
Optional extras
- Athens Food Tour · AED 255 per person
- Overnight
- Athens
- Hotel
- Dorian Inn
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
Athens – Thermopylae – Kalabaka
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
Thermopylae provides a photo stop on the way to Kalabaka: it is the site of the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta. Once in Kalabaka, a workshop led by locals introduces the art of Byzantine icons. Later, a sunset drive leads through the hills of Meteora, with dinner served at the hotel either side of that journey.
Included
- Photo stop at the statue of Leonidas in Thermopylae
- Visit to a Byzantine art workshop in Kalabaka
- Sunset drive through the Meteora hills
- Travel
- Athens → Thermopylae → Kalabaka by coach
- Overnight
- Athens
- Hotel
- Dorian Inn
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 3
Kalabaka – Meteora (optional) – Delphi
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
The morning is free, or you can go deeper into Meteora’s hills and monasteries through an optional excursion. Afterwards, the route heads to Delphi, known locally as Delfí, within central Greece, where an orientation tour takes in the ancient sanctuary of Delphi. Dinner is at a local restaurant this evening.
Included
- Free time in Kalabaka
- Orientation tour of Delphi, including its ancient sanctuary
Optional extras
- Monasteries of Meteora · AED 130 per person
- Travel
- Kalabaka → Delphi by coach
- Overnight
- Delphi
- Hotel
- Acropole Delphi City Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 4
Delphi – Glyfada/Trizonia Island – Olympia
Meals included: BreakfastThis morning offers an optional tour further into Delphi’s history, taking in its ancient site and archaeological museum. Afterwards, the route follows the Coast of Corinth before a ferry crossing to the Greek island of Trizonia. From there, the journey continues to Olympia, where an optional dinner and dance evening introduces Greek traditions.
Included
- Ferry crossing to the island of Trizonia
Optional extras
- Delphi Museum and Ancient Site Tour · AED 215 per person
- Greek Dinner & Traditional Dancing · AED 340 per person
- Travel
- Delphi → Glyfada → Trizonia Island → Olympia by coach and ferry
- Overnight
- Olympia
- Hotel
- Hotel Europa
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5
Olympia – Nafplio
Meals included: BreakfastLunch
The Olympia Archaeological Museum and its ancient site are the focus of a locally guided tour this morning, covering Olympic history along with ancient Greek art and architecture. Later, the route continues to Nafplio, which served as the first capital of modern Greece, for a 3-course Greek lunch, after which the afternoon is free, or you can join the optional excursion to the ancient theatre at Epidaurus.
Included
- Guided tour of the Olympia archaeological site and museum
- Included lunch in Nafplio
- Free time to explore Nafplio’s old town
Optional extras
- Epidaurus Guided Tour · AED 215 per person
- Travel
- Olympia → Nafplio by coach
- Overnight
- Nafplio
- Hotel
- Rex Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 6
Mycenae – Corinth Canal – Athens
Meals included: BreakfastLunchThe morning brings a tour of Mycenae’s Tomb of Agamemnon and Lion Gate, both steeped in ancient myth, along with a stop at the Corinth Canal, then on to Athens, where an included lunch awaits. A driving tour then covers top sights such as the National Library and Panathinaikos Stadium. There is also the option to explore the Acropolis, an excursion that needs to be arranged before the tour begins, given how popular it is.
Included
- Guided walking tour of ancient Mycenae, including the Lion Gate
- Stop at the Corinth Canal
- Included lunch
- Driving tour of Athens, including Panathinaikos Stadium
Optional extras
- Acropolis Guided Tour · AED 215 per person
- Travel
- Nafplio → Mycenae → Corinth Canal → Athens by coach
- Overnight
- Athens
- Hotel
- Dorian Inn
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 7
Athens – Mykonos
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, a ferry crossing reaches the island of Mykonos, known for its sandy beaches. On arrival, an orientation tour covers Mykonos Chora, after which the evening is yours to spend as you choose. Your tour leader can point you to a few favourites for dinner and drinks, or towards the island’s nightlife.
Included
- Orientation tour of Mykonos Chora
- Travel
- Athens → Mykonos by ferry
- Overnight
- Mykonos
- Hotel
- Giannoulaki Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 8
Mykonos: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastThe day is free to spend in Mykonos. You can relax on the beaches, or choose the optional Rhenia & Delos Cruise, sailing the Cycladic waters to Rhenia island and the ancient ruins on Delos. In the evening, the optional Mykonos Cooking Class teaches authentic dishes inside a traditional home on the island, or the island is yours to enjoy your own way.
Included
- Free time in Mykonos
Optional extras
- Rhenia & Delos Cruise · AED 535 per person
- Mykonos Cooking Class · AED 425 per person
- Overnight
- Mykonos
- Hotel
- Giannoulaki Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 9
Mykonos – Santorini
Meals included: Breakfast
A ferry crossing this morning brings the group to Santorini, arriving in the afternoon to settle in for three nights. An orientation tour covers Fira, taking in its whitewashed houses. What remains of the day is free: a chance to relax, watch the sunset, or find a scenic spot for dinner.
Included
- Orientation tour of Fira Town
- Travel
- Mykonos → Santorini by ferry
- Overnight
- Santorini
- Hotel
- Nikos Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 10
Santorini: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastThe optional Santorini Highlights tour, which includes a guide, lunch and wine tasting, is one way to see more of the island: it takes in a black sand beach and the traditional cave houses of Megalochori village, before a wine tasting at a local winery and the day’s end in Oia, known for its sunsets.
Included
- Free time in Santorini
Optional extras
- Santorini Highlights · AED 640 per person
- Overnight
- Santorini
- Hotel
- Nikos Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 11
Santorini: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastThe day is free again in Santorini. The optional excursion on offer is a boat trip to the caldera islands, taking in the famous volcano, a swim in therapeutic hot springs, and a traditional Greek lunch on the island of Thirassia. As this is the last night of the tour, you might want to mark it with dinner alongside your fellow travellers.
Included
- Free time in Santorini
Optional extras
- Caldera Islands · AED 510 per person
- Overnight
- Santorini
- Hotel
- Nikos Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 12
End of tour in Athens
Meals included: BreakfastBright and early this morning, the group transfers to Santorini airport for a flight back to the mainland, included in the tour. On arrival in Athens, this Best of Greece tour reaches its end.
- Travel
- Santorini → Athens by plane
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.
FromSun 9 May 2027ToThu 20 May 2027
Available
AED 12,579
Single room supplement +AED 3,802 single
FromSun 30 May 2027ToThu 10 Jun 2027
Available
AED 12,579
Single room supplement +AED 3,802 single
FromSun 20 Jun 2027ToThu 1 Jul 2027
AvailableBest price
AED 11,808
Single room supplement +AED 3,802 single
FromSun 11 Jul 2027ToThu 22 Jul 2027
Sold out
AED 11,808
Single room supplement +AED 3,802 single
Full
FromSun 12 Sept 2027ToThu 23 Sept 2027
Available
AED 13,460
Single room supplement +AED 3,802 single
FromSun 3 Oct 2027ToThu 14 Oct 2027
Available
AED 12,579
Single room supplement +AED 3,802 single
FromSun 24 Oct 2027ToThu 4 Nov 2027
Sold out
AED 11,808
Single room supplement +AED 3,802 single
Full
What’s included
Included
- 11 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
- 11 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Public ferry between Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
- Domestic flight from Santorini to Athens
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
- Fully-guided tour
Not included
- Flights: Arrange your own flights for the start and end of the tour
- Travel insurance: Purchase a suitable policy that meets your needs
Optional extras
Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.
Athens Food Tour
A guided walk through the Athens Central Market and a local taverna, tasting spanakopita, fresh produce and traditional sweets, with a full meal to finish. Vegetarian options are available. €60. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 255 per person
Monasteries of Meteora
A tour of two of Meteora’s six remaining hilltop monasteries, built from the 14th century onwards on towering rock pillars in one of mainland Greece’s most striking landscapes. €30, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 130 per person
Delphi Museum and Ancient Site Tour
A guided tour of the archaeological site of Delphi and its museum, taking in the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Treasury of the Athenians, with background on the myths and history of ancient Greece. €50, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 215 per person
Greek Dinner & Traditional Dancing
A three-course Greek dinner in Olympia with an olive oil tasting, dishes such as tzatziki and pork gioulbasi, baklava to finish, and a show of traditional music and dancing. A vegetarian option is available. €80, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 340 per person
Epidaurus Guided Tour
A guided tour of the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best-preserved in Greece and still used today, with background on its design and history. €50, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 215 per person
Acropolis Guided Tour
Skip-the-line access to the Acropolis with your tour leader and a local guide, taking in the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Parthenon, with free time at the top for photos. Book this at least 20 days before the tour starts, as it is not refundable once confirmed. €50. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 215 per person
Rhenia & Delos Cruise
A boat trip around the Cycladic islands, with swimming and free time at Rhenia island, a Greek lunch on board, and a visit to the ancient ruins on Delos. Hotel transfers are included. €125, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 535 per person
Mykonos Cooking Class
A cooking class in a traditional Mykonian home, preparing Greek and local dishes with a local hostess, followed by a five-course meal with local wines. Hotel transfers are included. €100, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 425 per person
Santorini Highlights
A full-day guided tour taking in a black sand beach, the village of Megalochori and its cave houses, a wine tasting at a local winery, and a walk through Oia in time for sunset. Lunch and hotel transfers are included. €150, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 640 per person
Caldera Islands
A sailing trip around the Santorini caldera, with a guided visit to the volcano, a swim in hot springs on Palea Kameni, and a Greek lunch on Thirassia island, sailing back past Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani. Hotel transfers are included. €120, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 510 per person
To add an extra, mention it in your booking notes, and we confirm it with your seats before you pay. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day instead: their description says so.
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Good to know
Practical details to read before you travel.
Passport & visas
Greece is in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa covers the whole tour, islands included.
UAE passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, though you will need the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation once it starts: we can tell you where it stands when you book. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need a Schengen visa. Apply up to six months before you travel, and start early if you are travelling in summer.
Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave Greece, and have been issued within the last ten years. Our visa team handles Schengen applications: ask us when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to and from Greece aren’t included: arrange your own to Athens for day 1 and home from Athens at the end.
Your tour leader meets the group at the hotel in Athens at 10:00 on day 1. The tour ends on day 12 at Athens Airport, after an early flight back from Santorini, so book a flight home for the afternoon or later.
The ferries between Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, and the flight from Santorini to Athens, are included. Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
Breakfast is included every day, plus two lunches and three dinners, mostly in the first week on the mainland.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
Greece uses the euro throughout, islands included. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops, though it helps to carry some cash for small tavernas and the island ferries.
Optional experiences booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
Departures run from May to October, skipping August, so expect warm, sunny weather throughout, hottest in midsummer and milder in May, September and October.
Pack light layers, comfortable walking shoes for ancient sites and cobbled island lanes, and swimwear for Mykonos and Santorini. A hat and sun protection are useful even outside midsummer.
Plan your trip
Our Dubai team arranges what goes around the tour, so it is booked in one place.
Visas
One Schengen visa covers the Schengen countries on this route. Our visa team in Dubai applies for UAE residents once the tour is booked.
Flights
Flights are not included. We can book them with the tour: Dubai to Athens and back. Tick “Flights” when you book and we quote them with your confirmation.
Pay in instalments
Split the cost with Tabby or Tamara, or over 3 to 12 months on a UAE bank credit card for bookings from AED 1,000.
Book this tour
Book online in a few minutes. Your seats are held as soon as you book, and you pay once we have confirmed them.
- Choose your date, travellers and roomsPrices are per person, and the total updates as you choose.
- Name each traveller as in their passportYour seats are held and your booking reference is emailed straight away.
- Pay by secure link once confirmedOur Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails your payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 58 582 4488.
Questions about this tour
What will my days actually look like?
Full days, zero filler. Most mornings start with breakfast before heading out to the main sights with your Tour Leader or a local guide. Afternoons often include free time to wander, find a coffee or join an Optional Experience. Expect a good amount of walking too. On some days, you could spend two to three hours on your feet. Comfortable shoes are your best friend.
Who will I be travelling with?
People from all over the world. Different ages, different backgrounds, same instinct to see more. Groups have on average between 35-45 travellers. By day three, you’ll already know everyone's name.
What are the hotels like?
Clean, comfortable and well located. Mostly 3 to 4 star, with private en-suite bathrooms. They're chosen so you can sleep well and feel ready for the next day. They're not the centrepiece. The destinations are. But they're never an afterthought.
How active is this tour?
All travellers carry their own bags, including up hotel stairs where needed. Walking tours can last up to three hours, and some sites involve a fair number of steps. Read through the itinerary to decide if the pace is right for you.
How do Optional Experiences work?
Optional Experiences happen during your tour's free-time slots, and your Tour Leader will tell you about what's on offer during the tour. Most can be booked on the day, but some are pre-sold and must be purchased before your tour begins, so it's worth checking the tour page beforehand to see what's available and get in touch with our team to book anything in advance.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. Free time is built into the itinerary, giving you space to wander and explore at your own pace. Your Tour Leader can point you towards the places worth your time, so you're never left completely to figure it out yourself.
What support do I have while I'm on tour?
Your Tour Leader is there to look after you during your tour. They know the places most people walk straight past, they'll have a restaurant recommendation ready before you've asked, and they'll sort anything that comes up along the way. All transport and accommodation are arranged for you.
You'll also have a 24-hour emergency contact number and the Holidayys team in Dubai.
How do I book Best of Greece?
Press Book now, choose a date and your rooms, and enter each traveller as their passport shows. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
When do I pay?
Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.
Is the price per person?
Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.
Are flights included?
Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.
Payment plans
Pay over time, at 0% interest
Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Pay later with a credit card instalment plan or a buy-now-pay-later account; some banks charge a one-time processing fee.
- Credit card plans from AED 1,000
- Tabby and Tamara, no minimum
- Terms from 3 to 12 months
Find your bank’s plan
Credit cards, from AED 1,000
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