13 Day Private Tour in Ancient Greece with Mykonos & Santorini

The real appeal here is the range: in 13 days, you move from the Parthenon and ancient Olympia to Meteora’s cliff monasteries, then finish with the beaches and sunsets of Mykonos and Santorini. It is a big, carefully packed look at Greece, not a slow stay in one region.

I like the private transport, which saves you from sorting out buses between scattered archaeological sites. I also like the mix of famous places and smaller stops, such as the Kalavryta mountain railway, a honey farm, olive oil tasting, and the harbor town of Nafpaktos.

The main drawback is the pace. Several days involve long drives, early ferry transfers, or both. At $7,360.28 per person, you should also check the final hotel list and optional costs before booking, since entrance fees, city taxes, and some island cruises are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Ancient Greece gets full attention: You visit the Acropolis, Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora.
• The private vehicle matters: An English-speaking driver handles the mainland connections and hotel transfers for your own group.
• Two islands create a strong finish: Mykonos brings beaches and nightlife, while Santorini adds caldera views, volcanic scenery, and Oia at sunset.
• Local food stops break up the ruins: Expect honey desserts, olive oil and wine tastings, and traditional meals along the route.
• The island cruises are optional: Delos and the Santorini boat trip are not included in the base price.
• The schedule is active: The 5:45 a.m. pickup for the Mykonos ferry and several full touring days may not suit anyone seeking a lazy holiday.

What this 13-day Greek journey actually covers

This is a private, multi-stop tour for people who want Greece’s major sights without arranging every hotel, driver, ferry, and transfer on their own. The route begins in Athens, crosses the Peloponnese and central Greece, reaches Meteora, then turns to Mykonos and Santorini before returning to Athens.

You receive 12 nights of accommodation and breakfast each morning. The hotels are not named at the time of booking. You receive the detailed schedule first, then updated hotel names and pickup times about one week before departure. That delay is worth noting if you like to plan every dinner and room location far in advance.

The private format is useful for a small group. Two people share a double room, three people share a triple room, and one person receives a private single room under the stated arrangement. The driver is not described as a guide for every archaeological site, so the strongest formal guiding is the included Acropolis and Acropolis Museum visit.

Athens begins with the Acropolis

Your first day is deliberately light. A driver meets you at Athens International Airport, takes you to the hotel, and leaves the rest of the day open. That gives you time to recover from the flight, though the schedule does not specify an early hotel check-in.

Day two starts with the Acropolis. A private driver takes you to the meeting point, where a guide leads the two-hour visit. You see the Theatre of Dionysus, the Porch of the Caryatids at the Erechtheion, and the Parthenon, the monument that defines Athens for many people.

The included tickets are important here. You are not left to negotiate the Acropolis entrance on your own, and the guide gives structure to a site that can otherwise feel like a collection of marble fragments and crowded viewpoints.

The Acropolis Museum follows for another hour. Its displays include sculpture and architectural pieces from the Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, and Propylaea, along with objects from later Roman and early Christian Athens. Look down through the glass floor to the excavations beneath the building.

A panoramic drive adds the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Syntagma Square, the Hellenic Parliament, and the Panathenaic Stadium. At the end, you can return to the hotel or ask to be dropped in Plaka, a useful option if you want old streets, shops, and a plate of souvlaki.

Corinth, Kalavryta, and the first long road day

Day three leaves Athens for Corinth. The Corinth Canal is a quick photo stop, with its narrow waterway cut through the land. Ancient Corinth follows, a site tied to Saint Paul and an important early Christian setting.

Admission to Ancient Corinth is not included, so keep cash or a payment method ready for site fees. The itinerary then turns north toward Diakopto for the Odontotos cog railway to Kalavryta.

This small train is one of the route’s more unusual choices. It travels through the Vouraikos Canyon, passing streams, tunnels, waterfalls, forest, and steep rock walls on the climb to the mountain town. The ride lasts about two hours and gives you a change from temples and columns.

You also visit the Cave of the Lakes, described as a formation with 13 small and large lakes whose colors vary with the minerals in the rock. Lunch is planned in Kalavryta, followed by the road to Nafplio for the night.

This is a demanding day. Corinth, a rail journey, a cave visit, lunch, and a transfer to Nafplio add up to a lot of movement. If you prefer ruins and quiet museum time, this day may feel overfilled. If you enjoy variety, it is one of the route’s more distinctive sections.

Nafplio, Epidaurus, and Mycenae

Nafplio gives you a pleasant base for some of the Peloponnese’s finest ancient sites. In the morning, you can choose between Palamidi Castle and Bourtzi, the small fortress in the harbor. Palamidi involves a climb of 999 steps, so the boat option is kinder if your legs are still recovering from the previous day.

Epidaurus is the major stop. Its ancient theatre is famous for acoustics that remain impressive, and it is still used for performances. The archaeological museum adds context, though the listed admission is extra.

Mycenae brings you into the Bronze Age world of Agamemnon. The Lion Gate, Cyclopean Walls, royal area, and Tomb of Agamemnon are the essential sights. The scale and rough stone construction make this place feel different from the polished temples of Athens.

An olive oil tasting in Nafplio provides a welcome food-focused break. You learn about olive growing, extraction, and the differences between peppery, robust oils and smoother, fruitier examples. It is a practical way to connect the ancient agricultural world with food you will encounter throughout Greece.

The day ends with a transfer toward Olympia. The itinerary lists Nafplio as a stop during the day, but Olympia as the overnight location, so expect another substantial road segment.

Olympia, honey, and the road to Delphi

At Olympia, you walk through the sanctuary where the first Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C. The site includes the Temple of Zeus, Temple of Hera, the shrine of Pelops, the council house where athletes took their oath, treasuries, the gymnasium, and the palaestra.

The ancient stadium helps you picture the games as a religious festival rather than a modern sporting event. Admission is not included, and the tour allows about two hours at the archaeological site.

Afterward, a market stop includes wine and olive oil tasting. The program also includes a visit to Klio’s Honey Farm, where you can sit under the trees with coffee or juice and taste handmade desserts prepared with honey from the farm. This is one of the trip’s most human-scale stops, and it keeps the ancient sites from becoming a blur of ruins.

The route then crosses the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, one of Europe’s major bridges, and pauses in Nafpaktos. The small seaside town has a Venetian castle and harbor, plus free time for lunch. You continue to Delphi for the night.

Wine lovers can ask about adding a winery tasting, but the program describes that as a suggestion rather than an included activity. The same applies to some other extras, so confirm before assuming a stop is part of your price.

Delphi and Meteora bring the strongest inland scenery

Day six visits Delphi, the sanctuary linked to Apollo and the ancient oracle. You see the archaeological site, stadium, theatre, and museum. The theatre’s capacity is given as more than 5,000 spectators, which helps explain the scale of the setting.

Delphi works best when you take your time with the relationship between the ruins and the surrounding mountains. The site is not just a line of columns. It is a dramatic religious center arranged along a slope, with views that help explain why the location carried such power.

A stop in Arachova follows. This traditional winter village is suited to coffee or lunch, then you continue toward Kalambaka and Meteora. The sunset stop is one of the strongest visual moments in the program, with monasteries perched on tall rock formations as the light changes.

Meteora receives a proper visit the following morning. You see the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, the largest and oldest of the monasteries on the route, and St. Stephen, a smaller monastery positioned on a plain rather than a high cliff.

The monasteries are religious sites, not only scenic viewpoints. Dress respectfully, and remember that admission is not included. The visit lasts about three hours and ends near Kalambaka, where you have a traditional Greek lunch.

A short stop at Thermopylae comes on the return to Athens. You see the statue of Leonidas, linked to the battle of the 300 Spartans. It is only a 15-minute pause, so treat it as a quick memorial stop rather than a full historical visit.

Mykonos starts with an early ferry

Day eight begins at 5:45 a.m. Your driver takes you to Piraeus for the 7:25 a.m. fast ferry to Mykonos, arriving around 11:25 a.m. This transfer is efficient but not gentle. Pack your ferry items the night before and keep breakfast simple.

Once on Mykonos, the schedule becomes looser. Your driver transfers you to the hotel, and you have time to explore Little Venice and the narrow lanes of Matogiannia. The island is known for sandy beaches, beach bars, luxury hotels, nightlife, and its nickname, the island of winds.

The program presents Mykonos as the lively part of the island stay. You can shop, walk, relax at the hotel, or go out at night. The tradeoff is that the tour gives less detail about a specific beach or a particular evening plan. You will have freedom, but you will need to choose how to use it.

Delos and Rhenia add a full day on the water

The Delos trip is optional and costs extra. A driver takes you to the port, then you sail to Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

The island visit lasts about 90 minutes. You see temples, mosaics, and monuments before returning to the boat for a barbecue lunch. The cruise then continues to Rhenia, where you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply rest for about two hours.

This is a good add-on if you want ancient ruins paired with sea time. It is less appealing if you already feel worn down by the mainland schedule. Ask for the added price before committing, since the base tour includes neither the Delos excursion nor its admission costs.

Santorini delivers the classic finale

The ferry to Santorini leaves Mykonos at 2:55 p.m. and arrives around 5:35 p.m. A driver takes you to the hotel, after which you can head to Oia for sunset.

Oia is famous for its sunset, and it draws large crowds. That is not a secret or a quiet local moment. Still, the view across the caldera, white buildings, and changing sky can be worth the busy streets. Arrive with realistic expectations and plan your return, since the entire island will be moving at the same time.

Day eleven offers another optional boat trip. The cruise includes Palea Kameni’s hot springs, views of Aspronisi, the Ancient Lighthouse, Akrotiri, and Indian Rock, plus stops near Red Beach and White Beach. The latter is accessible only by boat.

A barbecue buffet includes seafood, grilled meats, salads, and desserts. The cruise finishes with an Oia sunset, so this day repeats the tour’s signature view in a different setting. Admission is not included, and the cruise costs extra.

Price, inclusions, and the value question

At $7,360.28 per person, this is a major purchase. Its value depends on how much you would otherwise spend on private vehicles, ferry tickets, hotels, airport transfers, and planning help for a 13-day route.

The price includes airport meet and greet, private mainland transport with an English-speaking driver, private transfers, fast ferries from Piraeus to Mykonos and onward to Santorini, 12 nights of accommodation, 12 breakfasts, the guided Acropolis and museum visit with tickets, and the Meteora sunset outing. Honey, olive oil, and wine tasting stops are also included.

You still pay archaeological entrance fees, listed as about 25 euros per person per site, hotel city tax, gratuities if you choose to give them, and optional Delos and Santorini cruises. The total can rise quickly if you add both boat days and several site admissions.

The strongest value is convenience. The driver and coordinator team removes much of the work from a route that is awkward to arrange independently. Dimitra, Effie, and Patty are named as contacts who help coordinate the trip, and WhatsApp is recommended for quick communication.

Who should book this tour?

Book it if you want to see a large share of Greece in one trip and prefer private transport to public buses. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value a set route, included breakfasts, hotel transfers, and help with the moving parts.

It is also a good match if ancient sites matter as much to you as the islands. You get far more than Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, with Olympia, Delphi, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Corinth, and Meteora all included.

Think twice if you want long, unplanned stays. The route has early starts, long drives, ferry schedules, and several days with multiple stops. Before paying, request the hotel names when available, confirm the room arrangement, ask for all optional prices, and budget for admission fees and city taxes.

The cancellation terms are firm near departure: cancel at least six full days ahead for a full refund, two to six days ahead for a 50 percent refund, and within two days for no refund. That makes travel insurance worth considering for a booking this expensive.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 13 days and includes 12 nights of accommodation.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins with pickup at Athens International Airport. The stated start time is 8:30 a.m.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates, with private transport and private transfers in the destinations listed.

Are flights included?

No. The tour information includes airport transfers and ferry tickets, but it does not include flights.

Which ferry routes are included?

Fast ferry tickets are included from Piraeus to Mykonos and from Mykonos to Santorini. The return ferry from Santorini to Piraeus is also part of the scheduled transportation, with a driver transfer back to your Athens hotel.

Are the Delos and Santorini cruises included?

No. The Delos excursion and the Santorini cruise are optional activities with an extra cost.

Are archaeological entrance fees included?

The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum tickets are included. Other site entrance fees are not included and are listed at about 25 euros per person per site.

What type of accommodation is provided?

The package includes 12 nights of accommodation and breakfast. Hotel names are supplied later, with an updated itinerary sent about one week before the trip.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least six full days before the start time. Cancellation two to six full days ahead receives a 50 percent refund. Cancellations less than two full days before the start time are nonrefundable.