2 Weeks In Greece: Our Travel Packed Full Itinerary!
My husband and I spent two weeks exploring Greece with an itinerary that we researched and created fully ourselves. And we loved every minute of it! So of course I had to create a full itinerary with pictures and tips for you all.
We started in Athens and then explored Crete, Paros, and Milos islands. They all have different pros and cultures so keep reading about what we did and our experiences to see which/if the places we visited are right for you and your trip to Greece!
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2 Weeks In Greece: Our Travel Packed Full Itinerary!
How we spend 2 exciting and fun weeks exploring Greece:
Day 1: Traveling!
This actually was about 1.5 days of travel. We left Columbus Ohio in the afternoon on a Tuesday and landed at almost midnight in Athens Greece on Wednesday. After of course 2 layovers- one in Boston MA and the other in Paris.
So when we did get to our hotel (AthensHotel.com – is the hotel we stayed at for this Athens part of the trip) we immediately crashed and slept until Thursday morning so we were refreshed and ready to start exploring!
Day 2: Athens
First up was the Acropolis. I booked us tickets online on the official website in advance. TIP: we booked the very first time slot at 8am. There was a line to get in when we arrived at 7:45 for it but the line moved so fast once the gates opened at 8 and we were able to see the Acropolis and surrounding ruins/monuments without too many crowds.
By the time we left the Acropolis around 10am it was absolutely packed! So keep that in mind- also if it’s raining it can get very slippery so keep that in mind depending on your shoe ware and your group.
Next grabbed a quick brunch at Seven Cactus’s and of course got the first of MANY Freddo Cappuccinos of the trip.
Following that we spent time exploring additional sites that are included with the Acropolis tickets. The additional sites you have 3 open days after to see the sites. We ended up doing about 2 a day for the next 3 days which I believe was better than trying to shove them all into one day!
In the afternoon we booked the coolest experience- a pottery class taught by a local pottery artist!
We loved this experience, he talked about the history of pottery in Athens. And then gave us the opportunity to slowly with a lot of guidance create our own pottery of whatever style/shape we wanted. If you get the chance to book a local pottery class in Athens I highly, HIGHLY recommend it.
Day 3: Athens
This morning started off with something that you will either love or hate… a guided run!
We booked a run with George through Viator and it was the best way to see Athens in my opinion. However, when the guide (George) and my husband told me it would only be 4k they were liars.
But even though it was an extra 5k it was so much fun!
Of course we had to clean up after the run and headed to some historical sites included with the Acropolis ticket. Below is a few pictures from our exploring:
TIP: If no one has told you yet- pack comfortable walking shoes when you go to Europe. I promise you won’t want to spend much (or any!) time in heels on the ancient streets.
We ended the evening with a distillery tour that I got no pictures from because we were enjoying ourselves too much! And then soaked up all the local liquors with a delicious dinner with a gorgeous view of the acropolis. Which you can get at wonderful restaurants you do NOT need to go to one of the overpriced rooftop bars/restaurants which also do not usually have great or local food options.
Day 4: Athens
Right away (okay after a little coffee) we started off with a guided street food tour with Athens food tours!
And overall it was so much fun. Our guide Maria was fantastic and so knowledgeable about the city both currently and the immense history of Athens. It is a lot of walking (unfortunately not everyone in our tour group realized how much!) so wear comfy shoes and be prepared with sunscreen too if you go in summer because for the most part it’s 4+ hours in the sun.
After the food tour we decided to keep exploring more of the sites from the Acropolis tickets and I want to emphasize to you all to not skip the Keramiko archaeological site. It was one that we hadn’t heard much about before but we enjoyed exploring it so much and there was literally no crowds.
And after we headed to the Acropolis museum- which is a separate ticket from the actual Acropolis but totally worth going to see and explore. It’s also a great break from the sun or rain (or both).
For dinner we were still so full from the food tour so we decided to get street gyros and let me tell you they were the best thing we ate on this trip honestly! Which is saying something!
They were so good that we went back the night before our flight when we were flying out of Athens. Never skip out on local street food guys, never! And I got the halloumi if you are wondering from the picture and I’m still dreaming about it now.
Day 5: Athens to Crete
Early in the morning we grabbed a coffee and then headed back to the Athens airport to fly to Heraklion Crete. The flight got slightly delayed so we didn’t end up getting in until around 2pm.
If you are considering an overnight ferry VS flying like we were my experiences say definitely to fly. The ferries were rougher than other places I have traveled to and taken ferries. Even the larger ones I got significantly more sea sick than I have on even small cruise ships. Below I will talk a bit more about the pros and cons of the ferries as well as some helpful tips for planning related to them!
But when we landed we immediately headed to the docks and the fortress to explore.
Then we wanted to get out of the sun we went to the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology which was terrific. The whole museum is interactive and honestly really made us think about current technology, building techniques, etc differently. It’s a small museum so you can totally squeeze it into your itinerary too.
We wrapped up our evening with a 4ish hour dinner (that’s common! Plan for longer dinners than you are used to in the United States). We went to Mezze Mezze in Heraklion and it was amazing. The owner and waitress were so fun and friendly. The food was phenomenal and the vibes were immaculate. Highly recommend!
Day 6: Heraklion Crete
We let ourselves sleep in a bit this morning and then grabbed much needed coffee before spending a few awesome hours at the Heraklion Archaeological museum. If you end up in Crete (regardless of which city) I highly recommend this museum. The collection was one of the best I have ever seen. And personally I loved the collection of ancient jewelry so much!
After we decided to grab a quick small plates style lunch and then embrace the culture and take a little nap before our afternoon/evening activities.
And said activity was an eco bike tour and wine tasting!
It was through EcoBikeGreece.gr and guys it was the most fun scheduled activity/experience that we did on the trip! The couple who run the company and do the tours (Mariana and Alex) were the most welcoming and fun people. The eco bikes themselves were a blast and the wine tasting was hands down the most informative one we have ever done.
They also have non wine related tours if that isn’t your thing as well!
But the hospitality and friendliness of the owners just really made this the best experience and seriously I hope that you consider visiting the beautiful island of Crete and getting to see the city of Heraklion through a wonderful eco bike tour!
Day 7: Heraklion Crete
For this day we spent the majority of it on a “safari”. Though I will admit that this was the only booked experience that we wouldn’t choose to do again. But it did introduce us to Zeus’s cave which was so incredible!
But lets go through the stops-
Stop 1: local farm/cooking class
This stop was mainly an opportunity to feed goats (as a girl who grow up around livestock I loved this part! I miss seeing farm animals all the time). As well as a lesson on how they used to ground up flour which was cool to see and try out. But the star of the stop was the cooking lesson by a local woman that was translated by our guide! And she made hands down the best vine leaves I have ever had.
Stop 2: Scenic overlooks and historic windmills
We stopped at a few different historic windmills, churches, and gorgeous overlooks. The island of Crete is much larger than the other Greek islands which comes with having a larger array of scenery and incredible history. I definitely recommend leaving the main cities and venturing out into the gorgeous landscape that is the rest of the island as well.
Our guide also impulsively stopped at a self service (aka honor code) strawberry stand on the side of the road and it was so cute and the strawberries were delicious. If you see any street fruit stands (or other produce) try it out!
Stop 3: Zeus’s Cave
I didn’t realize just how amazing this cave was. And if you can safely hike up and down a pretty steep mountain side then you need to visit this cave while in Crete. The ancient path is cooler but they do have a more modern paved path though it is actually steeper. There are also people offering donkey rides though personally I do not endorse those!
After climbing to the top it was around $7 Euros a person for entry- there were a lot of parents attempting to go in and out of the cave with young children and seeing their struggles I would not recommend. There was a lot of lighting out which made the steps dangerous, minimal rails, and steep stairs that were 2 ways in parts.
But as long as you feel comfy with a little adventure (and not USA level safety regulations) then please check out Zeus’s cave. It is 100% worth the trek. Oh, and make sure to ask a guide/local/ or the internet about the story of the cave. As someone who loves Greek Mythology I adored being able to walk through this cave.
Stop 4: Lunch
I didn’t include a picture because the lunch option was not my favorite and if you are a foodie or have any dietary restrictions or allergies make sure to keep that in mind when you book any all day activities with included food!
We also got to see the oldest/one of the oldest trees in the world that is over 2,000 years old. It was just down the street from the restaurant and seriously it was an awesome site to see. Imagining everything that tree has been through was amazing and so thought provoking.
Day 8: Crete to Paros
After an amazing time in Heraklion Crete we hopped on the first of 3 ferry trips and headed to the island of Paros.
This ferry was a larger one from Sea Jets (actually all 3 ferries we took ended up being Sea Jets and booked through Ferry Hopper). And it was hot and crowded like we were warned but overall a perfectly good public transportation experience. But if you have luggage you’ll need to leave it on the luggage shelves when you first enter the ferry. Because things obviously can move around while at sea I’m really glad we had an air tag stuck into both of our bags.
TIP: we also put air tags in our passport holders just to be extra cautious. Really helps to put my anxious mind at ease.
We opted to stay in a smaller village of Naousa which was stunning. You know those Pinterest pictures of the gorgeous white painted buildings, pink florals, and blue dome roofs? That was what every corner felt like. I really do recommend exploring more than just the port town on the different islands!
And one of the coolest parts of this town was that we got to stay in a fully renovated ancient windmill! Yes you read that right we stayed for 3 nights in a windmill on this gorgeous island. We stayed at the Fotilia Hotel which also was run by the sweetest and most welcoming family. And had a delicious breakfast every morning!
We spend the afternoon exploring the town-
And then opted for dinner at the Open Garden restaurant and it was my favorite meal in Paros! My husband got the fresh catch of the day and swore it’s the best fish he’s had (and he’s spent a lot of time in the Caribbean eating fresh fish!).
Day 9: Paros
Majority of this day was spent on a boat tour that was a blast!
We booked it through Viator and it was super easy to find at the main port town- but to get to the port town you either need to rent a car or take the bus if you don’t stay there. We took the bus and note guys that it will leave immediately when it’s scheduled too. So if you tend to run late keep that in mind and there is not a ton of frequency to the buses. Oh, and if you go when there isn’t staff in the bus booths you will need coins to purchase tickets from the machines!
Anyway, back to the boat tour.
We went to Antiparos and a bunch of gorgeous beaches around Paros as well. The water was a bit chilly since it was only May (but we anticipated that!) so keep that in mind if you book off season. As midwesterners we still enjoyed every minute in the water that we could and had so much fun. The other guests on the boat were also great.
And the staff cooked us all an incredible lunch on the back of the boat- the best excursion food I’ve ever had!
Also wine and beer were available along with water for drinking. We only tried the wine but others tried the local greek beers and said they were perfect boat day beers.
Day 10: Paros
We started this day walking to a beach club owned by a hotel on the beach- it was 30 euros total for comfy loungers under an umbrella. For the area that was pretty standard but there is also free public beach access if you bring your own towels/sitting supplies.
After soaking in the sun for about 6 hours we went back to our windmill hotel and cleaned up before heading to a local winery. Moratis winery was a great time- they have a ton of pre selected flights and the staff gave us a great run down of each wine and the history of the 100+ year old winery.
We also got a cheese platter with local cheese that were fantastic!
After the winery we just explored some more and ended up grabbing an Italian-greek fusion for dinner that was amazing! I love any restaurant that does fusion with local cuisine.
Day 11: Paros to Milos
We hopped on the bus back to the main town/port town of Paros so we could catch our afternoon ferry. But we decided to drop our luggage at one of the cafes offering luggage storage (it was around 5 euros a bag) so we could explore the port town more.
We started by checking out the byzantine museum and church which was well displayed and the church is still in use and absolutely stunning.
Then after grabbing lunch and some gelato it was time for our ferry ride to Milos… unfortunately it was the most boat sick ive ever gotten! There was a line for the bathrooms and people losing their lunch into doggy bags all over. My husband did research after and determined it was a combination of the rocky water that day and the smaller boat. It was the smallest of the Sea Jets fleet.
So, if you are prone to sea sickness (I’m a little but usually im fine, ive been on tons of cruises and boat tours and have always been fine with maybe a little nausea) I would seriously advise to avoid the smaller ferries!
When we arrived I desperately needed to refill my stomach (lol) so we went to Gyros of Milos for dinner which was great. I had the falafel gyros and we split the cheese fries and they hit the perfect spot.
Peep me below looking rough after that ferry ride…
Day 12: Milos
Our last “real” full day of the trip we decided to rent a car (the only time we did on the trip) so we could explore Milos more since there wasn’t frequent buses and taxis are super expensive there.
We also really wanted to try the restaurant Medusa that we had been recommended by everyone who we told we were going to Milos. And it didn’t disappoint! My husband of course got the Octopus which is what they are known for. But for me the standout was the chickpea fritters- delicious.
After lunch we headed to a kayak tour through Milos Water Sports and it was a blast.
We stopped at 3 different beaches, ate snacks provided by the guides mom, and got to navigate the kayak through really cool caves and then had an optional cave swimming experience too. Oh and they brought us to natural hot springs which I had never experienced in an ocean setting before and it was so cool.
For dinner we had worked up quite the appetite and went to Barko Tavern and tried the pine infused wine we had been told to try and it was so unique. Highly recommend at least trying it if you can in Greece!
Day 13: Milos to Athens
After our rougher ferry experience we did spend the 38 euros to upgrade for the 3.5 hour ferry from Milos to Athens and guys I had no regrets. We had room for me to actually sleep (which keeps me from getting as boat sick) and easier/better access to bathrooms and food. I am normally never someone who upgrades but this was a situation where I would recommend it too especially if you are nervous about the ferry experience.
When we returned to Athens we decided to stop by our favorite coffee shop from our first few days of the trip- Dope Coffee Roasters. I am still dreaming of their iced matcha lattes!
We also got the same street gyros and then spent the day wandering and getting lost in the bustling and beautiful streets of Athens.
Day 14: Athens + Travel
Sadly this was the final day of our trip but we made the best of the morning and got a local breakfast and walked around a bit before hopping on the train to the airport.
It’s the line 3 train but make sure to research the times before you get on if you need to go to the airport because not every line 3 goes all the way to the airport. It was about 1/4 of them from our experience.
Unfortunately we wrapped up this trip with a rough few travel days that resulted in us getting home 14ish hours later and to the US almost 24 hours later with an impromptu stay in Paris. Air France may not be my favorites right now but thankfully their partner airline Delta helped us out at the end to get us home and back to our sweet pup!
Korra The Explorer
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