10 days in Athens, Crete & Santorini Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Greece attractions planner
Start: New York City
Fly
1
Athens
— 1 day
Fly
2
Agios Nikolaos
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Rethymnon
— 2 nights
Taxi to Heraklion, Ferry to Fira
4
Fira
— 4 nights
Fly
End: New York City
Sat, Aug 25 - Mon, Sep 3
Edit
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
1
|
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
View full calendar
Athens — 1 day
©
The Birthplace of Democracy
One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.Start off your visit on the 26th (Sun): catch a live event at Panathenaic Stadium, explore the ancient world of Temple of Olympian Zeus, delve into the distant past at Erechtheion, then explore the ancient world of Ancient Agora of Athens, then delve into the distant past at Temple of Hephaestus, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of Kapnikarea.
To see reviews, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Athens online travel planner.
New York City, USA to Athens is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to Athens is 7 hours. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from New York City in August; daily highs in Athens reach 92°F and lows reach 77°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Agios Nikolaos.
Find places to stay Aug 26 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
Agios Nikolaos — 2 nights
©
A tour of Agios Nikolaos leads visitors through charming neighborhoods with white washed houses, squares with taverns, steep pedestrian streets, and sea as a backdrop, ideal for exploration on foot.Start off your visit on the 27th (Mon): get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre, enjoy the sand and surf at Stalis Beach, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Panagias Keras Church, and finally explore the activities along Lake Voulismeni. On the 28th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: enjoy the sand and surf at Havania Beach and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Spinalonga Beach.
To see photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Agios Nikolaos sightseeing planning site.
Getting from Athens to Agios Nikolaos by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and bus; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Athens in August, with highs in Agios Nikolaos at 85°F and lows at 70°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Tue) early enough to drive to Rethymnon.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 26 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
Rethymnon — 2 nights
©
Rethymnon combines the old-fashioned charm of a small town with proximity to long sandy beaches with all the modern conveniences usually found in big tourist resorts.Kick off your visit on the 29th (Wed): admire the masterpieces at Stagakis Cretan Lyra Workshop, then steep yourself in history at The Venetian Fortezza, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Agia Irini, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Monastery of Arkadi. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: kick back and relax at Preveli Beach, pause for some serene contemplation at St. Nicholas Church, and then explore the activities along Lake Kournas.
For reviews, photos, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Rethymnon route builder.
Getting from Agios Nikolaos to Rethymnon by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. August in Rethymnon sees daily highs of 88°F and lows of 72°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Thu) early enough to travel to Fira.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 28 — 30:
Highlights from your trip
Fira — 4 nights
©
Fira, the busy capital of Santorini, sits on the very edge of a volcanic caldera.Your inner history buff will appreciate Akrotiri LightHouse and Ancient Thera. Get some cultural insight at Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos and Santo Winery. There's lots more to do: kick back and relax at Perivolos, explore the striking landscape at Skaros Rock, examine the collection at Museum of Prehistoric Thira, and hike along Ekklisia Theoskepasti hiking trail.
For maps, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, use the Fira trip itinerary builder app.
Getting from Rethymnon to Fira by combination of taxi and ferry takes about 4 hours. Other options: fly; or do a combination of bus and ferry. In August in Fira, expect temperatures between 87°F during the day and 75°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to catch the flight back home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 30 — Sep 3:
Highlights from your trip
Crete travel guide
Great Island
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete offers travelers more than just sun, sea, and sand. Famed for its warm hospitality, outstanding infrastructure, and contrasting landscapes, the island represents one of the world's richest areas in terms of history and culture. Crete burst onto the world scene over 4,000 years ago, when it served as the center of the Minoan civilization, one of Europe's earliest organized societies. Despite the island's wealth of developed beaches, the traces of the mysterious and enchanting Minoan empire remain Crete's top attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world. The island capital Heraklion provides an ideal base for exploring a renowned Minoan palace complex, the site of Europe's oldest city.
Santorini travel guide
Wine Island
Known for dramatic views and romantic sunsets, the island of Santorini draws visitors with its long string of black, white, and red beaches. The largest and most significant of a small group of volcanic islands located just 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece's mainland, Santorini boasts just over 15,000 permanent residents. Created by a massive volcanic eruption that likely destroyed a single large island, the archipelago still features an active volcano, which saw its last eruption in the 1950s. The easiest way to explore Santorini's craggy coastline is on foot. Start by visiting the archaeological sites on the island's southwestern side, which offer a chance to discover the area's ancient past with unobstructed views of the famed volcano.
