Duration
9 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Start city
Athens
Available
April 2025 / November 2025
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
Dear Traveler: thank you for choosing us to perform this Tour! We hope you enjoy your trip.
Here we give you a guidance on their tour with the information that we believe may be of your interest. The information is indicative, may exist variations on designated hours.
TRANSFER from the airport, if you have it included or purchasing. Our transfer will be waiting for you with a poster on behalf of Europamundo or its name to the output of the custom (after collecting your luggage)..
Remember to inform us by phone if you lost your connection flight or expected delay of their arrival, in your VOUCHER figure the phone of the transfer.
IMPORTANT: If you had additional nights upon arrival the hotel will have your reservation, but his travel guide normally will not be until the night before the start of the tour.
IMPORTANT:
-Remember that hotel check-in time is usually at 02:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
-If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon your arrival at the hotel. However, your trip guide will not contact you until the beginning of the included activities. At reception, you will find an information sign with the contact number and assistance hours of our staff. Your time before this is free, and the hotel staff will be happy to assist you with any information you need.
Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them
as needed to enhance the trip experience.
-Overnight on board. For your comfort, we recommend packing a small bag with essentials, as you can leave your larger suitcase in the ferry´s hold. Please bring your passport, as it may be required when boarding.
-Depending on the number of passengers, your guide may not accompany you on board. If that´s the case, a new guide will meet you upon arrival on the island.
In the morning, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Athens, visiting the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium—site of the first modern Olympic Games—the National Library, and the bustling downtown squares. The tour will end near the Acropolis. While admission to the Acropolis is not included, our guide will inform you of anything you’d wish to know. You’ll have free time afterward.
In the afternoon, we will head to the Port of Piraeus to board the overnight ferry, equipped with amenities similar to those found on cruise ships. Accommodation will be in a double cabin with a private bathroom. You will spend the night on board.
The ferry typically departs from Piraeus at 9:00 p.m. for Heraklion. We recommend enjoying the ship´s deck during, dining in the onboard restaurant, and relaxing during the journey. Please note that breakfast on board is not included.
Scenery: Beautiful Mediterranean landscapes featuring both mountains and the sea.
Our ferry from Athens will arrive in Heraklion at 07:00 a.m. We’ll disembark and have time to take a walk and enjoy a coffee before continuing our journey.
09:30 a.m. – Departure from Heraklion. We’ll follow a coastal route to the west of the island, enjoying beautiful seascapes along the way. The drive to Rethymno is 90 km (approximately one hour and 20 minutes).
11:00 a.m. - Rethymno. A beautiful coastal city with Venetian heritage, known for its impressive medieval castle. You’ll have a couple of hours to explore and have lunch.
02:30 p.m. – Departure from Rethymno. We’ll continue our journey, with just over 60 km (approximately one hour) to reach Chania.
03:30 p.m. - Chania. A captivating city with an impressive fortress and stately mansions; contested by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians, and Greeks throughout its history. The guide will inform you about the most beautiful spots to visit, and you’ll have free time to explore the city.
07:00 p.m. – Departure from Chania and return to Heraklion.
09:00 a.m. – Departure from Heraklion.
09:30 a.m. - Knossos. Our visit includes a guided tour of the Palace of Knossos, offering insights into the Minoan culture that gave rise to Greek civilization four thousand years ago.
11:45 a.m. - Departure from Knossos. We’ll travel through the island´s tall mountains, heading south towards the Libyan Sea.
01:30 p.m. - Agia Galini, a picturesque town with labyrinthine alleys, a charming fishing port, and bustling taverns. Enjoy free time to explore, have lunch, and perhaps take a swim in the sea.
06:30 p.m. - Departure from Agia Galini. Return journey to the capital of Crete.
08:00 p.m. - Heraklion. We recommend strolling through its lively historic center, brimming with activity and small restaurants.
Note: From November to April, due to the end of the summer season and business closures, we´ll visit the picturesque town of Matala instead of Agia Galini. Matala is renowned for its beautiful beach and unique landscapes of cliffs with carved caves.
09:30 a.m. - Departure from Heraklion. We’ll journey to the east of the island, passing through coastal and mountainous landscapes.
11:00 a.m. - Panagia Kera. Located in a small village amidst a rich agricultural plain, we’ll visit the 13th-century church renowned for some of the best frescoes in Crete (admission included).
12:00 p.m. - Departure from Panagia Kera.
12:15 p.m. - Arrival in Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque town with a natural port. You´ll have time for a walk and lunch.
02:30 p.m. - Departure from Agios Nikolaos.
03:00 p.m. - Arrival in Elounda, once a city-state and now a beautiful tourist enclave. Enjoy some leisure time for a stroll. Here, we’ll include a boat trip (either from Elounda or nearby port of Plaka) and admission to the Fortress of Spinalonga. This ancient Venetian fortress later served as a leprosarium for many years. The boat trip takes about 15 minutes each way, with time to explore the fortress before returning by boat. Afterwards, we´ll visit the picturesque coastal town of Plaka for coffee and a stroll.
06:00 p.m. - Departure from Plaka.
07:30 p.m. - Heraklion.
Note: Ferry schedules and frequencies vary depending on the time of year. Please check "My Trip" for the specific schedules that apply to your departure.
In the early morning, we´ll transfer to the port. Our ferry usually departs at 07:00 or 08:00 a.m. We’ll travel on a very fast, modern ferry and arrive on the island of Santorini in less than two hours.
Santorini - Arrival is scheduled for 08:50 a.m. if your ferry departs at 07:00 a.m., or 09:50 a.m. if it departed at 08:00 a.m. By bus, we´ll journey through stunning landscapes to Oia, undoubtedly the most picturesque town on the island. Enjoy its lively white streets, breathtaking cliffside views, castle ruins, and windmills. You´ll have time to stroll around and have lunch.
Afterward, we will visit Fira, the capital of the island. If you wish, you can take the cable car or ride a donkey down to the port, where cruise ships are stationed. Alternatively, you can sail to the hot springs and watch the sunset from an old, classic Mediterranean boat.
Note: Depending on the number of passengers, your guide may not accompany you on the ferry. In that case, a new guide will meet you upon arrival on the island.
Notes:
-If additional nights are requested in Athens, the transfer from the port to the hotel is not included and will need to be arranged separately.
-Depending on the number of passengers, your guide may not join you on the ferry ride.
Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night. Our guide will advise you on the best public transportation for your transfers.
If you need to book an external service (like a plane or train) on the last day of your tour, which includes activities, please note that the detailed itineraries are based on "planned" schedules and could be affected by various factors such as traffic, customer delays, mechanical issues, etc. It´s advisable not to book a flight or train with a tight schedule without considering these factors. Always allocate extra time in your schedule for unexpected events.