Get off the beaten track with this journey from Athens to the Greek Islands. This Greek vacation takes you to Athens to explore the Acropolis and its historical treasures before visiting Naxos, Ios, and Paros, lesser-known islands that offer plenty of opportunity to swim, hike, and enjoy the charms of pastoral Greek life. 

This 10-day Greek vacation takes you from Athens to lesser-known islands, Naxos, Ios, and Paros.

Your Greece vacation begins in Athens, the Greek capital and one of the world’s great historical cities. As the city was the center of Ancient Greece, you’ll want to spend most of your time exploring the remnants of the ancient world. Focus your time on the Acropolis, which is home to the Temple of Athena Nike and the iconic Parthenon, and fit in the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympics were held in 1896, if you have time. Also be sure to explore the narrow streets of its oldest neighborhood, Plaka, and enjoy the nighttime views of the Acropolis, when it illuminates the city from its central hill.

From Athens, journey to Naxos, the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades. The island’s high mountains attracts ample rainfall, which transforms the island into a green wash of olive trees and vineyards. Spend your time exploring the main city, Hora, with its picturesque waterfront, and hiking to Mt. Zeus, the highest mountain in the Cyclades, if you feel up to the task. You can also spend your time exploring the isolated mountain villages that dot the landscape. Before you leave, be sure you’ve visited the door-like ruins that make the island famous.