7 Incredible Greece Contiki Tours to Do In 2023

Last Updated on March 2, 2023

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When the workplace is suffocating you, and you have that familiar itch in your feet, it’s time to take a break and search for some good Greece Contiki tours.

But where to go in this vast universe of ours? Choosing a holiday destination is one of our most enjoyable challenges, yet it may still be difficult.

Most incredible Greece contiki tours to do, aerial shot of harbor with fast-moving boat making waves in an otherwise still and clear turquoise inlet from the sea with grassy tundra surrounding it — Photo by Evangelos Mpikakis on Unsplash

If you want to go on vacation somewhere with a beautiful sea, planning a trip to Greece and Croatia is the best thing to do.

You want your vacation to be ideal, and finding a place that checks all the boxes can take time and effort.

🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. I recommend either SafetyWing or World Nomads.

There are various reasons why Greece should be your next vacation destination. Everything about the country and its thousands of islands is designed to satisfy visitors regardless of their interests.

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7 incredible Greece Contiki tours to do in 2023

One of the best aspects of Greece Contiki tours is that you can visit a hundred times and see something new each time.

The Greek archipelago consists of approximately 3000 islands and islets, more than 200 inhabited. Each island has its distinct personality, and they are all worth seeing.

The Greek Islands are Mother Nature, with craggy cliffs and powder white sand beaches. Gazing into electric blue water from the fringes of a lovely pine forest becomes routine.

To top it all off, everything is bathed in a lovely, golden light. If you want to take your Instagram to the next level in Greece, a few images on these islands do the trick.

The white-washed houses with blue or terracotta roofs seen in photographs are real, and you may see them for yourself when you visit Greece.

During these Greece Contiki tours, you will see that the Islands’ settlements atop cliffs and amid forests are breathtaking, and there are other Greek villages to visit.

You might easily spend days among them, chatting with locals and enjoying local cuisine.

💡PACKING TIP: Make sure you bring a good snorkel, water shoes and a fast-drying towel for all of the beach-going you’re about to do!

Explore the best greek islands for young travellers, stone pier in harbor with small fishing boats leading to town full of square white buildings with church perched prominently on top of hill in the centre under a clear blue sky — Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash

Tour #1 Greek Island Hopping

If this is one of your first Greece Contiki tours, you must go to Athens. You, like most tourists, are compelled to visit the Acropolis and other historic sites.

There are a few Greek destinations that are must-visit, like Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini! Each island has a distinct ambiance and something special to offer.

You will have such a lovely time that you will want to return to Greece the following year.

If you need help determining where to begin when organizing a trip to Greece, you’ve come to the correct place.

This 11-day Greek island-hopping adventure is ideal for first-time visitors. You will stay eight nights in hotels and two nights in a hostel. You might be wondering about meals.

There are ten breakfasts and three dinners included. Throughout this Greece Contiki tour, you will be accompanied by a professional trip manager and local guides.

The Ferry is used for transportation, and the group capacity is 35 people.

✈️ Book this Greece Contiki tour now

best contiki trips in Greece, landscape image of ruins at the temple of apollo under a blue sky — Photo by silversea on Unsplash

Tour #2 Spotlight on Greece

The four-day one of the best Greece Contiki tours begins with a drive through central Greece on the motorway. You will continue till you reach your target, Delphi.

During your tour of the area, you will be able to see important structures such as

Tholos of Athena Pronaia
Temple of Apollo
Treasury of the Athenians
Stoa of the Athenians
Castalian spring
Polygonal wall
Treasury of the Siphnians
Ancient Theater

During these days, you will spend three nights in hotels, eating three delicious breakfasts and two meals.

You’ll also visit the Archaeological Museum, where you’ll see remarkable collections of antiquities from the Delphi sanctuary in permanent exhibitions.

During this Greece Contiki tour, you will journey through picturesque villages and towns such as Itea, Galaxidi, and Nafpaktos (quick stop for refreshment by the sea).

You will also cross the remarkable Rio – Antirio bridge before arriving in Ancient Olympia.

The day begins with a visit to the Archaeological Area of Ancient Olympia, where, in 776 B.C., the Olympic Games were held in honor of Zeus, and the sacred ekecheiria was introduced.

The location has a great sanctuary (dedicated to Zeus) and numerous old athletic facilities.

The Temple of Hera, the Temple of Zeus, the Ancient Gymnasium, the Ancient Stadium, the Prytaneion, the Bouleuterion (Council House), the Palaestra, and many other ancient sites will be discovered.

The group size is 26 persons, and you will be assisted by a professional tour manager, driving crew, and local guides. For those passionate about history, this is one of the best Contiki trips in Greece.

✈️ Book this Greece Contiki tour now

best contiki tours in Greece for culture, greyscale image of ancient ampitheatre with many people standing around in white t-shirts and black trousers around the ampitheatre — Photo by Genny Dimitrakopoulou on Unsplash

Tour #3 Greek explorer

During this 11-day Greece Contiki tour from Athens, visit Greece’s most important UNESCO World Heritage sites.

As you can imagine, this is one of the best Contiki tours in Greece for those who love history.

An energetic and experienced guide will take you from Olympia’s iconic ancient Olympic Stadium to the majestic rock-tower monasteries of Meteora and Nafplio, modern Greece’s first city.

You’ll spend eight nights in hotels, two nights in a bungalow and ten breakfasts, and three dinners; activities and transportation are all included in the schedule.

You will start from Athens in your luxury air-conditioned coach and travel west to the strategically vital Corinth Canal, your day’s first stop.

Continue to Epidaurus and see the Ancient Theatre, which is noted for its excellent acoustics. Continue to the lovely seaport town of Nauplia.

You will spend the afternoon roaming through the medieval town of Nauplia (Greece’s first capital) or visiting the Nafplia Gallery of Art, which features paintings by notable Greek artists dedicated to the Greek revolution.

For the night, you will be sleeping at Nafplion.

You will continue your Greece Contiki tours to Mycenae. As you wander this spectacular archaeological site, you will learn about classical Greek civilization.

Visit the site and the Agamemnon Tomb. The trip will start for Olympia in the afternoon (optional stop for souvenirs and lunch).

After spending the night in Olympia, you will visit the site and the Tomb of Agamemnon.

If you wish to see the archaeological site of Delphi, one of the most important archaeological treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage site, being in this Greece Contiki tours means you have to get up early.

Enter the Delphi Museum to see countless antiquities and relics dating back to the 15th century B.C. Continue your journey to Kalabaka via Central Greece.

You will spend the night in Kalabaka. Corfu is also included in this itinerary. The transportation will be by coach and Ferry, with a group size of 16 people.

So much to do in 11 days, but we can tell you that you will have the most fun of your life.

✈️ Book this Greece Contiki tour now

Enjoy some Greek island hopping this summer, brightly painted wooden tables and chairs sitting outside on a street paved with large stones next to the turquoise blue waters of the sea with a row of densely packed holiday buildings lining the coastline and hills in the distance under a clear blue sky — Photo by Johnny Africa on Unsplash

Tour #4 Mykonos and Santorini Island Escape

Mykonos or Santorini? Why not see BOTH on your first visit to Greece? Both are the best greek islands for young travellers.

This Greece Contiki tour takes you through Santorini and Mykonos. Santorini and Mykonos are worlds apart.

Despite its reputation for nightlife, Mykonos has more natural beauty and better beaches than Santorini.

How many days should first-time travelers spend in Santorini and Mykonos? On your first trip to Greece, we recommend spending 2 to 3 days per island.

You will stay at Firostefani, a little town between Fira and Oia, instead of Fira. While it is much quieter than Fira and Oia, there is plenty of high-quality hotels, restaurants, and stores.

Many travelers have given it great ratings. You’ll have a fantastic time in Santorini.

Enjoy a refreshing cocktail at one of the outdoor bars with a spectacular view of the Caldera.

As you sip your cocktail, watch the sunset behind the Caldera.

Even though the Oia sunset is the most famous in Santorini, the sunset from Firostefani is significantly more impressive because of the interesting background, brilliant color contrast, and far fewer tourists.

Long story short, this is one of the most popular Contiki tours people choose.

✈️ Book this Greece Contiki tour now

Explore Santorini from Fira to Oia

With a view of the Caldera, wake up to a lovely buffet of made-to-order breakfast.

Don’t get too used to it… That’s why these Greece Contiki tours make people fall in love with all the places they visit!

It is so hard to say goodbye. The next thing to do is walk toward Oia after breakfast. The distance from Firostefani to Oia is just under 6 kilometers, so allow three hours for photo stops.

Wear sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.

Travel from Santorini to Mykonos by Ferry

The Greek ferry system is well developed between April and October, with many crossings between these two famous islands daily.

Your ticket will be reserved online and activated at the ferry terminal at least one hour before departure.

It’s a 2.5-hour ride with stops at two other islands. Remember that Greek ferries are only sometimes on time. The boarding process can be a little chaotic.

📸 PRO TIP: My go-to camera for all my travels is the Sony A7iii – I highly recommend it!

Discover the wonder of these lesser known Greek islands with beautiful beaches, view of coast with choppy blue sea leading to town full of square white buildings sitting in front of a tall rocky hill under a cloudy sky — Photo by David Kaloczi on Unsplash

Tour #5 Athens, Naxos, and Crete

This nine day Greece Contiki tour begins in Athens, and you will get the opportunity to view the wonders left behind by the ancient Greeks in a city that exceeds the idea of “historic.”

You will spend eight nights in motels, eat eight breakfasts, and have three meals included.

Your island-hopping adventure continues in Naxos, a classic island in the heart of the Cyclades.

Small settlements dot the island, where the residents wear traditional attire and weave on looms.

After a day of hiking the trails that lead to secluded sandy beaches, no real Naxian experience is complete without a drink of local wine.

Transportation will always be by Ferry or public transportation. And at most 16 people should be in the group.

The magnificent island of Crete is the most beautiful stop on your fantastic adventure. We know seeing as much Crete as you’d like in a single trip is challenging, so this package has a twist!

Try to sample as many Cretan delicacies as possible to learn about the culinary expertise of blending Mediterranean ingredients with oriental herbs and spices.

With your remaining days from your Greece Contiki tour, spent in both the urban Heraklion and the scenic Chania, you will be free to plan your excursions to the numerous traditional villages and towns in the surrounding area.

With this tour you are going to visit Athens, Naxos and Crete.

✈️ Book this Greece Contiki tour now

Start planning a trip to Greece and Croatia with Contiki this year, hillside covered with rows of densely packed white buildings with a mixture of flat and domed rooftops all basking in the setting sun under a clear pink and blue sky with some small clouds — Photo by Heidi Kaden on Unsplash

Tour #6 Athens to Santorini plus

Greece Contiki tours are one of the best ways to travel when you’re young.

Do you dream about picture-perfect sunsets and medieval ruins? What about delectable Mediterranean cuisine and a clear blue sea?

Begin your 8-day Grecian trip to Athens, Socrates and Plato’s birthplace.

See the attractions of this historic yet modern city on an included trip, including Syntagma Square, Hadrian’s Arch, and, of course, the Acropolis.

After seeing the historical highlights of Athens, take a trip through the lovely Plaka area for souvlaki and a stroll.

Seven breakfasts and two dinners are included, and the group size will be less than 30 individuals.

The skilled trip manager and local guides will always be with you. And, as you might expect, transportation will be provided by Ferry.

Don’t won’t waste time and begin your Greece Contiki tours adventures today with Mykonos. Let’s get started!

The boat voyage across the Aegean will leave you speechless and in love. You can join a nighttime exploration of Mykonos on a locally guided walking tour of the town’s cobbled streets.

The next stop is the Greek island of Paros. This island is one of my favourite, lesser-known islands to visit.

Paros has beautiful beaches, naturally formed bathing coves, a Byzantine cathedral, and traditional settlements.

After you visit Paros, wake up to the calm Mediterranean Sea – it’s your first full day in Santorini!

Continue your tour in the medieval town of Oia, Greece’s most photographed location and noted for its magnificent sunsets.

Take your time exploring this magical village. Small white cottages dot the mountainside, punctuated with bursts of deep fuchsia, rich okra, azure blue, oyster pink, and earthy red.

Visit the Prehistoric Museum, which displays treasures from Akrotiri and Ancient Thira sites, including the famed murals, or explore the beautiful beaches caused by the volcanic eruption.

Before dusk, take the caldera-edge pathway north to Firostefani and Imerovigli for amazing views of the sun setting over the Mediterranean Sea.

This 8-day journey to Athens and Santorini may be the perfect Greek vacation. You’ll see amazing views everywhere, from the Acropolis to the breathtaking sunsets of Greece’s most romantic island.

Maybe you have been ton other Contiki European tours, but this one is a MUST for anyone who wants to explore the Greek Islands.

✈️ Book this Greece Contiki tour now

Contiki Greece tours Athens to Santorini, back of woman's head as she looks through camera at the Parthenon at sunset — Photo by Arthur Yeti on Unsplash

Tour #7 London to Athens

The “London to Athens” Greece Contiki tour begins in London and concludes in Athens. This tour is a 17-day city sightseeing excursion that includes visits to seven countries.

You will visit Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Monaco, and two other nations. This is a 43-person guided group tour. The tour includes lodging, transportation, food, and other amenities.

Eleven nights in hostels, two nights in hotels, two nights in a special stay, and one night on an overnight boat.

You will be served 16 breakfasts (from various nations), one picnic lunch, and four dinners.

Take the scenic route from London to Athens, stop to sip wine in Contiki’s French Château, gamble at the Monte Carlo casino, and explore Barcelona’s charming Gothic Quarter.

With only six destinations in 17 days, you’ll be an expert in these countries by the journey’s end.

Travel forces us to leave our comfort zones and see, taste, and try new things.

It continuously challenges us to adapt to and explore new environments, engage with new people, embrace new and significant experiences, and share them with friends and loved ones.

As a result, each of these Greece Contiki tours will allow you to spend some beautiful days island hoping, getting to know the Greek history and eat the freshest and delicious food the country has to offer.

If you want to read more on the most beautiful islands, then click the related articles below.

✈️ Book this Greece Contiki tour now

Frequently Asked Questions

✅ What are the best Contiki tours in Greece for history lovers?

If you’re interested in Greece Contiki tours that focus on the country’s history, the best tours for you will be the “Spotlight on Greece” and “Greek Explorer” tours. You’ll get to see many of the most famous historical sites AND meet like minded people!

✅ What are the best Contiki trips for Greek island hopping?

For exploring the best greek islands for young travellers, the best Contiki tour is the aptly named “Greek Island Hopping” tour. However, other great tours for Greek island hopping are the “Mykonos and Santorini Island Escape” and “Athens, Naxos, and Crete” packages.

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