Athens to Santorini Tours | Intrepid Travel IE

Embark on a wonderful Greek adventure where you'll explore historical sites and bathe in the crystal waters of the Aegean sea.

Greece is one of those postcard-perfect destinations with its white-washed, blue-topped buildings, ancient temples and palaces thousands of years in the making, and golden beaches you could easily spend hours enjoying. Afraid of missing out? Take off a tour from Athens to Santorini with a group of travellers as eager to learn about the history of this fascinating country and dine on as many gyros and plates of kleftiko as you are.

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Highlights from Athens to Santorini

Sun sets over the whitewashed buildings in Santorini.

Catch an epic Greek sunset

With its geographical location, how can Greece not be up there when it comes to the best countries to watch a sunset from? Answer: it very much is. Guaranteed to captivate you (and your camera roll), a Greek sunset is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. So, prepare your eyes for the warm colours that’ll dance across the sky as the sun meets the Mediterranean waters.

Girl smiling at the camera with the Aegean Sea in the background

Party it up in lively Mykonos

If you want a relaxing Greek getaway you go to Ithaca, but if you want to let your hair down and do a couple of shots of ouzo then you go to Mykonos – Greece’s favourite party island. From beach parties during daylight hours to resort clubs that frequently feature international DJs when the sun goes down, there are plenty of party-ready places where you can get your dance on.

Traditional Greek souvlaki with onion, tomato, and lamb

Indulge in tasty, traditional cuisine

One of the things Greece is most known for is the food and with dishes such as dolmades and baklava, it’s not hard to see why. You might have eaten a souvlaki after a night out or ordered a Greek salad at a restaurant back home, but nothing compares to the real, traditional thing. Full of flavour and Mediterranean influences, you’ll leave Greece (and its cuisine) hungry for more. Literally.

A sailing boat moored off the coast of Greece.

Island hop to your heart’s content

While your final destination may be Santorini, there are plenty of other breathtaking islands to explore, and luckily for you, they’re all easily accessible by plane or by ferry. Whether you want to wander through the charming villages of Syros, visit an olive oil press museum in Naxos or explore the island of Paros through the eyes of a local, you’ll never run out of extraordinary things to do.

Learn about the ancient civilization in Athens

Pebbly beaches that give way to water as clear as the sky is blue might be what initially draws travellers to Greece, but the mainland of Athens promises astonishing sights and historical buildings that’ll boggle your mind – and the Acropolis is just the beginning. From the ancient agora with its temple ruins to the picturesque Olympeion, discover the secrets of one of the world’s oldest cities.

People snorkelling in crystal clear waters

Snorkel the sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea

Whether you’re travelling during the height of summer or when there are cooler weather and fewer crowds, the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea will always draw you in. Forget what’s happening above the surface and explore a world of fascinating marine ecosystems full of tropical fish and colourful coral as you snorkel beneath the gentle waves. Life doesn’t get much better than this.

Athens to Santorini tour reviews

Athens to Santorini FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join a trip in Greece?

Trips on or before 31 December 2022

If your Intrepid trip starts on or before 31 December 2022, you must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

Children under 18 are exempt. Children aged between 5 and 17 years old must provide proof of either vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

Do I need a visa to travel to Greece?

Greece is a member of the Schengen Convention, which means that if you travel to an EU member country or countries, like Greece, for a total of less than 90 days, a visa is not required. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, the UK and other member countries of the EU and Schengen area are included under this arrangement. Other countries do require a visa to visit Greece.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more information.

Read about travel visas for Greece

When is the best time to visit Greece?

Greece is best experienced outside of winter for most travellers. The best time of year depends on what kind of holiday you’re after – whether you’re more interested in soaking up the island sun or ancient history.

Read our regional breakdown

How can I get from Athens to Santorini?

Getting from Athens to Santorini is incredibly easy (even if you're not booked on a pre-organised tour) with a couple of transportation options available including flying (the flight time is approximately 45 minutes and can be relatively cheap) and catching a ferry (which takes around 5 hours as it stops at a few other Greek islands along the way).

How many islands are there in Greece?

There are between 1,200 and 6,000 islands in Greece with around 200 of them populated and able to be visited. Each island offers spectacular views of the surrounding seas, golden beaches to lie out on, and ancient old towns full of a fascinating history only ever read about in books.

What is Greece famous for?

Greece is famous for plenty of things considering the country's centuries-old history with things like democracy, philosophers, the Greek islands themselves, and feta cheese among the things it's most known for. Of course, Greece is memorable for other reasons as well such as the Olympic Games (the first games were held in Athens in 776BC), ouzo (an anise-flavoured liquor), and its ancient palaces and temples including the Palace of Knossos and the Acropolis.

Is Greece accessible for travellers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Though access to sights and hotels has improved in Athens over recent years, Greece is a difficult destination for travellers with disabilities. It’s a hilly, rocky place covered in cobblestones, particularly on the islands, and the economic situation has meant that there are minimal public funds to improve the situation.

If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.