With plenty to see and do, your Greece honeymoon itinerary can be as relaxed, adventurous, or historically rooted as you want. From the ancient ruins of Athens or Thessaloniki to the picturesque caldera views of Santorini and the miles of Mediterranean coastline in the country’s numerous islands, Greece offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for honeymooners. If you’re planning your romantic vacation, find my detailed Greece honeymoon itinerary for 7-days and 14-days.
Greece Honeymoon Itinerary: 7 Days
Photo: Trip Savvy // Lonely Planet // Getty Images
Day 1: Land in Athens; Hop on a ferry to Santorini.
If you’re traveling internationally, you will likely land in Athens. We decided to explore Athens at the end of the trip as we had to be back for our flight home anyway. From Athens, we booked a ferry to Santorini from the Piraeus Port (which is the most popular port for all popular Greek islands). Distance from the airport is approximately 45 minutes and we booked a private taxi, but I heard there’s also a shuttle that runs, which is an economical option.
After a 5-hour ferry, we finally reached Santorini and it was as beautiful as the pictures on Pinterest (if not more). We checked into our room at Astarte Suites which had a jacuzzi, a private pool, and a picturesque view of the Aegean Sea. The hotel staff were kind enough to decorate our room with roses and chocolates that immediately pumped up our mood. We enjoyed a quick dinner at their restaurant and called it off for the day.
Day 2: Exploring Oia
Well, I had done my fair share of research before booking the tour to Oia town. I was aware of the crowds, the unfair tipping expectation, and a general dislike towards tourists unless they were ready to shower you with $$$ (that means happily accepting the price you asked for!). So we planned to only admire the views and not stop for meals or souvenirs anywhere.
After having a good breakfast at our hotel, we took a bus to Fira and hiked to Oia. The other way around is an uphill hike. It’s a popular hike in Santorini, so expect other people on the route. I wouldn’t describe it as crowded, but the number of people increased as we inched Oia. While the town itself is gorgeous (this is where a maximum of whitewashed and blue dome buildings are photographed), it quickly becomes flooded with tourists in the afternoon just before sunset. We planned to leave before sunset, as we didn’t care much about the sunset which was honestly just as good as the other part of the island. We had reservations at Metaxi Mas (can’t recommend it enough!) and had a great meal before returning to our hotel.
Day 3: Private beach hopping tour in Santorini
We dedicated this day to beach hopping and visited Kamari Beach, Red Beach, and Perivolos Beach in a minivan accompanied by just a few more travelers. Our guide was fun and insightful. We gazed, ate, and socialized. We had a great time and definitely recommend a guided tour to save yourself the hassle of googling everything before stepping out.
Day 4: Winery tour and a romantic dinner at Kanzen
If you didn’t know, Santorini produces some of the country’s finest wines and its wine history is fascinating. A winery tour on your Greece honeymoon itinerary should be a must, even if you hop to Santorini for a day. We booked an entire day to visit traditional wineries, wine museums, and savor tapas. It all ended with a Santos winery sunset, one of Santorini’s most popular sunset spots. We headed back to the hotel afterward and dressed for our romantic dinner at Kanzen, which was just a stone’s throw away from our hotel. It’s a nice upscale restaurant and the food, ambiance, and service made the bookings worthwhile.
Day 5: Early ferry to Naxos; lounged at Plaka beach
Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades island, known for its relaxing beaches, lovely vibes, and quaint atmosphere. We took a 2-hour-long ferry to Naxos in the morning and checked into our beachfront resort – Finika Beach Hotel. After getting ready, we booked a private taxi and reached Plaka Beach. It’s one of the most gorgeous beaches in Naxos and all of Greece, really. It’s also the longest beach so the crowds are dispersed throughout the stretch. We lounged, walked, and sunbathed the entire day. In the evening, we ate at Picasso on the Beach. They have delicious Mexican food, seating, and cocktails to elevate your day at the beach.
Other alternatives at Naxos can be exploring the mountain villages, taking a catamaran tour to the best beaches, or watching the sunset at the Temple of Apollo.
Day 6: Boat trip to Rina’s Cave; Evening flight to Athens
In the morning, we took a yacht to Rina’s cave. It’s a lesser-known tourist activity so the crowds will be slim any time of the day. Rina’s Cave is a small island with azure blue waters, adventurous water activities, and traditional cafes serving Greek coffee. We stayed for around 2 hours and went back to the hotel to pack and catch our flight to Athens. We reached at night and checked into our hotel, the Royal Olympic, which had amazing views of the Acropolis. For dinner, we made reservations at Ovio, an Italian restaurant with a great selection of local wine.
Day 7: Early morning tour to Acropolis; Heading home
If there’s one thing that I have learned from my traveling experience, it is to visit the most popular tourist spots earlier in the day to save yourself from rushing crowds and long lines. Acropolis is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Greece and to avoid the masses of people who come here to admire the monument, we booked an early morning tour. We were among the first few to see the Acropolis at 8 AM (its opening time). We also visited the Acropolis Museum and Prison of Socrates, before heading to Plaka.
A lovely neighborhood in Athens, Plaka is safe, lively, and lined with cute cafes and souvenir shops. The cobblestone streets are primarily closed for automobile traffic so you can walk carelessly through this historic area. We stayed here for a good 3 to 4 hours before heading home to catch our flight.
14-Days Greece Honeymoon Itinerary
(We only stayed for 7 days in Greece and took a flight to Croatia afterward. The 14-day Greece honeymoon itinerary is just a sample itinerary that I think can work for honeymooners.)
Day 1 to Day 4: Crete
Land in Athens and take a flight to Crete, Chania airport (it’s better-rated and maintained than the Heraklion). You will land in Crete in about 50 minutes. If you’re wondering why I’ve put Athens at the last of the itinerary, it’s because you’d have to travel back here anyway for an international flight. Why check into a hotel two times? It just makes more sense to explore Athens at the end.
Coming back to Crete, it’s the largest Greek island and is often cited as the best of them all. It has all of everything and in a manner, that doesn’t deprive you of what you could possibly get on another island. Rugged landscapes, the ultimate city vibes in Heraklion, gorgeous beaches, delectable Greek food, deep-rooted traditions, cobblestone streets, remote villages, amazing mountain hikes, and more. You can spend all of 14 days here, but 3 is a bare minimum to touch the highlights of this place.
Where to Stay: Amirandes, Megaron Hotel, Grecotel Creta Palace, Cretan Dream Resort & Spa
What to See: Elafonissi Beach, Samaria Gorge, Knossos Palace, Heraklion Museum, Arkadi Monastery
Where to Eat: Gramboussa, Leventis Taverna, Piato, Kapari, Kastanofolia, Throumbi
Day 4 to Day 7: Santorini
I have been to Santorini and if you’re skeptical if the destination is “worth the hype”, then the answer is yes (in my opinion). The caldera views are unbeatable, the resorts are going above & beyond to make their interiors romantic, the food is great, and the blooming bougainvilleas make everything magical. For couples, I’d also pick Santorini over Mykonos as the latter is more of a party place with a vibrant nightlife while Santorini is quaint, lively, and inherently romantic.
From Crete, you can reach Santorini by ferry. There are no direct flights between the two islands and a ferry is the best option. It will take you about 2 to 3 hours to reach Santorini from Crete and there are multiple ferries available daily. In the off-season (November to March), options are limited.
Where to Stay: Astarte Suites, Reverie Santorini Hotel, Santorini Kastelli Resort, Cavo Tagoo
What to See: Oia (it’s worth the picturesque beauty, not the crowds & prices though; skip the sunset time, dining, or shopping here), Fira, Winery tour (particularly sunset at Santos winery), Open Air Cinema, Red Beach, Perivolos Beach
Where to Eat: Metaxi Mas, Kanzen, PK Cocktail Bar, To Psaraki, Roza’s Tavern
Day 7 to Day 9: Naxos
On Day 7 of your Greece honeymoon itinerary, travel to Naxos. The largest of the Cyclades island, Naxos is 2 hours away from Santorini and there are multiple ferries running daily. I’ve been to Naxos and it’s worth the recognition it’s finally getting. A slice of Greek paradise, minus the crowds and expensive rates, Naxos is for all those who love to travel to hidden gems on their vacation without missing out on the experiences.
Where to Stay: Finika Beach Hotel, Agios Prokopios Hotel, Aegean Palace, Nissaki Beach Hotel
What to See: Filoti Village, Catamaran to best beaches, Temple of Apollo, Venetian Castle of Naxos, Demeters temple
Where to Eat: Stella Tavern, To Elliniko, Picasso on the Beach, Doukao Restaurant, Maro’s Taverna
Day 9 to Day 11: Milos
Milos is rugged, unique, and inexpensive despite having gorgeous restaurants and resorts for travelers. From Naxos, it’s a 2-hour journey and I picked Milos over Paros because of its less touristy atmosphere, distinctive scenery, and quaint vibe. Some honeymooners do prefer Paros though, and ultimately it’s upto you to make that decision. I wouldn’t recommend more than three islands on a 14-day trip because it can be hectic and the journey through ferries itself takes up about half a day.
Where to Stay: Artemis Seaside Resort, Santa Maria Village Resort, Skinopi Lodge, White Pebble Suites
What to See: Boat tour to Kleftiko, Pollonia winery, Sikia Cave, Plaka Castle, Sarakiniko Beach
Where to Eat: Medusa, O Hamos, Zygos, Artemis, Palaios Pastry, Utopia
Day 11 to Day 14: Athens
No Greek honeymoon itinerary is complete without Athens, and you shouldn’t skip the gorgeous capital during your visit. With some of the oldest ruins in the world, marvelous attractions, and a lively food scene, Athens can be a charming city to visit for anyone on a romantic vacation.
Where to Stay: Royal Olympic Hotel, Niche Hotel Athens, Coco-Mat Athens BC, Gatsby Athens Hotel
What to See: Acropolis, Plaka, Panathenaic Stadium, National Archaeological Museum, Central Market
Where to Eat: Ovio, Efcharis, Herve, Spit Jack, CTC, Samba Coffee Roasters, Taresso, Overall Croissanterie
FAQ’s
Mykonos vs Santorini: Which one is better?
I’d recommend Santorini for a romantic vacation over Mykonos. Mykonos has a party vibe with a vibrant nightlife, while Santorini is more romantic and lively. If you’re a couple who wants a slice of that vibrant nightlife, do include Mykonos on your Greece honeymoon itinerary.
What other countries can I cover on a Greek itinerary?
Italy, Croatia, Albania, Turkey, and Bulgaria are close to Greece, but any other European city is just a direct flight away.
How many days are enough for a Greece honeymoon?
7 days Greece honeymoon itinerary is enough to touch the highlights of the country and 14 days is recommended if you want to hop 3 to 4 islands.
What is the best time to visit Greece?
The best time to visit Greece is late April, May, the beginning of June, late September, and October. The peak month os July and August
What To Pack For A Greece Honeymoon?
You can download the ultimate honeymoon packing list from my Stan Store, but here are 10 must-haves on your Greece honeymoon!
1. Comfortable shoes or sandals will help you easily navigate Greece’s unique landscape. Buy one with a good grip and comfortable soles.
2. A hat to protect you from the Sun’s rays should also be a part of your Greece packing list. Avoid in darker colors as they attract more UV.
3. High SPF, reef-safe sunscreen to protect you from UV while also being mindful of the ocean’s marine life. Try this one.
4. Travel Pillow is a must if you’re planning to hop islands in Greece. It will make naps comfortable on a long ferry ride. Try this one with memory foam for comfort and breathability.
5. Mosquito Repellent to prevent you from insect bites. It’s useful during evenings and in less-developed areas. Use one with high protection, like this one, so it works everywhere.
6. A durable backpack like the Travelon Anti-Theft backpack to prevent you from pickpockets with ergonomic design, lightweight material, and strategic compartments for easy use.
7. Travel-Sized First-Aid Kit: Given Greece’s unique, rocky landscape and rugged beaches, a travel-sized first-aid kid (like this) with antiseptic wipes and band-aids is a must.
8. Windbreaker to keep you warm and cozy on unpredictable windy days. Option 1 (for women) || Option 2 (men)
9. Quick-dry microfiber beach towel that’s lightweight, stylish, and an ideal beach companion. This one comes in many colors and has great reviews.
10. A Universal Travel Adapter: This one works great. It’s foldable, comes in impressive colors, and works in almost every country and device.
Best Greece Honeymoon Locations:
Here are some other locations to consider for your Greece honeymoon itinerary
- Rhodes (historic capital of Greece with plenty of ancient sites, gorgeous beaches with long shorelines, economical accommodations, beautiful hiking trails)
- Ios (vivid nightlife, hilly island with cliffs, unique scenery and historic sights, relaxed vibes)
- Paros (traditional Cycladic architecture with whitewashed streets, lovely beaches, great restaurants, boutique stores)
- Zakynthos (verdant landscape, picturesque cliffs, sea caves, less to do besides the beaches)
- Corfu (rugged landscape, resort-studded shoreline, crystal-clear waters, lush hills)
- Thessaloniki (Port city, close to Athens, ancient ruins, culturally rich)
- Mykonos (whitewashed buildings, stunning scenery, vibrant nightlife, world-class bars & stays)