7 Days in Greece: The Best Itinerary

You’re traveling to Greece and you’re looking for the best 7 days Itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared this detailed 6, 7 or 8 days itinerary in Greece. During your trip, you will discover Central Greece must-see attractions.

Quick note: If you prefer to visit Athens and Santorini island during your trip, you should rather read my other itinerary: How to visit Athens and Santorini in 1 week.

In this travel guide, in addition to the best places to visit, you will find a list of the best accommodations depending on your budget. And as always, I will also give you all my best tips to make the most of your stay!

So, what are the best things to do in 7 days in Greece?

1) Athens (2 days)

To visit Greece in 7 days, you will directly land in Athens, the Capital.

The international airport is about a 50-minute drive from the city centre. For the first 2 days of this 7 days trip to Greece, you don’t have to rent a car, as you can easily visit Athens on foot.

However, you will need a car for the rest of your itinerary. You can rent your car at the airport on your first day, so you won’t have to come back later to get it. But if you prefer to save 2 days of rental, just pick up your car in the morning of the 3rd day.

In any case, when you rent a car in Athens, you should use the website Rentalcars.com. I’m using it everytime I need to book a car for 3 reasons:

• On Rentalcars.com, you can compare prices between all the rental companies located at Athens’ Airport. You can also see the customers reviews.
• You can choose the “Full Protection insurance” when booking. It allows you to get complete excess refund in case of car accident or theft.
• You will get free cancellation or modification.
• They have the “best price warranty”: if you find the same car cheaper somewhere else, they will refund you the difference!

Click on the button below to compare car rental prices:

So, if you’ve already rent your car, it will be easy to go to your hotel.

If not, you will have 4 choices to go to the city centre:

• By taxi for 40€
• By metro, using the line 3 (the blue one). The best option to avoid traffic jams!
• By bus, with the X95 line. It goes straight to Syntagma Square, Athens’ central square. It’s the cheapest option, but not the fastest.
• By using an airport shuttle service, if your hotel have one. Don’t forget to ask them if this service is available.

Now that you’re in Athens’ city centre, it’s time to discover Greece’s capital city.

When visiting Athens during a 7 or 8 days itinerary in Greece, you have to start with its most famous tourist attraction: The Acropolis.

Built on the top of a hill and overlooking the city, you can see the Acropolis from almost everywhere in Athens. Visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site is totally worth it!

The best preserved and restored monument is the Parthenon. Dedicated to the goddess Athena, it was one of the first building to be entirely built with white marble.

On the site, you will also admire 2 other temples, also dedicated to Athena, as well as a theatre and an amphitheatre.

And, if you want to learn more about Greece’s rich History, you have to visit The Acropolis Museum. There, you will discover the numerous remains found on the site. Don’t forget to go to the top floor terrace, to admire the magnificent view of the Parthenon.

To avoid waiting in line, you can directly get a skip-the-line ticket for the Acropolis Museum here:

You can also visit the Museum first. It can help you understand the historical context before going to the Acropolis!

It will now be time to have a lunch break. Plaka district, located on the foothill of the Acropolis, is full of restaurants and taverns!

For example, you can try the Liondi Traditional Greek Restaurant, just in front of the Acropolis Museum. Here, the typical Greek food tastes amazing. It’s so much better than some tourist traps you can find in the neighborhood.

If you don’t want to stop and eat in a restaurant, you can discover the traditional Greek sandwich: the chicken or pork Gyros. With an ice cream, or a Greek yoghurt for dessert, it was my typical lunch during my trip to Greece!

Then, start your afternoon with a walk in Plaka district, one of the oldest of the city. You will find many souvenir shops, but the place still looks picturesque.

After that, go to the Ancient Agora, for your 3rd visit of the day. The Agora was Athens’ main square in the ancient times. There, you will discover the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best preserved doric temple in Greece.

You can also visit The Agora Museum, to help you picture what the site looked like in the classical Antiquity. It mainly houses statues discovered on the site.

At the end of your visit, go to Monastiraki district. This neighborhood is well-known for its many and varied shops. It feels a little like the Arabic souks! You will find everything you need: clothes, shoes, jewellery and souvenirs.

It will now be time to go up to Philoppapos Hill and watch the sunset over the Acropolis. On the top, you will enjoy a panoramic view of all Athens up to the Port of Piraeus!

If you’re not too tired and you feel like going out at night, you can end your 1st day in Greece in Gazi district. This is where you will find all the trendy bars and night clubs, and where everyone goes to party!

Spend a night in Athens.

The next morning, continue your 6-7-8 days in Greece with your 2nd day in Athens.

Your 1st stop will be the Panathenaic Stadium, or Kallimarmaro. Built in the 4th century B.C, this stadium was hosting major sporting events, like track and field competitions, chariot races and gladiator fights. The stadium was renovated to host the 1st Modern Olympic Games in the 19th century.

For 5€, you can access the inside of the stadium, the bleachers and the track. If you don’t want to pay, just go to the public park next to the stadium. There, follow the path to the top of the bleachers, and enjoy the view of the Acropolis.

After that, just walk 5 minutes and have a brief stop at the Arch of Hadrian and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Then, you can enter Zappeion Park and the National Garden (they are actually the same park) to enjoy some greenery.

Head to Syntagma Square, to attend the Changing of the Presidential Guard. This must-see attraction in Athens takes place every hour. You will be amazed by the traditional costumes of the guards (the Evzones), with skirts, white tights and pompom shoes!

On the square, you will also see the House of Parliament, the center of Greece’s political life.

Then, go to Ermou Street. Located right in front of Syntagma Square, it’s the place to be for shopping lovers! You will find here all the big international brands, like Zara or H&M.

If you go straight to the end of Ermou Street, you will be back in Monastiraki district. As you have already seen it on your 1st day, you should continue with a visit of Athens National Archaeological Museum. There, you will see amazing collections of ancient objects, from the Neolithic era to the end of the Roman period! The golden Mask of Agamemnon is one of the most famous pieces.

To end this great day in Athens, go up to Mount Lycabettus, one of the most famous point of views to watch the sunset over the Acropolis and the city. You can reach the top of the hill by foot, or using the cable-car.

Spend another night in Athens.

If you want more details about the things to see in Athens, you can read my article: Visit Athens: the 20 best things to do and must-see attractions

Where to stay in Athens

• Bedbox Hostel: A Youth Hostel located 300m from Monastiraki Square, and 700m from the Acropolis. Dormitory room starting from 18€ per night. Strong points: the location, the really kind staff and the cleanliness!
• Evripides Hotel: Located 400m from Ermou Street and 500m from Monastiraki. The rooms are simple but comfortable, starting from 70€ per night, with breakfast included. What I loved: the breathtaking view of the Acropolis from the rooftop, the location (perfect to visit Athens on foot) and the friendly and helpful staff! A great choice in Athens for its exceptional value for money!
  
• Amalia Hotel: Located on Syntagma Square, just in front of the National Gardens. The double rooms are modern and spacious. Some of them even have a balcony with a nice view of the gardens. The price starts at 155€ per night with breakfast included. Strong points: The comfort, the generous breakfast, and the location in the centre of Athens.
• Wyndham Grand Athens: 5-star Hotel located 1km from Ermou Street and 1.5km from the Acropolis. You’ll love the elegant and design double rooms here, starting from 200€ per night. Breakfast will cost you 16€. Strong points: the outdoor pool on the roof, the view of the Acropolis, the spa center, and the location right next to a metro station!
• Electra Metropolis: This 5-star hotel is located only 200m from Syntagma Square and 600m from the Acropolis. The price for a spacious and comfortable double room starts at 270€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the ideal location, the view of The Acropolis from the rooftop, the amazing restaurant, the pool. The best choice for a luxury stay in Athens!

2) Mycenae/ Epidaurus/ Nafplio (1 day)

Now that you have visited some of Athens must-see attractions, you can start your 7-day road trip in central Greece.

Get in your car, or go pick it up at the airport. It’s time to discover Peloponnese region!

Your first stop, the Corinth Canal, is located about 1h drive from Athens. Carved into stone, this impressive canal is very high and narrow. The biggest boats crossing just have a few centimetres of margin!

And for an exceptional experience during your itinerary in Greece, you can also do a 70m bungee jump over the Corinth Canal!

Then, take back your car for a 40-minute drive to Mycenae. Known as one of Greece’s most ancient site, Mycenae was the home of King Agamemnon, a Trojan War hero.

In Mycenae, you can visit the Royal Palace (also known as Agamemnon’s Palace), the Tholos Tombs, and an archaeological museum. As you remember, Agamemnon’s golden mask is not in Mycenae, but in the Archaeological Museum of Athens.

The entrance fee costs 12€, but I must warn you: the site is mostly in ruins. You will need a lot of imagination to picture what it looked like during the ancient times! If you are not an old stone lover, you can directly go to the next site.

After Mycenae, drive to another major archaeological site of Peloponnese: Epidaurus. It’s located 45 minutes away from Mycenae.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its ancient theatre, an architecture masterpiece. Built in the 4th century B.C, it has an exceptional acoustic. If someone drops a coin in the centre of the scene, another person located on the last seat row will hear it perfectly!

In Epidaurus, you will also find a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medecine. The site was an ancient pilgrimage site, and many sick people came here to ask for a miraculous healing. There is also a small archaeological museum.

Only the theatre is well preserved. The rest of the site is mostly in ruins, and surrounded by scaffolding.

Now, it’s time to drive to your last stop of the day, the lovely city of Nafplio, located a 30-minute drive from Epidaurus.

Nafplio is a small city, located on the sea side. The town is divided in 2 parts: a modern town, and an old town with its picturesque alleys. There, you will enjoy a pleasant walk.

You can also see 3 fortresses:

• The castle of Bourtzi, located at the entrance of the port.
• The ruined castle of Acronaflplia, with its nice view over the city and the Bourtzi. Easily accessible by car, it will take you only 5 minutes to drive there and enjoy the view.
• The Palamidi fortress, overlooking the city. It’s by far the biggest and the most impressive of the 3! But don’t visit it yet, it’s on your next day’s schedule.

To end your day, go to Arvanitia beach, a small and nice pebble beach. The place is ideal to go sunbathing and swimming, and you can also rent deckchairs and beach umbrellas. Get some rest, there is a big day on the road awaiting you the next day.

Spend the night in Nafplio.

Where to stay in Nafplio

• Agamemnon Hotel: Located in Nafplio’s old town, just in front of the Bourtzi Castle. The double rooms, with a balcony and sea view for some of them, are starting from 55€, with breakfast included. Strong points: the location, the view, the kind staff.
• Amymone and Adiandi Hotel: Located 5 minutes away from the beach, in the old town. You will love the elegant double rooms, starting from 75€ including breakfast. What I loved: the delicious breakfast, the location on a pedestrian alley, the rooms’ original and nice design. It offers the best value for money in Nafplio!
• Amalia Nafplio Hotel: Located about 2km away from the city centre. The luxurious and comfortable double rooms are starting from 110€ per night, with breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the free private parking, the quietness, the varied breakfast.
• Nafplia Palace Hotel & Villas: This 5-star hotel is only 5 minutes away from the beach and 15 minutes away from the city centre. The rooms are large and modern, with balconies and the offer a great views of the sea and the castle. Price starts from 260€ per night. If you want an even more luxurious stay, you can sleep in a villa with its private pool, starting from 570€ per night. It’s my favorite hotel in Nafplio, perfect for a luxury stay!

3) Palamidi Fortress/ Monemvasia (1 day)

To continue your one week in Greece itinerary, start your day by visiting the Palamidi fortress, in Nafplio.

Try to get there early, as you will have to drive quite much during the day.

You can directly park your car at the entrance of the fortress. The site is quite big and well built, with many strongholds. The viewpoints on the sea and Nafplio are really amazing. The entrance fee is 8€, and it will take you between 1:30 and 2 hours to visit the fortress.

Get back in your car, it’s time to go to Monemvasia. This village, located 3h drive from Nafplio, is one of the best places to visit in Peloponnese. Don’t worry, it goes quite fast, as the landscape is amazing.

Monemvasia is located on a huge rock, only connected to the mainland by a small road on a dike. You will find parking spots at the end of the road. You should park your car here, then take the 1€ shuttle to the entrance of this pedestrian village. You can also walk, it will take you only 15 minutes.

The village of Monemvasia is completely hidden by the cliff until you cross the fortified gates. Built under a cliff, the city was a natural stronghold during Barbarian invasions, or during the many wars against the Franks or the Turks.

Today, you will walk down the village’s paved alleys, and enjoy a lot of bars, craft shops and local products shops. On the main square, you can admire a church and a cathedral.

From the bottom of Monemvasia, you can take one of the walking trails to go to the fortress located on the top of the cliff. There, you will enjoy a splendid bird’s-eye view over the city roofs and the sea.

After Monemvasia, get back in your car and drive for around 1h30 to go to Mystras. This way, you will be close to the site of your next day’s visit!

Spend a night in Mystras

Where to stay in Mystras

• Byzantion Hotel: Located just across Mystras’ main square. The simple but comfortable rooms offer a view on the Archaeological site. Price starts from 55€, breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the view, the private parking lot.
• Mazaraki Guesthouse: Located close to Mystras’ Archaeological Site and surrounded by nature, this place offers large and warm suites with balcony, starting from 115€ including breakfast. What I loved: the pool, the environment, the decoration, and the breakfast served in your room.
• Arxontiko Taygeti: This Guesthouse is located only 5km away from Mystras’ city centre. The duplex suites, with a kitchen, a living room and a balcony with a beautiful mountain view are starting from 160€, with breakfast included. Strong points: the calm, the kind staff, the environment. You will also find everything you need for breakfast in your fridge!
• Mystras Grand Palace Resort: This 5-star hotel is located only a 5-minute drive from Mystras. This brand new hotel offers rooms with stone walls, exposed beams and terrace, starting from 180€ per night including breakfast. What I loved: the pool, the hot tub, the sauna, the comfortable rooms, the calm. It’s the best choice for a luxury stay in Mystras!

4) Mystras/ Olympia (1 day)

Let’s continue this 7 days itinerary in Greece with one of the places I enjoyed the most when visiting the country: Mystras.

The archaeological site is located only 5 minutes from the city centre. There are 2 distinct entries, with 2 parking lots: one for the upper city, and one for the lower city. You should start with Mystras’ upper town.

This ancient fortified city was once the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Now, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the upper city, you will discover the fortress. From the highest point of the site, you will enjoy a magnificent panorama on the surrounding plain and the city. Then, go down the stairs to see the Agia Sofia Church, the Palace of the Despots and the small palace.

To continue your visit, take your car back and park near the entrance of the lower city. They will ask for your entrance ticket again to enter the site, so don’t throw it away!

In Mystras’ lower city, you can visit several churches, monasteries and convents, with one still inhabited by nuns. Don’t miss:

• The Pantanassa Monastery
• The Peribleptos Monastery
• The Brontochion Monastery
• The church of Agios Theodoros

In my opinion, Mystras is one of the most beautiful places in Peloponnese. The constructions are perfectly restored, and the site is located in the heart of nature. It’s simply beautiful.

Plan at least 3 hours for your visit, the site is really big!

Now that you have visited Mystras, it’s time to go to Olympia. This other major ancient site of Peloponnese is located 2 hours from Mystras.

If you visited Mystras during 3 hours, and then drove for 2 hours, you should be in Olympia around 3 or 4 p.m. You will have enough time to visit this UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site.

Olympia is the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. They were hosted here every 4 years between 776 B.C and 393 A.D. Athletes were competing in wrestling, discus throw and chariot races. The winners were considered as heroes!

I must warn you, it will take you some imagination to picture what the site looked like with its gymnasium, temples or sports facilities. Luckily, there are many explanatory signs on the site to help you.

If you visit Olympia at the end of the day, it will be less crowded, and you will take better pictures, as the luminosity is often perfect.

The 12€ entrance ticket includes an entrance to the Archaeological Museum. There, you will see ancient objects and statues found in Olympia. Don’t hesitate to visit the museum before the archaeological site, it will be easier to picture what the place looked like.

If you still have time, your entrance ticket also includes the Olympic History Museum. You can know everything about of the Olympic Games history and organization, with all the different sports and events. All the explanations are available in English.

Spend a night in Olympia

Where to stay in Olympia

• Leonidaion Guesthouse: Located only 10-minute walk from the Archaeological site of Olympia. The large and comfortable double rooms are starting from 55€ per night, including breakfast. What I loved: the free private parking lot, the location close to the site, the quietness. It’s the best value for money in Olympia!
• Amalia Hotel Olympia: Located at the city’s entrance. The large and bright rooms, with balcony or terrace are starting from 80€, with breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the very tasty breakfast, the kind staff, the free fruit basket and water in your room.
• Arty Grand Hotel: Located on a hill overlooking the city, this 5-star hotel offers modern double rooms, with a small living room and a balcony, starting from 95€ per night including breakfast. Strong points: the huge outdoor pool, the indoor pool, the environment. It’s the best hotel for a luxury stay in Olympia!

5) Delphi (1 day)

Let’s continue your 7-8 days trip to Greece. You are about to leave the Peloponnese to visit the last archaeological site of your stay: Delphi.

In my opinion, Delphi is the best ancient site in Greece!

It will take you 3h15 to drive to Delphi from Olympia. During your journey, there will be many nice places where you can stop:

• Kalogria Sandhill a large sand beach, surrounded by dunes and pine trees. You can have a lovely walk here!
• Gianiskari Beach: follow the track to find this very nice sand beach. The place is really quiet, with only a few tourists.
• Nafpaktos: a nice seaside town with 2 large beaches, bars and a small port. This is a perfect place for your lunch break. You can also visit a castle located on the hill. There, you will enjoy a beautiful view over the bay and the Charilaos Trikoupis bridge. (entrance fee is 2€)
• Galaxidi, an other small seaside village with some cafés and restaurants, where you can walk along the harbour and in the pine forest.
• Between Nafpaktos and Galaxidi, the seaside road is really nice, with several beaches to go swimming.

When you arrive in Delphi in the afternoon, start with the visit of the Archaeological site, located just outside the city. You can park your car in the parking lot.

This ancient site, located in the middle of the mountains, is one of the most famous in Greece. There, the Pythia (the oracle of Delphi) transmitted Appolo’s directives from the gods to humans. The city was considered to be the centre of the world by ancient Greeks. During 6 centuries, Greek History was strongly affected by the interpretations of the Pythia’s prophecies.

Erected on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a breathtaking view over the mountains and valley. During your walk, you will admire the Temple of Apollo, the theatre and the stadium.

The 12€ entrance ticket includes the visit of the museum located on the site. There, you can discover the ancient objects and statues found in Delphi.

For your lunch break in Delphi, you should try the Taverna Vakhos. The menu is quite different and more upscale than in the other restaurants, for an identical price. The food was copious and delicious. It’s better to book it in advance.

Where to stay in Delphi

• Fedriades Delphi Hotel: Located a 10-minute walk from the ancient site of Delphi. The modern double rooms with balcony are starting from 55€, and you have to add 8€ for breakfast. Strong points: the panoramic view, the high quality beds, the kind staff.
• Kastalia Boutique Hotel: Located only 5 minutes from Delphi. You’ll enjoy large and modern double rooms, starting from 62€ including breakfast. What I loved: the terrace, where you can have your breakfast, the warm welcome, the location. It’s the best value for money in Delphi!
  
• Nidimos Hotel: Located only 1km from the archaeological site. The bright and comfortable double rooms with balcony are starting from 65€ per night, with a 10€ breakfast. Strong points: the various and copious breakfast, the free parking lot, the beautiful view.
• Amalia Hotel Delphi: Located 800 meters from the archaeological site. Modern and bright double room offering a nice view up to the sea starting at 90€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the large swimming pool, the view. The most high-end hotel in Delphi!

6) Return to Athens (1 day)

This 7-day tour in Greece is already over. Unfortunately, you have to drive back to Athens!

Going to the airport will take you around 2h30.

Depending on your flight’s time of departure, how about a last walk in Athens, to complete your souvenir shopping? You can also go to one of the many beaches located nearby.

Greece Tours

On Voyagetips.com, I give you all my best tips and itineraries to plan your trip to Greece by yourself. (Click here to read all my articles about Greece)

However, if you prefer to book a Greece tour with a travel agency, I recommend you to check the 10 best Greece tours by clicking the button below:

Renting a boat in Greece

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your trip to Greece, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental.

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Greece? 😊

Now you know how to spend 7 days in Greece! If you have any questions about planning your 6, 7 or 8 days itinerary in Greece, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section.

Greece travel guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Greece guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Greece guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling to Greece ? These articles will help you !

Discover all my articles about Greece: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Greece are listed there.

• The 20 Best Things to do in Greece – The Ultimate Bucket list!
• The 15 Best Things to do in Peloponnese – All the must-see attractions

• Itinerary: 1 week in Greece – The best Itinerary to visit Athens + Santorini!

• Athens: The 20 Best Things to do and see

Cyclades (Greek islands)

• The 15 Best Cyclades Islands to visit – With all the must-see attractions

• Itinerary: 1 week in Greek islands – How to visit the Cyclades in 6, 7 or 8 days

• Amorgos: The 8 best places to see
• Andros: The 7 must-see attractions and activities
• Naxos: Top 10 things to do
• Paros: The 10 best places to visit
• Santorini: The definitive guide
• Tinos: The 10 best things to do

Dodecanese

• Rhodes: Top 12 best places to visit

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