Explore the best of Mediterranean scenes in our 5 days in Greece itinerary
Want to discover Greece in a short span of time? Then buckle up for a new adventure, as you travel down to some of the quaintest towns of Greece in this short Greek vacation.
Greece, the Mediterranean bliss, is one of Europe’s perfect getaways to relax and experience coastal life. As we all rightly know, Greece is all about exploring the famous locations of Santorini, Mykonos, Hydra, and Para. But why not break the cycle? And gain a whole new discovery?
This guide is curated considering a new possibility, niche way of exploring the Greek Isles and its mainland. The itinerary designed, will take you through some of the gorgeous, under-rated towns and scenic areas. At the same time we ensure, the activities & experiences you do in your Greek vacation remain blockbuster.
Overview of 5 Day Greece Itinerary
This 5-day Greek itinerary is designed considering leisure excursions and activities you could do in a short span of time. Often, travelers look for itineraries that take less time to travel, but more opportunities to seek. Exactly what this Ancient Greek vacation offers.
Highlights of 5 Days in Greece –
- Explore the Corfu Old Town
- Excursion to Agni Bay and Cape Drastis
- Discover monasteries & monoliths at Meteora
- Visit the Archaeological Site of Delphi
- Journey to Athens highlights
The below itinerary boasts excellent touristic moments for visitors who want to travel to off-beaten places of Greece. You’ll start your tour from Corfu – one of the stunning most locations of Greece – and will then end it in the capital city – Athens.
All the activities & attractions mentioned in our 5-day Greece itinerary can be done in a simple, relaxed way. However, if you feel to explore more out of a certain place– then feel free to customize this itinerary. You can chip in additional days, discover optional tours and venture beyond the off-beaten path.
If you wish to book the exact same tour, then you could do so – by visiting the G Adventures website. You will even find other best Greece trip itineraries, uniquely designed tours, and add-on experiences for purchase, along with this itinerary.
Essential Planning Tips for 5 Days in Greece
Before moving to the itinerary part, it’s important to understand a few essential planning points prior to booking any Greece vacation. This is just a high-overview of certain travel tips – but I’ll ensure to link you through some additional resources & helpful guides.
Best time to visit Greece: The islands of Greece and its mainland, is known for their glorious summer weather. Temperatures are blazing around the mid-30s, with mild sunshine and clear blue skies. So ideally, May to September is the best time to visit Greece. It’s also the peak season of travel, so expect crowded tourist centers and bustling attractions. If you prefer a peaceful Greek vacation, then I would suggest booking a Greece tour between April and June. The weather might be a little chillier, especially in the island areas. Try and avoid the Easter week the best you can, as it’s the peak season for domestic travel.
Visa & Documentation: Visa requirements will differ from country to country. But, all countries will require a valid passport (6 months of minimum validity) & a Schengen Visa to enter Greece. For more details, visit the website.
How much does a Greek vacation cost: If you’re specifically traveling to Greece during the peak season, then the entry fee for all attractions will reach its high point. All of them need to be booked well in advance to avoid any hassles. An average weeks’ vacation to Greece can cost you approx. $800-$900. This is just an indication considering previous traveling data. Your tour price will heavily depend on the choices you make for your trip. Factors like accommodation, inter-travel, meal expenses, and optional activities should be considered when planning.
Note: Our 5 days in Greece itinerary will cost you approx. $700. You can book a similar tour around this price range through the G Adventures website. The price indicated can change depending on the dates/season you travel, and also on the optional activities you choose.
5 Days in Greece Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 | Corfu
There are literally hundreds of places across Europe, that seem little under-rated, or under-appreciated. Corfu Island is one of those.
Coming from my own travel experience, Corfu is one of the best Greek Islands you can visit. It has got everything you need, right from a range of classic activities to unbeatable experiences.
Since the itinerary is only for 5-days, I had to keep Corfu for only an overnight stay. However, there are plenty of things you can still do while exploring this island.
Things to do in Corfu, Greece –
Visit the Corfu Old Town – The Old town is loaded with walkable streets and narrow alleyways, making you venture between the stunning Venetian and Neoclassical houses. It’s probably one of the best ways to discover the highlights of the island’s main tourist attractions. Do check out both the fortresses – the New to the west and the Old to the east. Later, discover some canal bridges and visit other popular places like the Church of St George and the 19th-century British barracks. You can spend a couple of hours exploring the Corfu Old Town.
Explore Agni Bay – A 45-minute drive from the main town will take you to a pretty-little gem – Agni Bay. This will be a wonderful experience if you love interacting with locals and indulging in their day-to-day activities. This historic fishing village boasts excellent coastline views, seafront tavernas, and great viewpoints. You can simply dip in the warm waters or treat yourself to a nice local Greek seafood.
Excursion to Cape Drastis – An hour’s drive from Agni Bay will take you to the northernmost points of Corfu Island – Cape Drastis. It’s commonly said, that if you’re in Corfu – never miss a visit to Cape Drastis. It’s rightly said so because this dramatic cliff is one of the fantastic places to visit in Greece. It kind of reminds you of the ‘Jurassic Coast’ in the UK, which shares similar features. Well, good for you, that you can see the same in Greece. My favorite time to visit Cape Drastis was during a bright sunny day. This is how you can truly appreciate the sweeping views of the Mediterranean.
The above-mentioned ones are the must-visit places in Corfu. Make sure you plan your day accordingly. Moreover, if this doesn’t suit you – then you can also check out Vlacherna Monastery, St. George’s Church, Loggas Beach, and Porto Timoni.
Practically, it’s impossible to cover all of them in just one day. However, if you want you can extend your 5 days in Greece itinerary to make sure you visit other popular places as well.
Explore: Find out more about Corfu’s top accommodation, restaurants, and things to do.
Day 2 | Corfu – Meteora
Make an early checkout from your hotel, and get ready to embark on a scenic journey to Meteora. The total time to reach your next location will be approx. 5 hours. You’ll need to take a ferry from Corfu to Igoumenítsa, then drive to reach Meteora.
If you thought Greece was all about island hopping, then you’re slightly wrong! Meteora looks like a different world altogether. The dramatic landscapes, bizarre rock formations, and perched atop monasteries – are just some of the many highlights of Meteora.
There were once 24 monasteries at Meteora, but that number is now all gone with passing time. Today, you can still see six monasteries nestled on those high rocks, almost being like a picture-perfect postcard.
In Meteora, you get a complete full day to visit some top highlights. You can discover the ones suggested below or opt for guided excursions for self-exploration.
Visit the Great Meteoron Monastery – If there’s one monastery at Meteora you should visit, then it’s the Great Meteoron Monastery. It is the biggest built structure, set across the stunning landscape of Meteora. Along with a visit to this monastery, you can also explore the in-built museum which displays religious icons and traditional books. Furthermore, you can visit the tombs of both Athanasios and Ioasaph. If you need to explore other monasteries along with the Great Meteoron, then this half-day guided tour from Kalabaka will help.
Hike the Monasteries and Monoliths – Driving to the popular monasteries of Meteora is a common activity, but hiking between the hills through rugged lands and lush-green mountains is a real pleasure. One of my favorite things to do was to explore the abandoned monasteries and lesser-known sights by taking an early-morning hike. You can surely take on these trails late in the afternoon, and ensure you pay a good visit to this gorgeous landscape.
Sample wines – Your Greek trip is incomplete without relishing some of the finest, most classic wines. Make a visit to the Theopetra vineyard, located near the prehistoric cave of Theopatra, and discover how wines are cultivated in this region. Ensure that you try the famous Tsipouro – a strong Greek spirit. For bookings & prices, visit the tour operator site.
Live the local life – The best way to truly appreciate Greek culture is to live the local life. Kalabaka, the main city of Meteora, is a perfect way to indulge in local-life experiences. Savor some gastronomical delights at Meteoron Panorama Restaurant and dance the Greek way to soothing instrumental music. Meet and greet locals around the market area, and learn inspiring stories from them.
Overnight at Meteora.
Day 3 | Meteora – Delphi
It’s time to travel to southern Greece and pay a visit to one of Greece’s iconic locations – Delphi. The journey from Meteora to Delphi will be 4-5 hours.
Delphi – one of the most significant archaeological sites of the ancient Greek world – is truly a fascinating place one should visit. Delphi, in all its mightiness, is a lifetime experience. This UNESCO Heritage site is home to the ancient naval, the legendary Oracle of Apollo, and the Pythian Games. If you are unfamiliar with the importance of these sites, touring Delphi will ensure you’re occupied with enough knowledge.
There are plenty of things to do in Delphi. Honestly, I won’t do any justice shoving everything in a single day. Since the itinerary is customizable, I’d urge you to extend your stay at Delphi to explore all of its historical sites. However, for now, these are my top recommendations to do on a full-day trip to Delphi.
Things to do in Delphi, Greece –
Visit the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia – The first sanctuary any visitor would see at Delphi is the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. You’ll see many buildings and structures at this historic sanctuary, but Tholos is the most photographed spot. It’s usually crowded with visitors, however, you can avoid the crowd by making an early visit.
The Treasury of Athens – As you ascend the Sacred Valley, you’ll come across a small temple-like structure, which houses dedications and votive offerings to the sanctuary of Apollo. Being a symbol of Athenian Democracy, it’s worth stopping by and paying a visit.
The Archaeological site of Delphi – Follow the same path of the Sacred Valley and soon you’ll enter the ancient site of Delphi housing historical sites and buildings. The most visible attraction of all is the ancient theatre of Delphi, which once hosted 5,000 people for the Pythian Games. The theatre also hosted other musical concerts, which were quite famous back in the Greek era. Another notable site is the Siphnian Treasury – the oldest religious structure, dating back to the 6th century BC. You’ll also be visiting the Doric Temple of Apollo and the Delphi Stadium near the main site.
Visit the Castalia Spring – The sacred waters of Castalia Spring are nestled between two steep rocky cliffs of Parnassus, the Phaedriades. Even today, the water runs from the mountain spring. You can cleanse yourself at Castalia Spring before you enter the Sanctuary of Apollo.
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are other prominent locations at Delphi such as – the Temple of Apollo, Archaeological Museum of Delphi, Museum of Delphic Festivals, and scenic villages of Chrissó and Aráchova.
To save time during your Delphi visit, consider booking a full-day guided tour. Alternatively, these half-day trips & other optional excursions of Delphi will complement this itinerary well.
Day 4 | Delphi – Athens
You will depart from Delphi to reach the capital of Greece – Athens.
Athens, one of the world’s oldest cities houses an incredible amount of archaeological treasures. This ancient-dwelt, bustling modern city is spoiled with Doric and Ionic temples, statues, monuments, and other Greek ruins.
Just like Delphi, there are a plethora of attractions to visit in Athens. A single day isn’t enough to justify your true Athens discovery. However, it will ensure that you visit some of the best highlights in this 5-day Greece itinerary. Moreover, this is the last destination of your itinerary. So you get great flexibility to maximize your stay in Athens or travel to other Greek Isles.
Things to do in Athens, Greece –
Visit the Acropolis – Rising from the abrupt rocky outcrop, is a fortified limestone plateau – the Acropolis. This ancient site gave philosophers freedom of speech to discuss politics, democracy, and religious matters. This also gave rise to building temples across Greece to honor and worship the gods. Along with the Acropolis, there are other prominent historical landmarks as well. The Parthenon (famous of all), the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Theatre of Dionysus.
Visit the Acropolis Museum – An archaeological museum, housing some significant pieces of work and artifacts found on the foothills of the Acropolis. Interestingly, the museum is built over the ancient ruin and the floor beneath is made up of glass panels – showcasing the foundational site below. There could be a huge queue to visit the museum, so make sure you book your tickets online. Alternatively, you can purchase this skip-the-line ticket to get direct entry to the museum.
Explore Hadrian’s Library – Built in 132 AD, the library was constructed under the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It once used to contain the house rolls of papyrus books. It won’t take you much time to explore this site, and will only require an hour.
Visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus – The Temple of Olympian Zeus was built to honor the Greek God Zeus. Even before construction began, this was the most ambitious project to build the greatest temple. And today, we see this temple being one of the largest ever of the ancient temples being constructed. Originally the temple held 104 columns, but now you can see only 15 still standing.
In addition to the ones recommended above, explore other famous landmarks of Athens – Kerameikos, Ancient Agora & Temple of Hephaestus, the Roman Agora, and the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea.
If you wish to extend your stay in Athens, then visit the museums of National Archaeological and Cycladic Art. For a perfect full-day excursion from Athens, check this amazing Saronic Islands tour. If willing to discover traditional Athens, then this 4-hour cooking class tour is recommended.
Day 5 | Athens
Depart from Athens anytime. If it doesn’t seem right to end your short Greek trip, then extend for a few more days to visit some of the famous Greek Isles.
Travel Tip: To explore any other vacation on Greek Islands, visit the G Adventures website. They offer a wide range of ‘Sail Greece Tours’ according to your travel preference, style, and duration.
Blog – Read our popular blog-post ‘15 Amazing Things To Do On The Greek Island Of Santorini‘
What to Pack for 5 Day Greece Itinerary
For any Greek vacation, I advise you to carry a convenient travel bag. Having a small handy bag will also help to keep your day-to-day essentials.
Essential Items –
T-shirts/ Shirts (Preferably long-sleeves)
Long pants/ Jeans
Sleepwear/ Innerwear (as per your need)
Footwear
Sunglasses
Toiletries
Reusable water bottle
Few energy bars/drinks
Waterproof backpack cover
Windproof rain jacket
Essential Items (warm weather) –
Cotton T-shirts/ Shirts
Shorts/ skirts
Sunscreen/ Lotion
Swimwear/ Sunglasses
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