Walking on the Greek Islands
Walking on the Greek Islands
$2325
Walking on the Greek Islands
8 Days Starting in Rafina and ending in Athens
Visiting: Athens, Santorini, Naxos, Paros
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TEJ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
When you think of the Greek islands, it’s the Cyclades that spring to mind, with their white-washed houses and blue-domed churches set against the cobalt Aegean Sea. They’re beauty is striking, but even more so with our expert local tour leader guiding you along their most scenic trails. So, join us on this small-group hiking adventure on Santorini, Naxos and Paros and enjoy a relaxed week of hiking through picturesque villages, lush valleys and sandy beaches. Better yet, it starts and ends in Athens, giving you the opportunity to add extra days onto the itinerary and explore the birthplace of democracy.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Rafina
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Dorian Inn or Avra Hotel (or similar)
Our adventure begins in Rafina, a port town around 25 minutes’ drive from Athens, the history-soaked capital of Greece.The excitement builds with a welcoming briefing at 8pm, in which the tour leader provides important information about the week ahead.Rest well tonight, tomorrow we wake early to catch a ferry.If you’d like to explore the many ancient wonders of Athens, we highly recommend adding extra days to the beginning or end of the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Day 2 : Ferry To Santorini; Explore Fira Town
Location: Santorini
Accommodation Name: Hotel Golden Star (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take the ferry (approximately eight hours) to Santorini in the morning. There’s a selection of restaurants and cafes on board, serving throughout the journey.Santorini (known locally as Thira) is a remnant of a volcanic cone whose top was blown off and many speculate it was the location of the legendary lost Atlantis. This beautiful island has a lot to offer to hikers, including excellent beaches and magnificent views of the Aegean Sea.Walk around the town of Fira in the late afternoon, taking a flat paved path to enjoy stunning views of the caldera.Accommodation: Hotel Golden Star (or similar)
Day 3 : Hike The Caldera From Fira To Oia
Location: Santorini
Accommodation Name: Hotel Golden Star (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The 6mi (10km) Cliff Trail is a spectacular walk, 1,310ft (400m) high above the volcanic caldera, a photographer’s delight and not too challenging. Half the path is pathed, while the other is a mix of volcanic soil, pumice and lava.Views of the Aegean are virtually ever present as we wind gently up and down to the pretty village of Oia, home to artists, galleries, boutiques and cafes. There’s time to explore, relax and soak up the culture before a transfer back to Fira.Accommodation: Hotel Golden Star (or similar)
Day 4 : Free Time In Santorini; Afternoon Ferry To Naxos
Location: Santorini
Accommodation Name: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy free time in Santorini this morning. Optional excursions include a visit by bus to the buried city of Acrotiri, time at the black beaches of Kamari and/or a visit to the prehistoric museum of Thero in town. Leaving Santorini in the afternoon, we board the approximately two-hour ferry to Naxos.Accommodation: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Day 5 : Hike Through The Lush Tragea Valley
Location: Naxos
Accommodation Name: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer (one hour) to hike in the lush valley of Tragea, best known for ancient olive and citrus groves. It is a great opportunity to discover the most authentic part of Naxos, where picturesque villages and churches punctuate our walk.Wander along the ancient stoney path in the middle of the Naxian marble quarries until we reach Kouros, a gigantic statue from the fifth century BCE, which was damaged during transportation and then abandoned ever since, lying under trees in the Melanes Valley. Our transfer back is approximately one hour.Accommodation: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Day 6 : Ferry To Paros; Hike The Byzantine Path From Lefkes; Return To Naxos
Location: Paros
Accommodation Name: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take a one-hour ferry to Paros in the morning, then a 20-minute bus to the heart of the island and Lefkes village, where we join an Old Byzantine path that runs all the way to the east coast of Paros. The route, which is on paved path and over small hills, is believed to be about 1,000 years old and used to traverse the entire island.Today’s trail passes through beautiful Cycladic and medieval villages. Then we explore the town, the castle and Byzantine Cathedral of Ekatontapyliani before our ferry back to Naxos in the evening.Accommodation: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Day 7 : Explore Hora Town; Visit The Temple Of Apollo
Location: Naxos
Accommodation Name: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take a walk to explore the main town, Hora, a Venetian Castello town. The market area is a delight to wander through, with craft shops, chapels and quaint restaurants. On the islet of Palatia stands the impressive Portara, an ancient marble gateway and the entrance to the remains of the Temple of Apollo.Accommodation: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Day 8 : Ferry Transfer To Piraeus; End Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Catch the ferry back to Piraeus or Rafina (approximately six hours) and transfer to Athens airport where the trip ends.Please note: the ferry port can change depending on the season.
What's Included
-
All breakfasts
-
All accommodation (see below)
-
All transport and listed activities
-
Tour leader throughout
-
Free group arrival and departure transfers available
What's Not Included
-
Travel Insurance
-
Single accommodation (available on request)
-
Visas or vaccinations
-
Tourist tax (paid locally)
Food
All breakfasts included. In Santorini, it is a basket breakfast in the room. Simple buffet-style Greek breakfast consists of bread/toast, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, eggs and honey, and coffee/tea. For lunch and dinner, we normally go to different tavernas and restaurants (at times, picnics of locally sourced food will be suggested for lunch instead), where we can sample some typical Greek meze dishes, olives, fresh fish, vegetables and much more.
Accommodation
We spend seven nights in three-star hotels on this walking trip. On the islands, we use family-run hotels, ensuring our visit benefits the local communities. We also have one night in a hotel in Rafina. Below are the accommodations we typically use.
Rafina: Avra Hotel (night 1)
Right by the port, Avra Hotel is ideally placed for our early morning ferry on Day 2. It also means we can enjoy sea views from the hotel and we're within a short walk of the whitewashed Agios Nikolas Chapel. There’s also a modern restaurant (with floor-to-ceiling windows over the port), which serves a Cretan-Mediterranean menu.
Santorini: Hotel Golden Star (nights 2-3)
Our two nights in Santorini are spent at the 24-room Golden Star, which sits just outside the main town of Thira. There’s a pool area with sun loungers (a great place to watch the sunrise) and plenty of seating spaces to gather as a group.
Naxos: Hotel Aeolis (nights 4-7)
Just a three-minute walk from the main town square and a five-minute walk from the sandy Agios Georgios Beach, Hotel Aeolis is in the right place for our adventures. When you’re not out exploring the island, relax at the hotel pool or grab a sun lounger.
Worth knowing
The hotel bathrooms can sometimes be a little small and old fashioned.
The swimming pools are open seasonally (May to October).
Check out our Q&As
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
16
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
-
Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
-
Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Arrival & departure transfers
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Sunday
Mar 23, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Mar 30, 2025 - Apr 06, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Apr 20, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025Sunday - Sunday
May 18, 2025 - May 25, 2025Sunday - Sunday
May 25, 2025 - Jun 01, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 05, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Oct 26, 2025 - Nov 02, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.