9-Day Athens, Paros & Naxos Tailored Greece Vacation

Athens serves as Greece's active capital and offers your first experience of the customized Greece travel plan.

The city of Athens presents a unique combination of its ancient historical landmarks which exist alongside its current urban environment. Marble temples stand above active residential areas and traditional taverns operate near fashionable cafes while multiple observation points provide Acropolis views to most areas. Your first day remains open for you to reach the destination where you will find a place to rest before starting your exploration of the city.

If you’d like suggestions, our local team can recommend an evening plan that fits your mood. Maybe a classic neighborhood for dinner, a rooftop with Acropolis views or a short walk around the neighborhood to familiarize yourself.

Today you’ll experience Athens at its most iconic with a private, state-licensed guide. The day is designed to give you both knowledge and orientation: the Acropolis and museum for the story and a panoramic route for a wider understanding of the city.

Your journey starts at the Acropolis where you will climb to the sacred rock to see the Parthenon and visit essential sites such as the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. Your guide will create a straightforward story which explains the significance of these buildings and Athens' development into its Golden Age and why the Acropolis gained international recognition as a symbol.

Next comes the Acropolis Museum, where sculptures and artifacts add context and detail to what you’ve just seen above. After the walking portion, you’ll continue by luxury vehicle past landmarks like Monastiraki, Syntagma Square and the Parliament, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. It’s a comfortable way to “connect the dots” without adding extra walking.

At the end of the tour, you’ll have a solid foundation for the rest of your trip and you’ll know what Athens means for Greece. If you’re interested, your guide can also point you toward local food spots, small museums or viewpoints that match your style and the time you have left in the city.

Inclusions:

• 5-hour private guided tour
• Hotel pick-up (walking) and drop-off (vehicle)
• Private services of a state-licensed guide
• Acropolis visit & guided tour (Propylaea, Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike)
• Acropolis Museum visit & guided tour
• Panoramic city tour (Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, Parliament, Presidential Guards, Syntagma Square, Athens classical trilogy)
• Combination of walking & vehicle tour
• Entrance fees (Acropolis, Acropolis Museum)

Important note: During the panoramic vehicle tour, guests view landmarks from the comfort of the vehicle and do not disembark for closer visits. It is not possible to get off at locations such as the Parliament or Panathenaic Stadium and then re-join the vehicle later.

Welcome to Paros, a Cycladic island known for its easy charm and its balance of tradition and style.

The island of Paros provides you with various travel experiences as it features active harbor areas, sophisticated seafront restaurants in Parikia and Naousa and peaceful rural settlements like Lefkes and Marpissa which display traditional island traditions. The island of Paros offers you a perfect Greece vacation experience because it features clear water, pale-sand beaches and the seasonal meltemi wind which can allow you to enjoy water sports.

The island of Paros will give you basic yet meaningful experiences during your free time which include sipping coffee in a shaded square, swimming before dinner and walking along the waterfront during sunset. We can help you find restaurants and beaches which suit your tastes by recommending both casual local tavernas and sophisticated seaside dining establishments that maintain their natural atmosphere.

This private four-hour tour is a smart way to meet Paros properly. Meaning through combining history, villages and coastal scenery in one well-paced outing.

Your journey begins in Parikia where you will follow a guided tour through the historic center which includes the Panagia Ekatontapiliani Church with 100 doors, the Frankish Castle and picturesque streets that showcase neoclassical architecture. The tour will proceed to Naousa, a picturesque fishing village with its boats, harbor and Venetian historical sites that make it one of the Cyclades' most attractive photography spots.

From the coast, you’ll head inland to Lefkes, the island’s former capital, known for stone-paved lanes and panoramic views. On the return route, you’ll pass through coastal fishing villages such as Piso Livadi and Alyki. These are quieter, authentic places that show Paros beyond the normal crowded touristy places. 

Inclusions:

• 4-hour private experience
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (vehicle)
• Private services of an English-speaking escort

Exclusions: Greek coffee and pastry.

What to bring: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes.

Today you have the entire day to explore Paros as you wish. Naousa is the perfect location to experience a simple island day by exploring the historic streets of the town, shopping at local stores and enjoying a prolonged meal while sitting by the sea.

Naousa provides you with simple access to multiple nearby coves and organized beaches which you can visit according to your preferred beach activities. The day can be designed to match your current state of mind whether you want to be active or relaxed while choosing between starting early or ending late. The itinerary maintains its personal touch because it includes this specific "breathing space" which prevents the schedule from becoming too packed.

When you visit Paros, you can spend your day exploring the town during morning hours and then head to the beach for swimming. Lastly, you can end your evening with dinner in Naousa. Visiting an inland village or taking a brief scenic drive through the area will provide you with a peaceful Paros experience that does not require a complete guided tour.

Welcome to Naxos, the largest and greenest Cyclades island. The island is known for mountains, fertile valleys and strong local traditions.

The rural character of Naxos extends across its diverse landscape which surpasses the neighboring islands. The island features both traditional Cycladic buildings and Venetian fortresses together with monasteries and medieval churches which demonstrate its historical development. The inland villages maintain their connection to nature while their residents take great pride in their traditional food traditions which they practice daily.

The Portara stands as a famous landmark of Naxos because it represents the unfinished marble entrance of the Temple of Apollo located near the harbor. The island exists as a mythological place which connects to the legendary tale of Ariadne and Dionysus giving to the island a mix of historical and mythological elements.

If time allows, Naxos Town (Chora) is lovely for an evening walk: narrow streets, small shops and a slightly more “local” feel than many Cycladic capitals. It’s also a great place to try Naxian specialties, often featuring island-grown produce and cheeses.

The present-day private island experience at Naxos centers on its cultural attractions which include archaeological sites, mythological legends, Byzantine historical artifacts, rural customs of the local population and traditional food samples.

Your journey starts at the Sanctuary of Dimitra near Sangri which features a marble temple that overlooks the fertile plains before you move to the Melanes marble quarries to view the massive uncompleted Apollo statue. The stops demonstrate how Naxos established its connection to the ancient world through religious practices, local stone usage and skilled craftsmanship.

Next, you’ll visit a 1,000-year-old Byzantine church with authentic paintings and icons. It’s a quiet highlight bringing the island’s medieval chapter to life. Then, in the village of Kaloxylos, you’ll walk through olive groves and visit a century-old olive press for an olive oil presentation and tasting with local treats.

You’ll finish in Halki, a beautiful village known for bougainvillea and a relaxed pace, where you’ll visit a historic distillery (over 120 years old) and taste kitron liqueur, a Naxian specialty. 

Inclusions:

• 5-hour private experience
• Services of an English-speaking local host
• Olive oil tasting
• 120-year-old distillery visit & kitron liqueur tasting

Naxos is famous for beaches and today is dedicated to enjoying them as you want.

Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna are popular, easy options with clear water and plenty of amenities. Great for swimming, sunbathing and a relaxed lunch nearby. For a more natural feel, Plaka offers a long, open coastline, while Aliko is quieter and framed by dunes and a wilder landscape.

Whether you want family-friendly comfort, peaceful stretches of sand or a bit of water-sports fun (conditions permitting), Naxos delivers. A nice way to end the day is with a simple sunset moment, either along the shore or back near the Portara if you’d like to see the landmark in golden light.

Our team can share practical tips based on wind and season so you choose the best beach for your day. Additionally, we can recommend low-key tavernas nearby where the food is excellent and the setting stays relaxed.

You will depart Greece at the end of this day. Your driver will arrive at your hotel to take you to the island airport where you will board your domestic flight and return to Athens. Your international flight check-in process will start at Athens International Airport before you board your flight back home.

Your return journey will bring back three sets of wonderful memories: Your time at Athens' Acropolis and museum, your experiences in Paros' villages and harbor life and Naxos' cultural, rural and coastal attractions. The tour follows a traditional Cyclades route which local experts have personalized for your experience.