Before or after Athens

Greece, two ways

South into the Peloponnese, or north by air to Macedonia — where the island calls don’t go.

Choose a direction
Length3–5 nights
SeasonApril–June, September–October
StaysThe Peloponnese: Hotel Grande Bretagne; Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens; Grand Sarai Nafplio; Amanzoe

Northern Greece: The Modernist Thessaloniki; Sani Resort; Divani Meteora

BudgetThe Peloponnese: $550 – $1,100 USD per day per person

Northern Greece: $450 – $750 USD per day per person

Why this page exists

Piraeus is the eastern Med’s turnaround port, and island calls don’t go inland. Thessaloniki is a port call on some Aegean itineraries, so the northern route can start there instead.

First-hand

Peloponnese first-hand

Thessaloniki and Meteora first-hand

The archaeologist guide

Two directions

South for the stones, north for the surprise.

  • The Lion’s Gate of Myceane

    S · The Peloponnese

    3–5 nights. The Acropolis without the ships, then a clockwise loop: a Nemea winemaker, Mycenae, two nights in Nafplio, Epidaurus on the way home; Monemvasia if there’s time.

    See the days
  • The monasteries of Meteora on their rock pillars in northern Greece.

    N · Macedonia and Thessaloniki

    4–5 nights. An hour’s flight north: Thessaloniki, Philip II’s tomb at Vergina, the sea at Halkidiki, Meteora on the way back.

    See the days

The routes, day by day

SThe Peloponnese3–5 nights
Illustrated clockwise route map of the Peloponnese: Athens, Ancient Corinth, Nemea, Mycenae, Nafplio and Epidaurus.

Illustrative route, not to scale.

Day1AthensArrive in Athens to explore the Acropolis in the late afternoon with a private archaeologist—catching the golden hour light after the massive cruise ship crowds have left—and wander the Acropolis Museum until closing. If time allows, finish with a walk up the Pnyx hill for the absolute best sunset views of the lit-up citadel face.
Day2Ruins & Vines To NafplioDrive west past the Corinth Canal and the ruins of Ancient Corinth. Stop in the Nemea wine region for a private vineyard lunch at an elite estate like Skouras or Gaia Wines, before exploring Mycenae’s legendary Lion Gate and Bronze Age tombs in the afternoon on your way to the coastal town of Nafplio.
Day3NafplioSpend your morning exploring Tiryns—a magnificent Mycenaean fortress located just five minutes away that remains blissfully empty. Climb the historic Palamidi steps for sweeping views, and spend your evening wandering the historic old town along the waterfront.
Day4Epidaurus, then AthensVisit the legendary 4th-century BCE theatre of Epidaurus in the morning. Take the scenic coastal road back to Athens to tour the National Archaeological Museum, where you will stand before the stunning Mycenaean sacrificial gold taken directly from the tombs you visited on Day 2. Connect directly to your departing flight or ship.
Days4–5The Deep South, optionalInstead of returning immediately to Athens on Day 4, head further south from Nafplio into the rugged Mani Peninsula or the medieval fortress rock of Monemvasia. Spend a final night enveloped in ultra-luxury at Amanzoe near Porto Heli, pausing to explore Epidaurus on your smooth drive back to Athens the following day.
NMacedonia and Thessaloniki4–5 nights
Illustrated route map of northern Greece: Athens, Thessaloniki, Vergina, Pella, Halkidiki and Meteora.

Illustrative route, not to scale.

Day1Byzantine ThessalonikiTake a quick, one-hour flight north from Athens to Thessaloniki. Spend your day walking through the ancient Rotunda, exploring hidden Byzantine churches, wandering the historic hillside lanes of Ano Poli, and diving into the city’s food scene—celebrated as the absolute culinary capital of Greece.
Day2Vergina and PellaSecure a private car and drive an hour west to explore Vergina and Pella. Stand before the actual underground tomb of King Philip II (Alexander the Great’s father) and wander the ancient ruins of Alexander’s birthplace.
Day3Beaches of Halkidiki or Mount OlympusHead out to the emerald waters and white-sand coastlines along the “first finger” (Kassandra) of the Halkidiki peninsula. Alternatively, if you prefer an active mountain trek, head south to Litochoro to hike the rugged trails of Mount Olympus.
Day4Cliffside Monasteries MeteoraDrive two and a half hours southwest into the plains of Thessaly. Arrive to see Meteora’s striking, towering rock pillars and their medieval monasteries illuminated in the afternoon light, before staying overnight at the base of the rocks in Kalambaka.
Day5Return to AthensConclude your northern journey with a 4-hour overland drive south back to Athens, or take a quick flight out from Thessaloniki Airport.
“Whether you choose a perfectly timed journey through the classical ruins and hidden beach towns of the Peloponnese, or head north to taste Greece’s best food before taking in the cliffside monasteries of Meteora, both deliver an unforgettable final chapter.”
— Marc Vitria · Expeditioner Travel

Ready when you are

Tell Marc where the ship starts and where it stops.

He’ll take it from there.

Plan this with Marc
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