Europe | Destination Guides

5 reasons why a cruise is the best way to see the Greek islands

It won’t surprise you that the best way to see the Greek islands is by boat – but not all Greek island-hopping is created equal. Organizing boats between the islands can add an extra layer of stress and logistics that your vacation just doesn’t need.  

That’s why on Trafalgar’s Best Of Greece tour, we have the option of an Aegean Cruise extension where you can extend your trip to the Greek islands and even the Turkish port of Kusadasi on a 7-night cruise, with full days in Crete and Milos, and late-night stays in Santorini and Mykonos.

This is a vacation of two parts; start your trip with the hustle and bustle of mainland Greek cities before boarding your ship for a slice of pure relaxation and unforgettable ocean views.

Why is a cruise the best way to see the Greek islands? 

Lugging your suitcase on and off a boat every couple of days isn’t how you want to be spending your precious vacation – and it isn’t the only way. That’s why a cruise is the best way to see the Greek islands, offering you a comfortable base from which to explore this beautiful part of the world.

Our cruise extension with Celestyal offers a unique experience as even the largest ship is still considered ‘medium sized’, meaning it’s small enough to reach destinations and ports that other traditionally larger cruise ships cannot access.

When you’re not exploring all that the Greek islands have to offer, you can enjoy sun-soaked decks, refreshing pools, an array of restaurants and bars, a jam-packed program of entertainment, and a cozy cabin to came back to at the end of a busy day – and that’s just the beginning. Here are our top 5 reasons why a cruise is the best way to see the Greek islands.

aerial view of two celestyal cruise ships in santorini

1. You only unpack once 

With your comfortable cabin as your base, you don’t need to worry about unpacking (and then packing up again at every new place you visit). Just take your day bag off the ship and go explore, without having to take your entire trip’s worth of baggage with you.  

2. Get stuck in while you travel

While you’re cruising from one island to the next, you can be getting stuck into everything your ship has to offer – from the on-board spas and gym to sports courts and swimming pools, and even dancing or language lessons.

3. Views, views… and more views

Unparalleled vistas are the name of the game on a cruise, making it the best way to see the Greek islands. Wake up to sunrise over the ocean, enjoy your morning coffee on the sundeck, and rest and recharge by one of the pools with panoramic views.

4. No surprise fees

Forget having to factor in extra feeds and tips to your budget – all port fees and crew gratuities are taken care of when you book your trip with Trafalgar.

5. Everything taken care of

From port fees to optional daily excursions, and even unlimited coffee, tea, water and juice during the day, all you need to do is decide what you want to do, and when – everything else is taken care of. Get ready to wake up in a new paradise every day.

couple on waterfront on greek island

The Best of Greece with Trafalgar 

With our Best of Greece 7-day cruise extension, you can look forward to an incredible 16-day extravaganza of a tour. Your first 8 days are spent on mainland Greece, starting in lively Athens. You’ll lay eyes on the magnificent Acropolis, take a city tour with one of our Local Specialists, and begin your mezze exploration.  

From there you make your journey to ancient Mycenae, and further onto a Be My Guest experience with Karabelas Family on their olive and wine farm in Olympia. In Delphi you’ll join another Local Specialist to view the stadium of Olympia (which hosted the ancient Olympic Games), and meet a passionate local beekeeper at his honey farm for a taste of his special thyme honey on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. 

beekeeping be my guest experience in greece with trafalgar

Leave the cities and head to the UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora with a Local Specialist, before a scenic drive brings you back to Athens which you can explore at your leisure. 

But this isn’t the end of your journey – only halfway through your trip, you’ll set sail from the Greek mainland to discover the beauty of the Greek islands on a 7-day cruise. 

Your Aegean Cruise extension

First stop: Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city with countless ancient monuments like the Arch of Galerius. The next day you arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey’s western Aegean coast, joining an Ancient Ephesus sightseeing tour revealing the Hellenistic and Roman heritage of this UNESCO-listed site. You’ll get to sample one of the excellent restaurants onboard your ship in the evening. 

knossos palace in crete

The morning brings new adventures in Crete, Greece’s largest island and home to many myths and legends (anyone heard of the Minotaur?). You can choose whether to visit the Palace of Knossos in Heraklion, or venture into the Cretan countryside for a wine tasting. 

The next day you’ll wake up in sunny Santorini, with its picture-perfect white buildings and dazzling cliffs. You have the option to take part in a Shore Experience in the afternoon, passing villages and vineyards bound for Oia with its white buildings and blue-domed churches. The evening is yours in Santorini, to catch the sunset at its clifftop capital, Thira, or scout out the best bars for a sundowner. 

waterfront cafe and view of windmills in mykonos

Your next Greek island is Mykonos, famed for its windmills and winding cobbled streets. Can’t get enough of the open sea? You have the option to take a boat to the sacred Island of Delos, the birthplace of Apollo and archaeological site. 

Your final full day finds you in Milos, known as the ‘Island of Colours’. This is set to be a flavor-packed day, with the choice to take a food tour of the island and sample local delicacies like watermelon pie (karpouzopita). 

You’ll return to Athens to disembark, and then return home – we can guarantee you’ll feel like you’ve explored the best of the Greek islands while returning fully rested thanks to the ease of your cruise.

Trafalgar’s Best of Greece tour has the option of 3-, 4-, and 7-day cruise extensions. Explore your options today and discover the best way to see the Greek islands. 

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