Italy and Greece Itinerary
Italy and Greece Itinerary
7 to 10 days is not enough time to visit both Greece and Italy. Pick one and stick to it. No sense wasting time traveling between the two when time is limited. Be sure to fly into one place and fly out of a different place so you don’t spend time retracing your steps. If you’re somewhere in-between (say, 12 days) it’s a coin flip – though I’d err on the side of spending more time in one country than a limited amount of time in two countries.
One Week in Greece – Itinerary
Suggested Itineraries for Greece (reverse order is fine):
• 1 day in Athens, 2 in Mykonos, 4 in Santorini (fly into Athens, fly out of Santorini)
• 1 day in Athens, 3 in Naxos or Paros, 3 in Santorini (fly into Athens, fly out of Santorini)
• 2 days in Mykonos, 2 in Naxos or Paros, 3 in Santorini (fly into Mykonos, fly out of Santorini)
• 4 days in Crete, 3 days in Santorini (fly into Heraklion or Chania, fly out of Santorini)
One Week in Italy – Itinerary
Suggested Itineraries for Italy (reverse order is fine):
• 2 days in Rome, 3 in Florence and area, 2 days in Venice (fly into Rome, fly out of Venice)
• 2 days in Venice, 2 in Milan, 3 in Lake Como area (fly into Venice, fly out of Milan)
• 4 days in Rome, 3 in the Amalfi Coast (Fly into Rome, fly out of Rome or Naples)
Two Weeks in Greece and Italy
With 14 days spend one week in Greece and one week in Italy. Use the above itinerary recommendations. Like above be sure to fly in and out of different cities. E.g. If you’re coming from London: Fly London to Venice, train to Florence, train to Rome, fly to Mykonos, ferry to Naxos, ferry to Santorini, fly Santorini to London.
Three Weeks or More in Greece and Italy
With 20 to 30 days you can visit all the must-see places: Rome, Florence, Venice, Athens, Santorini, and Crete. But also some less touristy spots: Naples, Perugia, Matera, Naxos, Milos, and Nafplio come to mind. Oh, and the wonderful Agriturismo in Tuscany and Umbria. Both countries are loaded with wonderful destinations. And when it comes to the Greek islands you really can’t go wrong: point at the map and pick any island. I’d be shocked if you left disappointed.
Map of Greece and Italy with Key Ferry Ports
The 10 Best Places to Go in Greece and Italy
Santorini, Greece – Incredible views, great food, fun tours, and fantastic things to do. One of the best honeymoon destinations in Europe.
Crete, Greece – The best beach in Greece is Elafonisi in southwestern Crete. The island is loaded with wonderful places to visit: Chania, Rethymnon, Samaria Gorge, Agios Nikolaos, and the top notch historical site at Knossos.
Naxos, Greece – The magical Chora (capital town) of Naxos island at dusk in the Cyclades. Above the town is the castle of Sanoudos. Naxos is filled with wonderful beaches and great local food.
Athens, Greece – One of the greatest historical marvels in the world. Athens’ top sites are in a compact center making a 1 or 2 day visit perfect for seeing the highlights.
Mykonos, Greece – The island is famous for dance clubs, nightlife, and lively beaches. But if you’re not interested the party scene is easy to avoid and the island has plenty of quiet beaches.
Rome, Italy – The best of history, food, and art all in one city. Rome is a can’t miss destination.
Florence, Italy – My favorite place in Italy. The city could easily fill a week of sightseeing but 2 full days can allow for visits to most of the top sights. Nearby Tuscan towns (San Gimignano, Siena, Lucca) make for wonderful day trips.
Perugia, Italy – This is an incredible historical city and a delight to explore. Nearby towns like Orvieto, Todi, and Assisi make it a great base for exploring Umbria.
Venice, Italy – The magical setting of Venice is one of kind. It shouldn’t be missed but a short visit (one or two days) is enough for most travelers.
Agriturismo in Italy – This is a highlight of a visit to Italy. Stay at a working farm and enjoy the local food and wine. Accommodations can range from simple and inexpensive to luxury and boutique. (Those are my boys playing in the pool at an agriturismo in Tuscany.)
Getting Between Italy and Greece
For most travelers flying will be the best way to get between Italy and Greece. There are ferries from the east coast cities of Italy (Venice, Ancona, Bari, and Brindisi) to the west coast of Greece (Patras, Igoumenitsa, Corfu, Kefalonia, and Zante) but if time is any concern these are not the best ways to get between Greece and Italy. There are no ferries from Italy to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, or Athens.
Popular Flights Between Italy and Greece
Flights from Italy to Athens will fly year-round. Flights from Italy to the Greek Islands (Santorini, Mykonos, and Heraklion, Crete) will typically run May to October. Search Kayak.com for routes, times, and fares.
• Rome-Athens
• Rome-Santorini
• Rome-Mykonos
• Rome-Heraklion
• Milan-Athens
• Milan-Santorini
• Milan-Mykonos
• Milan-Heraklion
• Venice-Athens
• Venice-Santorini
• Venice-Mykonos
• Naples-Athens
• Naples-Santorini
• Naples-Mykonos