Day trip reviews · ISLAND DAY TRIPS IN GREECE
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 island day trips in Greece worth a whole day, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend 8 to 11 hours exploring northeastern Crete with hotel pickup, a guide, and transport to Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Spinalonga Island. Guides such as Manos, Helena, and Alexandra have led recent departures. Expect free time, boat rides, island history, and a swim stop.
“We got to visit lots of interesting places! Group was also organised, no delays present! See you next time!”
Travel from Chania to Elafonisi with hotel pickup, a modern air-conditioned coach, and an English, German, or Danish guide. See Topolia Gorge and traditional villages, stop for breakfast, enjoy nearly four hours at the beach, then eat at a local tavern in Elos. Guides such as Simona and Joanne add local color.
“I thought that everything was well timed for each of the stops. The information that was given was good. The bus ride was comfortable. The pick ups and drop offs were on time and the overall trip was everything that was advertised.”
Spend nine hours sailing from Rhodes to Symi aboard Nikolaos X, stopping at Panormitis Monastery and Symi Town. You get about an hour at the monastery and 3.5 to 4 hours in town, plus an optional Saturday swim at Nymporio Bay in summer. Hotel pickup is available from selected areas.
“This trip was amazing, definitely would recommend seeing this beautiful island of Symi.”
Take a high-speed ferry from Heraklion to Santorini, then tour Oia and Fira by air-conditioned coach with a multilingual local guide. You get about 5.5 hours on the island, with time for caldera views, shops, photos, and an optional wooden-boat trip to the volcano and hot springs.
“In the morning getting the tickets and boarding the ferry was seamless. Though the trip took 2:30h there and back, me and my girlfriend were not used to sea so obviously we got sick, thankfully pharmacy at Santorini fixed it for us on the way back. The island is beautiful, we started at Fira instead of Oia, amazing views, amazing village and picturesque places everywhere you go. At Oia we had a lot less time and we spent unfortunately almost 1 hour in the line to get that one photo, but there were certain people to blame there. Otherwise also really nice place but liked Fira more. Also in general…”
Sail from Mykonos to Rhenia for swimming, snorkeling, and a BBQ lunch, then spend two hours at Delos, a UNESCO site. You can explore the ruins or remain aboard for more sea time. The family crew, including Mola and Mohamed on some departures, adds music and dancing on the return.
“Mola is the most energetic, fun, amazing spirited person, this is a must do activity especially with Mola and Mohamed on the boat!!!”
Spend 10 hours touring Santorini by comfortable bus with an English or Greek-speaking guide. Visit Prophet Elias, Pyrgos, Akrotiri, Red Beach, Fira, and Oia. Guides such as Maria, Nikolas, and Christos are praised for clear explanations, good organization, and useful island tips.
“I had such a great day on this tour. It is a long day but so worth it. Our guide Christos was amazing. He was so full of knowledge about the island and kept everyone engaged. Also very funny and made me feel very comfortable. Our driver Yannis was also amazing. Those roads can be pretty tough. Thank you for a great experience. I would highly recommend this tour.”
Take a fast boat from Rhodes to Symi in about 75 minutes, with four hours to explore Gialos independently. Hotel pickup is optional, and George may confirm arrangements by WhatsApp. Shop for handmade goods, enjoy the harbor views, and try local baby shrimp.
“Symi is beautiful absolutely breathtaking , try the baby shrimp it’s the local delicacy”
Sail from Kardamena on the Captain Dimitris, then spend five hours on Nisyros. Explore Mandraki independently, add the €8 bus to the volcanic crater, and climb about 200 steps to Panagia Spirani. Lunch, drinks, and the crater transfer cost extra.
“was super war: - Transport mit dem fast leeren Piratenschiff (vielleicht ausnahmsweise, weil die anderen Schiffe durch Reisegruppen überfüllt waren?) - Der Transport zum Vulkan ohne Verzögerung ; der Aufenthalt dort war nur 45mins lang, aber da man insgesamt nur ca. 5 Stunden Zeit hatte, war es für einen ersten Eindruck ok. - Zeit im wunderschönen Dorf Mandraki zum Erkunden das hätte besser sein können: - leider haben wir fast 20mins später abgelegt, wohl um nicht mit all den anderen Booten gleichzeitig anzukommen, allerdings wäre eine Information darüber sinnvoll gewesen, so hätten wir uns das Taxi zum Schiff sparen können. Dadurch hatten wir auch weniger Zeit auf der Insel -wir…”
You’ll ride from Heraklion to Kissamos, then cruise to Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon. Hike to a Venetian fortress, swim in clear water, and enjoy guided transfers, but plan for a long day and extra cash for the €22 boat ticket.
“It was great the views are amazing and the balos beach is really great, the tour guides also very nice. I highly recomend this activity”
Spend 11 hours exploring Aegina with an English-speaking archaeologist guide, traveling by ferry from Piraeus and coach on the island. Visit Paleochora, Saint Nektarios Monastery, Athena Aphaia, and Aegina town, then swim, eat by the beach, and taste local pistachios.
“our guide Visalus couldn't have been any nicer. He was very knowledgeable of our time and maximised it everywhere he could, allowing us to change paets/timings of the trip was brilliant, especially in the heat. Very knowledgeable on ancient history. This is a must have for those wanting a nice quick excursion from Athens to enjoy the history and beaches”
Sail from Naxos to Mykonos in about 1.5 hours, then enjoy six hours on your own. Wander Mykonos Town, shop Matogiannia, see the windmills and Little Venice, or take a bus or rental vehicle to a beach. The round trip costs $82 and does not include meals or transport on the island.
“Excellent, good amount of time to explore Mykonos. The sea was a little choppy so make sure to take travel sickness medication if you need it!”
Travel from central Athens to Hydra by luxury coach and water taxi, with a Corinth Canal stop, Greek culture stories, a guided town walk, almond sweets, swimming at Spilia and Vlichos, and free time for lunch. Guides such as Dimitra and Eleftheria are praised for warm, clear storytelling.
“We had the best guide she was absolutely amazing very sweet and knowledgeable!!!”
Travel from Rhodes aboard the Nikolaos X to Panormitis Monastery and Symi town. You get one hour at the monastery and three and a half hours in Symi for food, shops, harbor walks, and swimming. English-speaking staff, hotel pickup, and a map are included.
Travel from Heraklion or nearby resorts to Elafonisi by air-conditioned bus, passing through Topolia Gorge before 4.5 hours of free time by the shallow turquoise lagoon. A multilingual guide provides commentary in English, German, French, Polish, or Romanian. Lunch is not included.
“Nice to experience a different side of Crete, the beach was nice but felt disappointed by the pink beach as was made out that it’s very pink when it is isn’t! Too long travel time…”
Cross from Mykonos to Tinos, then explore Panagia Evangelistria, basket-weaving Volax, Pyrgos, and a valley of Venetian dovecotes by guided coach. You get an English-speaking guide, free time in Pyrgos, and a traditional island day beyond Mykonos.
“no clear idea from guide of the itinerary for day in terms of times, what next. no real guiding. Just someone who took us from A to B. could have been a lovely trip. views were spectacular. lunch delicious.”
A coast, a castle, a cellar or a cave.
