Photo: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized and converted to WebP
Start with the places you want to experience
A first Greece holiday is easier to plan when you choose the route before the package price. Glider's route catalogue uses Athens, Santorini and Crete as proposed stay bases. They are alternatives and possible combinations, rather than a promise that every holiday includes all three. Decide which base contains your main priority, then give the remaining days a purpose.
Three starting points to compare
Athens
The catalogue's single-base plan for Athens lasts four days, with arrival and departure counted. Acropolis is one of the suggested priorities; Plaka and Ancient Agora are additional planning ideas. Choose this base when these stops matter more to you than changing hotels. If Santorini is also a must-have, compare the linked six-day route instead of squeezing an additional base into the arrival day.
Santorini
The catalogue's single-base plan for Santorini lasts four days, with arrival and departure counted. Fira is one of the suggested priorities; Oia and Caldera views are additional planning ideas. Choose this base when these stops matter more to you than changing hotels. If Crete is also a must-have, compare the linked six-day route instead of squeezing an additional base into the arrival day.
Crete
The catalogue's single-base plan for Crete lasts four days, with arrival and departure counted. Chania is one of the suggested priorities; Old harbour and Western beaches are additional planning ideas. Choose this base when these stops matter more to you than changing hotels. If Athens is also a must-have, compare the linked six-day route instead of squeezing an additional base into the arrival day.
Match the route to the time available
| Route | Trip length | Stay bases |
|---|---|---|
| Athens | 4 days / 3 nights | 1 |
| Athens → Santorini | 6 days / 5 nights | 2 |
| Athens → Santorini → Crete | 8 days / 7 nights | 3 |
The four-day option keeps one stay base; the six-day examples connect two, and the eight-day plan uses three. Arrival, transfers and departure use part of that time. Open the day-wise plan to see where hotel changes occur. A longer destination list can give you less time in each place even when the overall trip has more days.
Turn the route into a useful enquiry
- Name your preferred first and last base in Greece.
- List two experiences you want to protect if the schedule needs simplifying.
- Share departure city, total available days and whether travel days are included in your leave.
- Ask for the transport between bases, named hotels and ticketed visits to be itemised.
For example, a traveller choosing Athens and Santorini should ask how the connection fits between the two hotel stays. Someone choosing only Crete should ask how arrival and departure work for that base. Those questions make the quotation comparable to the route you actually want.
Planning basis: the linked Glider route catalogue. Routes are proposals; hotels, transport, access, prices and availability are confirmed in your written quote. This guide does not claim a first-hand visit or live supplier availability.
Make your Greece plan specific
Plan my Greece holidayCompare Greece holiday routes and packages · Read booking policies