Greece route: 10 places from Milos to Meteora and Athens
Explore Greece's most iconic destinations across 1662 km, from the volcanic landscapes of Milos and the whitewashed villages of Santorini to the ancient archaeological sites of Rhodes and Athens. This route covers the Cyclades islands, the Dodecanese group, and mainland Greece's major cultural centers including Thessaloniki and the Halkidiki peninsula.
- Distance
- 1662.0 km
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Naxos & Paros
- End
- Cliff Jumping Spot & Keri Caves
- Stops
- 10
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Naxos & Paros — Cycladic islands renowned for pristine beaches, whitewashed villages, and marble quarries that supplied ancient sculptors throughout the Mediterranean.
- Rhodes & Symi — Medieval fortress island paired with a colorful harbor village famous for sponge diving and Byzantine architecture overlooking turquoise waters.
- Athens & Temple of Poseidon — Ancient Greek capital home to the Parthenon, combined with a clifftop temple dedicated to the sea god overlooking the Aegean coast.
- Skiathos & Skopelos — Lush northern Sporades islands featuring emerald forests, sandy beaches, and Byzantine monasteries perched on dramatic hillsides.
- Mount Olympus — Greece's highest peak at 2,918 meters, legendary home of the twelve Olympian gods and a challenging destination for hikers and mountaineers.
- Meteora & Vikos Gorge — Rock pillars topped with ancient monasteries paired with Europe's deepest gorge, offering stunning views of vertical geology and monastic heritage.
- Voidokilia Beach & Methoni Castle — Perfect crescent sandy beach adjacent to a Venetian fortress peninsula, creating an iconic landscape in the Peloponnese region.
- Kefalonia & Ithaca
- Zakynthos & Shipwreck Beach — Island sanctuary for endangered sea turtles, home to a cove with a famous shipwreck nestled between towering golden limestone cliffs.
- Cliff Jumping Spot & Keri Caves — Adventure destination combining thrilling seaside cliff dives with marine caves accessible by boat along Zakynthos's dramatic coastline.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Oya village in Santorini early in the morning to avoid crowds and experience an incredible sunrise.
- Transport
- Amorgos has no airport; reach it by taking a ferry from other islands such as Naxos.
- Transport
- Symi has no airport; it can only be reached by ferry or boat. It makes a great day trip from Rhodes.
- Save money
- Acropolis in Athens costs about €30 during high season; plan your visit accordingly.
- Transport
- Temple of Poseidon is located about an hour's drive from Athens.
- Transport
- Thessaloniki is located in northern Greece, about a 6-hour drive from Athens.
- Transport
- Meteora is located in central Greece, about a 4-hour drive from Athens.
- Tip
- Mount Olympus hike takes 2 to 3 days and it's recommended to have a guide as it can be dangerous and confusing.
- Transport
- Vikos Gorge is about 2.5 hours drive from Meteora; visit the Ox viewpoint for panoramic views.
- Transport
- Scopelos has no airport; reach it by ferry. The island became famous as the filming location for Mamma Mia movie.
- Transport
- Paralia Laria beach on Skiathos is located on the northern side of the island and can only be reached by boat.
- Transport
- Lefkada is conveniently accessible by car since it's connected to the mainland by a causeway.
Video on this route
Top 25 Places To Visit in Greece - Travel Guide