Greece Route: Mykonos, Delos, Vikos Gorge and Beaches
Explore Greece's most iconic destinations across 2,460 km, from the Cycladic islands of Mykonos and Delos to the dramatic monasteries of Meteora, and the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos in Crete. This comprehensive route showcases Greece's unique blend of ancient history, Byzantine architecture, and Mediterranean landscapes.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Welcome to Greece
- End
- Delos
- Stops
- 8
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Welcome to Greece — Gateway to a Mediterranean nation shaped by ancient history, island culture, and Orthodox traditions that distinguish it from Western European influences.
- Vikos Gorge — One of Europe's deepest canyons, carved through limestone mountains in northwestern Greece, offering dramatic hiking through pristine wilderness.
- Mykonos — Windmill-dotted Cycladic island famous for its maze-like streets designed as pirate defense systems and vibrant beach culture.
- Mykonos Town (Chora) — Historic whitewashed center with labyrinthine streets, colorful buildings, and Little Venice district overlooking the Aegean Sea.
- Paradise Beach — Energetic sandy beach on Mykonos known for music, sunbathing, and vibrant nightlife atmosphere.
- Super Paradise Beach — Popular beach on Mykonos featuring lively music and entertainment from sunrise to sunset.
- Agios Stefanos Beach — Secluded tranquil beach on Mykonos offering pristine sand and clear waters with minimal facilities.
- Delos — Sacred uninhabited archaeological island 30 minutes from Mykonos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in ancient mythology, featuring preserved temples and Terrace of Lions.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- A 30-minute boat ride from Mykonos takes you to Delos, an important archaeological site with far fewer crowds than other historical sites in Greece.
- Tip
- Mykonos Town's mazike streets were built as a defense system against pirates. Colorful buildings in Little Venice once served as hidden entryways for smuggling contraband.
- Food
- Try kopanisti cheese, a local specialty with a distinctive peppery kick, and fresh seafood prepared with olive oil and lemon at traditional tavernas in Mykonos.
- Timing
- Paradise and Super Paradise beaches in Mykonos pulse with music and energy from sun up to sun down. For tranquility, visit Agios Stefanos Beach instead.
- Tip
- Meteora's six active monasteries were built between the 14th-16th centuries on stone pillars. Monks originally used rope systems and wooden ladders to reach them; modern steps now carved into rock.
- Where to stay
- Stay in the village of Kastraki at the foot of Meteora stone formations for peaceful accommodations with unmatched views of the monasteries.
- Tip
- Samaria Gorge in Crete stretches 16 km with walls sometimes narrowing to just a few meters wide, making it Europe's longest gorge. The challenging hike opens to the Libyan Sea.
- Timing
- In Santorini's Oia village, crowds gather hours before sunset for viewing spots. Venture a few streets away to find equally spectacular vantage points without the crowds.
- Tip
- Whitewashed walls in Santorini reflect heat to keep interiors cool in intense Mediterranean sun. Blue domes represent the Greek flag colors from post-independence era.
- Timing
- Time your visit to Cape Sounion's Temple of Poseidon for sunset when marble columns are silhouetted against the blazing sky for unforgettable views.
- Tip
- Sakinero Beach on Milos (called Moon Beach) has smooth bone-white volcanic rock sculpted by wind and waves. NASA uses it as a lunar mission training ground.
- Tip
- Navagio Beach in Zakynthos features a rusting shipwreck on pristine white sand surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. It's the most photographed shoreline in Greece.
Video on this route
Why Greece Feels Different From the Rest of Europe?